vociferari

Vociferari is a Latin verb meaning “to cry out loudly, to shout, to threaten.” It is derived from the noun *vociferatio*, which denotes a public outcry or vocal protest. The root *voc-* relates to “voice,” and *-ferre* means “to carry” or “to bring,” so the literal sense is “to bring forth one’s voice.” In Classical Latin, *vociferari* is typically transitive and can be used in contexts where a person or group loudly demands attention, expresses indignation, or makes a vehement proclamation.

In literature, the verb appears frequently in the works of Cicero, who used it to describe orators who intone a grating or merciless line of speech. In early Christian texts, *vociferari* denotes the sound of bishops or laypeople proclaiming doctrine with fierce earnestness. The verb also appears in legal motions, where a witness might *vociferari* in a deposition to emphasize truth.

The word is masculine in the second person plural form *vociferamini*, meaning “you will shout openly.” Its aorist and perfect forms are *vociferavi* and *vociferatus* respectively. It is cognate with the English verb “vociferate,” derived from the 19th‑century Latinized *vociferari*, itself borrowed from the Latin verb. The noun form *vociferatio* entered English as “vociferation,” meaning a loud utterance or proclamation.

Modern dictionaries list *vociferari* as a classical verb meaning “to yell or cry out.” It is often employed in philological studies and glossaries of Latin literature where understanding the intensity of an orator’s tone is essential.