I.v. freq. n. and a. [no], to swim, to float.
I. Lit.: “qui neque in Oceano natare volueris studiosissimus homo natandi,” Cic. Fam. 7, 10, 2: “natant pisces aequore,” Ov. P. 2, 7, 28: canis, per flumen, carnem dum ferret, natans, Phaedr. 1, 4, 2: “natat uncta carina,” floats, Verg. A. 4, 398: “crura natantia,” palmated feet, Ov. M. 14, 551; cf.: “apta natando crura,” id. ib. 15, 376.—Of storm-tossed or shipwrecked persons, to float about, be tossed about: “naufragus natans,” Cic. Inv. 2, 51, 163; cf. “trop.: et natat exuviis Graecia pressa tuis,” Prop. 4 (5), 1, 115. “cum saepe in portu fracta carina natet,” id. 2, 25, 24 (3, 20, 24): “Ithacum lugere natantem,” Juv. 10, 257.—
(β).
Poet., with acc.: “nocte natat caecā serus freta,” swims across, Verg. G. 3, 260: “aquas,” to swim in, Mart. 14, 196, 2: “Tiberinum,” to swim across, Juv. 8, 265.—Hence, also, pass.: “quot piscibus unda natatur,” Ov. Tr. 5, 2, 25. —
B. Transf.
1. To swim or spread about (poet.): “quā Tiberinus campo liberiore natat,” Ov. F. 4, 291: “natantibus radicibus,” Col. Arb. 6; Prop. 2, 12, 52 (3, 7, 52): “ingens medio natat umbra profundo,” Stat. Th. 2, 42: “niveo natat ignis in ore,” id. Achill. 1, 161.—
2. To swim or overflow with any thing, to be overflowed (mostly poet.).
(α).
With abl.: “natabant pavimenta vino,” Cic. Phil. 2, 41, 105: “plenis Rura natant fossis,” are inundated, Verg. G. 1, 372: “sanieque aspersa natarent Limina,” id. A. 3, 625: “fletibus ora natant,” Stat. Th. 2, 337: “carmina in ipse ore natant,” id. S. 2, 1, 18.—
(β).
Absol.: “exspectant imbres, quorum modo cuncta natabant Impulsu,” Luc. 4, 330: “plana natant,” Sil. 4, 751.—
3. Of the eyes, to swim (of drunken or dying persons), to be feeble, failing (poet.): “vinis oculique animique natabant,” Ov. F. 6, 673: “moriens oculis natantibus Circumspexit Athin,” id. M. 5, 72; Sil. 2, 122; cf.: “ante oculos natant tenebrae,” Ov. M. 12, 136: “oculi natantes et quādam voluptate suffusi,” Quint. 4, 3, 76.—
4. To move to and fro, not stand still: “nec vagus in laxā pes tibi pelle (i. e. calceo) natet,” Ov. A. A. 1, 516; Calp. Ecl. 6, 43; Nemes. Cyn. 170.—
II. Trop., to fluctuate, waver, be uncertain ( = titubare, huc atque illuc ferri): “in quo quidem magis tu mihi natare visus es quam ipse Neptunus,” Cic. N. D. 3, 24, 62: “mutatio voluntatis indicat animum natare,” Sen. Ep. 35, 4: “pars multa (hominum) natat, modo recta capessens, Interdum pravis obnoxia,” Hor. S. 2, 7, 6; Sil. 7, 726; Manil. 4, 256: vitreoque natant praetoria ponto, float or waver reflected in the water, Stat. S. 2, 2, 49.—Hence, nătans , antis, P. a., swimming; hence, nătantes , ūm, poet. for fishes: “genus omne natantum,” Verg. G. 3, 541; Cael. Aur. Tard. 3, 2, § 31.
