Deponent Verbs
Deponent verbs are passive in form, but active in meaning. Deponent derives from depono, to lay aside. There are only three principal parts to deponent verbs including first person singular (passive), (passive) infinitive, and (passive) participle. In citing form, a deponent verb is often recognizable by virtue of its -or or apparent passive form.
conor, conari, conatus sum (attempt)
imitor, imitari, imitatus sum (imitate)
moror, morari, moratus sum (delay)
loquor, loquari, locutus sum (speak)
sequor, sequi, secutus sum (follow)
polliceor, polliceri, pollicitus sum (fear, reverence)
vereor, vereri, veritus sum (fear, reverence)
obliviscor, oblivisci, oblitus sum (forget)
gradior, gradi, gressus sum (walk, c.f. gradual, motet sung on the cathedral steps)
largior, largiri, largitus sum (suffer, endure, experience)
patior, pati, passus sum (suffer, endure, experience)
experior, experiri, expertis sum (obtain, gain)
potior, potiri, potitus sum (obtain, gain)
Some verbs are deponent only in the perfect like...
gaudio, gaudere, gauisus sum (rejoice)
audeo, audere, ausus sum (dare, c.f. audacious)
soleo, solere, solitus sum (be used/accustomed to)
confido, confidere, confisus sum (trust, have confidence in)
fio, fieri, factus sum (become, be made)
In their characteristic of having an active sense, but appearing passive in form, deponent verbs are similar to the middle voice in Greek. In some derivative languages like French, their equivalents often employ the reflexive, i.e.: Je me suis réjoui. (I rejoiced.)