alacer

ălăcer, cris, e, adj. (also in masc. alacris, Enn., v. below; Ter. Eun. 2, 3, 13, and Verg. A. 5, 380; cf. Charis. p. 63 P.—In more ancient times, alacer comm.; cf. Serv. ad Verg. A. 6, 685, and 2. acer) [perh. akin to alere = to nourish, and olēre = to grow; cf. Cic. Verr. 1, 6, 17; Auct. ad Her. 2, 19, 29], lively, brisk, quick, eager, active; glad, happy, cheerful (opp. languidus; cf. Doed. Syn. 3, 247, and 4, 450.—In the class. per., esp. in Cicero, with the access. idea of joyous activity).

I.

Lit.

A.

Of men: ignotus juvenum coetus, alternā vice Inibat alacris, Bacchio insultans modo, Enn. ap. Charis. p. 214 P.:

quid tu es tristis? quidve es alacris?

why are you so disturbed? or why so excited? Ter. Eun. 2, 3, 13 ( = incitatus, commotus, Ruhnk.):

videbant Catilinam alacrem atque laetum,

active and joyous, Cic. Mur. 24, 49:

valentes imbecillum, alacres perterritum superare,

id. Cael. 28:

Aman laetus et alacer,

Vulg. Esth. 5, 9:

alacres animo sumus,

are eager in mind, Cic. Fam. 5, 12 fin. Manut.; Verg. A. 6, 685 al.—With ad: alacriores ad reliquum perficiendum, Auct. ad Her. 2, 31:

ad maleficia,

id. ib. 2, 30:

ad bella suscipienda alacer et promptus animus,

Caes. B. G. 3, 19; so Sall. C. 21, 5:

ad rem gerendam,

Nep. Paus. 2, 6.—With super:

alacri corde super omnibus,

Vulg. 3 Reg. 8, 66.—In Sall. once for nimble, active: cum alacribus saltu, cum velocibus cursu certabat, Fragm. 62, p. 248 Gerl.—

B.

Of animals:

equus,

Cic. Div. 33, 73: bestiae, Auct. ad Her. 2, 19. —

II.

Transf., poet., of concrete and abstract things:

alacris voluptas,

a lively pleasure, Verg. E. 5, 58; so, alacres enses, quick, ready to cut, Claud. Eutr. 2, 280:

involant (in pugnam) impetu alacri,

with a spirited, vigorous onset, Plaut. Am. 1, 1, 90. — Sup. not used; cf. Charis. 88 P.; Rudd. I. p. 177, n. 48.— Adv.: ălăcrĭter, briskly, eagerly, Amm. 14, 2.— Comp., Just. 1, 6, 10.