I.v. freq. dep. [comminiscor].
I. Prop., to consider thoroughly, meditate, think over, study, deliberate, weigh, prepare one's self mentally, etc. (class.).
A. Ingen.
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.—
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.—
