3rd declension
consonant stems


Masc/fem
Sg
Pl
Nom.
dolor
dolor-es
Gen.
dolor-is
dolor-um
Acc.
dolor-em
dolor-es
Abl.
dolor-e
dolor-ibus
Neuters
Nom.
corpus
corpor-a
Gen.
corpor-is
corpor-um
Acc.
corpus
corpor-a
Abl.
corpor-e
corpor-ibus

Important points
—endings of the nouns of 3rd declension can be various, however they have all consonant stems (or
i-stems): stem = Gen – ending
— e.g. dolor, doloris, m – r-stem
— amputatio, a-nis, f – n-stem etc.
—endings of all cases are added to the genitive stem, not nominative!
— e.g. nom. bronchitis, gen. bronchitidis, acc. bronchitidem, bl. bronchitide etc.
—
—You have to learn the genitive form of each noun!!!

—Nouns of 3rd declension can be masculines, feminines and neuters; however, there are some
regularities:
Ø nouns ending in –do (Gen. -dinis), -go
◦ (-ginis), -io (-ionis), -as (-atis), -itas (-itatis), -ix (-icis) are usually feminines
Ø nouns ending in –er (gen. –eris) are usually masculines
Ø nouns ending in –ma (-matis), -oma (-omatis), -men (-minis) are usually neuters

Irregular expressions
os, ossis, n. = bone
Sg
Pl
nom.
os
oss-a
gen.
oss-is
oss-ium
acc.
os
oss-a
abl.
oss-e
oss-ibus
vas, vasis, n. = vessel
nom.
vas
vas-a
gen.
vas-is
vas-orum
acc.
vas
vas-a
abl.
vas-e
vas-is

3rd declension
i-stems


Latin
Greek
Masc/fem
Sg
Pl
fem
Sg
Pl
nom.
pelvis
pelv-es
dosis
dos-es
gen.
pelv-is
pelv-i-um
dos-is /-eos
dos-i-um
acc.
pelv-em
pelv-es
dos-im/-in
dos-es
abl.
pelv-e
pelv-ibus
dos-i
dos-ibus
neuters
nom.
rete
ret-a
gen.
ret-is
ret-i-um
acc.
rete
ret-a
abl.
ret-i
ret-ibus

Important points
—According to pelvis are declined nouns of 3rd declension
◦which have the same number of syllables in genitive
–canalis, is, m., cutis, is, f.
◦which have two consonants preceding the Genitive ending
–pars, tis, f., dens, ntis, m.

—According to rete are declined only three neuters of 3rd declension
◦animal, alis, n. = animal
◦calcar, ris, n. = spur
◦cochlear, ris, n. = spoon
◦All others are declined according to corpus
◦
◦The only difference, however, is in the ablative sg and genitive pl endings – corpore / reti ,
corporum/retium !!!

Compare
Masc/fem
Sg
Pl
Nom
dolor
dolor-es
Gen.
dolor-is
dolor-um
Acc.
dolor-em
dolor-es
Abl.
dolor-e
dolor-ibus
Nom
pelvis
pelv-es
Gen.
pelv-is
pelv-i-um
Acc.
pelv-em
pelv-es
Abl.
pelv-e
pelv-ibus

Compare
Neuters
Nom.
corpus
corpor-a
Gen.
corpor-is
corpor-um
Acc.
corpus
corpor-a
Abl.
corpor-e
corpor-ibus
Nom.
rete
ret-a
Gen.
ret-is
ret-i-um
Acc.
rete
ret-a
Abl.
ret-i
ret-ibus

—The Greek nouns of 3rd declension are always feminines and usually end in –osis, -xis or –sis !
— You can recognize them according to the double ending of Genitive in your vocabulary: -is/-eos !
—
—Some Latin nouns are declined according to dosis: febris, is, f., sitis, is, f., tussis, is, f.
tuberculosis, is, f., pertussis, is, f.

—
—
—For summary of how to recognize according to which example you should decline a noun, see page 23
of your handbook!!