3. Note the use of opīniōne with Comparatives; as,—
opīniōne celerius venit, he comes more quickly than expected (lit. than opinion).
INSTRUMENTAL USES OF THE ABLATIVE.
Ablative of Means.
[218]. The Ablative is used to denote means or instrument; as,—
Alexander sagittā vulnerātus est, Alexander was wounded by an arrow.
There are the following special varieties of this Ablative:—
1. Ūtor, fruor, fungor, potior, vescor, and their compounds take the Ablative; as,—
dīvitiīs ūtitur, he uses his wealth (lit. he benefits himself by his wealth);
vītā fruitur, he enjoys life (lit. he enjoys himself by life);
mūnere fungor, I perform my duty (lit. I busy myself with duty);
carne vescuntur, they eat flesh (lit. feed themselves by means of);
castrīs potītus est, he got possession of the camp (lit. made himself powerful by the camp).
a.. Potior sometimes governs the Genitive. See [§ 212], 2.