Superlatives

Superlatives are words that describe the highest degree of a quiality. In Engligh, they are formed by adding -est to the end of an adjective, adding most before an adjective, and using the word very before the adjective. In Latin, most superlatives are formed by adding the letters -issim before the case ending. The -issim can only be added to first, second and third declension adjectives, however the endings must always be first or second declensino endings. Some adjectives in Latin do not use the letters -issim to show they are superlative, instead they use the letters -rrim. The adjectives that are formed this way have a Masculine Singular Nomitive form that ends in -er.

Ingentēs becomes Ingentissimī
Pulcher becomes Pulcherrimus

In Latin, there are siz adjectives that do not use either -issim or -rrim to show that they are superlative. Instead, they use the letters -llim. The -llim superlatives are used for adjectives that have a stem that ends in the letter L:

Difficilis becomes Difficillimus
Facilis becomes Facillimus
Similis becomes Simillimus
Dissimilis becomes Dissimillimus
Gracilis becomes Gracillimus
Humilis becomes Humillimus

Some irregular adjectives do not use hte -issim letters to show that they are superlative. Instead, they use different words:

Good = Bonus
Large = Magnus
Small = Parvus
Bad = Malus
Best = Optimus

When the word quam is placed before a superlative, it changes the meaning of the superlative to "as _ as possible." The superlative phrases with "quam" have more of an adverbial sense than an adjectival sense meaning that they describe an action more than a thing.