Latin has several words for & #39;speak, say& #39;, one of which is fārī

at first glance, fārī might not seem to have any English descendants. However, its present participle is fāns, meaning & #39;speaking& #39;

something that does not speak, therefore, is an īnfāns - like a baby, or an infant

there is in fact a whole family of English words that derive from fārī (or its ancestors)

for example, its past participle gives us fātum & #39;speech, declaration, destiny& #39;, origin of English & #39;fate& #39;

the same root also led to fābula & #39;tale& #39;, whence come English & #39;fable& #39; and & #39;fabulous& #39;

my favourite Latin relative of fārī is fās & #39;divine law& #39;

I like fās because it belongs to a small group of Latin nouns that are indeclinable - that is, it never changes according to case or number

an evil deed that went against fās was a nefās, the origin of English & #39;nefarious& #39;