Meaning of vates | Babel Free

Definitions

1. seer, soothsayer, diviner, prophet, prophetess
   declension-3
2. poet, poetess, bard
   declension-3
3. oracle
   declension-3

Equivalents

Examples

“Heu, vātum ignārae mentēs!”

Alas, the unknowing minds of diviners! (Ambiguity: The statement may refer either to the haruspices accompanying Dido and Anna, or to the sisters’ own misinterpretations of the extispicia.)

“at fēlīx vātēs, ut dīs grātissima vīxit,”

But the fortunate prophetess, since her life was most pleasing to the gods, thus as a goddess has a day in this month of Janus. (The prophetess who became honored as a goddess is Carmenta).

CEFR level