commentor, ātus sum, 1, v. freq. dep. [comminiscor].
I Prop., to consider thoroughly , meditate , think over , study , deliberate , weigh , prepare one’s self mentally, etc. (class.).
A In gen.
1 Absol. : ut cito commentatus est, i. e. has made up a story , Plaut. Cas. 2, 3, 27: cum in hortos D. Bruti auguris commentandi causā convenissemus, deliberation , Cic. Lael. 2, 7: magi, qui congregantur in fano commentandi causā, id. Div. 1, 41, 90.—
2 With acc.: te ipsum, qui multos annos nihil aliud commentaris, docebo quid sit humaniter vivere, Cic. Fam. 7, 1, 5: commentari aliquid et discere, id. Fin. 5, 15, 42: futuras mecum commentabar miserias, id. poët. Tusc. 3, 14, 29.—
3 With interrog. clause : ut commentemur inter nos, quā ratione nobis traducendum sit hoc tempus, Cic. Fam. 4, 6, 3.—
4 With de : multos mensis de populi Romani libertate, Cic. Phil. 3, 14, 36.—
B In partic.
1 Of the orator's preparation for a speech (freq. and class.).
a Absol. : ad quem paratus venerat, cum in villā Metelli compluris dies commentatus esset, Cic. Fam. 12, 2, 1: itaque videas barbato rostro eum commentari, Varr. ap. Non. p. 455, 19: crebro digitorum labrorumque motu commentari, Quint. 11, 3, 160.—
b With acc.: ut quae secum commentatus esset, ea sine scripto redderet eisdem verbis quibus cogitasset, Cic. Brut. 88, 301: quae mihi iste visus est ex aliā oratione declamare, quam in alium reum commentaretur, id. Rosc. Am. 29, 82.—
2 Of writings, to prepare , produce as the result of study, write (rare): quorum alter commentatus est mimos, Cic. Phil. 6, 13: eo ipso anno cum commentaremur haec, Plin. 18, 25, 57, § 209: Cato de militari disciplinā commentans, id. praef. § 30.— With acc., to discuss , write upon : neque commentari quae audierat fas erat, Gell. 1, 9, 4; cf.: carmina legendo commentando, que etiam ceteris nota facere, Suet. Gram. 2.—
II Transf.
A Of the oratorical student's practice in speaking (always with reference to the mental exertion and preparation; cf. Jan. ad Cic. Brut. 22, 87): commentabar declamitans, sic enim nunc loquuntur, saepe cum M. Pisone, Cic. Brut. 90, 310: exisse eo colore et eis oculis, ut egisse causam, non commentatum putares, id. ib. 22, 87 fin. : magister hic Samnitium summā jam senectute est et cottidie commentatur, id. de Or. 3, 23, 86 Sorof ad loc.—
B Hence, as a modest expression for a speaker's effort, to experiment in speaking , attempt to speak : satisne vobis videor pro meo jure in vestris auribus commentatus? Cic. Fin. 5, 25, 75 Orell. and Madv. ad loc.—
C To imitate , adopt the language of another: Achilem Aristarchi mihi commentari lubet, Plaut. Poen. prol. 1.—
D To meditate , purpose : si cogitaras id, quod illa tropaea plena dedecoris et risūs te commentatum esse declarant, Cic. Pis. 40, 97.