sumere

Sumere is a classical Latin verb meaning to take, seize, take up, undertake, or assume. It is a fundamental root in Latin verb formation and appears in numerous compounds and idioms, making it a common reference point in studies of Latin syntax and vocabulary.

Etymology and derivatives: The verb derives from a Proto-Italic root associated with taking or receiving actions and has given rise to many compound verbs in Latin and in the Romance languages. In English, several common words come from this root through prefixes, including assume, resume, and consume, illustrating the productive use of sumere in forming new meanings.

Conjugation and forms: Sumere belongs to the third conjugation. In the present indicative active, it appears as sumo, sumis, sumit, sumimus, sumitis, sumunt. The imperfect indicative active is sumebam, sumebas, sumebat, sumebamus, sumebatis, sumebant. The future indicative active is sumam, sumes, sumet, sumemus, sumetis, sument. The perfect indicative active forms sumpsi, sumpsisti, sumpsit, sumpsimus, sumpsistis, sumpsunt. The verb also forms many compound tenses with prefixes such as ad-, con-, re-, in-, ex-, yielding familiar verbs like assumere (to undertake, to assume), resumere (to resume), consumere (to consume), and subsumere (to subsume).

Usage and sense: In classical and later Latin, sumere is used with a broad semantic range, including physical taking, adopting actions, or assuming roles or ideas. It often appears with prepositions or in idioms such as sumere arma (to take up arms) or sumere consilium (to take up a plan). Its prefixes expand its range to express undertaking, taking back, or taking anew, among other nuances.

See also: Latin verbs, third conjugation, sumpsimus forms, sumptum/sumptus formations, assumpio derivatives.