Döderlein's Hand-book of Latin Synonymes - Ludwig von Doederlein

[Rogare]; Orare; Obsecrare; Obtestari; Precari; Supplicare. 1. Rogare and orare denote simply a request as the quiet utterance of a wish; but the rogans (ὀργᾶν, ὀρέγεσθαι) feels himself al pari, on a par with the person whom he asks, and asks only a courtesy, like αἰτεῖν; the orans acknowledges the superiority of the other, and asks a benefit, like δεῖσθαι; whereas obsecrare and obtestari denote a passionate asking, as to conjure; but the obsecrans asks urgently, like λιπαρεῖν; the obtestans (from θέσσασθαι) in a suppliant manner. Cic. Att. xvi. 10. Igitur, mi Plance, rogo te atque etiam oro. Pseudocic. p. Red. 16. Pro mea vos salute non rogavit solum, verum etiam obsecravit. 2. Precari denotes the calm act of prayer, in which one raises one’s hand to heaven, like εύχεσθαι; but supplicare denotes the passionate act of supplication, in which one throws one’s self on one’s knees, or on the ground, and wrings one’s hands, like ἱκετεύειν. By hyperbole, however, precor denotes any urgent request; supplicare, any humble request, addressed to a human being. Cic. Parad. v. 3. Noctu venire domum ad eum, precari, denique supplicare. (v. 232.)

[Rogare]; Interrogare; Percontari; Sciscitari. Rogare, interrogare, and quærere, denote a simple questioning; rogare (ὀργᾶν, ὀρέγεσθαι), as willing to know; interrogare, as wishing to know; whereas percontari and sciscitari denote urgently asking; percontari (from γνῶναι) always from a desire of knowledge, with seriousness and calmness; sciscitari (redupl. of scitari) often from curiosity, with inquisitiveness, eagerness, or also with cunning, like pumping or ferreting out. (v. 125.)

Rogare, see [Petere].

Rudis, see [Fustis].

[Ruina]; Strages. Ruina (from ῥεῦσαι is the falling down of things raised one upon another, in consequence of the basis giving way; whereas strages is the throwing down of bodies standing upright, in consequence of a push from without. Liv. iv. 33. Strages ruinæ similis. (vi. 309.)