A Latin word often looks different from its dictionary heading. A noun changes with its case and number; a verb changes with person, tense, mood, and voice. You can begin with the form you actually encounter.
Start with the word in your text
Open Lexicon Sacrum and enter one word. Try gratia, erat, or principio. The analyzer shows the possible dictionary headings and grammatical readings.
Keep the possible readings in view
A form can have more than one valid analysis. Lexicon preserves those possibilities. Read the surrounding sentence to decide which fits; the first result is not a contextual judgment. For nouns, consider how the case relates to the verb and prepositions. For verbs, check the subject and the sequence of the sentence.
Read the dictionary entry
Lewis & Short definitions appear where the analyzer heading has an exact dictionary match. Start with the compact view, then switch to the full view for quotations and references. Select an abbreviation for its explanation. A missing dictionary match does not erase the grammatical analysis.
Return to the passage
Compare your reading with the words around it. John 1 in Vox Vulgata provides Latin text, English translation, and Latin audio for practice. Our Latin Bible reading guide suggests a short routine.