Declension of 'uterque' and the Whip of the Arm
The Latin pronoun 'each of two' declined, with questions on striking a ball
The upper half of the page is a Latin grammar exercise: the full singular and plural declension of the pronoun uterque, utraque, utrumque ('each of two'). Below it Leonardo returns to the mechanics of impact, asking why a small ball is struck harder when the two joints of the arm, at the wrist and the elbow, are unlocked than when the whole arm is swung stiffly with the same power. A note at upper left asks whether it makes a difference for the four aforesaid balls to be propelled by a cord, by powder, or by a blow, and to prove why.
On this page
Declension of the pronoun 'uterque' (each of two)
The pronoun is set out in full: singular nom. uterque utraque utrunque, gen. utriusque, dat. utrique, acc. utrunque utranque utrunque, abl. ab utroque ab utraque ab utroque; plural nom. utrique utreque utraque, gen. utrorunque utrarunque utrorunque, dat. utrisque, acc. utrosque utrasque utraque, abl. ab utrisque.
Why unlocking the arm's joints strikes a ball harder
Leonardo asks for what reason a small ball receives a greater blow when the two joints of the arm, at the wrist and the elbow, are unlocked, than when the arm is moved all in one piece with the same power.
Cord, powder, or blow: which propels the four balls?
A marginal note asks whether there is a difference in the four aforesaid balls being propelled by force of a cord, of powder, or of a blow, and to prove why.