pronuntio

Pronuntio is a Latin verb meaning to pronounce, declare publicly, or proclaim. In classical use it refers to issuing an authoritative utterance such as a verdict, decree, or proclamation, typically in legal, political, or rhetorical contexts.

Etymology and forms: Pronuntio is formed from pro- plus nuntio (to announce) and belongs to the first conjugation, with principal parts pronuntio, pronuntiare, pronuntiavi, pronuntiatus. The present active indicative forms include pronuntio (I pronounce), pronuntias (you pronounce), pronuntiat (he/she/it pronounces). The infinitive is pronuntiare; the perfect is pronuntiavi; the supine is pronuntiatus. The noun pronuntiatio denotes a pronouncement or public utterance, and related terms include nuntius (messenger) and pronuntiator (one who proclaims).

Usage: In rhetoric and law, pronuntio governs explicit statements such as sentences or decrees. Typical examples include iudex pronuntiavit sententiam, “the judge pronounced the sentence.” Another example is orator pronuntiavit de lege nova, “the orator pronounced/announced the new law.” Beyond legal import, the verb can mean to declare something to be true or to articulate in speech, reflecting its broader sense of public utterance.

Notes: Pronuntio appears mainly in Latin texts and is rarely used in modern prose outside scholarly or pedagogical contexts. The noun pronuntiatio remains the standard term for a pronouncement or utterance; in English, the cognate forms are pronounc e/ pronunciation, deriving from the same Latin roots.