nanciscor, nactus and nanctus (cf. Mai. ad Cic. Rep. 1, 10, 16; Drak. ad Liv. 24, 31; 25, 30; inf. nanciscier, Plaut. As. 2, 2, 59), 3, v. dep. a. [Sanscr. naç, obtain; Gr. ἐνεκ- in ἤνεγκα, etc.; cf.: ἀνάγκη, necesse] (in pass. signif, nactus, v. infra fin.),
I to get, obtain, receive a thing (esp. by accident or without one's co-operation), to meet with, stumble on, light on, find a thing (syn.: offendo, reperio, deprehendo): unde anulum istum nactus? Ter. Hec. 825: quoniam nacti te, inquit, sumus aliquando otiosum, Cic. Fin. 1, 5, 14: nactus sum etiam, qui Xenophontis similem esse se cuperet, id. Or. 9, 32: cum plus otii nactus ero, id. Fam. 3, 7, 1; id. N. D. 3, 36, 87: immanes beluas nanciscimur venando, id. ib. 2, 64, 161; id. Fam. 13, 7, 4: eum Philolai commentarios esse nanctum, id. Rep. 1, 10, 16 Mai.: Cato sic abiit a vitā, ut causam moriendi nactum se esse gauderet, id. Tusc. 1, 30, 74: se in silvas abdiderunt, locum nacti, egregie et naturā et opere munitum, Caes. B. G. 5, 9; hence, to possess by birth, to have by nature : maleficam (naturam) nactus est in corpore fingendo, Nep Ages. 8; of evil as well as good fortune: quod sim nactus mali, Ter. And. 967: ex nuptiis tuis si nihil nanciscor mali, id. Phorm. 543.—Esp., to catch, contract by infection or contagion: nactus est morbum, Nep. Att. 21, 2: febrim, to contract or catch a fever , Suet. Tit. 10: milvo est quoddam bellum quasi naturale cum corvo, ergo alter alterius ubicumque nactus est ova, frangit, Cic. N. D. 2, 49, 125. —
II Transf., to light upon, meet with, reach, find; of inanim. things or living beings: meum quod rete et hami nacti sunt, meum potissimum est, Plaut. Rud. 4, 3, 46: vitis claviculis suis quicquid est nacta, complectitur, Cic. Sen. 15, 52: nactus idoneam ad navigandum tempestatem, Caes. B. G. 4, 23: nactusque silentia ruris Exululat, having reached the quiet country , Ov. M. 1, 232: nactus, as passive, Ap. Met. 7, 15, 4; Hyg. Fab. 1 and 8.