1296. The ablative is used principally with verbs and their participles,
or with adjectives, and consists of three cases that were originally
distinct.
1297. I. The ABLATIVE proper denotes that from which something parts or
proceeds (1302).
The ablative proper is often accompanied by the prepositions #ab#, #dē#,
#ex#, #prae#, #prō#, #sine#, or #tenus#.
1298. With the ablative proper two other cases, originally distinct,
a locative case and an instrumental case, were confounded, and merged
under the common name of the ablative.
1299. II. The LOCATIVE case denotes the place in, at, or on which action
occurs. A few forms of the locative proper are still preserved (1331).
But the place where is ordinarily denoted by the locative ablative
(1342).
The locative ablative is often accompanied by the prepositions #in# or
#sub#.
1300. III. The INSTRUMENTAL case denotes that by which or with which a
main person or thing is attended (1356).
The instrumental ablative is often accompanied by the prepositions #cum#
or #cōram#.
1301. The ablative or locative is sometimes attached immediately to a
substantive.
Thus, (_a._) sometimes to a substantive which denotes or implies action:
as, #interitus ferrō#, _destruction with the sword_, like #intereō
ferrō#; see 1307, 1331, 1342, 1376, 1377. (_b._) In constructions in
which the ablative is due to an older combination with a verb: as, #vir
singulārī virtūte#, _a man of unexampled bravery_. See 1309 and 1375.