Signator verba de bonorum possessione legit et tabulas obsignat.

The subject is signator.

We know this because signator is in the nominative singular, which is the case Latin normally uses for the subject of a finite verb. It matches the two singular verbs legit and obsignat.

So the basic structure is:

• signator = the subject
• legit = reads
• obsignat = seals

Both actions are done by the same person.

Signator is a noun meaning something like signer, sealer, or the person who affixes a seal.

In a Roman legal or documentary context, it can refer to a person involved in formally validating a document. So it is not just any random signer in the modern sense; it often has an official or procedural flavor.

Verba is the accusative plural of verbum, meaning word.

Latin often uses verba where English might say:

• the words
• the wording
• the formula
• the text

So even if English might prefer a more collective expression, Latin naturally says verba.

In this sentence, verba is the direct object of legit:

• verba legit = he reads the words / wording

Because it is the direct object of legit.

The verb legit means reads, and the thing being read is verba. In Latin, the direct object of a transitive verb is usually in the accusative case.

So:

• signator = subject, nominative
• verba = direct object, accusative

This phrase has two important parts:

• de takes the ablative
• possessione is therefore in the ablative singular

So:

• de possessione = about / concerning possession

Then bonorum is a genitive plural, depending on possessione:

• bonorum possessio = possession of goods / property / estate

Put together:

• de bonorum possessione = about the possession of property / concerning the estate-possession

So de governs possessione, and bonorum depends on possessione.

Because it means of goods or of property.

The genitive often expresses possession or relationship. Here bonorum depends on possessione:

• possessio = possession
• bonorum = of goods / of property

So bonorum possessio literally means possession of goods.

In Roman legal language, this can be a technical expression, not just a casual phrase.

Yes, very often it is.

In Roman law, bonorum possessio is a technical term referring to a recognized form of possession or control of an estate, especially in inheritance contexts. So in a legal sentence like this one, it may mean more than the everyday idea of simply possessing goods.

A learner should be aware that some Latin phrases are ordinary grammatically but specialized in meaning.

Because legit can be ambiguous by itself.

It can be:

• present: he/she reads
• or, from a different principal part, sometimes a form that looks like he/she read in English

But in this sentence, the context strongly points to the present, especially because it is paired with obsignat, which is clearly present:

• legit et obsignat = reads and seals

So the two verbs are understood as parallel present actions.

The object is tabulas.

• tabulas is accusative plural
• it is the thing being sealed

So:

• tabulas obsignat = he seals the tablets/documents

Literally, tabulae can mean boards, tablets, or writing tablets.

In many Latin texts, especially legal or documentary ones, tabulae often means:

• documents
• records
• written tablets
• deeds or similar written materials

So here tabulas obsignat probably refers to sealing written documents, not just wooden objects in a general sense.

They are related in sense, but they are different parts of speech and not exactly the same word.

• signator is a noun: the signer/sealer
• obsignat is a verb: he/she seals

The prefix ob- in obsignat adds the idea of sealing up or sealing formally. So the sentence uses a noun for the person and a verb for one of his actions.

A rough English parallel would be something like:

• the sealer ... seals

Because Latin, like English, can let one subject govern multiple verbs.

Here the subject signator applies to both:

• legit
• obsignat

The conjunction et joins the two actions:

• Signator verba ... legit et tabulas obsignat
• The signator reads ... and seals ...

There is no need to repeat signator.

Yes, it could be different.

Latin word order is more flexible than English because case endings show grammatical function. This sentence is arranged in a fairly natural way:

• subject first: Signator
• then object + phrase: verba de bonorum possessione
• then verb: legit
• then second object + second verb: et tabulas obsignat

But Latin could reorder many of these words without changing the core meaning, for example:

• Signator tabulas et verba de bonorum possessione legit obsignatque
• Verba de bonorum possessione signator legit et tabulas obsignat

The original order is straightforward and easy to follow.

Most naturally, it goes with verba in sense:

• verba de bonorum possessione = words concerning the possession of property

That is, the words are about that topic.

Of course, since de-phrases can sometimes feel adverbial, a learner might wonder whether it means reads about... But here the most natural grouping is:

• verba de bonorum possessione = the wording concerning that matter

So the phrase describes what kind of verba these are.

A very simple breakdown is:

• Signator = subject
• verba = first object
• de bonorum possessione = phrase explaining verba
• legit = first verb
• et = and
• tabulas = second object
• obsignat = second verb

So the pattern is:

Subject + object + modifying phrase + verb + and + object + verb

Or even more simply:

The signator reads the wording ... and seals the documents.