publicae

Publicae is a Latin word form functioning as the feminine plural nominative of the adjective publicus, meaning “public” or “of the state.” In Latin, adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in gender, number, and case, so publicae would appear when describing feminine plural nouns in the nominative (or in contexts where such a form is required by syntax). As a grammatical inflection, publicae is not a standalone lexeme with separate meaning beyond its role as a declined form of publicus; its sense is determined entirely by the noun it modifies.

Etymology and composition: publicae derives from the Latin adjective publicus, which itself is connected to the Latin word publicus meaning “of the people, public, civic.” The root public- is linked to the concept of the public sphere and to the noun populus (the people). The form publicae reflects standard 2nd-declension adjective concord, applicable to feminine plural nouns in the nominative (and rarely in other cases where the form coincides with the surface string).

Usage and context: Publicae appears in classical and medieval Latin texts as part of larger noun phrases, where it modifies feminine plural nouns. Because it is an inflected form rather than an independent lexeme, it is encountered most often in grammatical discussions, inscriptions, or passages requiring agreement between adjectives and feminine plural nouns. The common, well-attested phrase res publica uses the feminine singular nominative adjective publica, not publicae.

See also: publicus, res publica, Latin grammar, Latin adjectives.

Note: Publicae is primarily of grammatical interest as an inflected form; it does not denote a distinct concept separate from the broader vocabulary of publicus.