Limus, see [Lutum].

Lingere, see [Lambere].

[Lingua]; Sermo. Lingua denotes the speech of any, even the most uncultivated people, gens or natio, in as far as they possess proper words to express their notions; whereas sermo, only the speech of a cultivated people, populus, in as far as it is adapted for the expression of connected thoughts. Lingua is, like the tongue, born with us, and refers more to the mere gift of speech; sermo requires voluntary activity, and involves the rules of grammar and of style. Cic. Fin. i. 3, 10. Sæpe disserui Latinam linguam non modo non inopem, sed locupletiorem etiam esse quam Græcam: comp. with Off. i. 31. Sermone debemus uti eo, qui notus est nobis. (iv. 22.)

Linter, see [Navigium].

Liquere, see [Fluere] and [Constat].

Lira, see [Porca].

[Litera]; Elementum. Litera is a letter, as the most indivisible part of writing, like γράμμα; elementum (ἄλημα) as the most indivisible part of language or of knowledge in general, like στοιχεῖον. (iii. 210.)

[Literæ]; Epistola; Codicilli. Literæ is the most general expression for a letter; epistola is one directed to a distant friend, and sent by a messenger; codicilli, an address to one within the same walls, as a note. Sen. Ep. 55. Adeo tecum sum ut dubitem an incipiam non epistolas sed codicillos tibi scribere. Cic. Fam. vi. 18. Simul accepi a Seleuco tuo literas; statim quæsivi e Balbo per codicillos quid esset in lege. (vi. 198.)

[Literæ]; Artes; Doctrinæ; Disciplinæ. Literæ and artes denote the sciences as the general objects of scientific education; literæ, in a narrower sense, only as literature, or the sciences so far as they are laid down in books, and, together with other branches of knowledge, enrich the mind, and are the means of sharpening the understanding and forming the taste, artes (ἀρεταί?) in the widest sense, so far as the knowledge of them immediately attests intellectual cultivation, and readiness in the practical application of the sciences; whereas doctrinæ and disciplinæ denote particular parts of the general objects of knowledge formed into systems; doctrinæ, more the speculative and abstract parts of philosophical and learned education; disciplinæ, more the practical parts, that are conducive to the purposes of life. (v. 269.)

Litigatio, see [Disceptatio].