Nouns: First Declension

Causa, causae

Causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse; (in the ablative singular) for the sake (of), for the purpose (of), on account (of).

First, causa can mean a legal case, trial, cause that one is pleading for; and sometimes by extension a case other than legal, or a situation.

Nullum in hac causa testem timemus. —Cicero, In Defense of Sulla 79
Translation

We fear no witness in this trial.

Details

Nūllum is the m/n accusative singular form of nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Hāc is the feminine ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Causā is the ablative singular form of causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse. Testem is the accusative singular form of testis, testis (3m/f): witness. Timēmus is the first person plural form of timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to fear, be afraid.

L. frater eius causam agebat. —Cicero, Against Verres 2.1.125
Translation

His brother Lucius pleaded his case.

Details

L. is short for the name Lūcius, Lūciī (2m) (here it would be nominative). Frāter, frātris (3m): brother. Eius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Causam is the accusative singular form of causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse. Agēbat is the third person singular imperfect form of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, put in motion; do, perform, deal with, be engaged in; act; plead.

Non causae prodest? —Quintilian, The Orator’s Education 8.5.32
Translation

Does it not help one’s cause?

More literally: Is it not helpful to the cause?

Details

(When an advocate uses a good epigram.) Nōn: not. Causae is the dative singular form of causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse. Prōdest is the third person singular form of prōsum, prōdesse, prōfuī, prōfutūrus (irreg.): to benefit, be useful, be helpful (takes the dative).

Heredum alia causa est. —Cicero, On Duties 3.71
Translation

The case of heirs is different.

Details

Hērēdum is the genitive plural form of hērēs, hērēdis (3m/f): heir, heiress. Alius/ alia /aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another; different. Causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse. Est: is.

In eadem causa fuerunt Usipetes et Tenctheri. —Caesar, The Gallic War 4.4.1
Translation

The Usipetes and the Tenctheri were in the same case.

Details

In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Eādem is the feminine ablative singular form of īdem/eadem/idem (adj.): the same. Causā is the ablative singular form of causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse. Fuērunt is the third person plural perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Ūsīpetēs, Ūsīpetum (3m, plural): the name of a Germanic tribe. Et (conj.): and. Tenctherī, Tenctherōrum (2m, plural): another Germanic tribe.

Causa often means a cause of something happening, a reason or motive; sometimes also an excuse or pretext.

Contra primas itaque causas pugnare debemus. —Seneca, On Anger 2.22.2
Translation

We ought, therefore, to fight against the primary causes.

Details

(That is, against the first causes of anger.) Contrā (prep.): against (takes accusative). Prīmās is the feminine accusative plural form of prīmus/prīma/prīmum (1/2): first; primary. Itaque (adv.): (and) so, therefore. Causās is the accusative plural form of causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse. Pugnō, pugnāre, pugnāvī, pugnātum (1): to fight. Dēbēmus is the first person plural form of dēbeō, dēbēre, dēbuī, dēbitum (2): to owe; ought.

Alius ex alio causam tumultus quaerit. —Caesar, The Gallic War 6.37.6
Translation

They inquired the cause of the commotion from one another.

More literally: One inquires the cause of the commotion from another.

Details

Alius /alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another; (when used in pairs) one. . . another. Ex /ē (prep.): from, out of (takes the ablative). Aliō is the m/n (here m) ablative singular form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another. Causam is the accusative singular form of causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse. Tumultus, tumultūs (4m): commotion, turmoil, disturbance. Quaerit is the third person singular form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to seek; seek to know, ask, inquire (it’s in the historical present).

Causa bellandi est amor. —Anonymous, Hercules on Mount Oeta 424
Translation

His motive for waging war is love.

Details

Causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse. Bellandī is the genitive gerund of bellō, bellāre, bellāvī, bellātum (1): to war, wage war. Est: is. Amor, amōris (3m): love.

Trecentae possunt causae conligi. —Plautus, The Braggart Soldier 250
Translation

You can make up a thousand excuses.

More literally: Three hundred causes can be gathered.

Details

Trecentī/ trecentae /trecenta (1/2): three hundred. Possunt is the third person plural form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. Causae is the nominative plural form of causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse. Conligī is the passive infinitive form of conligō, conligere, conlēgī, conlēctum (3—also colligō): to gather, collect.

Quam ob causam and quā dē causā are common expressions. They can be interrogative in meaning (for what reason? why? ) or relative (for which reason —which can often be rendered as and for that reason, therefore, that is why).

Qua de causa discederent nondum perspexerat. —Caesar, The Gallic War 2.11.2
Translation

He had not yet figured out why they were leaving.

More literally: He had not yet discerned for what reason they were leaving.

Details

Quā is the feminine ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? (prep.): from, down from; for (a reason); about, concerning (takes the ablative). Causā is the ablative singular form of causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse. Discēderent is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of discēdō, discēdere, discessī, discessum (3): to part company; go away, depart, leave (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Nōndum (adv.): not yet. Perspexerat is the third person singular pluperfect form of perspiciō, perspicere, perspexī, perspectum (3, –iō): look over, inspect, survey; look or see through; discern, perceive.

In causā esse = to be the cause of something, be responsible.

Quid ergo est in causa? —Seneca, On the Shortness of Life 3.4
Translation

What, then, is the cause of this?

More literally: What, then, is in the cause?

Details

Quis/quis/ quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Ergō (particle): therefore, so, then. Est: is. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Causā is the ablative singular form of causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse.

Tu vero in causa damnationis fuisti. —Quintilian, The Orator’s Education 7.1.53
Translation

No, you were to blame for his condemnation.

More literally: Truly, you were in cause of the condemnation.

Details

: you. Vērō (particle): truly, indeed; on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover; for my, your, his, etc. part. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Causā is the ablative singular form of causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse. Damnātiō, damnātiōnis (3f): condemnation. Fuistī is the second person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.

The ablative singular form causā combined with (usually preceded by) a genitive word often means for the sake of or for the purpose of (or, less often, on account of, because of).

Prima nocte aquandi causa nemo egreditur ex castris. —Caesar, The Civil War 1.81.5
Translation

On the first night, no one left the camp to fetch water.

More literally: . . . no one goes out of the camp for the sake of fetching water.

Details

Prīmā is the feminine ablative singular form of prīmus/prīma/prīmum (1/2): first. Nocte is the ablative singular form of nox, noctis (3f): night. Aquandī is the genitive gerund of aquor, aquārī, aquātus sum (1, deponent): to fetch water. Causā is the ablative singular form of causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse; (in the ablative singular) for the sake (of), for the purpose (of), on account (of). Nēmō, nēminis (3m): no man, no one, nobody. Ēgreditur is the third person singular form of ēgredior, ēgredī, ēgressus sum (3, –ior, deponent): to go out (it’s in the historical present). Ex /ē (prep.): from, out of (takes the ablative). Castrīs is the ablative plural form of castrum, castrī (2n): a fortified place; (in the plural only, with singular translation) camp.

Similarly, causā can be combined with a possessive adjective (meā causā, tuā causā, etc.) to mean for my, your, etc. sake (or, less often, because of me, you, etc.).

Tua ego hoc causa dico. —Plautus, The Braggart Soldier 1352
Translation

I’m saying this for your sake.

Details

Tuā is the feminine ablative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Ego: I. Hoc is the neuter accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Causā is the ablative singular form of causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse; (in the ablative singular) for the sake (of), for the purpose (of), on account (of). Dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say.

Or it can be combined with a demonstrative, interrogative or relative adjective to mean for this/that/what/which purpose or the like.

Ea causa ad hoc exemplum te exornavi ego. —Plautus, Persa 335
Translation

That’s the reason why I’ve adorned you so.

More literally: For that reason/purpose I have adorned you in this manner.

Details

is the feminine ablative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Causā is the ablative singular form of causa, causae (1f): (legal) case, trial, cause (that one is pleading for); case (other than legal), situation; cause (that which brings something about), reason, motive; pretext, excuse; (in the ablative singular) for the sake (of), for the purpose (of), on account (of)—or for (this/that) purpose, etc. Ad (prep.): to, toward; at; according to, after, following, in (a manner) (takes the accusative). Hoc is the neuter accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Exemplum is the accusative singular form of exemplum, exemplī (2n): example; pattern; manner. is the accusative form of tū: you. Exōrnō, exōrnāre, exōrnāvī, exōrnātum (1): to equip; adorn, decorate. Ego: I.


Cūra, cūrae

Cūra, cūrae (1f): care, concern, attention; worry; task, duty.
Simplex recti cura est. —Seneca, Epistles 122.17
Translation

The method of maintaining righteousness is simple.

(Chicago:) Care of what is right takes but one form.

Details

(Wickedness is complicated.) Simplex, simplicis (3, adj.): having a single layer, element, form, etc. ; onefold, single, uncompounded; simple. Rēctum, rēctī (2n): the right, that which is right, rectitude, righteousness. Cūra, cūrae (1f): care, concern, attention; worry; task, duty. Est: is.

Alius alio curam suam mittit. —Seneca, Epistles 108.30
Translation

(Chicago:) Each directs his attention to something different.

More literally: Another sends his attention to another place (i.e., each different person sends his attention to a different place/object).

Details

(Why different readers take away different things when they read the same book.) Alius /alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another; different. Aliō (adv.): to another place or object, elsewhere (with motion). Cūram is the accusative singular form of cūra, cūrae (1f): care, concern, attention; worry; task, duty. Suam: his (own)—the feminine accusative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Mittit is the third person singular form of mittō, mittere, mīsī, missum (3): to send; throw.

Multa cura sata perducuntur ad segetem. —Seneca, On Benefits 2.11.4
Translation

Much care is needed to turn sown seeds into a crop.

More literally: With much care are sown things brought all the way to a crop.

Details

(Merely sowing isn’t enough.) Multā is the feminine ablative singular form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Cūrā is the ablative singular form of cūra, cūrae (1f): care, concern, attention; worry; task, duty. Sata is the nominative plural form of satum, satī (2n, usually plural): something that has been sown or planted, crop, cultivated plant (a substantive use of satus/sata/satum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of serō, serere, sēvī, satum (3): to sow, plant). Perdūcuntur is the third person plural passive form of perdūcō, perdūcere, perdūxī, perductum (3): to lead or bring (all the way to a place or condition). Ad (prep.): to, toward (takes the accusative). Segetem is the accusative singular form of seges, segetis (3f): crop.

Potuit sub cura tua in meliora formari. —Seneca, Epistles 99.12
Translation

He could have been shaped for the better under your care.

More literally: He was able to be shaped into better under your care.

Details

Potuit is the third person singular perfect form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. Sub (prep.): (with abl.) under (as a location); (with acc.) under (as a direction), toward and under. Cūrā is the ablative singular form of cūra, cūrae (1f): care, concern, attention; worry; task, duty. Tuā is the feminine ablative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Meliōra is the neuter accusative plural form of melior/melior/melius (3): better—the comparative form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Fōrmārī is the passive infinitive form of fōrmō, fōrmāre, fōrmāvī, fōrmātum (1): to mold, shape, form, fashion.

Curas Bacchus exoneret graves. —Seneca, Phaedra 445
Translation

Let Bacchus relieve your heavy worries.

Details

Cūrās is the accusative plural form of cūra, cūrae (1f): care, concern, attention; worry; task, duty. Bacchus, Bacchī (2m): Bacchus, the god of wine. Exoneret is the third person singular subjunctive form of exonerō, exonerāre, exonerāvī, exonerātum (1): to unload; unburden; relieve; remove (a burden); discharge (an obligation) (subjunctive because it’s jussive). Gravēs is the m/f accusative plural form of gravis/gravis/grave (3): heavy; grave, serious; hard, painful, grievous, severe.

Committe curas auribus, mater, meis. —Seneca, Phaedra 608
Translation

Entrust your worries to my ears, mother.

Details

Committe is the singular imperative form of committō, committere, commīsī, commissum (3): to bring together, join, connect; entrust, commit, impart; bring about, commit, perpetrate. Cūrās is the accusative plural form of cūra, cūrae (1f): care, concern, attention; worry; task, duty. Auribus is the dative plural form of auris, auris (3f): hear. Māter is the vocative singular form of māter, mātris (3f): mother. Meīs is the m/f/n dative plural form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine.

Tuendi cura regis Q. Aelio mandatur. —Livy, History of Rome 45.8.8
Translation

Quintus Aelius was tasked with guarding the king.

More literally: The care/task of guarding the king (even more literally, of the king to be guarded) was entrusted to Q. Aelius.

Details

Tuendī is the m/n genitive singular form of tuendus/tuenda/tuendum (1/2), the gerundive of tueor, tuērī, tuitus sum (2, deponent): to look at; watch over, guard, protect, preserve. Cūra, cūrae (1f): care, concern, attention; worry; task, duty. Rēx, rēgis (3m): king. Q. is short for the first name Quīntus, Quīntī (2m); here it would be in the dative (Quīntō). Aeliō is the m/n (here m) dative singular form of the family name Aelius/Aelia/Aelium (1/2). Mandātur is the third person singular passive form of mandō, mandāre, mandāvī, mandātum (1): to hand over, deliver; commit, entrust; command, order (it’s in the historical present).

Cūrae esse, with cūrae in the dative, means to be an object of care or concern. The person feeling the care can also be mentioned in the dative; you then have a double-dative construction.

De Tirone, mihi curae est. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 12.49.3
Translation

As regards Tiro, I am concerned.

More literally: About Tiro, it is for (i.e., a cause of) concern to me.

Details

(prep.): from, down from; concerning, about (takes ablative). Tīrōne is the ablative singular form of the proper name Tīrō, Tīrōnis (3m). Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to/for me). Cūrae is the dative singular form of cūra, cūrae (1f): care, concern, attention; worry; task, duty (mihi cūrae is a double-dative construction). Est: is.

Videbimus an diis humana curae sint. —Seneca, Natural Questions 1.1.4
Translation

We will see whether the gods concern themselves with human affairs.

More literally: We will see whether human things are for care (i.e., an object of care) to the gods.

Details

Vidēbimus is the first person plural future form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see. An (interrog. particle): whether; or (in a question); it can also start a direct question. Diīs is the dative plural form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Hūmāna is the neuter nominative plural form of hūmānus/hūmāna/hūmānum (1/2): human, belonging to human beings. Cūrae is the dative singular form of cūra, cūrae (1f): care, concern, attention; worry; task, duty. Sint is the third person plural subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).

Similarly, cūrae habēre means to care about (something/someone) or make (it/them) an object of care.

Curae, quid tibi desit, habet. —Ovid, Amores 1.8.32
Translation

He is keen to fulfill your needs.

More literally: He has it to care (treats it as an object of care) what is lacking to you.

Details

Cūrae is the dative singular form of cūra, cūrae (1f): care, concern, attention; worry; task, duty. Quis/quis/ quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Tibi is the dative form of tū: you (to/for you). Dēsit is the third person singular subjunctive form of dēsum, dēesse/dēsse, dēfuī, dēfutūrus (irreg.): to be lacking (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Habet is the third person singular form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have; hold; treat.

Confusion warning. Cūrā can also be the singular imperative form of the related verb cūrō, cūrāre, cūrāvī, cūrātum (1): to take care of, attend to, look after, care (for or about); cure.

Id bonum cura quod vetustate fit melius. —Seneca, Epistles 15.5
Translation

Cultivate that good which is made better with the years.

(Chicago:) Tend to the good that gets better with time.

Details

Id is the neuter accusative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Bonum is the accusative singular form of bonum, bonī (2n): a good, a blessing, a boon. Cūrā is the singular imperative form of cūrō, cūrāre, cūrāvī, cūrātum (1): to take care of, attend to, look after, care (for or about); cure. Quī/quae/ quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Vetustāte is the ablative singular form of vetustās, vetustātis (3f): old age, long existence, great age. Fit is the third person singular form of fīō, fierī, —, — (irreg.): to be done; be made; happen; come into being; become. Melior/melior/ melius (3): better—the comparative form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good.


Dīvitiae, dīvitiārum

Dīvitiae, dīvitiārum (1f, plural only): wealth, riches.
Divitiae non semper optimis contingunt. —Erasmus, Adagia (1536)
Translation

Wealth is not always the lot of the best.

More literally: Riches do not always fall to the lot of the best.

Details

Dīvitiae, dīvitiārum (1f, plural only): wealth, riches. Nōn: not. Semper (adv.): always. Optimīs is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of optimus/optima/optimum (1/2): best; very good, excellent—the superlative form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Contingunt is the third person plural form of contingō, contingere, contigī, contāctum (3): to touch; border on; arrive at; (with dative) fall to the lot of, be granted to.

Quis sit divitiarum modus quaeris? —Seneca, Epistles 2.6
Translation

Do you ask what is the proper limit to wealth?

More literally: You ask what is the limit of riches?

Details

(First to have what is necessary; then to have what is enough.) Quis /quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Sit is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Dīvitiae, dīvitiārum (1f, plural only): wealth, riches. Modus, modī (2m): measure; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something. Quaeris is the second person singular form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to seek; ask.

Repperi hodie, ere, divitias nimias. —Plautus, The Pot of Gold 820-21
Translation

I found immense wealth today, master.

Details

Reperiō, reperīre, repperī, repertum (4): to find. Hodiē (adv.): today. Ere is the vocative singular for of erus, erī (2m—also herus): master (of slaves). Dīvitiās is the accusative form of dīvitiae, dīvitiārum (1f, plural only): wealth, riches. Nimiās is the feminine accusative plural form of nimius/nimia/nimium (1/2): excessive, too much; very great or abundant.

Nummus in Croesi divitiis obscuratur, pars est tamen divitiarum. —Cicero, On the Ends of Good and Evil 4.31
Translation

A halfpenny is lost to sight amidst the riches of Croesus; still it forms part of those riches.

More literally: A coin amid Croesus’s wealth is eclipsed, yet it is part of the wealth.

Details

Nummus, nummī (2m): coin. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Croesus, Croesī (2m): a 6th-century bc king of Lydia (part of modern Turkey), whose name became a byword for immense wealth. Dīvitiīs is the ablative form of dīvitiae, dīvitiārum (1f, plural only): wealth, riches. Obscūrātur is the third person singular passive form of obscūrō, obscūrāre, obscūrāvī, obscūrātum (1): to obscure, darken, eclipse. Pars, partis (3f): part. Est: it is. Tamen (adv.): yet, nevertheless. Dīvitiae, dīvitiārum (1f, plural only): wealth, riches.


Fortūna, fortūnae

Fortūna, fortūnae (1f): fortune, luck, chance; lot, fate, fortunes, position, circumstances.

This word can mean fortune/luck/chance as a general concept—sometimes personified as the goddess Fortune.

Fortuna opes auferre, non animum potest. —Seneca, Medea 176
Translation

Fortune can take away my wealth, but not my spirit.

Details

Fortūna, fortūnae (1f): fortune, luck, chance; lot, fate, fortunes, position, circumstances. Opēs is the accusative plural form of ops, opis (1f): (in the singular or plural) power, ability; (in pl.) forces, troops; (in pl.) wealth, resources; (in sg.) help, aid, assistance. Auferō, auferre, abstulī, ablātum (3, irreg.): to take away. Nōn: not. Animum is the accusative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit. Potest is the third person singular form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can.

Nullus autem contra fortunam inexpugnabilis murus est. —Seneca, Epistles 74.19
Translation

(Chicago:) But there is no rampart Fortune cannot storm.

More literally: But no wall is impregnable against fortune.

Details

Nūllus /nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): not any, no. Autem (particle): on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover; for my, your, his, etc. part. Contrā (prep.): against (takes accusative). Fortūnam is the accusative singular form of fortūna, fortūnae (1f): fortune, luck, chance; lot, fate, fortunes, position, circumstances. Inexpugnābilis /inexpugnābilis/inexpugnābile (3): impregnable. Mūrus, mūrī (2m): wall (especially a defensive wall). Est: is.

Forte fortuna adfuit hic meus amicus. —Terence, The Eunuch 134-5
Translation

It so happened that my friend was here.

More literally: By chance, by fortune my friend was present here.

Details

Forte is the ablative singular form of fors, fortis (3f): chance, luck. Fortūnā is the ablative singular form of fortūna, fortūnae (1f): fortune, luck, chance; lot, fate, fortunes, position, circumstances (forte fortūnā —a bit of a tautology—is a set phrase meaning by chance. Forte alone can mean the same thing and is more common). Adfuit is the third person singular perfect form of adsum, adesse, adfuī, adfutūrus (irreg.): to be present, be there; (with a dative object) assist. Hīc (adv.): here. Meus /mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Amīcus, amīcī (2m): friend.

Or it can mean one’s personal lot in life, circumstances, etc.

Magna servitus est magna fortuna. —Seneca, Consolation to Polybius 6.4
Translation

A great fortune is a great slavery.

Details

Magnus/ magna /magnum (1/2): big, large, great; important. Servitūs, servitūtis (3f): slavery. Est: is. Fortūna, fortūnae (1f): fortune, luck, chance; lot, fate, fortunes, position, circumstances.

Conqueritur mecum mulier fortunas suas. —Plautus, The Braggart Soldier 125
Translation

The woman complained to me of her lot.

Details

Conqueritur is the third person singular form of conqueror, conquerī, conquestus sum (3, deponent): to complain (of/about) (it’s in the historical present). Mēcum: with me ( = me; cum = with). Mulier, mulieris (3f): woman. Fortūnās is the accusative plural form of fortūna, fortūnae (1f): fortune, luck, chance; lot, fate, fortunes, position, circumstances. Suās: her (own)—the feminine accusative plural form of suus/sua/suum (1/2).

More occasional meanings include:

Good fortune specifically. Thus fortūnam ā dīs petō could mean I ask the gods for good fortune (lit. I request (good) fortune from the gods). But this positive meaning is more typically conveyed by qualifying fortūna with an adjective such as bona or secunda.

—The way a particular event, endeavor, etc. , turns out; the outcome. Huius proeliī fortūna = the outcome of this battle.

—A chance of doing something; an opportunity. Fortūna fugiendī oblāta est = A chance to flee presented itself.

Fortune in the sense of wealth. Fortūna can be singular or plural when used with this meaning; someone rich might be said to have amassed a magnam fortūnam or magnās fortūnās.


Grātia, grātiae

Grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks; (in ablative singular) for the sake (of), for the purpose (of), on account (of).

First, grātia can mean favor, goodwill, kindness, etc. shown by one person to another, or a mutual state of being in each other’s favor. It can also mean favor enjoyed by a person on a general scale: popularity, credit, and the like.

Gratiam cupient tuam. —Plautus, The Persian 567
Translation

They’ll want your favor.

Details

Grātiam is the accusative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks. Cupient is the third person plural future form of cupiō, cupere, cupīvī/cupiī, cupītum (3, –iō): to desire, wish, long for, want. Tuam is the feminine accusative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours.

Fratrum quoque gratia rara est. —Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.145
Translation

Goodwill is rare even between brothers.

More literally: Goodwill is rare even of brothers.

Details

Frātrum is the genitive plural form of frāter, frātris (3m): brother. Quoque (adv.): too, as well; even. Grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks. Rārus/ rāra /rārum (1/2): loose-knit; sparse; rare. Est: is.

Habebo apud posteros gratiam. —Seneca, Epistles 21.5
Translation

(Chicago:) I shall find favor with posterity.

More literally: I will have favor with future men.

Details

Habēbō is the first person singular future form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Apud (prep.): with, among; at, by, near; at the house of; in the writings of; in the eyes of (takes the accusative). Posterōs is the masculine accusative plural form of posterus/postera/posterum (1/2): future, later; following, next (used substantively to mean descendants, posterity). Grātiam is the accusative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks.

Nunc gratia ante omnia est Clazomenio. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 14.73
Translation

Nowadays the most favored wine is the Clazomenian.

More literally: Now favor is to the Clazomenian before all.

Details

Nunc (adv.): now. Grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks. Ante (prep.): before (takes the accusative). Omnia is the neuter accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Est: is. Clāzomeniō is the m/n (here n, referring to wine—vīnum, vīnī (2n)) dative singular form of Clāzomenius/Clāzomenia/Clāzomenium (1/2): Clazomenian, of the town of Clazomenae in Ionia, part of modern-day Turkey.

In grātiam redīre(or revertī) means to be reconciled.

Tunc enim poteris in gratiam cum illa redire. —Seneca, Consolation to Polybius 18.3
Translation

For then you will be able to be reconciled with her.

More literally: For then you will be able to return into grace with her.

Details

(i.e., with fortune—fortūna, fortūnae (1f).) Tunc (adv.): then, at that time. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Poteris is the second person singular future form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into, to. Grātiam is the accusative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks. Cum (prep.): with (takes the ablative). Illā is the feminine ablative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it. Redeō, redīre, rediī, reditum (irreg.): to go or come back, return.

Similarly, in grātiam redūcere means to reconcile (people).

Volebam fratres in gratiam reducere. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 1.1.7
Translation

I wanted to reconcile the brothers.

More literally: I wanted to lead the brothers into goodwill.

Details

Volēbam is the first person singular imperfect form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish. Frātrēs is the accusative plural form of frāter, frātris (3m): brother. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Grātiam is the accusative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks. Redūcō, redūcere, redūxī, reductum (3): to lead back, bring back.

Grātiam facere can mean to grant dispensation, forgiveness or permission.

Iuris iurandi volo gratiam facias. —Plautus, The Rope 1414-15
Translation

I want you to let him off his oath.

I want you to grant a dispensation of an oath.

More literally: I want (that) you make favor/dispensation for me of an oath.

Details

Iūs, iūris (3n): law; right (iūs iūrandum is an idiomatic phrase meaning an oath; it can also be written as one word, though both parts always decline). Iūrandī is the m/n genitive singular form of iūrandus/iūranda/iūrandum (1/2), the gerundive of iūrō, iūrāre, iūrāvī, iūrātum (1): to swear. Volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish (it can go with a subjunctive clause denoting what one wants to happen). Grātiam is the accusative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks; in some contexts, dispensation given as a favor. Faciās is the second person singular subjunctive form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.

Grātia is also the word used in Christian contexts to refer to the grace of God.

Sometimes grātia means a quality that wins favor: grace in an esthetic sense or charm, attraction, agreeableness.

Exercitatione valitudo corporis gratiaque retinetur. —Apuleius, On Plato and his Doctrine 2.9
Translation

Exercise preserves the health and grace of the body.

More literally: By exercise the health and grace of the body is retained.

Details

Exercitātiōne is the ablative singular form of exercitātiō, exercitātiōnis (3f): exercise. Valītūdō, valītūdinis (3f—also valētūdō): health, physical condition (good or bad); (good) health; bad health, illness. Corpus, corporis (3n): body. Grātiaque, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks (the enclitic conjunction – que adds and). Retinētur is the third person singular passive form of retineō, retinēre, retinuī, retentum (2): to hold back; keep, retain; detain.

Radix odorata in umbra siccatur vinoque gratiam adicit. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 25.33
Translation

Its scented root is dried in the shade, and adds a pleasing taste to wine.

The fragrant root is dried in the shade and adds attraction to wine.

Details

Rādīx, rādīcis (3f): root. Odōrātus/ odōrāta /odōrātum (1/2): perfumed, fragrant. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Umbrā is the ablative singular form of umbra, umbrae (1f): shadow; shade. Siccātur is the third person singular passive form of siccō, siccāre, siccāvī, siccātum (1): to dry. Vīnōque is the dative singular form of vīnum, vīnī (2n): wine (the enclitic conjunction – que adds and). Grātiam is the accusative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks. Adicit is the third person singular form of adiciō, adicere, adiēcī, adiectum (3, –iō): to throw (at); attach; add.

Another meaning of grātia is gratitude, thankfulness.

Apud paucos post rem manet gratia. —Seneca, On Benefits 1.12.2
Translation

Few there are whose gratitude survives longer than the object given.

Alt. : Few people remain grateful after the thing received is gone.

More literally: With few does gratitude remain after the thing.

Details

Apud (prep.): with, among; at, by, near; at the house of; in the writings of; in the eyes of (takes the accusative). Paucōs is the masculine accusative plural form of paucus/pauca/pacum (1/2): few (usually plural, occasionally singular); (singular, rare) little. Post (prep.): after; behind (takes the accusative). Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; deed; circumstance; property. Manet is the third person singular form of maneō, manēre, mānsī, mānsum (2): to stay, remain; endure; wait (for), await. Grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks.

It’s worth noting a few idioms that grātia and relate to gratitude or the return of favor. First, grātiam habēre can mean to be/feel grateful. The person toward whom one feels grateful goes in the dative.

Dis gratiam habeo. —Terence, The Mother-in-Law 346
Translation

I’m grateful to the gods.

More literally: I have gratitude for the gods.

Details

Dīs is the dative plural form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Grātiam is the accusative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks. Habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.

Second, grātiās agere means to give thanks, to thank. Here again the person thanked goes in the dative (if mentioned; in the example below the recipient of the thanks isn’t explicitly stated but is implied by the context).

Quod frequenter mihi scribis gratias ago. —Seneca, Epistles 40.1
Translation

I thank you for writing to me so often.

More literally: I do (i.e., give) thanks that you write to me frequently.

Details

Quod (conj.): that; the fact that; as for the fact that; because. Frequenter (adv.): in large numbers; often, frequently. Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to me). Scrībis is the second person singular form of scrībō, scrībere, scrīpsī, scrīptum (3): to write. Grātiās is the accusative plural form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks. Agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, put in motion; do, perform, deal with, engage in; act.

Finally, after feeling grateful and expressing your thanks, you might go one step further and return the favor: grātiam referre (still with dative of the person).

In aliquo tibi gratiam referam loco. —Plautus, The Rope 575
Translation

I’ll return the favor to you at some point.

Details

In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into; at. Aliquō is the m/n ablative singular form of aliquī/aliqua/aliquod (adj.): some, a certain, a(n). Tibi is the dative form of tū: you. Grātiam is the accusative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks. Referam is the first person singular future form of referō, referre, rettulī, relatum (3, irreg.): to bring back; give back, return; report, relate, mention. Locō is the ablative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place; occasion; point.

The ablative singular grātiā combined with (usually preceded by) a genitive word can mean for the sake of, for the purpose of, or sometimes on account of, because of.

Advehitur odoris gratia. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 12.30
Translation

It is imported for the sake of its perfume.

Details

Advehitur is the third person singular passive form of advehō, advehere, advēxī, advectum (3): to convey (to a place), bring; import. Odor, odōris (3m): smell, perfume, odor. Grātiā is the ablative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks; (in ablative singular) for the sake (of), for the purpose (of), on account (of).

Tunc consolandi gratia dixit dea: —Phaedrus, Fables 3.18.5
Translation

Then the goddess said to console him:

More literally: . . . for the sake of consoling:

Details

Tunc (adv.): then, at that time or moment. Cōnsōlandī is the genitive gerund of cōnsōlor, cōnsōlārī, cōnsōlātus sum (1, deponent): to comfort, console. Grātiā is the ablative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks; (in ablative singular) for the sake (of), for the purpose (of), on account (of). Dīxit is the third person singular perfect form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say. Dea, deae (1f): goddess.

Similarly, grātiā can be combined with a possessive adjective (meā grātiā, tuā grātiā, etc.) to mean for my, your, etc. sake; or sometimes because of me, you, etc.

Etiam audes mea revorti gratia? —Plautus, The Brothers Menaechmus 697
Translation

Will you come back for my sake, please?

More literally: Are you prepared to return for my sake?

Details

Etiam (particle): still; even; also; it can add emphasis to a question. Audēs is the second person singular form of audeō, audēre, ausus sum (2, semi-deponent): to intend, be prepared (to); dare. Meā is the feminine ablative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Revortor, revortī, revorsus sum (3, deponent—also revertor): to return, go or come back. Grātiā is the ablative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks; (in ablative singular) for the sake (of), for the purpose (of), on account (of).

Or it can be combined with a demonstrative, interrogative or relative adjective to mean for this/that/what/which purpose (or the like).

Ea gratia domo profecta est. —Plautus, The Casket 762b-c
Translation

She’s set out from home for that very reason.

More literally: She left home for that purpose.

Details

is the feminine ablative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Grātiā is the ablative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks; (in ablative singular) for the sake (of), for the purpose (of), on account (of)—or for (this/that/etc.) purpose, etc. Domō is the ablative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home. Profecta est is the third person feminine singular perfect form of proficīscor, proficīscī, profectus sum (3, deponent): to set out, depart.

Non pergo hercle, nisi scio qua gratia. —Plautus, The Brother Menaechmus 150
Translation

I’m not going on, by Hercules, unless I know what for.

More literally: . . . for what purpose.

Details

Nōn: not. Pergō, pergere, perrēxī, perrēctum (3): to make one’s way, move onward, go on, proceed, continue. Hercle is an interjection used in asseverations: by Hercules! Nisi (conj.): unless, if not; except. Sciō, scīre, scīvī/sciī, scītum (4): to know. Quā is the feminine ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Grātiā is the ablative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks; (in ablative singular) for the sake (of), for the purpose (of), on account (of)—or for (this/that/etc.) purpose, etc.

The ablative plural grātiīs, often in the contracted form grātīs, can be used as an ablative of price meaning literally for thanks —i.e., for nothing more but thanks: for free, for nothing. This usage is often classified as an adverb.

Me iustum esse gratis oportet. —Seneca, Epistles 113.31
Translation

I ought to be righteous for free.

Details

(More literally: It is right for me to be just for free.) is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Iūstum is the m/n accusative singular form of iūstus/iūsta/iūstum (1/2): just, fair; righteous, upright. Esse: to be. Grātīs: for free—an idiomatic use of the ablative plural form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill, friendship, amity; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks. Oportet, oportēre, oportuit, — (2, impersonal): it is right, proper or necessary (it can go with an accusative-and-infinitive clause).


Īra, īrae

Īra, īrae (1f): anger (or an instance thereof).
Haec non est ira, feritas est. —Seneca, On Anger 2.5.2
Translation

This is not anger, it is brutality.

Details

Hic/ haec /hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Nōn: not. Est: is. Īra, īrae (1f): anger. Feritās, feritātis (3f): wildness; ferocity; savagery, brutality. Est: it is.

Tumet animus ira. —Seneca, Phoenician Women 352
Translation

My spirit swells with anger.

Details

Tumet is the third person singular form of tumeō, tumēre, tumuī, — (2): to swell, be swollen. Animus, animi (2m): soul, spirit. Īrā is the ablative singular form of īra, īrae (1f): anger.

Vinum incendit iras, quia calorem auget. —Seneca, On Anger 2.19.5
Translation

Wine kindles anger, because it increases the heat.

Details

(Internal heat.) Vīnum, vīnī (2n): wine. Incendit is the third person singular form of incendō, incendere, incendī, incēnsum (3): to set on fire, kindle, inflame. Īrās is the accusative plural form of īra, īrae (1f): anger (or an instance thereof). Quia (conj.): because; that. Calōrem is the accusative singular form of calor, calōris (3m): heat. Auget is the third person singular form of augeō, augēre, auxī, auctum (2): to make bigger, more numerous or more intense, increase; enhance, strengthen, advance; equip, provide, bless (with).


Luxuria, luxuriae

Luxuria, luxuriae (1f) or, less often, luxuriēs, luxuriēī (5f, with only the nom. sg. , acc. sg. and abl. sg. in classical use): immoderate growth (of plants), rankness, luxuriance; luxury, extravagance, excess, overindulgence; unruly behavior, licentiousness, disregard for moral restraints. The length of the first u in uncertain.

Immoderate growth (of plants), rankness, luxuriance.

Inter vitia segetum et luxuria est. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 18.154
Translation

Among the defects of the crops is also over-abundance.

Details

Inter (prep.): among; between (takes the accusative). Vitia is the accusative plural form of vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault, flaw, defect. Segetum is the genitive plural form of seges, segetis (3f): crop. Et (adv.): also; even. Luxuria, luxuriae (1f): immoderate growth (of plants), rankness, luxuriance; luxury, extravagance, excess, overindulgence; unruly behavior, licentiousness, disregard for moral restraints. Est: is.

In flore facile luxuria et humore corrumpitur. —Columella, On Agriculture 2.10.15
Translation

While in bloom, it is easily spoiled by rankness and moisture.

Details

(On the lentil.) In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Flōre is the ablative singular form of flōs, flōris (3m): flower, blossom, bloom; the finest, the pick; the best condition ever attained by a person or thing, the best period, peak, heyday. Facile (adv.): easily. Luxuriā is the ablative singular form of luxuria, luxuriae (1f): immoderate growth (of plants), rankness, luxuriance; luxury, extravagance, excess, overindulgence; unruly behavior, licentiousness, disregard for moral restraints. Et (conj.): and. Hūmōre is the ablative singular form of hūmor, hūmōris (3m—also ūmor): moisture; fluid, liquid. Corrumpitur is the third person singular passive form of corrumpō, corrumpere, corrūpī, corruptum (3): to spoil, ruin, destroy; corrupt.

Luxury, extravagance, excess, overindulgence; unruly behavior, licentiousness, disregard for moral restraints. These meanings are more common than those relating to plants.

A natura luxuria descivit. —Seneca, Epistles 90.19
Translation

Luxury has turned her back upon nature.

(Chicago:) Self-indulgence has abandoned nature.

Details

Ab/ ā (prep.): from; by (takes ablative). Nātūrā is the ablative singular form of nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. Luxuria, luxuriae (1f): immoderate growth (of plants), rankness, luxuriance; luxury, extravagance, excess, overindulgence; unruly behavior, licentiousness, disregard for moral restraints. Dēscīvit is the third person singular perfect form of dēscīscō, dēscīscere, dēscīvī/dēsciī, dēscītum (3): to defect, revolt, desert, turn away (from).

Quid alios referam innumerabiles morbos, supplicia luxuriae? —Seneca, Epistles 95.18
Translation

Why should I mention the countless others diseases, the punishments of excess?

Details

Quid (interrog. adv.): what for? why? Aliōs is the masculine accusative plural form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another. Referam is the first person singular subjunctive form of referō, referre, rettulī, relatum (3, irreg.): to bring back; give back, return; report, relate, mention (subjunctive in a deliberative question). Innumerābilēs is the m/f accusative plural form of innumerābilis/innumerābilis/innumerābile (3): countless, innumerable. Morbōs is the accusative plural form of morbus, morbī (2m): disease, illness. Supplicia is the accusative plural form of supplicium, suppliciī (2n): propitiatory offering; punishment; torment. Luxuria, luxuriae (1f): immoderate growth (of plants), rankness, luxuriance; luxury, extravagance, excess, overindulgence; unruly behavior, licentiousness, disregard for moral restraints.

Quid mihi obicis? Puto luxuriam. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 1.1.1
Translation

What are you accusing me of? Extravagance, I think.

Details

Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to/for/against me). Obicis is the second person singular form of obiciō, obicere, obiēcī, obiectum (3, –iō): to throw (to), throw in the way; expose; throw against, bring up as a charge (against someone in the dative). Putō, putāre, putāvī, putātum (1): to think, suppose. Luxuriam is the accusative singular form of luxuria, luxuriae (1f): immoderate growth (of plants), rankness, luxuriance; luxury, extravagance, excess, overindulgence; unruly behavior, licentiousness, disregard for moral restraints.

Non ego aes alienum luxuria contraxi. —Quintilian, Major Declamations 9.2
Translation

I have not contracted debt through extravagance.

Details

Nōn: not. Ego: I. Aes is the accusative singular form of aes, aeris (3n): copper, bronze or brass; money (aes aliēnum = debt). Aliēnum is the m/n accusative singular form of aliēnus/aliēna/aliēnum (1/2): of another, belonging to another or others, not one’s own; alien, foreign, unfamiliar; out-of-place, unsuitable; harmful; hostile. Luxuriā is the ablative singular form of luxuria, luxuriae (1f): immoderate growth (of plants), rankness, luxuriance; luxury, extravagance, excess, self-indulgence; unruly behavior, licentiousness, disregard for moral restraints. Contrahō, contrahere, contrāxī, contractum (3): to draw together, assemble; contract; compress; bring about; incur.

At mea luxuria pagina nulla vacat. —Martial, Epigrams 3.69.4
Translation

But no page of mine is free from licentiousness.

Details

At (conj.): but. Meus/ mea /meum (1/2): my, mine. Luxuriā is the ablative singular form of luxuria, luxuriae (1f): immoderate growth (of plants), rankness, luxuriance; luxury, extravagance, excess, self-indulgence; unruly behavior, licentiousness, disregard for moral restraints. Pāgina, pāginae (1f): page. Nūllus/ nūlla /nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Vacat is the third person singular form of vacō, vacāre, vacāvī, vacātum (1): to be empty, be vacant; be free from, be without (something in the ablative); have time, have leisure.

In urbe luxuries creatur. —Cicero, In Defense of Sextus Roscius Amerinus 75
Translation

The city creates luxury.

Alt. : In the city, extravagance is born.

Details

(. . . from which avarice then springs.) In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Urbe is the ablative singular form of urbs, urbis (3f): city. Luxuriēs, luxuriēī (5f): immoderate growth (of plants), rankness, luxuriance; luxury, extravagance, excess, overindulgence; unruly behavior, licentiousness, disregard for moral restraints. Creātur is the third person singular passive form of creō, creāre, creāvī, creātum (1): to procreate, beget; create; elect, appoint.


Māteria, māteriae

Māteria, māteriae (1f) or, less often, māteriēs, māteriēī (5f, with only the nom. sg. , acc. sg. and abl. sg. in classical use): timber; material, matter, substance; subject matter, topic; object (of study, of an action, feeling, etc.); cause, source, means, occasion.

Sometimes māteria/māteriēs means specifically timber (occasionally also the wood of a tree not yet turned into timber).

Ex viridi materia raptim factae erant. —Livy, History of Rome 29.1.14
Translation

They had been made hastily out of green timber.

Details

(Talking about ships—nāvis, nāvis (3f).) Ex /ē (prep.): from, out of (takes the ablative). Viridī is the m/f/n ablative singular form of viridis/viridis/viride (3): green. Māteriā is the ablative singular form of māteria, māteriae (1f): timber; material, matter, substance; subject matter, topic; object (of study, of an action, feeling, etc.); cause, source, means, occasion. Raptim (adv.): hurriedly, hastily. Factae erant is the third person feminine plural pluperfect passive form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make

Sine contignatione ac materia sunt aedificia. —Anonymous, The Alexandine War 1.3
Translation

The buildings contain no flooring made of boards and no timber.

More literally: The buildings are without board flooring and timber.

Details

(So there’s little risk of a fire.) Sine (prep.): without (takes the ablative). Contignātiōne is the ablative singular form of contignātiō, contignātiōnis (3f): flooring made of boards; story (“floor”) in a dwelling. Atque/ ac (conj.): and. Māteriā is the ablative singular form of māteria, māteriae (1f): timber; material, matter, substance; subject matter, topic; object (of study, of an action, feeling, etc.); cause, source, means, occasion. Sunt: (they) are. Aedificia is the nominative plural form of aedificium, aedificiī (2n): building, edifice.

Materies est ad plurima utilis. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 16.62
Translation

Its timber can be used for numerous purposes.

More literally: The timber is useful for a great many things.

Details

(On the ash tree.) Māteriēs, māteriēī (5f): timber; material, matter, substance; subject matter, topic; object (of study, of an action, feeling, etc.); cause, source, means, occasion. Est: is. Ad (prep.): to, toward; for (takes the accusative). Plūrima is the neuter accusative plural form of plūrimus/plūrima/plūrimum (1/2): most; very much, very many, a great many (a great many things). Ūtilis/ ūtilis /ūtile (3): useful.

But it often means, more generally, any material, matter or substance of which a thing is made.

In statua materia aes fuit, causa opifex. —Seneca, Epistles 65.3
Translation

In the case of the statue, the material was bronze and the cause was the craftsman.

Details

In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Statuā is the ablative singular form of statua, statuae (1f): statue. Māteria, māteriae (1f): timber; material, matter, substance; subject matter, topic; object (of study, of an action, feeling, etc.); cause, source, means, occasion. Aes, aeris (3n): copper, bronze or brass; money. Fuit is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Causa, causae (1f): trial; case; cause, reason. Opifex, opificis (3m): craftsman.

Non potest artifex mutare materiam. —Seneca, On Providence 5.9
Translation

It is impossible for the moulder to alter matter.

(Chicago:) An artisan cannot change his material.

Details

Nōn: not. Potest is the third person singular form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. Artifex, artificis (3m): artisan, craftsman, artist. Mūtō, mūtāre, mūtāvī, mūtātum (1): to change, transform. Māteriam is the accusative singular form of māteria, māteriae (1f): timber; material, matter, substance; subject matter, topic; object (of study, of an action, feeling, etc.); cause, source, means, occasion.

Universa ex materia et ex deo constant. —Seneca, Epistles 65.23
Translation

All things are made of matter and of god.

Details

Ūniversa is the neuter nominative plural form of ūniversus/ūniversa/ūniversum (1/2): all, entire, all taken collectively; general, universal (n. pl. used substantively to mean all things). Ex /ē (prep.): from, out of (takes the ablative). Māteriā is the ablative singular form of māteria, māteriae (1f): timber; material, matter, substance; subject matter, topic; object (of study, of an action, feeling, etc.); cause, source, means, occasion. Et (conj.): and. Deō is the ablative singular form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Cōnstant is the third person plural form of cōnstō, cōnstāre, cōnstitī, cōnstātūrus (1): to stand together; be consistent; (with ablative, with or without preposition) consist of, be made of; (with ablative of price) cost; (impersonal) be established as a fact, be well-known, be agreed.

This noun can also mean subject matter, topic of a speech, piece of writing, etc. ; or more generally the object of an action or feeling or an object of study, etc.

Materiam ex titulo cognosces. —Pliny the Younger, Letters 5.12.3
Translation

You’ll know the subject matter from the title.

Details

Māteriam is the accusative singular form of māteria, māteriae (1f): timber; material, matter, substance; subject matter, topic; object (of study, of an action, feeling, etc.); cause, source, means, occasion. Ex /ē (prep.): from, out of (takes the ablative). Titulō is the ablative singular form of titulus, titulī (2m): an inscribed tablet, label, or the like; inscription; title; title of honor; claim to fame. Cognōscēs is the second person singular future form of cognōscō, cognōscere, cognōvī, cognitum (3): to get to know, learn.

Aliae quoque artes minores habent multiplicem materiam. —Quintilian, The Orator’s Education 2.21.8
Translation

Other, lesser arts too have multiple objects.

Details

Aliae is the feminine nominative plural form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another. Quoque (adv.): too, as well. Artēs is the nominative plural form of ars, artis (3f): craft, art, skill, technique. Minōrēs is the m/f nominative plural form of minor/minor/minus (3): smaller, lesser; less important; minor—the comparative form of parvus/parva/parvum (1/2): small, little; unimportant. Habent is the third person plural form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Multiplicem is the m/f accusative singular form of multiplex, multiplicis (3, adj.): having many folds, layers, elements, etc. ; manifold, multiple. Māteriam is the accusative singular form of māteria, māteriae (1f): timber; material, matter, substance; subject matter, topic; object (of study, of an action, feeling, etc.); cause, source, means, occasion.

Eat nunc et crudelitati suae materiem quaerat aliam. —Apuleius, Metamorphoses 11.15
Translation

She may go now and seek another target for her cruelty.

Details

(Talking about Fortune.) Eat is the third person singular subjunctive form of eō, īre, iī/īvī, itum (irreg.): to go. Nunc (adv.): now. Et (conj.): and. Crūdēlitātī is the dative singular form of crūdēlitās, crūdēlitātis (3f): cruelty. Suae: (for) her (own)—the feminine (because it modifies the feminine noun crūdēlitātī; the gender of the owner is irrelevant) dative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Māteriem is the accusative singular form of māteriēs, māteriēī (5f): timber; material, matter, substance; subject matter, topic; object (of study, of an action, feeling, etc.); cause, source, means, occasion. Quaerat is the third person singular subjunctive form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to seek; ask. Aliam is the feminine accusative singular form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another. (The verbs are jussive subjunctive.)

Or it can mean a cause, source, means or occasion.

Ego enim omnium scelerum materia, ego causa sum. —Petronius, Satyricon 98.9
Translation

For I have been the source and the cause of all these misfortunes.

More literally: For I am the source, I am the cause of all the misfortunes.

Details

Ego: I. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Omnium is the m/f/n genitive plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Scelerum is the genitive plural form of scelus, sceleris (3n): crime, evil act; misfortune, affliction. Māteria, māteriae (1f): timber; material, matter, substance; subject matter, topic; object (of study, of an action, feeling, etc.); cause, source, means, occasion. Causa, causae (1f): trial; case; cause, reason. Sum: I am.

In iis servus materiam beneficii habet. —Seneca, On Benefits 3.21.1
Translation

It is in these that a slave finds opportunity to perform a benefit.

More literally: In those things a slave has an occasion of a favor.

Details

(In things that they’re neither required nor forbidden by law to do.) In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Iīs is the m/f/n (here n) ablative plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Servus, servī (2m): slave. Māteriam is the accusative singular form of māteria, māteriae (1f): timber; material, matter, substance; subject matter, topic; object (of study, of an action, feeling, etc.); cause, source, means, occasion. Beneficium, beneficiī (2n): a good action, kindness, service, benefit. Habet is the third person singular form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.

Undique materiam excitandi belli quaerebat. —Livy, History of Rome 1.22.2
Translation

He looked everywhere for an occasion to stir up war.

Details

Undique (adv.): from everywhere, from all directions, from every place or source. Māteriam is the accusative singular form of māteria, māteriae (1f): timber; material, matter, substance; subject matter, topic; object (of study, of an action, feeling, etc.); cause, source, means, occasion. Excitandī is the m/n genitive singular form of excitandus/excitanda/excitandum (1/2), the gerundive of excitō, excitāre, excitāvī, excitātum (1): to rouse, awaken; stir up. Bellum, bellī (2n): war. Quaerēbat is the third person singular imperfect form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to seek; ask.


Nātūra, nātūrae

Nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature—in mostly two senses: 1) the power or principle that gives birth to things and endows them with their characteristics; 2) the innate characteristics of a person or thing.
Natura nihil frustra facit. —proverb
Translation

Nature does nothing in vain.

Details

Nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. Nihil (n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here acc.): nothing. Frūstrā (adv.): in vain, uselessly, for nothing; for no reason or purpose; in error, mistakenly. Facit is the third person singular form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.

Quod naturae satis est homini non est. —Seneca, Epistles 119.7
Translation

That which is enough for nature is not enough for man.

Details

Quī/quae/ quod (pron.): who, which, that, what. Nātūrae is the dative singular form of nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. Satis (n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here nom.): a sufficient thing or amount, enough. Est: is. Hominī is the dative singular form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human. Nōn: not. Est: is.

Si ad naturam vives, numquam eris pauper. —Seneca, Epistles 16.7
Translation

If you live according to nature, you will never be poor.

Details

(Quoting Epicurus.) (conj.): if. Ad (prep.): to; according to (takes accusative). Nātūram is the accusative singular form of nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. Vīvēs is the second person singular future form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live. Numquam (adv.): never. Eris is the second person singular future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Pauper, pauperis (3, adj.): poor.

Admittit humana natura quod suadeo. —Pliny the Younger, Letters 7.1.2
Translation

What I am asking is not beyond human capacity.

More literally: Human nature allows what I suggest.

Details

Admittit is the third person singular form of admittō, admittere, admīsī, admissum (3): to allow to approach, receive, admit, let in; permit, allow (for); commit; let go, release. Hūmānus/ hūmāna /hūmānum (1/2): human, belonging to human beings. Nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. Quod is the neuter accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Suādeō, suādēre, suāsī, suāsum (2): to recommend, advise, urge, suggest.

Nunc moventur secundum naturam suam. —Seneca, Epistles 124.19
Translation

As it is, they move according to their nature.

Details

(Animals.) Nunc (adv.): now; as it is. Moventur is the third person plural passive form of moveō, movēre, mōvī, mōtum (2): to move (the reflexive passive). Secundum (prep.): following, after; along; next to; according to. Nātūram is the accusative singular form of nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. Suam: their (own)—the feminine accusative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2).

The ablative singular nātūrā is often used to mean by nature, or naturally, when a quality is being attributed to a person or thing.

Natura enim homo mundum et elegans animal est. —Seneca, Epistles 92.12
Translation

For man is by nature a clean and elegant animal.

Details

Nātūrā is the ablative singular form of nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Homō, hominis (3m): man, human. Mundus/munda/ mundum (1/2): clean; elegant, refined. Et (conj.): and. Ēlegāns, ēlegantis (3, adj.): elegant. Animal, animālis (3n): living being, animal. Est: is.

Nātūra locī means the natural features of a place, the terrain.

Hoc flumen avertere natura loci prohibebat. —Aulus Hirtius, The Gallic War 8.40.3 The terrain made it impossible to divert the river.
Translation

More literally: The nature (natural features) of the place forbade to divert this river.

Details

Hoc is the neuter accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Flūmen is the accusative singular form of flūmen, flūminis (3n): river. Āvertō, āvertere, āvertī, āversum (3): to turn aside or away, divert or avert. Nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. Locus, locī (2m): place, location. Prohibēbat is the third person singular imperfect form of prohibeō, prohibēre, prohibuī, prohibitum (2): to keep off; prevent; forbid.

The phrase rērum nātūra refers to the nature or natural order of things, or the whole of nature (virtually the world or universe).

Quid de rerum natura querimur? —Seneca, On the Shortness of Life 2.1
Translation

Why do we complain of nature?

More literally: Why do we complain about the nature of things?

Details

Quid (interrog. adv.): why? (prep.): from, down from; of; about, concerning (takes ablative). Rērum is the genitive plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; event; circumstance; property. Nātūrā is the ablative singular form of nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. Querimur is the first person plural form of queror, querī, questus sum (3, deponent): to complain.

Tota rerum natura umbra est aut inanis aut fallax. —Seneca, Epistles 88.46
Translation

The entire universe is a shadow, either empty or deceptive.

Details

(If you believe some philosophers.) Tōtus/ tōta /tōtum (1/2, irreg.): whole, entire, all. Rērum is the genitive plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; event; circumstance; property. Nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. Umbra, umbrae (1f): shadow; shade. Est: is. Aut (conj.): or (aut. . . aut: either. . . or). Inānis/ inānis /ināne (3): empty; insubstantial; illusory; frivolous, inane. Aut (conj.): or. Fallāx, fallācis (3, adj.): deceitful, deceptive, false.

Nātūra alone occasionally means the world/universe.

Avidis, avidis natura parum est. —Anonymous, Hercules on Mount Oeta 631
Translation

The greedy, the greedy find Nature too little.

For the greedy, for the greedy the world is not enough!

Details

Avidīs is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of avidus/avida/avidum (1/2): greedy; eager, avid. Avidīs is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of avidus/avida/avidum (1/2): greedy; eager, avid. Nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature; world, universe. Parum (n, nom. or acc. only—here nom.): an insufficient or (very) small thing or amount, (too) little, not enough. Est: is.

Another occasional meaning is private parts, genitals.

Rabies ea aceto mitigatur naturae adsperso. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 10.181
Translation

That frenzy can be mitigated by sprinkling vinegar on their genitals.

More literally: That frenzy is mitigated by vinegar sprinkled on the “nature” (the genitals).

Details

(Talking about sows in heat.) Rabiēs, rabiēī (5f): savageness, ferocity; frenzy, madness; rabies. Is/ ea /id (adj.): this, that. Acētō is the ablative singular form of acētum, acētī (2n): vinegar. Mītigātur is the third person singular passive form of mītigō, mītigāre, mītigāvī, mītigātum (1): to soften, lighten, alleviate, mitigate. Nātūrae is the dative singular form of nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature; private parts, genitals. Adspersō is the m/n ablative singular form of adspersus/adspersa/adspersum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of adspergō, adspergere, adspersī, adspersum (3—also aspergō): to sprinkle; bespatter (the thing that something is sprinkled on can go in the dative).


Neglegentia, neglegentiae

Neglegentia, neglegentiae (1f—also negligentia): carelessness, negligence, neglect.
Imitatur neglegentia facilitatem. —Seneca, Epistles 120.8
Translation

Carelessness looks like ease.

Details

Imitātur is the third person singular form of imitor, imitārī, imitātus sum (1, deponent): to imitate, copy; look like, resemble. Neglegentia, neglegentiae (1f): carelessness, negligence, neglect. Facilitātem is the accusative singular form of facilitās, facilitātis (3f): ease, facility, readiness.

Ista neglegentia pater tuus exercitum perdidit. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 1.3.10
Translation

That’s the kind of negligence that caused your father to lose his army.

More literally: With that negligence (of yours), your father lost an army.

Details

(Likening the son to his father.) Istā is the feminine ablative singular form of iste/ista/istud (adj.): that (of yours). Neglegentiā is the ablative singular form of neglegentia, neglegentiae (1f): carelessness, negligence, neglect. Pater, patris (3m): father. Tuus /tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Exercitum is the accusative singular form of exercitus, exercitūs (4m): army. Perdidit is the third person singular perfect form of perdō, perdere, perdidī, perditum (3): to destroy; waste, squander; lose.

Nec potest mihi obici neglegentia quaestionis. —Quintilian, Minor Declamations 328.8
Translation

Nor can I be accused of negligence in the interrogation.

Details

Neque/ nec: (as conj.) and not, nor; (as adv.) neither, not either, not even. Potest is the third person singular form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to/for/against me). Obicī is the passive infinitive form of obiciō, obicere, obiēcī, obiectum (3, –iō): to throw (to), throw in the way; throw against, bring up as a charge or reproach (against someone in the dative). Neglegentia, neglegentiae (1f): carelessness, negligence, neglect. Quaestiō, quaestiōnis (3f): search; investigation; interrogation (esp. under torture); question, issue.

Compare neglegō, neglegere, neglexī, neglectum (3): to neglect.

Opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance.

This noun is similar to opus, operis (3n) in meaning and appearance. To make matters more confusing, opera is the nominative singular form of this word, and the nominative and accusative plural form of opus. In an unmacronized text, operā, the ablative singular form of opera, operae, also looks identical to those form of opus; and operis (genitive singular form of opus, operis) can also be confused with operīs (dative and ablative plural form of opera, operae). Lewis and Short suggest that “ opus is used mostly of the mechanical activity of work, as that of animals, slaves, and soldiers; opera supposes a free will and desire to serve.” In addition, among the common meanings of opus, operis is the concrete result of one’s work (e. g. , an author’s piece of writing), whereas that meaning is rare for opera, operae.

Numquam inutilis est opera civis boni. —Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind 4.6
Translation

The efforts of a good citizen are never useless.

More literally: The effort. . .

Details

Numquam (adv.): never. Inūtilis/ inūtilis /inūtile (3): useless, unprofitable. Est: is. Opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance. Cīvis, cīvis (3m/f): citizen. Bonī is the m/n genitive singular form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good.

Multum enim operae, multum diligentiae poscit. —Seneca, Epistles 72.1
Translation

For it requires a large amount of work and care.

Details

Multum is the accusative form of multum, multī (2n): a large amount, much, a lot. Enim (particle): for, indeed, because. Opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance. Dīligentia, dīligentiae (1f): diligence, care, attentiveness. Poscit is the third person singular form of poscō, poscere, poposcī, — (3): to ask (esp. authoritatively or insistently), demand.

Ad eam rem operam suam pollicentur. —Cicero, In Defense of Sextus Roscius Amerinus 20
Translation

They promised their assistance for this purpose/to this deed.

Details

(A murder.) Ad (prep.): to, toward; for the purpose of (takes the accusative). Eam is the feminine accusative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; act, deed; circumstance; property. Operam is the accusative singular form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance. Suam: their (own)—the feminine accusative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Pollicentur is the third person plural form of polliceor, pollicērī, pollicitus sum (2, deponent): to promise (it’s in the historical present).

Hominis operas locavi, non caballi. —Petronius, Satyricon 117.12
Translation

I hired myself out to do a man’s work, not a horse’s.

More literally: I rented out the services of a man, not of a packhorse.

Details

(Complaining about being given too much to carry.) Homō, hominis (3m): man, human being. Operās is the accusative plural form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance. Locō, locāre, locāvī, locātum (1): to place; contract for (work); hire out; lease. Nōn: not. Caballus, caballī (2m): horse (especially an inferior one).

Opera is sometimes used by metonymy to mean a laborer (the word denoting work or professional services comes to denote the person providing them).

Hic voce, nutu evocari iubet operas. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 33.73
Translation

He by shout and gesture gives the order for the workmen to be called out.

Details

(Out of a mine, when he sees that the mine is about to collapse.) Hic /haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Vōce is the ablative singular form of vōx, vōcis (3f): voice; utterance; saying; word. Nūtū is the ablative singular form of nūtus, nūtūs (4m): a nod of the head (especially as conveying assent or command); beckoning; will. Ēvocārī is the passive infinitive form of ēvocō, ēvocāre, ēvocāvī, ēvocātum (1): to call out; summon; provoke. Iubet is the third person singular form of iubeō, iubēre, iussī, iussum (2): to order, command. Operās is the accusative plural form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance; (by metonymy) laborer.

Opera, operae appears in a number of idiomatic expressions. We’ll illustrate a few notable ones below. First, operam dare means to devote efforts (to), apply oneself (to), pay attention (to), or give assistance (to).

Ei rei operam dabo. —Plautus, Pseudolus 1115
Translation

I’ll apply myself to the task.

More literally: I will give effort to the matter.

Details

is the m/f/n dative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Reī is the dative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; act, deed; circumstance; property. Operam is the accusative singular form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance. Dabō is the first person singular future form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give.

Da mi igitur operam. —Plautus, The Weevil 259
Translation

Make an effort for me, then.

Details

is the singular imperative form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. is a contracted form of mihi, the dative form of ego: I (to me). Igitur (conj.): so, then, therefore. Operam is the accusative singular form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance.

Amice amico operam dedi. —Plautus, The Merchant 499
Translation

I’ve assisted my friend as friends do.

More literally: I’ve given effort/assistance to a friend in a friendly manner.

Details

Amīcē (adv.): in a friendly manner. Amīcō is the dative singular form of amīcus, amīcī (2m): friend. Operam is the accusative singular form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance. Dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give.

Da operam ut fratres tui te imitentur. —Seneca, Consolation to Polybius 5.5
Translation

Do your best to have your brothers imitate you.

More literally: Give effort so that your brothers may imitate you.

Details

is the singular imperative form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Operam is the accusative singular form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance. Ut (conj. , with subjunctive): that, so that. Frātrēs is the nominative plural form of frāter, frātris (3m): brother. Tuī is the masculine nominative plural form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. is the accusative singular form of tū: you. Imitentur is the third person plural subjunctive form of imitor, imitārī, imitātus sum (1, deponent): to imitate.

Similar expressions are found with verbs others than dare. A common example is operam nāvāre, meaning to work diligently (at, dative ), busy oneself (with, dative ), apply oneself (to).

Navabo operam. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 1.14.7
Translation

I’ll do my best for him.

More literally: I will do the work with diligence.

Alt. : I’ll busy myself with the matter; I’ll work on it diligently.

Details

(He’s talking about a friend who wants to run in an election.) Nāvābō is the first-person singular future form of nāvō, nāvāre, nāvāvī, nāvātum (1): to devote oneself to, do or perform diligently, with zeal or enthusiasm. Operam is the accusative singular form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance.

Perdere operam means to waste effort.

Quid perdis operam? —Seneca, On Benefits 7.21.1
Translation

Why are you wasting (your) effort(s)?

Details

Quid (interrog. adv.): what for? why? Perdis is the second person singular form of perdō, perdere, perdidī, perditum (3): to destroy; waste, squander; lose. Operam is the accusative singular form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance.

An augmented version of the idiom:

Oleum et operam perdidi. —Erasmus, Adagia (1536)
Translation

I’ve wasted oil and toil. (Time and trouble.)

Details

Oleum is the accusative singular form of oleum, oleī (2n): oil. Et (conj.): and. Operam is the accusative singular form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance. Perdō, perdere, perdidī, perditum (3): to destroy; waste, squander; lose.

The ablative singular form operā together with a genitive word or possessive adjective can mean through X’s efforts, through X’s doing or thanks to X.

Ariobarzanes opera mea vivit, regnat. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 5.20.6
Translation

Ariobarzanes lives and reigns thanks to me.

More literally: Ariobarzanes lives, reigns by my effort/service.

Details

Ariobarzānēs, Ariobarzānis (3m): a king of Cappadocia (in central Anatolia, part of modern-day Turkey). Operā is the ablative singular form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance. Meā is the feminine ablative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Vīvit is the third person singular form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live, be alive. Rēgnat is the third person singular form of rēgnō, rēgnāre, rēgnāvī, rēgnātum (1): to reign.

Eius opera ab omni periculo liberatus est. —Hyginus, Fabulae 22.4
Translation

Thanks to her he was freed from all danger.

More literally: By her work/service. . .

Details

Eius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Operā is the ablative singular form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance. Ab /ā (prep.): (away) from; by (takes the ablative). Omnī is the m/f/n ablative singular form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Perīculō is the ablative singular form of perīculum, perīculī (2n): test, trial; danger, risk, peril. Līberātus est is the third person masculine singular perfect passive form of līberō, līberāre, līberāvī, līberātum (3): to free, liberate.

Operae pretium (literally price/reward of work) can mean straightforwardly a reward for one’s work or efforts. But the phrase is also used in a more idiomatic way to mean something worthwhile; for example the expression operae pretium esse can, as in the second illustration below, mean to be (something) worthwhile, be worth it.

Quod,” inquis, “erit pretium operae?” —Seneca, Natural Questions 6.4.2
Translation

“What will be the reward for (that) work?” you ask.

Details

Quī/quae/ quod (interrog. pron.): which? what? Inquis is the second person singular form of inquam (irreg. and defective): to say. Erit is the third person singular future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Pretium, pretiī (2n): reward; price; value. Opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance.

Operae pretium est legem ipsam cognoscere. —Cicero, Against Verres 2.1.143
Translation

It is worth looking at the actual law.

More literally: It is reward of work (i.e., it is worthwhile) to get to know the actual law.

Details

Opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance. Pretium, pretiī (2n): reward; price; value (operae pretium = a reward for one’s work; something worthwhile). Est: is. Lēgem is the accusative singular form of lēx, lēgis (3m): law. Ipsam is the feminine accusative singular form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very; the actual. Cognōscō, cognōscere, cognōvī, cognitum (3): to get to know, learn, become acquainted with.


Pecūnia, pecūniae

Pecūnia, pecūniae (1f): money; wealth, property.
Hac emptione facta pecunia solvitur a Caesennia. —Cicero, In Defense of Caecina 17
Translation

This purchase having been made, the money is paid by Caesennia.

Details

Hāc is the feminine ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Ēmptiōne is the ablative singular form of ēmptiō, ēmptiōnis (3f): the act of buying or a thing bought, purchase. Factā is the feminine ablative singular form of factus/facta/factum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Pecūnia, pecūniae (1f): money; wealth, property. Solvitur is the third person singular passive form of solvō, solvere, solvī, solūtum (3): to loosen, untie, release; dissolve; pay; solve (the historical present). Ab/ ā (prep.): from; by (takes the ablative). Caesenniā is the feminine ablative singular form of the family name Caesennius/Caesennia/Caesennium (1/2).

Neminem pecunia divitem fecit. —Seneca, Epistles 119.9
Translation

Money never made a man rich.

More literally: Money has made no one rich.

Details

Nēminem is the accusative form of nēmō, nēminis (3m): no man, no one. Pecūnia, pecūniae (1f): money; wealth, property. Dīvitem is the m/f accusative singular form of dīves, dīvitis (3, adj.): rich, wealthy. Fēcit is the third person singular perfect form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.

Quid sibi vult ista pecuniae pompa? —Seneca, Epistles 110.15
Translation

What is the meaning of all this display of money?

(Chicago:) What is this parade of money all about?

Details

Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? (Quid sibi vult is an expression: what does it mean? ) Sibi: to/for itself—the dative form of the reflexive pronoun. Vult is the third person singular form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish. Iste/ ista /istud (adj.): that. Pecūnia, pecūniae (1f): money; wealth, property. Pompa, pompae (1f): procession, parade; ostentation, display.

Pecuniam minorem habebis.” Nempe et molestiam. —Seneca, Epistles 42.9
Translation

“You will have less money.” Yes, and less trouble.

More literally: “You will have less money.” To be sure, also (less) trouble.

Details

Pecūniam is the accusative singular form of pecūnia, pecūniae (1f): money; wealth, property. Minōrem is the accusative singular form of minor/minor/minus (3): smaller, lesser, less; less important—the comparative form of parvus/parva/parvum (1/2): small, little; unimportant. Habēbis is the second person singular future form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Nempe (particle): indeed, certainly, to be sure, why, clearly. Et (adv.): also. Molestiam is the accusative singular form of molestia, molestiae (1f): trouble, annoyance.

Hereditas est pecunia. —Cicero, Topics 29
Translation

An inheritance is property.

Details

(A statement that Cicero rightly considers insufficient as a definition of inheritance; you have to be more specific.) Hērēditās, hērēditātis (3f): inheritance. Est: is. Pecūnia, pecūniae (1f): money; wealth, property.

Eamus in forum et pecunias mutuemur. —Petronius, Satyricon 58.11
Translation

Let’s go to the forum and borrow funds.

Details

Eāmus is the first person plural subjunctive form of eō, īre, iī/īvī, itum (irreg.): to go. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into (sometimes can be translated simply as to). Forum is the accusative singular form of forum, forī (2n): forum, marketplace. Et (conj.): and. Pecūniās is the accusative plural form of pecūnia, pecūniae (1f): money; wealth, property. Mūtuēmur is the first person plural subjunctive form of mūtuor, mūtuārī, mūtuātus sum (1, deponent): to borrow (the two verbs are subjunctive because they’re hortatory).

Pecuniis igitur raptim exactis ad Hiberum descendit. —Livy, History of Rome 23.28.6
Translation

So, having hastily exacted the money, he descended toward the Ebro.

More literally: So, the money having been hastily exacted. . .

Details

Pecūniīs is the ablative plural form of pecūnia, pecūniae (1f): money; wealth, property. Igitur (conj.): so, then, therefore. Raptim (adv.): hurriedly, hastily. Exāctīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of exāctus/exācta/exāctum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of exigō, exigere, exēgī, exāctum (3): to drive out; demand, require, exact; complete; spend, pass (time); inquire into, examine. Ad (prep.): to, toward (takes the accusative). Hibērum is the accusative singular form of Hibērus, Hibērī (2m): a Spanish river, today called the Ebro. Dēscendit is the third person singular perfect (or maybe it’s in the historical present) form of dēscendō, dēscendere, dēscendī, dēscēnsum (3): to go down, descend.


Philosophia, philosophiae

Philosophia, philosophiae (1f): philosophy—a word borrowed from Greek and meaning literally love of wisdom. The term was applied a little more broadly than the word philosophy typically is today. It could include what we would call the natural sciences.
Platonem non accepit nobilem philosophia sed fecit. —Seneca, Epistles 44.3
Translation

Plato was not noble when philosophy received him; philosophy made him so.

More literally: Philosophy did not receive Plato noble but made (him so).

Details

Platōnem is the accusative singular form of Platō, Platōnis (3m): Plato. Nōn: not. Accēpit is the third person singular perfect form of accipiō, accipere, accēpī, acceptum (3, –iō): to receive, accept, take. Nōbilem is the m/f accusative singular form of nōbilis/nōbilis/nōbile (3): renowned, famous, celebrated, distinguished, illustrious; noble. Philosophia, philosophiae (1f): philosophy. Sed (conj.): but. Fēcit is the third person singular perfect form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.

Utrumque decreta philosophiae faciunt. —Seneca, Epistles 94.13
Translation

(Chicago:) The principles of philosophy do both.

Details

(They both cure and prevent the illnesses of the mind.) Utrumque is the m/n (here n) accusative singular form of uterque/utraque/utrumque (1/2, irreg.): each of two, either; it can often be translated as both. Dēcrēta is the nominative plural form of dēcrētum, dēcrētī (2n): principle; decision, decree (a substantive use of dēcrētus/dēcrēta/dēcrētum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of dēcernō, dēcernere, dēcrēvī, dēcrētum (3): to decide, decree). Philosophia, philosophiae (1f): philosophy. Faciunt is the third person plural form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.

Idem tibi de philosophia dico. —Seneca, Epistles 95.29
Translation

(Chicago:) The same thing, I tell you, applies to philosophy.

More literally: I say to you the same about philosophy.

Details

(He’s comparing philosophy to medicine. Doctors used to know only simple remedies; but now that excesses have given rise to many complicated conditions, doctors have developed more complex techniques. Philosophy likewise used to be simpler when there weren’t as many moral faults to cure.) Idem is the neuter accusative singular form of īdem/eadem/idem (pron.): the same. Tibi is the dative form of tū: you (to you). (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes ablative). Philosophiā is the ablative singular form of philosophia, philosophiae (1f): philosophy. Dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say.


Poena, poenae

Poena, poenae (1f): penalty, punishment; compensation; revenge; torment, suffering. (A borrowing from Greek.)

The usual meaning of poena is a price paid for one’s actions—so in general penalty, punishment; in some contexts compensation, retribution, or revenge may be appropriate. Poena sometimes appears in the plural where a singular translation is natural.

Venia est poenae meritae remissio. —Seneca, On Mercy 2.7.1
Translation

Pardon is the remission of a deserved punishment.

Details

Venia, veniae (1f): a favor, kindness; permission, leave; indulgence; forgiveness, pardon. Est: is. Poena, poenae (1f): penalty, punishment; compensation; revenge; torment, suffering. Meritae is the feminine genitive singular form of meritus/merita/meritum (1/2): deserved—the perfect passive participle of mereō, merēre, meruī, meritum (2): to earn; deserve. Remissiō, remissiōnis (3f): the act of sending back or releasing; relaxation; remission.

Quam deinde poenam ingratis constituimus? —Seneca, On Benefits 3.10.3
Translation

Then what punishment are we to set for the ungrateful?

Details

Quam is the feminine accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Deinde (adv.): then, next, after that. Poenam is the accusative singular form of poena, poenae (1f): penalty, punishment; compensation; revenge; torment, suffering. Ingrātīs is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of ingrātus/ingrāta/ingrātum (1/2): ungrateful; unwelcome; unpleasant, disagreeable. Cōnstituimus is the first person plural form of cōnstituō, cōnstituere, cōnstituī, cōnstitūtum (3): to set up; establish; fix, set, decide, determine.

Forsitan poenas petet irata Iuno. —Anonymous, Hercules on Mount Oeta 1791-2
Translation

Perhaps an angry Juno will seek revenge.

Details

Forsitan (adv.): perhaps, maybe. Poenās is the accusative plural form of poena, poenae (1f): penalty, punishment; compensation; revenge; torment, suffering. Petet is the third person singular future form of petō, petere, petīvī/petiī, petītum (3): to direct one’s course to, make for; seek; ask for; aim at; aspire at; attack. Īrātus/ īrāta /īrātum (1/2): angry—originally the perfect active participle of īrāscor, īrāscī, īrātus sum (3, deponent): to be or become angry. Iūnō, Iūnōnis (3f): Juno, queen of the gods, wife and sister of Jupiter.

Persequitur poenis tristia facta Venus. —Tibullus, Elegies 1.8.28
Translation

Venus punishes cruel deeds.

More literally: Venus pursues cruel deeds with punishment(s).

Details

Persequitur is the third person singular form of persequor, persequī, persecūtus sum (3, deponent): to follow persistently or to the end; catch up with; pursue; seek requital for. Poenīs is the ablative plural form of poena, poenae (1f): penalty, punishment; compensation; revenge; torment, suffering. Trīstia is the neuter accusative plural form of trīstis/trīstis/trīste (3): gloomy, sad; harsh, bitter, distressing, curel; grim, dreadful, forbidding; stern, austere. Facta is the accusative plural form of factum, factī (2n): deed, act, action (a substantive use of factus/facta/factum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make). Venus, Veneris (3f): Venus, the goddess of love.

Poenās dare = to suffer punishment, pay a penalty.

Dat poenas quisquis expectat. —Seneca, Epistles 105.7
Translation

Whoever expects punishment is suffering punishment.

Details

(So the guilty are always punished in a way even when they aren’t caught.) Dat is the third person singular form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Poenās is the accusative plural form of poena, poenae (1f): penalty, punishment; compensation; revenge; torment, suffering. Quisquis /quicquid (rel. pron. ; the neuter form is also spelled quidquid): whoever, whatever. Expectat is the third person singular form of expectō, expectāre, expectāvī, expectātum (1—also exspectō): to wait (for), await; expect; look forward to.

Sometimes in the post-Augustan period and later (Seneca, , poena took on the more general meaning of torment, suffering; it’s the source of the English word pain.

Confusion warning. Note a similar-looking but unrelated word: Poenus/Poena/Poenum (1/2) meaning Phoenician or Carthaginian.

Multo sanguine ac volneribus ea Poenis victoria stetit. —Livy, History of Rome 23.30.2
Translation

That victory cost the Carthaginians much blood and many wounds.

Details

Multō is the m/n ablative singular form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Sanguine is the ablative singular form of sanguis, sanguinis (3m): blood. Atque/ ac (conj.): and. Volneribus is the ablative plural form of volnus, volneris (3n—also vulnus): wound. Is/ ea /id (adj.): this, that. Poenīs is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of Poenus/Poena/Poenum (1/2): Phoenician; Carthaginian. Victōria, victōriae (1f): victory. Stetit is the third person singular perfect form of stō, stāre, stetī, statum (1): to stand; stand at a price, cost (with ablative of price and dative of the person paying it).


Puella, puellae

Puella, puellae (1f): girl (female child or young woman); girlfriend; (rarely) slave girl.
Salvete, puellae. —Plautus, The Rope 263-4
Translation

Hi, girls.

Details

Salvēte is the plural imperative form of salveō, salvēre, —, — (2, defective): to be well, be in good health; it’s mostly used in the imperative as a greeting (hi, hello). Puellae is the vocative plural form of puella, puellae (1f): girl.

Huic misero fatum dura puella fuit. —Propertius, Elegies 2.1.78
Translation

A pitiless girl was the death of this unfortunate man.

More literally: A hard girl was fate/death for this poor man.

Details

Huic is the m/f/n dative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron. or adj.): this, this one; he, she, it. Miserō is the m/n dative singular form of miser/misera/miserum (1/2): miserable, wretched, unfortunate. Fātum, fātī (2n): fate; doom, death, demise. Dūrus/ dūra /dūrum (1/2): hard; harsh, pitiless. Puella, puellae (1f): girl. Fuit is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.

Duxi puellam honestam, locupletem. —Quintilian, Minor Declamations 257.12
Translation

I married a respectable, wealthy girl.

Details

Dūcō, dūcere, dūxī, ductum (3): to lead, bring, take (to a place); bring home as a wife, marry. Puellam is the accusative singular form of puella, puellae (1f): girl. Honestam is the feminine accusative singular form of honestus/honesta/honestum (1/2): honorable, respectable. Locuplētem is the m/f accusative singular form of locuplēs, locuplētis (3, adj.): rich, wealthy.

Puellis ut saltem parcerent orare institit. —Livy, History of Rome 24.26.11
Translation

She proceeded to beg them to at least spare the girls.

More literally: . . . to beg that they might at least spare. . .

Details

Puellīs is the dative plural form of puella, puellae (1f): girl. Ut (conj. , with subjunctive): that, so that. Saltem (adv.): at least. Parcerent is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of parcō, parcere, pepercī/parsī, parsum (3): to spare, be lenient, be merciful; refrain, forbear. Ōrō, ōrāre, ōrāvī, ōrātum (1): to plead, beg; pray. Īnstitit is the third person singular perfect form of īnsistō, īnsistere, īnstitī, — (3): to stand on; tread on; set about, proceed (esp. with urgency); press on (with a task or the like); halt.

Passer mortuus est meae puellae. —Catullus 3.3
Translation

The sparrow of my girl is dead.

Alt. : My girlfriend’s sparrow has died.

Details

Passer, passeris (3m): a sparrow or other small bird. Mortuus est is the third person singular perfect form of morior, morī, mortuus sum (3, –ior, deponent): to die (mortuus can also be used as an adjective meaning dead, so you could also analyze mortuus est as is dead; there’s no material difference between the two interpretations in this context). #has dead# Meae is the feminine genitive singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Puella, puellae (1f): girl; girlfriend.


Sapientia, sapientiae

Sapientia, sapientiae (1f): wisdom.
Sapientia ars est. —Seneca, Epistles 29.3
Translation

Wisdom is an art.

Details

Sapientia, sapientiae (1f): wisdom. Ars, artis (3f): craft, art, skill. Est: is.

Fac participes nos tuae sapientiae. —Plautus, Epidicus 266
Translation

Share your wisdom with us.

More literally: Make us sharers of your wisdom.

Details

Fac is the singular imperative form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Participēs is the accusative plural form of particeps, participis (3m/f and adj.): sharer, participant; having a share, participating (in, often with the genitive). Nōs is the accusative form of nōs: we (us). Tuae is the feminine genitive singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Sapientia, sapientiae (1f): wisdom.

Sapientiam bonum esse dicunt. —Seneca, Epistles 117.2
Translation

They declare that wisdom is a Good.

More literally: They declare wisdom to be a good.

Details

(He’s talking about the Stoics.) Sapientiam is the accusative singular form of sapientia, sapientiae (1f): wisdom. Bonum is the accusative singular form of bonum, bonī (2n): a good, a blessing, a boon. Esse: to be. Dīcunt is the third person plural form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say.


Sententia, sententiae

Sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words).

Opinion, thought, idea, sentiment.

Non est unius una sententia. —Seneca, Epistles 102.13
Translation

Even an individual does not hold to a single opinion.

More literally: The opinion of one is not one.

Details

Nōn: not. Est: is. Ūnīus is the m/f/n (here m) genitive singular form of ūnus/ūna/ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one; alone; only, sole, single. Ūnus/ ūna /ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one; alone; only, sole, single. Sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words).

Non muto sententiam. —Seneca, Epistles 10.1
Translation

I do not change my opinion.

Details

Nōn: not. Mūtō, mūtāre, mūtāvī, mūtātum (1): to change, transform. Sententiam is the accusative singular form of sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words) (mūtāre sententiam can also often be translated as to change one’s mind).

In eadem sententia et Metrodorus fuit. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 37.35
Translation

Metrodorus was of the same opinion.

More literally: Metrodorus too was in the same opinion.

Details

In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Eādem is the feminine ablative singular form of īdem/eadem/idem (adj.): the same. Sententiā is the ablative singular form of sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words). Et (adv.): also. Mētrodōrus, Mētrodōrī (2m). Fuit is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.

An opinion formally expressed in the senate, an assembly or the like; sometimes amounting to a vote. Also an opinion delivered authoritatively and bindingly; i.e., an official decision, decree, sentence, judgment.

Multis iam sententiis dictis rogatus sum sententiam. —Cicero, On His House 16
Translation

Many opinions had already been expressed; mine was asked.

More literally: With many opinions already having been said, I was asked my opinion.

Details

Multīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Iam (adv.): already; now; soon. Sententiīs is the ablative plural form of sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words); Sententiam is the accusative singular form of the same. Dictīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of dictus/dicta/dictum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say, speak, declare (sententiam dīcere and sententiam rogāre are typical phrases describing customary actions in the Senate). Rogātus sum is the first person masculine singular perfect passive form of rogō, rogāre, rogāvī, rogātum (1): to ask (it can take a double accusative—the person asked and the thing asked for—and when that construction is turned passive, the person asked becomes the subject while the thing asked for stays in the accusative).

Omnibus sententiis absolutus est. —Cicero, Letters to Quintus 2.4.1
Translation

He was acquitted unanimously.

More literally: He was acquitted by all opinions/votes.

Details

Omnibus is the m/f/n ablative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Sententiīs is the ablative plural form of sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words). Absolūtus est is the third person masculine singular perfect passive form of absolvō, absolvere, absolvī, absolūtum (3): to release; acquit; pay off; finish, complete.

Sententiae iudicum repugnasti. —Quintilian, Minor Declamations 310.11
Translation

You fought back against the sentence of the jury.

Details

Sententiae is the dative singular form of sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words). Iūdicum is the genitive plural form of iūdex, iūdicis (3m/f): judge, juror. Repugnāstī is the second person singular perfect form of repugnō, repugnāre, repugnāvī, repugnātum (1): to fight back (against), offer resistance (to); be inconsistent (with) (takes a dative object).

A decision in less formal contexts; or an idea to act upon, a purpose, intention.

Stat sententia non minuere copias. —Livy, History of Rome 34.12.3
Translation

He resolved not to diminish the troops.

More literally: The decision stands/is fixed not to diminish the troops.

Details

Stat is the third person singular form of stō, stāre, stetī, statum (1): to stand; be fixed, be determined (it’s in the historical present). Sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words). Nōn: not. Minuō, minuere, minuī, minūtum (3): to make smaller, diminish. Cōpiās is the accusative plural from of cōpia, cōpiae (1): supply; means, possibility, opportunity; (in pl.) resources; (in pl.) troops.

Necessario sententia desistunt. —Caesar, The Gallic War 6.4.2
Translation

They had to abandon their decision.

More literally: Out of necessity, they desisted from their purpose.

Details

Necessāriō (adv.): necessarily, unavoidably, of necessity. Sententiā is the ablative singular form of sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words). Dēsistunt is the third person plural form of dēsistō, dēsistere, dēstitī, — (3): to leave off, cease, desist (it’s in the historical present).

The intended expression of an idea, a meaning —or the substance or drift of a statement, etc.

Earum sententia haec erat: —Sallust, The War with Jugurtha 9.1
Translation

Its meaning was as follows:

Details

(Referring to a letter—litterae, litterārum (1f; in this sense it’s plural only).) Eārum is the feminine genitive plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words). Hic/ haec /hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Erat is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.

A group of words that expresses a thought; especially a pithy saying, maxim, epigram.

Sententias interponi raro convenit. —Anonymous, Ad Herennium 4.25
Translation

Maxims ought to be interposed only rarely.

More literally: It is rarely approproate (for) maxims to be included.

Details

Sententiās is the accusative plural form of sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words). Interpōnī is the passive infinitive form of interpōnō, interpōnere, interposuī, interpositum (3): to place between or among: interpose, intersperse, insert, include. Rārō (adv.): seldom, rarely. Convenit is the third person singular form of conveniō, convenīre, convēnī, conventum (4): to come together, meet; be agreed; be suitable, fitting, appropriate (it can go with an accusative-and-infinitive clause).

But sometimes sententia simply means a sentence or clause (not necessarily pithy).

We’ll finally note a few common expressions involving sententia (in addition to the two already mentioned earlier— sententiam dīcere and sententiam rogāre).

Meā (or tuā, etc.) sententiā = in my (or your, etc.) opinion.

More hoc fit, atque stulte mea sententia: —Plautus, Stichus 641
Translation

This is common practice, and a silly one in my opinion:

More literally: This is done by custom, and stupidly in my opinion:

Details

Mōre is the ablative singular form of mōs, mōris (3m): custom, habit, (habitual) manner; (in pl.) manners, morals, character. Hic/haec/ hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Fit is the third person singular form of fīō, fierī, —, — (irreg.): to be done; be made; happen; come into being; become. Atque /ac (conj.): and. Stultē (adv.): foolishly, stupidly. Meā is the feminine ablative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Sententiā is the ablative singular form of sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words).

Ex sententiā = satisfactorily, to one’s liking, according to one’s plans or desires. A possessive or genitive can be added; e. g. , ex meā sententiā.

Utrumque ex sententia cessit. —Frontinus, Stratagems 2.5.29
Translation

Both ideas went according to plan.

More literally: Either (thing) went. . .

Details

Uterque/utraque/ utrumque (1/2, irreg.): each of two, either; it can often be translated as both. Ex /ē (prep.): from, out of; according to (takes the ablative). Sententiā is the ablative singular form of sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words). Cessit is the third person singular perfect form of cēdō, cēdere, cessī, cessum (3): to go, proceed; go away, withdraw; yield; turn out.

Dē sententiā, sometimes also ex sententiā, + genitive or possessive = on (someone’s) advice or instructions.

De amicorum sententia rem defert ad senatum. —Cicero, In Defense of Milo 65
Translation

On the advice of his friends, he reported the matter to the Senate.

Details

(prep.): from, down from; about, concerning; according to (takes the ablative). Amīcōrum is the genitive plural form of amīcus, amīcī (2m): friend. Sententiā is the ablative singular form of sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words). Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; event; circumstance; property. Dēfert is the third person singular form of dēferō, dēferre, dētulī, dēlātum (3, irreg.): to carry down, convey down; carry, convey; transfer; report; denounce; entrust; grant, confer (it’s in the historical present). Ad (prep.) to (takes the accusative). Senātum is the accusative singular form of senātus, senātūs (4m): senate.

—In sententiam īre (or with another verb such as cēdere, concēdere, discēdere, vādere) = to support or vote in favor of an opinion or policy —properly, by walking over to the side of the senate where the proponent of the motion is. The word pedibus (literally with the feet) is sometimes added.

Omnes in eam sententiam ierunt. —Livy, History of Rome 23.10.4
Translation

Everyone supported that opinion.

More literally: All went into that opinion.

Details

Omnēs is the m/f nominative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Eam is the feminine accusative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Sententiam is the accusative singular form of sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words). Iērunt is the third person plural perfect form of eō, īre, iī/īvī, itum (irreg.): to go.

Pedibus in hanc sententiam itum est. —Seneca, The Pumpkinification of Claudius 11.6
Translation

This opinion met with support.

More literally: A going with the feet into this opinion occurred.

Details

Pedibus is the ablative plural form of pēs, pedis (3m): foot. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Hanc is the feminine accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Sententiam is the accusative singular form of sententia, sententiae (1f): opinion, thought, idea, sentiment; vote; decision, decree, sentence, judgment; purpose, intention; meaning; maxim, epigram; sentence or clause (group of words). Itum est is the (impersonal) third person singular perfect passive form of eō, īre, iī/īvī, itum (irreg.): to go.


Turba, turbae

Turba, turbae (1f): commotion, turmoil, disturbance, disorder; crowd, throng; group of people with common interests or characteristics.

Commotion, turmoil, disturbance, disorder.

Ecce autem nova turba atque rixa. —Cicero, Against Verres 2.4.148
Translation

And here’s a new disturbance, a new brawl!

Details

Ecce (interjection): behold, look. Autem (particle): on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover; for my, your, his, etc. part. Novus/ nova /novum (1/2): new. Turba, turbae (1f): commotion, turmoil, disturbance, disorder; crowd, throng; group of people with common interests or characteristics. Atque /ac (conj.): and. Rixa, rixae (1f): brawl, fight, violent altercation.

Quas ego hic turbas dabo! —Plautus, Bacchides 357
Translation

What trouble I’ll stir up here!

More literally: What disturbances I’ll produce here!

Details

Quās is the feminine accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? —here used in an exclamatory way. Ego: I. Hīc (adv.): here. Turbās is the accusative plural form of turba, turbae (1f): commotion, turmoil, disturbance, disorder; crowd, throng; group of people with common interests or characteristics. Dabō is the first person singular future form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give; cause, produce.

A large, and often disorderly, group of people: crowd, throng.

Ingemuit omnis turba. —Anonymous, Hercules on Mount Oeta 1667
Translation

The entire crowd moaned.

Details

Ingemuit is the third person singular perfect form of ingemēscō, ingemēscere, ingemuī, — (3—also ingemīscō): to moan, groan. Omnis/ omnis /omne (3): all; every. Turba, turbae (1f): commotion, turmoil, disturbance, disorder; crowd, throng; group of people with common interests or characteristics.

Odium turbae sanabit solitudo, taedium solitudinis turba. —Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind 17.3
Translation

Hatred of the crowd, solitude will cure; weariness of solitude, the crowd.

Alt. : Solitude will cure our hatred of the crowd; the crowd will cure our weariness of solitude.

Details

Odium is the accusative singular form of odium, odiī (2n): hatred, odium. Turba, turbae (1f): commotion, turmoil, disturbance, disorder; crowd, throng; group of people with common interests or characteristics. Sānābit is the third person singular future form of sānō, sānāre, sānāvī, sānātum (1): to heal, cure. Sōlitūdō, sōlitūdinis (3f): solitude, loneliness; lonely place. Taedium is the accusative singular form of taedium, taediī (2n): weariness; boredom; disgust; loathsomeness; nuisance. Sōlitūdō, sōlitūdinis (3f): solitude, loneliness; lonely place. Turba, turbae (1f): commotion, turmoil, disturbance, disorder; crowd, throng; group of people with common interests or characteristics.

Bona conscientia turbam advocat. —Seneca, Epistles 43.5
Translation

A good conscience welcomes the crowd.

Details

(Whereas the guilty are nervous.) Bonus/ bona /bonum (1/2): good. Cōnscientia, cōnscientiae (1f): the fact of holding knowledge in common with someone; complicity; consciousness (of something one has done); conscience. Turbam is the accusative singular form of turba, turbae (1f): commotion, turmoil, disturbance, disorder; crowd, throng; group of people with common interests or characteristics. Advocat is the third person singular form of advocō, advocāre, advocāvī, advocātum (1): to call, summon.

A group of people with common interests or characteristics.

Is erat ex hac turba lucifugarum. —Seneca, Epistles 122.15
Translation

Papinius belonged to the tribe of those who shun the light.

Details

Is /ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that (one/man/person/thing). Erat is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Ex /ē (prep.): from, out of (takes ablative). Hāc is the feminine ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Turbā is the ablative singular form of turba, turbae (1f): commotion, turmoil, disturbance, disorder; crowd, throng; group of people with common interests or characteristics. Lūcifugārum is the genitive plural form of lūcifuga, lūcifugae (1m): a light-fleer, light-shunner, one who shuns the light of day.


Via, viae

Via, viae (1f): road, path, street, way (literally or figuratively); journey.
Longa via est, nec tempora longa supersunt. —Ovid, Fasti 5.501
Translation

The way is long and there is not a long time left.

Details

Longus/ longa /longum (1/2): long; far off, remote. Via, viae (1f): road, path, street, way; journey. Est: is. Neque/ nec: (as conj.) and not, nor; (as adv.) neither, not either, not even. Tempora is the nominative plural form of tempus, temporis (3n): time (a poetic plural). Longa is the neuter nominative plural form of longus/longa/longum (1/2): long; far off, remote. Supersunt is the third person plural form of supersum, superesse, superfuī, superfutūrus (irreg.): to be left, remain; be present in excess, be superfluous; be higher.

Nolo me in via cum hac veste videat. —Terence, The Eunuch 906-7
Translation

I don’t want him to see me on the street in this garb.

Details

Nōlō, nōlle, nōluī, — (irreg.): not to want, be unwilling, refuse (it can be completed by a subjunctive clause). is the accusative form of ego: I (me). In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Viā is the ablative singular form of via, viae (1f): road, path, street, way; journey. Cum (prep.): with (takes the ablative). Hāc is the feminine ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Veste is the ablative singular form of vestis, vestis (3f): clothing, dress, garment. Videat is the third person singular subjunctive form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see.

Una ad hanc fert via. —Seneca, Epistles 37.4
Translation

There is but one path leading thither.

More literally: One path leads to this.

Details

(i.e., to wisdom—sapientia, sapientiae (1f)—the path of reason.) Ūnus/ ūna /ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one. Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Hanc is the feminine accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Fert is the third person singular form of ferō, ferre, tulī, lātum (3): to carry, bear, bring, lead. Via, viae (1f): road, path, street, way; journey.

Una manu latam libertati viam faciet. —Seneca, On Providence 2.10
Translation

(Chicago:) With one hand he will make a broad path to freedom.

Details

(Speaking of Cato taking his own life with his sword.) Ūnā is the feminine ablative singular form of ūnus/ūna/ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one. Manū is the ablative singular form of manus, manūs (4f): hand. Lātam is the feminine accusative singular form of lātus/lāta/lātum (1/2): wide, broad. Lībertātī is the dative singular form of lībertās, lībertātis (3f): freedom, liberty. Viam is the accusative singular form of via, viae (1f): road, path, street, way; journey. Faciet is the third person singular future form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.

Enumerare omnes fatorum vias longum est. —Seneca, Epistles 91.12
Translation

It would be tedious to recount all the ways by which fate may come.

More literally: To enumerate all the ways of the fates is long (i.e., it would take a long time).

Details

(He’s just mentioned a few ways in which cities can fall.) Ēnumerō, ēnumerāre, ēnumerāvī, ēnumerātum (1): to reckon up, count up; enumerate. Omnēs is the m/f accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Fātōrum is the genitive plural form of fātum, fātī (4n): fate; death, doom, demise. Viās is the accusative plural form of via, viae (1f): road, path, street, way; journey. Longus/longa/ longum (1/2): long; far off, remote. Est: is.

Video quot dierum via sit. —Cicero, Against Verres 2.3.191
Translation

I see how many days the journey takes.

More literally: I see of how many days it is a journey.

Details

Videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see. Quot (indeclinable interrog. adj.): how many? Diērum is the genitive plural form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day. Via, viae (1f): road, path, street, way; journey. Sit is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).


Vīta, vītae

Vīta, vītae (1f): life.
Quid est beata vita? —Seneca, Epistles 92.3
Translation

What is the happy life?

(Chicago:) What is a happy life?

Details

Quis/quis/ quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Est: is. Beātus/ beāta /beātum (1/2): happy; prosperous. Vīta, vītae (1f): life.

In aliquod genus vitae difficile incidisti. —Seneca, On Tranquillity of Mind 10.1
Translation

But it may be that you have fallen upon some phase of life which is difficult.

More literally: You’ve fallen into some difficult kind of life.

Details

In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Aliquod is the neuter accusative singular form of aliquī/aliqua/aliquod (adj.): some, a certain, a(n). Genus is the accusative singular form of genus, generis (3n): kind, type, sort; race; descent. Vīta, vītae (1f): life. Difficile is the neuter accusative singular form of difficilis/difficilis/difficile (3): difficult. Incidistī is the second person singular perfect form of incidō, incidere, incidī, incāsum (3): to fall (into).

Nondum enim Memnonem vita excessisse cognoverat. —Quintus Curtius, Histories of Alexander 3.1.21
Translation

For he had not yet heard the news of Memnon’s passing.

More literally: For he had not yet learned Memnon to have departed from life.

Details

Nōndum (adv.): not yet. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Memnonem is the accusative singular form of Memnōn, Memnonis (3): a personal name, here referring to Memnon of Rhodes, a chief of Greek mercenaries serving the Persians against Alexander. Vītā is the ablative singular form of vīta, vītae (1f): life. Excessisse is the perfect infinitive form of excēdō, excēdere, excessī, excessum (3): to go away, depart, withdraw; go beyond; exceed. Cognōverat is the third person singular pluperfect form of cognōscō, cognōscere, cognōvī, cognitum (3): to get to know, learn, become acquainted with.

Singulos dies singulas vitas puta. —Seneca, Epistles 101.10
Translation

Regard every single day as a separate life.

Details

Singulōs is the masculine accusative plural form of singulus/singula/singulum (1/2): taken individually, single, separate, individual; (in pl. only) one each, one by one, one at a time, each individually, every single; Diēs is the accusative plural form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day. Singulās is the feminine accusative plural form of singulus/singula/singulum (1/2): taken individually, single. Vītās is the accusative plural form of vīta, vītae (1f): life. Putā is the singular imperative form of putō, putāre, putāvī, putātum (1): to think, regard as.

Vītam agere is a common phrase meaning to lead/spend/live one’s life (or a specified kind of life).

His plerique similem vitam agunt. —Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind 12.3
Translation

Most people lead a life similar to that.

More literally: . . . similar to these (i.e., to the life of these).

Details

Hīs is the m/f/n dative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Plērīque is the masculine nominative plural form of plērusque/plēraque/plērumque (1/2): most. Similem is the m/f accusative singular of similis/similis/simile (3): similar. Vītam is the accusative singular form of vīta, vītae (1f): life. Agunt is the third person plural form of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, put in motion; do, perform, deal with; lead (life), live.

Another example of that expression can be found in the agō entry. There’s also vītam vīvere with a similar meaning; see the vīvō entry for an illustration.

Confusion warning. Vītīs, the dative/ablative plural form of vīta (not a very common form, but it does occur once in a while) is not to be confused with vītis, vītis (3f), meaning vine; or with vitiīs, the dative/ablative plural form of vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault, flaw, defect. The nominative/accusative plural form of that last word, vitia, is also not to be confused with vīta. Moreover, two forms of the verb vītō, vītāre, vītāvī, vītātum (1, meaning to avoid or shun) look the same as forms of the noun vītā. Vītā is the singular imperative form of the verb; vītās is the second person singular present active indicative form. Both are less common than their lookalikes from the noun.

Tantum periuria vita. —Ovid, The Heroines 20.185
Translation

Just avoid false oaths.

Details

Tantum (adv.): so much; only, just. Periūria is the accusative plural form of periūrium, periūriī (2n—also pēiūrium): false oath, perjury. Vītā is the singular imperative form of vītō, vītāre, vītāvī, vītātum (1): to avoid, shun.

Et semper vitas communia balnea nobis. —Martial, Epigrams 3.51.3
Translation

And you always avoid sharing a bath with me.

More literally: And you always avoid baths common to us (i.e., shared in common by us).

Details

Et (conj.): and. Semper (adv.): always. Vītās is the second person singular form of vītō, vītāre, vītāvī, vītātum (1): to avoid, shun. Commūnia is the neuter accusative plural form of commūnis/commūnis/commūne (3): shared, common. Balnea is the accusative plural form of balneum, balneī (2n—also balineum): bathroom; bath. Nōbīs is the dative form of nōs: we (to/for us).

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