Nouns: Fifth Declension

Diēs, diēī

Diēs, diēī (5m/f): day; time. The gender depends on the usage. It’s usually masculine, but often becomes feminine when referring to an appointed day—a date agreed on for a meeting, for example—and in a few other unusual situations. There’s some variation; diēs is sometimes feminine in a situation where it would usually be masculine and vice versa.
Perdiderit nullum vita reversa diem. —Martial, Epigrams 7.47.12
Translation

Life returned should not waste a day.

Details

(Addressing a man who nearly died.) Perdiderit is the third person singular perfect subjunctive form of perdō, perdere, perdidī, perditum (3): to destroy; waste, squander; lose (a jussive subjunctive; the perfect subjunctive is sometimes used in a way that can be translated as present). Nūllum is the m/n accusative singular form of nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Vīta, vītae (1f): life. Reversus/ reversa /reversum (1/2) is the perfect active participle (having returned) of revertor, revertī, reversus sum (3, deponent): to return. Diem is the accusative singular form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day.

Eo die nihil actum est. —Cicero, Against Verres 2.2.41
Translation

Nothing was decided on that day.

Details

is the m/n ablative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Diē is the ablative singular form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day. Nihil (n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here nom.): nothing. Āctum est is the third person neuter singular perfect passive form of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, put in motion; do, perform, achieve, transact, manage, conduct, deal with; settle, agree on, decide, decree; act, behave.

Zama quinque dierum iter ab Carthagine abest. —Livy, History of Rome 30.29.2
Translation

Zama is five days’journey away from Carthage.

Details

Zama, Zamae (1f). Quīnque (indeclinable): five. Diērum is the genitive plural form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day. Iter is the accusative singular form of iter, itineris (3n): journey; route, way (the accusative of extent of space). Ab /ā (prep.): from (takes the ablative). Carthāgine is the ablative singular form of Carthāgō, Carthāginis (3f): Carthage. Abest is the third person singular form of absum, abesse, āfuī, āfutūrus (irreg.): to be away, be absent, be distant.

Dies noctesque bibite. —Plautus, The Ghost 22
Translation

Spend your days and nights drinking.

More literally: Drink (throughout) days and nights.

Details

Diēs is the accusative plural form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day. Noctēsque is the accusative plural form of nox, noctis (3f): night (the enclitic conjunction – que adds and) (diēs noctēsque is an accusative of duration). Bibite is the plural imperative form of bibō, bibere, bibī, bibitum (3): to drink.

Incommoda in dies augebantur. —Caesar, The Civil War 1.52.2
Translation

The troubles were getting worse by the day.

More literally: The troubles were increasing with the passage of days.

Details

Incommoda is the nominative plural form of incommodum, incommodī (2n): detriment, harm; disadvantage; inconvenience; trouble, misfortune. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into; for; against; according to; per; increasingly with the passage of (days or another unit of time). Diēs is the accusative plural form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day (in diēs = increasingly with the passage of days, daily). Augēbantur is the third person plural imperfect passive form of augeō, augēre, auxī, auctum (2): to cause to grow bigger or more intense, increase, intensify (a reflexive passive).

A few ways to refer to yesterday, today, tomorrow.

Aequis manibus hesterno die diremistis pugnam. —Livy, History of Rome 27.13.5
Translation

Yesterday you ended the battle with no advantage to either side.

Details

Aequīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of aequus/aequa/aequum (1/2): level, flat, even; equal; equitable, just, fair; calm, untroubled (aequīs manibus is an idiom: with neither side having the upper hand). Manibus is the ablative plural form of manus, manūs (4f): hand. Hesternō is the m/n ablative singular form of hesternus/hesterna/hesternum (1/2): belonging to yesterday. Diē is the ablative singular form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day (hesternō diē = yesterday). Dirēmistis is the second person plural perfect form of dirimō, dirimere, dirēmī, dirēmptum (3): to pull apart; separate; break up, dissolve; interrupt; settle (a dispute). Pugnam is the accusative singular form of pugna, pugnae (1f): fight, battle.

Ecce hic dies ultimus est. —Seneca, Epistles 15.11
Translation

Lo, today is the last.

(Chicago:) See, this day is my last.

Details

(Or if not the very last, nearly the last—a claim that’s always true.) Ecce (interj.): lo! behold! see! Hic /haec/hoc (pron. or adj.): this, this one; he, she, it. Diēs, diēī (5m/f): day. Ultimus /ultima/ultimum (1/2): last, final; furthest. Est: is.

Hodierni diei res gestas Lupercalibus habebis. —Cicero, Letters to Quintus 2.12.4
Translation

You’ll receive today’s events on the Lupercalia.

Details

Hodiernī is the m/n genitive singular form of hodiernus/hodierna/hodiernum (1/2): belonging to today. Diēs, diēī (5m/f): day. Rēs is the accusative plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; event; fact; property. Gestās is the feminine accusative plural form of gestus/gesta/gestum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of gerō, gerere, gessī, gestum (3): to bear, carry; carry on, transact, conduct, do, achieve, accomplish (rēs gestae = deeds, exploits, achievements; events). Lupercālibus is the ablative plural form of Lupercal, Lupercālis (3n, often pl.): the Lupercalia (or Lupercal), a festival of fertility and averting of evil, held on February 15. Habēbis is the second person singular future form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.

Crastino die scies. —Apuleius, Metamorphoses 1.24
Translation

Tomorrow you’ll know.

Details

Crāstinō is the m/n ablative singular form of crāstinus/crāstina/crāstinum (1/2): belonging to tomorrow. ; Diē is the ablative singular form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day. Sciēs is the second person singular future form of sciō, scīre, scīvī/sciī, scītum (4): to know.

The ablative phrases hesternō diē, hodiernō diē and crāstinō diē used without prepositions are equivalent to the adverbs heri(yesterday, on the day before this one —also spelled here), hodiē(today, on this day) and crās(tomorrow, on the day after this one). But unlike the English words yesterday, today and tomorrow, those Latin adverbs can’t normally be used as nouns. So Apuleius could have used crās sciēs (instead of crāstinō diē sciēs) to say tomorrow you’ll know, because in that case tomorrow is an adverb. (It modifies the verb; it explains when you’ll know.) But he couldn’t have used crās to say tomorrow will be difficult, because there tomorrow isn’t modifying anything. It’s a noun. When referring to tomorrow (etc.) in that sort of way—nominally, not adverbially—Latin uses phrases like the ones we’ve noted: hesternus diēs for yesterday, hic diēs or hodiernus dies for today, and crāstinus diēs for tomorrow.

The adjectives hesternus, hodiernus and crāstinus are also sometimes used substantively on their own (without diēs) in the same senses. The substantive adjective (e. g. , hesternus simply to mean yesterday) may be masculine (if diēs is implied) but it could also be neuter (if it’s more general). We can’t tell for sure because we have no nominative examples of those uses, and the nominative is the only case where the masculine form differs from the neuter in the singular. (We don’t have any plural examples either.)

Diēs nātālis means birthday.

Mi est natalis dies. —Plautus, The Captives 174
Translation

It’s my birthday.

More literally: It’s the natal day for me.

Details

is a contracted form of mihi, the dative form of ego: I (to/for me). Est: it is. Nātālis /nātālis/nātāle (3): relating to birth, natal. Diēs, diēī (5m/f): day.

The adjective nātālis is also used substantively (in the masculine, with diēs implied) in the same sense.

Some examples of the feminine diēs referring to an appointed day.

Non respondet ad certam diem fecunditas. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 2.5.1
Translation

Fertility does not answer summons on a fixed day.

Details

Nōn: not. Respondet is the third person singular form of respondeō, respondēre, respondī, respōnsum (2): to respond, reply, answer; answer a summons; conform; correspond. Ad (prep.): to, toward; at, near; for; according to (takes the accusative). Certam is the feminine accusative singular form of certus/certa/certum (1/2): fixed, set, settled, predetermined, definite; sure, certain. Diem is the accusative singular form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day. Fēcunditās, fēcunditātis (3f): fertility, fecundity.

Neroneum agona ante praestitutam diem revocavit. —Suetonius, Life of Nero 21.1
Translation

He brought back the Neronian games before the appointed date.

Details

Nerōnēum is the m/n accusative singular form of Nerōnēus/Nerōnēa/Nerōnēum (1/2): Neronian. Agōna is the accusative singular form of agōn, agōnos (3m, with some unusual forms because it’s from Greek): struggle; contest. Ante (prep.): before (takes the accusative). Praestitūtam is the feminine accusative singular form of praestitūtus/praestitūta/praestitūtum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of praestituō, praestituere, praestituī, praestitūtum (3): to determine, fix, appoint (in advance). Diem is the accusative singular form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day. Revocāvit is the third person singular perfect form of revocō, revocāre, revocāvī, revocātum (1): to call back, recall; bring back; revive, renew, repeat; cancel; restrain.

Eo anno plerisque dies dicta ab aedilibus. —Livy, History of Rome 10.13.14
Translation

In that year a great many were summoned to court by the aediles.

More literally: In that year a day (for trial) was declared/appointed for a great many by the aediles.

Details

is the m/n ablative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Annō is the ablative singular form of annus, annī (2m): year. Plērīsque is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of plērusque/plēraque/plērumque (1/2): most; very many, a great many. Diēs, diēī (5m/f): day (diem dīcere = to appoint a day; often, like here, appoint a day for someone’s trial, serve a summons (on someone = dative)). Dictus/ dicta /dictum (1/2) is the perfect passive participle of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say, declare (est is implied; dicta est is the third person feminine singular perfect passive form). Ab /ā (prep.): from; by (takes the ablative). Aedīlibus is the ablative plural form of aedīlis, aedīlis (3m): a magistrate in charge of public order and infrastructure (the name is derived from the noun aedēs, aedis (3f): temple, shrine; (in pl.) house).

Sometimes diēs is translated as time —i.e., the passage of days. It evidently tended to be feminine when used in this sense; but since we have few examples of it with an adjective, it’s hard to be certain.

Longa procubuere die. —Ovid, Fasti 2.58
Translation

They have sunk down under the weight of days.

More literally: They have sunk down by a long time.

Details

(Talking about old temples.) Longā is the feminine ablative singular form of longus/longa/longum (1/2): long. Prōcubuēre is the third person plural perfect form of prōcumbō, prōcumbere, prōcubuī, prōcubitum (3): to bend forward; prostrate oneself; fall forward, fall down, sink down, fall over. Diē is the ablative singular form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day; time.


Fidēs, fideī

Fidēs, fideī (5f, singular only): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence.
Coniugis nulla est fides. —Seneca, Medea 164
Translation

Your husband is faithless.

More literally: There is no faithfulness/loyalty of (your) spouse.

Details

Coniūnx, coniugis (3m/f—also coniux): spouse, consort, husband or wife. Nūllus/ nūlla /nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any, none; non-existent. Est: (there) is. Fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence.

Pretio parata vincitur pretio fides. —Seneca, Agamemnon 287
Translation

Loyalty that was acquired for a price can be overcome by a price.

Details

Pretiō is the ablative singular form of pretium, pretiī (2n): reward; price; value. Parātus/ parāta /parātum (1/2) is the perfect passive participle of parō, parāre, parāvī, parātum (1): to make available, furnish, supply; get, obtain, acquire; buy; prepare. Vincitur is the third person singular passive form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, beat, defeat, vanquish, overcome; surpass; win, be victorious. Fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence.

Parumne me tam longa defendit fides? —Seneca, Oedipus 685
Translation

Does such long-standing loyalty not suffice to defend me?

More literally: Does so long a loyalty defend me too little?

Details

Parumne (adv.): not enough, (too) little (the enclitic interrogative particle – ne turns the word into part of a question). is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Tam (adv.): so (much), to such an degree. Longus/ longa /longum (1/2): long; long-lasting. Dēfendit is the third person singular form of dēfendō, dēfendere, dēfendī, dēfēnsum (3): to defend. Fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence.

Cassius fidei magis quam virtuti legionum confidebat. —Anonymous, The Alexandrine War 61.1
Translation

Cassius trusted the loyalty of the legions more than their bravery.

Details

Cassius /Cassia/Cassium (1/2): a family name. Fideī is the dative singular form of fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence. Magis (adv.): more. Quam (rel. adv.): than; as. Virtūtī is the dative singular form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): virtue, good quality; bravery, valor, courage. Legiōnum is the genitive plural form of legiō, legiōnis (3f): legion. Cōnfīdēbat is the third person singular imperfect form of cōnfīdō, cōnfīdere, cōnfīsus sum (3, semi-deponent): to be confident; trust, rely on (takes a dative or ablative object).

Quid meam fidem imploras? —Cicero, In Defense of Plancius 101
Translation

Why do you implore my honor?

Details

Quid (interrog. adv.): what for? why? Meam is the feminine accusative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Fidem is the accusative singular form of fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence. Implōrās is the second person singular form of implōrō, implōrāre, implōrāvī, implōrātum (1): to entreat, beg (for); call on for help, appeal to, invoke, implore (fidem implōrāre and similar expressions—i.e., with other verbs of begging, imploring, etc. , or the ideas of such verbs implied—are fairly common to ways to say imploring (or begging for) X’s protection or assistance, but they’re hard to translate literally because there’s no exact English equivalent for the word fidēs; those expressions generally mean appealing to a person’s sense of loyalty, honor, duty, what is right, or to the trust that’s supposed to exist between the imploring and the implored).

Dic bona fide: —Plautus, The Pot of Gold 772
Translation

Tell me in good faith:

Alt. : Tell me honestly:

Details

Dīc is the singular imperative form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say, tell. Bonā is the feminine ablative singular form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Fidē is the ablative singular form of fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty.

Fidem da. —Plautus, The Casket 236
Translation

Give me your word.

Details

Fidem is the accusative singular form of fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence. is the singular imperative form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give.

Eos in fidem recipit. —Caesar, The Gallic War 4.22.3
Translation

He received them into his protection.

Details

(In exchange for their allegiance, as is usually the case with the expression in fidem recipere.) Eōs is the masculine accusative plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that (these, those, them). In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Fidem is the accusative singular form of fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence. Recipit is the third person singular form of recipiō, recipere, recēpī, receptum (3, –iō): to get back, recover; receive, take in; accept, admit, allow (it’s in the historical present).

Numquam fides latendi fit etiam latentibus. —Seneca, Epistles 97.16
Translation

They never trust that they are undetected even when they are.

More literally: Trust of being hidden never happens even for the being-hidden.

Details

(Talking about wrongdoers.) Numquam (adv.): never. Fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence. Latendī is the genitive gerund of lateō, latēre, latuī, — (2): to be hidden, hide. Fit is the third person singular form of fīō, fierī, —, — (irreg.): to be done; be made; happen, occur; come into being; become. Etiam (particle): still; even; also. Latentibus is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of latēns, latentis (3), the present active participle of lateō, latēre, latuī, — (2): to be hidden, hide.

Res fidem excedit. —Seneca, Epistles 97.3
Translation

The matter beggars belief.

More literally: The matter goes beyond belief.

Details

Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; event; fact; property. Fidem is the accusative singular form of fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence. Excēdit is the third person singular form of excēdō, excēdere, excessī, excessum (3): to go away, depart, withdraw; go beyond; exceed.

Fides ei habita non est. —Hyginus, Fabulae 108.2
Translation

She was not believed.

More literally: Belief was not had to her.

Details

Fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence. is the m/f/n dative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Habita (est) is the third person feminine singular perfect passive form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Nōn: not. Est: see habita. #(see habita)%

Fidemque res habuit. —Ovid, Metamorphoses 9.706-7
Translation

The lie was believed.

More literally: And the thing had belief.

Details

Fidemque is the accusative singular form of fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence (the enclitic conjunction – que adds and). Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; event; fact; property. Habuit is the third person singular form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.

Lacrimae fecere fidem. —Ovid, Metamorphoses 6.566
Translation

His tears lent credence to his story.

More literally: Tears made credence.

Details

Lacrimae is the nominative plural form of lacrima, lacrimae (1f): tear. Fēcēre is the third person plural perfect form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Fidem is the accusative singular form of fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence.

Volt sceleris superesse fidem. —Lucan, The Civil War 8.688
Translation

He wanted there to be lasting evidence of the crime.

More literally: He wants evidence of the crime to remain.

Details

Volt (also spelled vult) is the third person singular form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish (a use of the historical present). Scelus, sceleris (3n): crime. Supersum, superesse, superfuī, superfutūrus (irreg.): to remain, be left over. Fidem is the accusative singular form of fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence.

Fides tua te salvam fecit. —Luke 7:50
Translation

Thy faith hath made thee safe.

Details

Fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; good faith, honesty, sincerity; faithfulness; loyalty; allegiance; honor (with respect to keeping one’s promises, allegiances, etc.); promise; (promise of) protection; credit; credence, belief; evidence. Tuus/ tua /tuum (1/2): your, yours (in archaic English thy, thine). is the accusative form of tū: you (in archaic English thou, thee). Salvam is the feminine accusative singular form of salvus/salva/salvum (1/2): safe; saved; well, in good health. Fēcit is the third person singular perfect form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.


Rēs, reī

Rēs, reī (5f): thing, with many other, more specific translations also possible depending on context, for example: matter, affair, business; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; fact; property, possession; interest (what concerns a person and their well-being). Rēs is a very general word, at least as versatile as the English word thing. But although there’s considerable overlap, rēs and thing aren’t always used in the exact same way, as we will see in some illustrations below.
Non est delicata res vivere. —Seneca, Epistles 107.2
Translation

Life is not a dainty business.

More literally: To live is not. . .

Details

Nōn: not. Est: is. Dēlicātus/ dēlicāta /dēlicātum (1/2): delicate, soft; dainty; luxurious, voluptuous; squeamish; effeminate; addicted to pleasure or excessively concerned about one’s comfort. Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live.

Huius rei conscius mihi sum. —Seneca, Epistles 71.36
Translation

(Chicago:) This I recognize in myself.

More literally: I am conscious of this thing for myself.

Details

Huius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Cōnscius /cōnscia/cōnscium (1/2): sharing knowledge, privy; complicit; conscious, aware (often idiomatically combined with a reflexive pronoun/personal pronoun used reflexively). Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to/for me; used reflexively: to/for myself). Sum: I am.

Omnes huic rei tollimur. —Seneca, Consolation to Polybius 11.3
Translation

It is for this thing that we are all reared.

Details

(Death.) Omnēs is the m/f nominative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Huic is the dative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Reī is the dative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Tollimur is the first person plural passive form of tollō, tollere, sustulī, sublātum (3): to pick up, lift, raise; pick up a child to acknowledge and raise it; rear; take away, remove, do away with.

Magnam rem! —Seneca, On Anger 3.19.2
Translation

A great matter, truly!

(Chicago:) Big deal!

Details

(He’s being ironic.) Magnam is the feminine accusative singular form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great; important. Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. (This phrase is an example of the exclamatory accusative.)

Non possum in hac re esse neglegens. —Seneca, On the Happy Life 24.1
Translation

(Chicago:) I cannot be negligent in this matter.

Details

Nōn: not. Possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Hāc is the feminine ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. is the ablative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Esse: (to) be. Neglegēns, neglegentis (3, adj.): negligent—originally the present active participle (neglecting) of neglegō, neglegere, neglēxī, neglēctum (3): to neglect.

Initium rerum est. —Seneca, Epistles 58.12
Translation

(Chicago:) It is the beginning of things.

Details

(He’s talking about “that which is,” the genus that includes all else and has nothing above it.) Initium, initiī (2n): beginning, starting point; first principle. Rērum is the genitive plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Est: it is.

Ea res omnium iudicio reprehendebatur. —Caesar, The Civil War 1.14.5
Translation

Everyone disapproved of that action.

More literally: That action was reprehended by the judgment of all.

Details

Is/ ea /id (adj.): this, that. Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Omnium is the m/f/n (here m) genitive plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every: (m. pl. used substantively) all (people), everyone. Iūdiciō is the ablative singular form of iūdicium, iūdiciī (2n): trial; judgment, opinion. Reprehendēbātur is the third person singular imperfect passive form of reprehendō, reprehendere, reprehendī, reprehēnsum (3—also reprēndō): to seize and hold back; find fault with, censure, criticize, reprehend.

Praetermissa eius rei occasio est. —Livy, History of Rome 33.18.20
Translation

They let the occasion slip.

More literally: The occasion of (i.e., for) that thing was missed.

Details

Praetermissa (. . . est) is the third person feminine singular perfect passive form of praetermittō, praetermittere, praetermīsī, praetermissum (3): to omit, pass over, neglect, disregard, miss, let slip. Eius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Occāsiō, occāsiōnis (3f): opportunity, occasion. Est: see praetermissa.

Consilia enim rebus aptantur. —Seneca, Epistles 71.1
Translation

For advice must be adapted to circumstances.

More literally: For counsels are adapted to circumstances.

Details

Cōnsilia is the nominative plural form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, consultation; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); plan, intention, purpose; discernment. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Rēbus is the dative plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Aptantur is the third person plural form of aptō, aptāre, aptāvī, aptātum (1): to fix, fasten; apply; prepare; adapt.

Durate, et vosmet rebus servate secundis. —Virgil, Aeneid 1.207
Translation

Endure, and preserve yourselves for favorable circumstances.

Details

Dūrātē is the plural imperative form of dūrō, dūrāre, dūrāvī, dūrātum (1): to harden; endure. Et (conj.): and. Vōsmet is the accusative form of vōs: you (pl.), yourselves (the enclitic particle – met adds emphasis to a pronoun). Rēbus is the dative plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Servāte is the plural imperative form of servō, servāre, servāvī, servātum (1): to observe; keep; save, preserve. Secundīs is the m/f/n dative plural form of secundus/secunda/secundum (1/2): moving along with one, moving in the same direction, (esp. of winds) blowing in the same direction (and thus favorable); (in all kinds of other contexts) favorable, propitious; proceeding favorably, successful; second.

Sometimes rēs means fact, reality, or action as opposed to mere appearances or words.

Non re ductus es sed opinione. —Cicero, In Defense of Murena 62
Translation

You were not led by fact but by opinion.

Details

Nōn: not. is the ablative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Ductus es is the second person masculine singular perfect passive form of dūcō, dūcere, dūxī, ductum (3): to lead. Sed (conj.): but. Opīniōne is the ablative singular form of opīniō, opīniōnis (3f): opinion, belief; expectation; people’s opinion about someone or something, reputation.

Non in verbis sed in rebus est. —Seneca, Epistles 16.3
Translation

It is a matter not of words but of facts.

(Chicago:) It consists not in words but in actions.

Details

(He’s talking about philosophy.) Nōn: not. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Verbīs is the ablative plural form of verbum, verbī (2n): word. Sed (conj.): but. Rēbus is the ablative plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Est: it is.

Thus the ablative singular form can mean in fact, in reality (as opposed to in appearance etc.). Rēx est nōn rē sed nōmine = He is king not in fact but in name (only). The phrases rē vērā and rē ipsā are also used in a similar way. See the entry on the adjective vērus for an illustration of the former.

Now let’s see a couple of examples where rēs means property, wealth, possession.

Rem perdidi apud vos. —Plautus, Truculentus 139
Translation

I’ve lost (my) wealth among you.

Details

Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Perdō, perdere, perdidī, perditum (3): to destroy; waste, squander; lose. Apud (prep.): with, among; at, by, near; at the house of; in the writings of; in the eyes of (takes the accusative). Vōs is the accusative form of vōs: you (pl.).

Me res familiaris movet. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 16.15.5
Translation

I am worried about my personal finances.

More literally: The household property/personal wealth worries me.

Details

is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Familiāris/ familiāris /familiāre (3): belonging to one’s household; private, personal; intimate; familiar. Movet is the third person singular form of moveō, movēre, mōvī, mōtum (2): to move; trouble, disturb, concern, worry.

And a couple where plural forms mean pieces of property, possessions, one’s “things”:

Innoxiae multitudini redditae res. —Livy, History of Rome 6.10.5
Translation

The innocent multitude were given back their property.

More literally: To the innocent multitude, the things were given back.

Details

Innoxiae is the feminine dative singular form of innoxius/innoxia/innoxium (1/2): innocent; harmless; unharmed. Multitūdinī is the dative singular form of multitūdō, multitūdinis (3f): multitude. Redditae is the feminine nominative plural form of redditus/reddita/redditum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of reddō, reddere, reddidī, redditum (3): to give back, return (sunt is implied: redditae sunt is the third person feminine plural perfect passive form). Rēs is the nominative plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest.

Res tuas ocius tolle. —Petronius, Satyricon 79.11
Translation

Pick up your things quickly.

Details

Rēs is the accusative plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Tuās is the feminine accusative plural form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Ocius (adv.): more quickly; sooner; quickly, promptly. Tolle is the singular imperative form of tollō, tollere, sustulī, sublātum (3): to pick up, lift, raise; take away, remove, do away with.

Also note the phrase rēs tuās tibi habē/habētō (and variants), meaning have your things to yourself: a formula for declaring divorce.

Now an example where rēs can be translated as interest (or advantage, one’s good, etc.):

In rem hoc tuam est. —Plautus, The Pot of Gold 154
Translation

This is in your interest.

Details

In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into; for; in accordance with (in + accusative can sometimes still be translated idiomatically as in, but some sort of motion—literal or figurative—is always implied). Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Hic/haec/ hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Tuam is the feminine accusative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Est: is.

For rēs pūblica meaning the common interest, commonwealth, state affairs, the state or the republic, see pūblicus/pūblica/pūblicum. For ex/ē rē meaning in one’s interest (and ex/ē rē pūblicā meaning in the interest of the state or in the public interest) see ex/ē.

Rēs together with an adjective or a genitive noun can also mean, more broadly, that which concerns someone or something, with various translations possible depending on context.

Plane nesciebam te tam peritum esse rei militaris. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 9.25.1
Translation

I had no idea that you were so versed in military matters.

More literally: I absolutely did not know you to be so practiced of (i.e., in) the military thing.

Details

Plānē (adv.): plainly, clearly, distinctly; absolutely, utterly. Nesciēbam is the first person singular imperfect form of nesciō, nescīre, nescīvī/nesciī, nescītum (4): not to know. is the accusative form of tū: you. Tam (adv.): so (much), to such a degree. Perītum is the m/n accusative singular form of perītus/perīta/perītum (1/2): experienced, practiced, expert (often with genitive of the field of expertise). Esse: to be. Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Mīlitāris is the m/f/n genitive singular form of mīlitāris/mīlitāris/mīlitāre (3): military.

Angusta re frumentaria utebatur. —Caesar, The Civil War 3.43.3
Translation

He was experiencing a shortage of grain.

Alt. : He had short supply of grain.

More literally: He was experiencing a scarce grain-related thing/possession.

Details

Angustā is the feminine ablative singular form of angustus/angusta/angustum (1/2): narrow; scarce; restricted. is the ablative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Frūmentāriā is the feminine ablative singular form of frūmentārius/frūmentāria/frūmentārium (1/2): relating to grain. Ūtēbātur is the third person singular imperfect form of ūtor, ūtī, ūsus sum (3, deponent): to use; treat; experience; sometimes loosely have.

Ad rem pertinēre (sometimes also ad rem esse) is a common expression meaning to matter or be relevant.

Nihil enim ad rem pertinent anni. —Seneca, Consolation to Marcia 17.7
Translation

Age is irrelevant.

More literally: Years indeed pertain nothing to the matter.

Details

Nihil (n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here acc.): nothing; acc. used adverbially: in no respect, to no extent, in no way, not at all. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Pertinent is the third person plural form of pertineō, pertinēre, pertinuī, — (2): to extend (to a certain point in space); pertain, apply, refer, belong, be relevant (to), matter (to), aim (at). Annī is the nominative plural form of annus, annī (2m): year.

Quid ad rem pertinet quos illa mores habeat? —Seneca, Epistles 104.8
Translation

What does it matter what habits it has?

More literally: What does it pertain to the matter. . .

Details

(Referring to a city—cīvitās, cīvitātis (3f). He’s saying that a city’s habits or morals makes don’t matter to the traveler who brings along his own.) Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? neut. acc. sg. used adverbially: in what respect? to what extent? how? what for? why? Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Pertinet is the third person singular form of pertineō, pertinēre, pertinuī, — (2): to extend (to a certain point in space); pertain, apply, refer, belong, be relevant (to), matter (to), aim (at). Quōs is the masculine accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Ille/ illa /illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it. Mōrēs is the accusative plural form of mōs, mōris (3m): custom, habit, (habitual) manner; (in the plural) manners, ways, (habitual) behavior, morals, character. Habeat is the third person singular subjunctive form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).

The verb pertinēre (or esse) is sometimes left implied.

Nihil ad rem! —Cicero, On the Ends of Good and Evil 4.73
Translation

That’s irrelevant!

More literally: Nothing to the matter!

Details

Nihil (n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only): nothing; acc. used adverbially: in no respect, to no extent, in no way, not at all. Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. (Nihil could be accusative or nominative depending on which verb is implied. The verb could be pertinetpertains, is relevant to —or est. Nihil ad rem est is less common than nihil ad rem pertinet.)

Quid ad rem? —Seneca, On Benefits 2.28.2
Translation

And so what?

More literally: What (does it pertain) to the matter?

Details

Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? neut. acc. sg. used adverbially: in what respect? to what extent? how? what for? why? Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. (The verb pertinetpertains, is relevant to —is most likely implied.)

The phrases quam ob rem and quā rē (also written as one word, quamobrem and quārē) can both mean why or because of which (thing), wherefore, therefore, so.

Quam ob rem id tute non facis? —Terence, The Woman of Andros 727
Translation

Why don’t you do it yourself?

More literally: Because of what thing don’t you do it yourself?

Details

Quam is the feminine accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Ob (prep.): towards; against, in front of, in the way of (so as to block); because of, for (a reason) (takes the accusative). Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Id is the neuter accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Tūte: you yourself (a strengthened ). Nōn: not. Facis is the second person singular form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.

Quam ob rem multa praetermittam. —Cicero, Against Verres 2.4.105
Translation

Therefore I will pass over many things.

More literally: Because of which thing, I will pass over many things.

Details

Quam is the feminine accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. adj.): which, what. Ob (prep.): towards; against, in front of, in the way of (so as to block); because of, for (a reason) (takes the accusative). Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Multa is the neuter accusative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Praetermittam is the first person singular future form of praetermittō, praetermittere, praetermīsī, praetermissum (3): to omit, pass over, neglect, disregard, miss, let slip.

Quaere qua re sit absolutus! —Cicero, In Defense of Quintus Roscius the Comedian 26
Translation

Ask why he was acquitted!

More literally: Ask because of what thing he was acquitted!

Details

Quaere is the singular imperative form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to seek; ask, seek to know. Quā is the feminine ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? is the ablative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Sit absolūtus is the third person masculine singular perfect passive subjunctive form of absolvō, absolvere, absolvī, absolūtum (3): to release; acquit (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).

Qua re perge ut coepisti. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 7.18.1
Translation

Therefore continue as you have started.

More literally: Because of which thing, continue as you have started.

Details

Quā is the feminine ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. adj.): which, what. is the ablative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Perge is the singular imperative form of pergō, pergere, perrēxī, perrēctum (3): to go on, proceed, continue. Ut (rel. adv.): as. Coepistī is the second person singular perfect form of coepī, coepisse, coeptum (defective; usually occurs only in the perfect, pluperfect and future perfect tenses; the principal parts given here show the perfect forms): to begin.

Quid ergo adfers qua re id factum putemus? —Cicero, In Defense of Sextus Roscius Amerinus 54
Translation

What, then, can you bring forward to cause us to believe that this occurred?

More literally: What, then, do you bring because of which thing we should think it having been done?

Details

Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Ergō (particle): therefore, so, then. Adfers is the second person singular form of adferō, adferre, adtulī, adlātum (3, irreg. —also afferō): to bring. Quā is the feminine ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. adj.): which, what. is the ablative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business; fact; event; situation, circumstance; deed, act, action; property, wealth, possession; interest. Id is the neuter accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Factum is the m/n accusative singular form of factus/facta/factum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Putēmus is the first person plural subjunctive form of putō, putāre, putāvī, putātum (1): to think, believe, suppose (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of characteristic).

Note: Neuter words meaning something, anything, nothing, this, that, what, etc. (e. g. , aliquid, quicquam, nihil, hoc, illud, quid. . .) all occur mostly (and, in the case of nihil, exclusively) in the nominative and accusative cases. Those meanings in the other cases are usually expressed with forms of rēs accompanied by an adjective. The neuter genitive, dative and ablative forms of aliquid etc. are identical to the corresponding masculine forms (except nihil, which has no masculine and lacks those forms altogether), and they’re more usually used in their masculine capacity. So for example alicuius can be either masculine (meaning of someone) or neuter (meaning of something)—but it will more usually mean of someone). Another example: of this will be huius reī more often than just huius; for huius on its own will usually be masculine and mean of this man or of him or his. And without anything will be sine ūllā rē more often than sine quōquam (which will usually be masculine and mean without anyone). To what will be cui reī more often than just cui (which will usually be masculine and mean to whom). And so on.

Similarly, while neuter adjectives are often used substantively to mean things of the type stated by the adjective (e. g. , pulchra = beautiful things), this too happens less often in the genitive, dative and ablative than in the nominative and accusative. E. g. , pulchrōrum can be masculine or neuter, but when used substantively it’s more likely to be masculine (meaning of beautiful men/boys/people) than neuter (meaning of beautiful things). Here, too, the genitive, dative and ablative meanings more often tend to be expressed with forms of rēs + the adjective (e. g. , rērum pulchrārum).

But the two paragraphs above are stating a tendency rather than a rule. You’ll sometimes see words like alicuius meaning of something rather than of someone, and neuter substantive adjectives in the genitive, dative and ablative referring to things rather than people. The exceptions are more common with some words than with others (for example, you’re more likely to see a neuter substantive adjective meaning things in the genitive, dative or ablative if the substantive use is so established that dictionaries classify it as a noun, such as bonum or malum). But ultimately it’s a matter of detail and context.

Confusion warning. The genitive/dative singular form of rēs has lookalikes in the genitive singular and nominative plural forms of reus, reī (2m): defendant, accused.

Favorabiliores rei potius quam actores habentur. —Justinian, Digest 50.17.125. pr
Translation

It is held that favor should incline to the defendants rather than to the plaintiffs.

More literally: Defendants are held as more entitled to favor rather than plaintiffs.

Details

Favōrābiliōrēs is the m/f nominative plural form of favōrābilior/favōrābilior/favōrābilius (3): regarded with more favor; more likely to win favor; entitled to more favorable treatment—the comparative form of favōrābilis/favōrābilis/favōrābile (3): regarded with favor; likely to win favor; entitled to favorable treatment. Reī is the nominative plural form of reus, reī (2m): defendant, accused. Potius (adv.): rather. Quam (rel. adv.): than; as. Actōrēs is the nominative plural form of āctor, āctōris (3m): drover; doer, performer, agent; pleader, advocate; prosecutor; plaintiff; actor. Habentur is the third person plural passive form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have; hold, regard as; treat.


Speciēs, speciēī

Speciēs, speciēī (5f): sight (something that is seen), spectacle; appearance, look; guise; show, display; veneer; pretext; vision, apparition; mental picture; form, sort, species, subdivision of a class. The genitive/dative singular form (speciēī) isn’t in regular use. The genitive and dative/ablative plural forms (speciērum and speciēbus) are rare and disapproved of by Cicero at Topics 30.

Speciēs essentially denotes that which is seen. That idea can be divided into two broad meanings: 1) a sight or spectacle; 2) the way a thing or person looks, appearance, look (or looks, but it would be singular in Latin). Several other translations can be applied in specific contexts. Sometimes the point is that an appearance is false, superficial, or aimed at ostentation; possible translations then include guise; veneer; pretext; show, display. Sometimes too speciēs can refer to a sight of something supernatural (e. g. , a ghost), or to something seen in a dream, in which case it might be ranslated as apparition or vision. Or it can refer to something seen in one’s mind, a mental picture.

Ad eam speciem exiluit gaudio caelumque adoravit. —Suetonius, Life of Nero 41.2
Translation

At that sight he jumped for joy and worshipped heaven.

Details

Ad (prep.): to, toward; at (takes the accusative). Eam is the feminine accusative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Speciem is the accusative singular form of speciēs, speciēī (5f): sight, spectacle; appearance, look; guise; show, display; veneer; pretext; vision, apparition; mental picture; form, sort, species, subdivision of a class. Exiluit is the third person singular perfect form of exiliō, exilīre, exiluī, — (4—also exiliō): to leap, jump (out/up). Gaudiō is the ablative singular form of gaudium, gaudiī (2n): joy. Caelum is the accusative singular form of caelum, caelī (2n): sky, heaven (the enclitic conjunction – que adds and). Adōrāvit is the third person singular perfect form of adōrō, adōrāre, adōrāvī, adōrātum (1): to plead with; entreat; pray to; worship.

Specie enim vincuntur qui patientiae restitissent. —Seneca, Epistles 14.6
Translation

Indeed, some people are overcome by the sight when they would have withstood the suffering.

More literally: For they are overcome by the sight who would have withstood the suffering.

Details

(The sight of torture instruments.) Speciē is the ablative singular form of speciēs, speciēī (5f): sight, spectacle; appearance, look; guise; show, display; veneer; pretext; vision, apparition; mental picture; form, sort, species, subdivision of a class. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Vincuntur is the third person plural passive form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, beat, defeat, overcome; win, be victorious. Quī is the masculine nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Patientiae is the dative singular form of patientia, patientiae (1f): the fact of suffering or undergoing; endurance; patience. Restitissent is the third person plural pluperfect subjunctive form of resistō, resistere, restitī, — (3): to halt, stop; make a stand; resist, withstand (takes a dative object) (pluperfect subjunctive because it’s past contrary to fact).

Oris non est nimium mutanda species. —Cicero, On the Orator 3.222
Translation

The look of the face should not vary too much.

More literally: The look of the face is not to be changed too much.

Details

(While giving a speech.) Ōs, ōris (3n): mouth; face. Nōn: not. Est: is. Nimium (adv.): too much, excessively. Mūtandus/ mūtanda /mūtandum (1/2) is the gerundive of mūtō, mūtāre, mūtāvī, mūtātum (1): to change, transform, alter, modify (est mūtanda is the passive periphrastic: must (not) be changed). Speciēs, speciēī (5f): sight, spectacle; appearance, look; guise; show, display; veneer; pretext; vision, apparition; mental picture; form, sort, species, subdivision of a class.

Meam laudat speciem. —Plautus, The Braggart Soldier 1000
Translation

She’s praising my looks.

Details

Meam is the feminine accusative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Laudat is the third person singular form of laudō, laudāre, laudāvī, laudātum (1): to praise. Speciem is the accusative singular form of speciēs, speciēī (5f): sight, spectacle; appearance, look; guise; show.

Nihil autem aliud est insolentia quam species magnitudinis falsa. —Seneca, Epistles 87.32
Translation

And arrogance is nothing else than a false show of greatness.

Details

Nihil (n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here nom.): nothing. Autem (particle.): on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover; for my, your, his, etc. Alius/alia/ aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another. Est: is. Īnsolentia, īnsolentiae (1f): arrogance, insolence, pride; unfamiliarity; unusualness, strangeness, novelty. Quam (rel. adv.): than; as. Speciēs, speciēī (5f): sight, spectacle; appearance, look; guise; show, display; veneer; pretext; vision, apparition; mental picture; form, sort, species, subdivision of a class. Magnitūdō, magnitūdinis (3f): greatness, magnitude, extent. Falsus/ falsa /falsum (1/2): false.

Non enim nocet sed medetur specie nocendi. —Seneca, On Anger 1.6.1
Translation

For it does not harm but cures under the guise of harming.

Details

(He’s talking about inflicting punishment— castīgātiō —without anger.) Nōn: not. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Nocet is the third person singular form of noceō, nocēre, nocuī, nocitum (2): to harm, hurt, be harmful. Sed (conj.): but. Medētur is the third person singular form of medeor, medērī, —, — (2, deponent): to heal, cure, remedy. Speciē is the ablative singular form of speciēs, speciēī (5f): sight, spectacle; appearance, look; guise; show, display; veneer; pretext; vision, apparition; mental picture; form, sort, species, subdivision of a class. Nocendī is the genitive gerund of noceō, nocēre, nocuī, nocitum (2): to harm, hurt, be harmful.

Peditatu dumtaxat procul ad speciem utitur. —Caesar, The Civil War 2.41.2
Translation

He used the infantry only at the back, for show.

More literally: . . . only in the distance (i.e., away from the front line). . .

Details

Peditātū is the ablative singular form of peditātus, peditātūs (4m): infantry. Dumtaxat (adv.): just, only. Procul (adv.): far (away); in the distance; from afar; at or from a distance. Ad (prep.): to, toward; for (takes the accusative). Speciem is the accusative singular form of speciēs, speciēī (5f): sight, spectacle; appearance, look; guise; show, display; veneer; pretext; vision, apparition; mental picture; form, sort, species, subdivision of a class. Ūtitur is the third person singular form of ūtor, utī, ūsus sum (3, deponent): to use (takes an ablative object) (it’s in the historical present).

Semper aliquam fraudi speciem iuris imponitis. —Livy, History of Rome 9.11.7
Translation

You always coat your fraud with some veneer of legitimacy.

More literally: You always put some appearance of right on fraud.

Details

Semper (adv.): always. Aliquam is the feminine accusative singular form of aliquī/aliqua/aliquod (adj.): some, a certain, a(n). Fraudī is the dative singular form of fraus, fraudis (3f): harm; liability to punishment; crime; deceit, fraud, trick, stratagem. Speciem is the accusative singular form of speciēs, speciēī (5f): sight, spectacle; appearance, look; guise; show, display; veneer; pretext; vision, apparition; mental picture; form, sort, species, subdivision of a class. Iūs, iūris (3n): law; right. Impōnitis is the second person plural form of impōnō, impōnere, imposuī, impositum (3): to put (acc.) on (dat.).

Legati ad eum per speciem pacis petendae speculatum venerunt. —Livy, History of Rome 40.25.2
Translation

Envoys came to him under the pretext of seeking peace, but really in order to spy.

More literally: Envoys came to him through the appearance of seeking peace (of peace to be sought), for the purpose of spying.

Details

Lēgātī is the nominative plural form of lēgātus, lēgātī (2m): envoy, ambassador, legate. Ad (prep.): to, toward (takes the accusative). Eum is the masculine accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Per (prep.): through (takes the accusative). Speciem is the accusative singular form of speciēs, speciēī (5f): sight, spectacle; appearance, look; guise; show, display; veneer; pretext; vision, apparition; mental picture; form, sort, species, subdivision of a class. Pāx, pācis (3f): peace. Petendae is the feminine genitive singular form of petendus/petenda/petendum (1/2), the gerundive of petō, petere, petīvī/petiī, petītum (3): to direct one’s course to, make for; seek; ask for; aim at; aspire at; attack. Speculātum is the accusative supine of speculor, speculārī, speculātus sum (1, deponent): to observe; reconnoiter; spy. Vēnērunt is the third person plural perfect form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.

Silet illa diu repetitque quietis ipsa suae speciem. —Ovid, Metamorphoses 9.472-3
Translation

She stayed silent for a long while, recalling the vision of her sleep.

More literally: She is silent for a long while and recalls herself the vision of her sleep.

Details

Silet is the third person singular form of sileō, silēre, siluī, — (2): to be silent. Ille/ illa /illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it. Diū (adv.): long, for a long time. Repetitque is the third person singular form of repetō, repetere, repetīvī/repetiī, repetītum (3): to return to, make for again; attack again; demand back; recover, get back; repeat; recall, recollect (the enclitic conjunction – que adds and). Quiēs, quiētis (3f): rest; sleep. Ipse/ ipsa /ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/etc. ; in person; the very. Suae: (of) her (own)—the feminine genitive singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Speciem is the accusative singular form of speciēs, speciēī (5f): sight, spectacle; appearance, look; guise; show, display; veneer; pretext; vision, apparition; mental picture; form, sort, species, subdivision of a class. (The verbs are in the historical present.)

Haec me species cogitatioque perturbat. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 14.22.2
Translation

This prospect and this thought perturb me.

More literally: This (mental) sight/picture. . .

Details

(Unlike the English word prospect, the Latin speciēs doesn’t have the idea of futurity attached to it; but prospect works as a free translation in this context because what perturbs Cicero is the thought that war might break out soon.) Hic/ haec /hoc (adj.): this. is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Speciēs, speciēī (5f): sight, spectacle; appearance, look; guise; show, display; veneer; pretext; vision, apparition; mental picture; form, sort, species, subdivision of a class. Cōgitātiōque, cōgitātiōnis (3f): thought, reflection; intention herself (the enclitic conjunction – que adds and). Perturbat is the third person singular form of perturbō, perturbāre, perturbāvī, perturbātum (1): to throw into confusion; disturb, perturb, upset.

Speciēs can also mean a form of something, a sort or type, species, etc. , especially as a subdivision of a larger class. The larger class would be a genus (genitive generis, (3n)). Genus is more general, speciēs is more specific.

Eius duae sunt species: —Quintilian, The Orator’s Education 8.3.83
Translation

There are two forms of it:

Details

Eius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Duo/ duae /duo (irreg.): two. Sunt: there are. Speciēs is the nominative plural form of speciēs, speciēī (5f): sight, spectacle; appearance, look; guise; show, display; veneer; pretext; vision, apparition; mental picture; form, sort, species, subdivision of a class.

Specie diversa sed genere eadem et haec sunt: —Quintilian, The Orator’s Education 9.3.21
Translation

Different in species but also identical in genus are the following:

Details

Speciē is the ablative singular form of speciēs, speciēī (5f): sight, spectacle; appearance, look; guise; show, display; veneer; pretext; vision, apparition; mental picture; form, sort, species, subdivision of a class. Dīversa is the neuter nominative plural form of dīversus/dīversa/dīversum (1/2): turned, facing, going, etc. , in a different direction or different directions; situated apart or on opposite sides/on the opposite side; separate; divergent; different; various; opposite; at odds, in conflict, unfriendly. Sed (conj.): but. Genere is the ablative singular form of genus, generis (3n): kind, sort, class, genus; race; birth, descent. Eadem is the neuter nominative plural form of īdem/eadem/idem (adj.): the same, identical. Et (adv.): also, too, as well. Haec is the neuter nominative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Sunt: (they) are.


Spēs, speī

Spēs, speī (5f): hope; expectation. The most common meaning of spēs is hope or the expectation of something good. But it sometimes also means expectation in a more neutral sense. The genitive plural (spērum) and dative/ablative plural (spēbus) forms aren’t in regular use.
Sed iam spes est nulla salutis. —Anonymous, Octavia 906
Translation

But there is no hope of safety left anymore.

Details

Sed (conj.): but. Iam (adv.): already; now; soon; combined with a negative word (such as nōn or nūllus) it can mean anymore. Spēs, speī (5f): hope; expectation. Est: there is. Nūllus/ nūlla /nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Salūs, salūtis (3f): health; well-being; safety; salvation.

Spem metus sequitur. —Seneca, Epistles 5.7
Translation

Hope is followed by fear.

More literally: Fear follows hope.

Details

(The less literal translation preserves the original order of ideas, with hope coming first.) Spem is the accusative singular form of spēs, speī (5f): hope; expectation. Metus, metūs (4m): fear. Sequitur is the third person singular form of sequor, sequī, secūtus sum (3, deponent): to follow.

Nemo non procul spes intendit. —Seneca, On the Shortness of Life 20.6
Translation

Everyone projects their hopes far into the future.

More literally: No one does not stretch out hopes into the distance.

Details

Nēmō, nēminis (3m): no man, no one, nobody. Nōn: not. Procul (adv.): far (away); in the distance; into the distance; from afar. Spēs is the accusative plural form of spēs, speī (5f): hope; expectation. Intendit is the third person singular form of intendō, intendere, intendī, intentum/intēnsum (3): to stretch out; direct; apply oneself; pay attention to.

Ut praeter spem evenit! —Terence, The Self-Tormentor 664
Translation

Things have turned out far better than I could have hoped.

More literally: How contrary to my expectation the matter has turned out!

Details

Ut (interrog. adv.): how? Praeter (prep.): past, across; beyond; contrary to; besides; except (takes the accusative). Spem is the accusative singular form of spēs, speī (5f): hope; expectation. Ēvēnit is the third person singular perfect form of ēveniō, ēvenīre, ēvēnī, ēventum (4): to turn out, result; happen.

Omnium spe celerius Saguntum oppugnari allatum est. —Livy, History of Rome 21.6.5
Translation

News of an attack against Saguntum came more quickly than anyone had expected.

More literally: Saguntum to be attacked (i.e., that Saguntum was being attacked) was reported more quickly than the expectation of all.

Details

Omnium is the m/f/n (here m) genitive plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every; (m. pl. used substantively) all (people), everyone. Spē is the ablative singular form of spēs, speī (5f): hope; expectation (an ablative of comparison). Celerius (adv.): more quickly—the comparative form of celeriter (adv.): quickly. Saguntum is the accusative singular form of Saguntum, Saguntī (2n): a town in Spain, modern-day Sagunto. Oppugnārī is the passive infinitive form of oppugnō, oppugnāre, oppugnāvī, oppugnātum (1): to attack, assault. Allātum est is the third person neuter singular perfect passive form of afferō, afferre, attulī, allātum (3, irreg.): to bring; report.

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