rogō, rogāre – I ask, I ask for
According to the online Lewis & Short dictionary, rogō means “to ask, question, and interrogate.” In terms of the frequency, it is the 359th most popular word. In terms of a literary aspect, it is used with aliquem or aliquid to ask a question or with de or interrogative clauses. In a transferred sense, it is used with an accusative or ut or ne, which is the most common way, “to ask, beg, request, solicit” something from an individual or to invite someone.
The Etymological Dictionary of Latin suggests that the word is a denominal verb, which is a verb that is directly derived from a noun, rogo (n.) or an adjective, rogo. While the noun “rogo” is used to describe pointing oneself towards the other person, the adjective means to stretch one’s arm when asking for something.
Quotation 1: Essay on Running for Consul (Chapter I, section 4) by Q. Tullius Cicero
“multos abs te defensos homines cuiusque ordinis, aliquot collegia, praeterea studio dicendi conciliatos plurimos adulescentulos, cotidianam amicorum assiduitatem et frequentiam. haec cura ut teneas commonendo et rogando et omniratione efficiendo ut intellegant qui debent tua causa, referendae gratiae, qui volunt, obligandi tui tempus sibi aliud nullum fore. etiam hoc multum videtur adiuvare posse novum hominem, hominum”
Quotation 2: Fabulae (Book I, poem 2, line 20)
“una tacite profert e stagno caput
Et explorato rege cunctas evocat.
Illae timore posito certatim adnatant
20 Lignumque supera turba petulans insilit.
Quod cum inquinassent omni contumelia,
Alium rogantes regem misere ad Iovem,
Inutilis quoniam esset qui fuerat datus.
Tum misit illis hydrum, qui dente aspero
25 Corripere coepit singulas. Frustra necem
Fugitant inertes, vocem praecludit metus.”
References:
“Rogo.” Logeion.uchicago.edu. Date of access 14 May. 2020, https://logeion.uchicago.edu/rogo
Vaan, Michiel Arnoud Cor de. Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the Other Italic Languages. Leiden ; Brill, 2008. Print.
Latin Texts & Translations, University of Chicago, http://artflsrv02.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/perseus/search3t?dbname=LatinSept18&word=lemma:rogo&OUTPUT=conc&author=Q.+Tullius+Cicero
Latin Texts & Translations, University of Chicago, http://artflsrv02.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/perseus/search3t?dbname=LatinSept18&word=lemma:rogo&OUTPUT=conc&author=Phaedrus
