I.to show, point out, to indicate, intimate, inform, advise, teach, instruct, tell any thing (in class. prose very rare, and only in the lit. signif.; in Cic. only a few times; in Cæs. and Sall. not at all; syn.: indico, significo, ostendo, exhibeo).
I. In gen.: qui erranti comiter monstrat viam, Enn. ap. Cic. Off. 1, 16, 51 (Trag. v. 387 Vahl.); cf.: qui sibi semitam non sapiunt, alteri monstrant viam, id. ap. Cic. Div. 1, 58, 132 (Trag. v. 358 Vahl.): “iter,” Curt. 5, 13, 9: “palmam,” Cic. Leg. 1, 1, 2: “digito,” Hor. S. 2, 8, 26; Pers. 1, 28: “monstra quod bibam,” Plaut. Men. 5, 1, 42; Ter. Ad. 4, 2, 31: “tu ... si quid librari ... non intellegent, monstrabis, i. e. dices,” Cic. Fam. 16, 22, 1: “res gestae ... Quo scribi possent numero, monstravit Homerus,” Hor. A. P. 73: “inulas ego primus amaras Monstravi incoquere,” id. S. 2, 8, 51 sq.: “monstrate mearum Vidistis si quam hic errantem forte sororum,” Verg. A. 1, 321: “cujus prudentia monstrat Summos posse viros ... nasci, etc.,” Juv. 10, 48.—Pass.: “quod monstror digito praetereuntium,” Hor. C. 4, 3, 22.— Impers. pass.: si voles advortere animum, comiter monstrabitur, Enn. ap. Varr. L. L. 7, § 89 Müll. (Trag. v. 386 Vahl.).—
II. In partic.
A. To ordain, institute, appoint (poet.): “monstratas excitat aras,” appointed, Verg. G. 4, 549: “piacula,” id. A. 4, 636: “ignis,” Ov. Tr. 3, 11, 53.—
B. To indict, impeach for a crime, to denounce, accuse, inform against (post-Aug.): “alii ab amicis monstrabantur,” were pointed out, informed against, Tac. H. 4, 1: “Nerone Scribonios fratres ... ad exitium,” id. ib. 4, 41.—
C. To advise a person in any manner, or to do any thing: “alicui bene,” Plaut. Bacch. 1, 2, 25: “non periclumst ne quid recte monstres,” id. Ps. 1, 3, 55: “conferre manum pudor iraque monstrat,” advise, urge, Verg. A. 9, 44.—Hence, monstrātus , a, um, P. a., conspicuous, distinguished, remarkable (Tacitean): “et hostibus simul suisque monstrati,” Tac. G. 31: “propinquitate Galbae monstratus,” id. H. 1, 88.