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. . . ? Dē
(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
Tū: 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
Eā
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. Tē
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
Dē
(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 (mē = 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
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
Eā
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.)
Mē
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.)
Sī
(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? Dē
(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
Eī
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
Dā
is the singular imperative form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Mī
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
Dā
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. Tē
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). Dē
(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
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
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
Dē
(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
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). Mē
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
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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