Affectus, affectūs
Affectus, affectūs (4m—also adfectus): emotion, feeling, mood, mental or emotional state; the way one feels about someone/something; disposition, attitude; intention; affection; (occasionally) state (other than mental or emotional).
Affectus most often means a person’s mental or emotional state at a particular moment, or the way they feel about a particular person or thing, whether the feeling is positive or negative. Possible translations then include emotion, feeling, mood; disposition, attitude; occasionally also intention. Sometimes, when talking about the way one feels about a person, affectus is implicitly positive and can be translated as affection (context is key to determining this).
Nulli
certe
adfectui
peior
est
vultus. —Seneca, On Anger 3.4.1
Translation
At any rate, no other emotion has an uglier face.
More literally: Certainly, to no emotion is there a worse face.
Details
(Talking about anger.) Nūllī is the m/f/n dative singular form of nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Certē (adv.): certainly; at any rate, at least. Adfectuī is the dative singular form of adfectus, adfectūs (4m—also affectus): emotion, feeling, mood, mental or emotional state; the way one feels about someone/something; disposition, attitude; intention; affection; state. Peior/peior/peius (3): worse—the comparative form of malus/mala/malum (1/2): bad. Est: there is. Vultus, vultūs (4m): countenance; facial expression; face.
Indicabo
tibi
affectum
meum. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 3. pr.12
Translation
I’ll tell you my feeling.
Details
Indicābō is the first person singular future form of indicō, indicāre, indicāvī, indicātum (1): to point out; show, indicate, reveal, disclose. Tibi is the dative form of tū: you. Affectum is the accusative singular form of affectus, affectūs (4m—also adfectus): emotion, feeling, mood, mental or emotional state; the way one feels about someone/something; disposition, attitude; intention; affection; state. Meum is the m/n accusative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine.
Non
feci
ratione, adfectu
victus sum. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 1.1.15
Translation
I did not act from reason, but was overcome by emotion.
Details
Nōn: not. Faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make; act. Ratiōne is the ablative singular form of ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation; reasoning, rationale; reason; method; the way a thing is done or structured. Adfectū is the ablative singular form of adfectus, adfectūs (4m—also affectus): emotion, feeling, mood, mental or emotional state; the way one feels about someone/something; disposition, attitude; intention; affection; state. Victus sum is the first person masculine singular perfect passive form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, beat, defeat, overcome; win, be victorious.
Ergo
inmoderati
sunt
et
adfectus. —Seneca, Epistles 85.10
Translation
Therefore the passions also are beyond control.
Details
Ergō (particle): therefore, then. Inmoderātī is the masculine nominative plural form of inmoderātus/inmoderāta/inmoderātum (1/2—also immoderātus): unrestrained, immoderate, excessive. Sunt: (they) are. Et (adv.): also; even. Adfectūs is the nominative plural form of adfectus, adfectūs (4m—also affectus): emotion, feeling, mood, mental or emotional state; the way one feels about someone/something; disposition, attitude; intention; affection; state.
Novi
fratrum
meorum
intimos
adfectus. —Seneca, Consolation to Helvia 18.2
Translation
I know the intimate dispositions of my brothers.
Details
Nōscō, nōscere, nōvī, nōtum (3): (in present-stem forms) to get to know; (in perfect-stem forms, referring to a present state, translated like present-stem forms of other verbs) know. Frātrum is the genitive plural form of frāter, frātris (3m): brother. Meōrum is the m/n genitive plural form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Intimōs is the masculine accusative plural form of intimus/intima/intimum (1/2): inmost; (most) intimate. Adfectūs is the accusative plural form of adfectus, adfectūs (4m—also affectus): emotion, feeling, mood, mental or emotional state; the way one feels about someone/something; disposition, attitude; intention; affection; state.
Furtum
enim
sine
affectu
furandi
non
committitur. —Gaius, Institutes 2.50
Translation
For theft is not committed if there is no intention to steal.
More literally: For theft is not committed without an intention of stealing.
Details
Fūrtum, fūrtī (2n): theft. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Sine (prep.): without (takes the ablative). Affectū is the ablative singular form of affectus, affectūs (4m—also adfectus): emotion, feeling, mood, mental or emotional state; the way one feels about someone/something; disposition, attitude; intention; affection; state. Fūrandī is the genitive gerund of fūror, fūrārī, fūrātus sum (1, deponent): to steal. Nōn: not. Committitur is the third person singular passive form of committō, committere, commīsī, commissum (3): to bring into contact, join, connect; commit, entrust; bring about, commit, perpetrate.
Sera
indicia
adfectus
sui
quaerunt. —Seneca, Epistles 63.9
Translation
They seek to give belated signs of their affection.
Details
(People who neglect their friends when they’re alive and mourn them after they’re dead.) Sēra is the neuter accusative plural form of sērus/sēra/sērum (1/2): (too) late, belated. Indicia is the accusative plural form of indicium, indiciī (2n): disclosure; sign, indication; (piece of) evidence. Adfectus, adfectūs (4m—also affectus): emotion, feeling, mood, mental or emotional state; the way one feels about someone/something; disposition, attitude; intention; affection; state. Suī: (of) their (own)—the m/n genitive singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Quaerunt is the third person plural form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to seek, look for; ask, seek to know; seek to bring about.
In
utramque
partem
ducor
affectu
pari. —Seneca, Phoenician Women 461
Translation
I’m being drawn in both directions by equal affection.
Details
(A mother hesitating which of her two sons to hug first.) In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on (denoting position in a place or on an object); (with acc.) into, onto (or in or on with motion; denoting motion toward a place/object). Utramque is the feminine accusative singular form of uterque/utraque/utrumque (1/2, irreg.): each of two, either; it can often be translated less literally as both. Partem is the accusative singular form of pars, partis (3f): part; side; direction; party; role. Dūcor is the first person singular passive form of dūcō, dūcere, dūxī, ductum (3): to lead; draw. Affectū is the ablative singular form of affectus, affectūs (4m—also adfectus): emotion, feeling, mood, mental or emotional state; the way one feels about someone/something; disposition, attitude; intention; affection; state. Parī is the m/f/n ablative singular form of pār, paris (3, adj.): equal.
Affectus is occasionally used to mean an object of affection (especially in the plural).
Nec
angetur
carissimis
orbatus
adfectibus. —Apuleius, On Plato and His Doctrine 2.22
Translation
He will not be distressed when bereaved of the people dearest to him.
More literally: Nor will he be distressed (when) bereaved of the dearest affections (i.e., objects of affection).
Details
Neque/nec: (as conj.) and not, nor; (as adv.) neither, not either, not even. Angētur is the third person singular future passive form of angō, angere, ānxī, ānctum (3): to throttle, strangle; distress, afflict. Cārissimīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of cārissimus/cārissima/cārissimum (1/2): very dear/dearest; very/most expensive—the superlative form of cārus/cāra/cārum (1/2): dear; expensive. Orbātus/orbāta/orbātum (1/2) is the perfect passive participle of orbō, orbāre, orbāvī, orbātum (1): to bereave, deprive, rob (of = abl.). Adfectibus is the ablative plural form of adfectus, adfectūs (4m—also affectus): emotion, feeling, mood, mental or emotional state; the way one feels about someone/something; disposition, attitude; intention; affection; state.
Affectus usually refers to mental or emotional states, as we’ve seen. But in less common cases it can also denote other kinds of states. For example, an affectus corporis would be a state of the body—a particular state of health, perhaps a medical condition.
Affectus is a verbal noun derived from the verb afficiō, afficere, affēcī, affectum (3, –iō—also adficiō): to do something to (acc.), cause (acc.) to feel or experience (abl.), affect, visit (acc.) with (abl.), bestow (abl.) upon (acc.); the perfect passive participle can mean disposed (mentally, when referring to someone’s attitude or the like). Below are a few illustrations using this verb’s perfect passive participle, which isn’t to be confused with the noun affectus (it looks similar, especially in the masculine nominative singular and m/n accusative singular forms).
Maximis
enim
damnis
adfectus est. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 13.10.2
Translation
For he sustained heavy losses.
More literally: For he was affected with (was made to experience) very great losses.
Details
Maximīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of maximus/maxima/maximum (1/2): very big/biggest, very large/largest, very great/greatest—the superlative form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Damnīs is the ablative plural form of damnum, damnī (2n): loss, harm, damage. Adfectus est is the third person masculine singular perfect passive form of adficiō, adficere, adfēcī, adfectum (3, –iō—also afficiō): to do something to (acc.), cause (acc.) to feel or experience (abl.), affect, visit (acc.) with (abl.), bestow (abl.) upon (acc.).
Exprimere
non
possum, quanto
sim
gaudio
adfectus. —Pliny the Younger, Letters 5.14.2
Translation
I cannot express how much joy I felt.
More literally: I cannot express with what great joy I was affected (what great joy I was made to feel).
Details
Exprimō, exprimere, expressī, expressum (3): to squeeze or force out; elicit; depict; express, describe. Nōn: not. Possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. Quantō is the m/n ablative singular form of quantus/quanta/quantum (1/2, interrog. adj.): how great? what great? how much? Sim: see adfectus. Gaudiō is the ablative singular form of gaudium, gaudiī (2n): joy. Adfectus (sim) is the first person masculine singular perfect passive subjunctive form of adficiō, adficere, adfēcī, adfectum (3, –iō—also afficiō): to do something to (acc.), cause (acc.) to feel or experience (abl.), affect, visit (acc.) with (abl.), bestow (abl.) upon (acc.) (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).
Probas
igitur
animum
ita
adfectum? —Cicero, On the Republic 1.60
Translation
So you approve of a mind so disposed?
Details
Probās is the second person singular form of probō, probāre, probāvī, probātum (1): to test; approve (of); prove, demonstrate. Igitur (conj.): therefore, so, then. Animum is the accusative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit. Ita (adv.): thus, so, in this/that way. Adfectum is the m/n accusative singular form of adfectus/adfecta/adfectum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of adficiō, adficere, adfēcī, adfectum (3, –iō—also afficiō): to do something to (acc.), cause (acc.) to feel or experience (abl.), affect, visit (acc.) with (abl.), bestow (abl.) upon (acc.); the perfect passive participle can mean disposed (when talking about attitude and the like).
Cāsus, cāsūs
Cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; event, occurrence; misfortune, disaster; situation, state of affairs, case; outcome, issue; danger, risk, hazard; eventuality; occasion, opportunity; ending (of a word); grammatical case.
First we’ll see an illustration of the most literal meaning: fall (the act of falling).
Stilicidi
casus
lapidem
cavat. —Lucretius, On the Nature of Things 1.313
Translation
The fall of dripping water hollows out a stone.
Details
Stīlicidium, stīlicidī (2n—also stīllicidium, stīlicidiī): the fall of a liquid in drops, drip; dripping liquid; drop (of a liquid). Cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; event, occurrence; misfortune, disaster; situation, state of affairs, case; outcome, issue; danger, risk, hazard; eventuality; occasion, opportunity; ending (of a word); grammatical case. Lapidem is the accusative singular form of lapis, lapidis (3m): stone. Cavat is the third person singular form of cavō, cavāre, cavāvī, cavātum (1): to hollow out. (Lucretius’s phrase is arguably pleonastic, at least from an etymological perspective. The word stī(l)licidium is formed from stī(l)la, stī(l)lae (1f): drop (of a liquid), and a suffix based on the verb cadō, cadere, cecidī, cāsum (3): to fall—the noun cāsus is also derived from that verb. So stīlicidium is already, literally, the fall of a drop or drops.)
But cāsus is very often used figuratively to mean (broadly speaking) chance or anything that happens by chance. Possible translations include event or occurrence. Sometimes the word has negative overtones and can be translated as misfortune, disaster, and the like. It can also mean a situation, state of affairs, case (sometimes also with a negative connotation—it might sometimes be translated as plight). Or it can refer to the way something turns out (outcome, issue). It can also refer to what could happen (eventuality or, in a negative sense, danger, risk, hazard). Or it can mean a chance to do something, an occasion or opportunity.
Dedit
tempus
locumque
casus. —Seneca, Phaedra 425-6
Translation
Chance has given you the time and the place.
Details
Dedit is the third person singular perfect form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Tempus is the accusative singular form of tempus, temporis (3n): time. Locumque: locum is the accusative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place; the enclitic conjunction –que adds and. Cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; event, occurrence; misfortune, disaster; situation, state of affairs, case; outcome, issue; danger, risk, hazard; eventuality; occasion, opportunity; ending (of a word); grammatical case.
Caeca
est
temeritas
quae
petit
casum
ducem. —Seneca, Agamemnon 145
Translation
It is blind temerity that wants chance as a guide.
Details
Caecus/caeca/caecum (1/2): blind. Est: it is. Temeritās, temeritātis (3f): rashness, recklessness, temerity; randomness. Quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Petit is the third person singular form of petō, petere, petīvī/petiī, petītum (3): to direct one’s course to, make for; aim at; go for; attack; seek; ask for. Cāsum is the accusative singular form of cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; event, occurrence; misfortune, disaster; situation, state of affairs, case; outcome, issue; danger, risk, hazard; eventuality; occasion, opportunity; ending (of a word); grammatical case. Ducem is the accusative singular form of dux, ducis (3m/f): guide; leader; commander, general.
Non
est
ars
quae
ad
effectum
casu
venit. —Seneca, Epistles 29.3
Translation
That which succeeds by accident is not an art.
More literally: That is not art which comes to a result by accident.
Details
Nōn: not. Est: is. Ars, artis (3f): art, craft, skill, technique. Quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Ad (prep.): to, toward (takes the accusative). Effectum is the accusative singular form of effectus, effectūs (4m): accomplishment; result, outcome, effect. Cāsū is the ablative singular form of cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; event, occurrence; misfortune, disaster; situation, state of affairs, case; outcome, issue; danger, risk, hazard; eventuality; occasion, opportunity; ending (of a word); grammatical case. Venit is the third person singular form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.
Ad
utrosque
casus
aptatus
est. —Seneca, Epistles 85.38
Translation
He is fit to handle both kinds of fortune.
More literally: He is adapted to/prepared for both sets of chances (i.e., both good and bad; he’s talking about the wise man, who knows how to rise above bad fortune and use good fortune without losing control).
Details
Ad (prep.): to, toward; for (takes the accusative). Utrōsque is the masculine accusative plural form of uterque/utraque/utrumque (1/2): each of two, either; often translated less literally as both; singular forms refer to each of two things/individuals, whereas plural forms typically refer to each of two sets of things/individuals. Cāsūs is the accusative plural form of cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; event, occurrence; misfortune, disaster; situation, state of affairs, case; outcome, issue; danger, risk, hazard; eventuality; occasion, opportunity; ending (of a word); grammatical case. Aptātus/aptāta/aptātum (1/2) is the perfect passive participle of aptō, aptāre, aptāvī, aptātum (1): to fix, fasten; apply; prepare; adapt. Est: he is.
Omnes
effugisti
casus, livorem, morbum. —Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind 16.3
Translation
You have escaped from all accident, jealousy, and sickness.
More literally: You have escaped all misfortunes, jealousy, sickness.
Details
(By dying.) Omnēs is the m/f accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Effūgistī is the second person singular perfect form of effugiō, effugere, effūgī, — (3, –iō): to escape. Cāsūs is the accusative plural form of cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; event, occurrence; misfortune, disaster; situation, state of affairs, case; outcome, issue; danger, risk, hazard; eventuality; occasion, opportunity; ending (of a word); grammatical case. Līvōrem is the accusative singular form of līvor, līvōris (3m): bluish discoloration; envy, jealousy. Morbum is the accusative singular form of morbus, morbī (2m): disease, illness, sickness.
Adversus
hos
casus
muniendi
sumus. —Seneca, Epistles 74.19
Translation
We need to be fortified against such eventualities.
Details
Adversus (prep.): facing; toward; against (takes accusative). Hōs is the masculine accusative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this (these). Cāsūs is the accusative plural form of cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; event, occurrence; misfortune, disaster; situation, state of affairs, case; outcome, issue; danger, risk, hazard; eventuality; occasion, opportunity; ending (of a word); grammatical case. Mūniendī is the masculine nominative plural form of mūniendus/mūnienda/mūniendum (1/2), the gerundive of mūniō, mūnīre, mūnīvī/mūniī, mūnītum (4): to fortify; safeguard. Sumus: we are. Mūniendī sumus is the passive periphrastic: we are to be fortified, we must/should/need to be fortified.
Flete
meos
casus. —Ovid, Amores 1.12.1
Translation
Details
Flētē is the plural imperative form of fleō, flēre, flēvī, flētum (2): to cry, weep (for/over, with accusative). Meōs is the masculine accusative plural form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Cāsūs is the accusative plural form of cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; event, occurrence; misfortune, disaster; situation, state of affairs, case; outcome, issue; danger, risk, hazard; eventuality; occasion, opportunity; ending (of a word); grammatical case.
Pari
fuistis
casu. —Catullus 28.11-12
Translation
You suffered a similar mishap.
More literally: You have been in a similar case/misfortune.
Details
Parī is the m/f/n ablative singular form of pār, paris (3, adj.): equal, similar, comparable. Fuistis is the second person plural perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Cāsū is the ablative singular form of cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; event, occurrence; misfortune, disaster; situation, state of affairs, case; outcome, issue; danger, risk, hazard; eventuality; occasion, opportunity; ending (of a word); grammatical case.
Si
melior
casus
fuerit, revertemur
Romam. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 11.1.3
Translation
If things turn out for the best, we will return to Rome.
More literally: If the outcome is (the) better (one). . .
Details
(From a letter by someone else.) Sī (conj.): if. Melior/melior/melius (3): better—the comparative form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; event, occurrence; misfortune, disaster; situation, state of affairs, case; outcome, issue; danger, risk, hazard; eventuality; occasion, opportunity; ending (of a word); grammatical case. Fuerit is the third person singular future perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Revertēmur is the first person plural future form of revertor, revertī, reversus sum (3, deponent): to return, go back. Rōmam is the accusative singular form of Rōma, Rōmae (1f): Rome (the accusative of end of motion/place to which—without a preposition because it’s the name of a city).
Casus
superavimus
omnis. —Virgil, Aeneid 11.244
Translation
Details
Cāsūs is the accusative plural form of cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; event, occurrence; misfortune, disaster; situation, state of affairs, case; outcome, issue; danger, risk, hazard; eventuality; occasion, opportunity; ending (of a word); grammatical case. Superāvimus is the first person plural perfect form of superō, superāre, superāvī, superātum (1): to climb over; overcome; surpass; be present in excess; abound; survive. Omnīs is the m/f accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every.
Casus
Mithridati
datus est
occupandi
Armeniam. —Tacitus, Annals 11.9
Translation
Mithridates was given the chance to seize Armenia.
More literally: The chance was given to Mithridates of seizing Armenia.
Details
Cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; event, occurrence; misfortune, disaster; situation, state of affairs, case; outcome, issue; danger, risk, hazard; eventuality; occasion, opportunity; ending (of a word); grammatical case. Mithridātī is the dative singular form of Mithridātēs, Mithridātis (3m): a name borne by several kings of Pontus. Datus est is the third person masculine singular perfect passive form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Occupandī is the genitive gerund of occupō, occupāre, occupāvī, occupātum (1): to seize, take possession of; occupy. Armeniam is the accusative singular form of Armenia, Armeniae (1f): Armenia.
Cāsus also has a couple of more technical meanings: in discussions of grammar, it can mean a word ending or case.
“Amata”
vocativi
casus
est. —Porphyrio, Commentary on Horace’s Epodes 17.20
Translation
“Amata” is vocative.
More literally: “Amata” is of the vocative case.
Details
(That is, in the line that Porphyrio is commenting on.) Amāta is the feminine vocative singular form of amātus/amāta/amātum (1/2): (having been) loved—the perfect passive participle of amō, amāre, amāvī, amātum (1): to love. Vocātīvī is the m/n genitive singular form of vocātīvus/vocātīva/vocātīvum (1/2): vocative. Cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; event, occurrence; misfortune, disaster; situation, state of affairs, case; outcome, issue; danger, risk, hazard; eventuality; occasion, opportunity; ending (of a word); grammatical case. Est: is.
Domus, domūs
Domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family. This word is a mixture of the fourth and second declensions. Expect some variation, but it usually follows the second declension in the ablative singular (domō) and accusative plural (domōs). In the genitive plural, domōrum is slightly more common than domuum. Domus also has a locative case: domī, meaning at home. Domī occasionally appears as genitive singular as well, but domūs is the more usual expression of that form.
Ipsa
enim
domus
sine
sensu
est. —Seneca, On Benefits 5.19.1
Translation
For the house itself is not sentient.
More literally: . . . is without feeling.
Details
(So someone who prevents a house form collapsing does a service to the owner, not to the house.) Ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/etc. ; in person; the very. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family. Sine (prep.): without (takes the ablative). Sēnsū is the ablative singular form of sēnsus, sēnsūs (4m): sense; perception, feeling, consciousness; meaning. Est: is.
Erepsi
modo
e
ruinis
domus. —Seneca, On the Firmness of the Wise Man 6.5
Translation
I just crawled out of the ruins of my house.
Details
(From an imagined speech by Stilpo, an undaunted Stoic philosopher.) Ērēpō, ērēpere, ērēpsī, — (3): to crawl out. Modo (adv.): just, only. Ex/ē (prep.): out of, from (takes the ablative). Ruīnīs is the ablative plural from of ruīnā, ruīnae (1f): fall, collapse; headlong rush; ruin. Domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family.
Domum
illam
splendidam
malo
quam
pontem. —Seneca, On the Happy Life 25.1
Translation
I prefer that splendid house to the bridge.
Details
Domum is the accusative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family. Illam is the feminine accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (adj.): that. Splendidam is the feminine accusative singular form of splendidus/splendida/splendidum (1/2): bright, shining; splendid, superb, brilliant. Mālō, mālle, māluī, — (irreg.): to prefer. Quam (rel. adv.): than; as. Pontem is the accusative singular form of pōns, pontis (3m): bridge.
Quid
loquar
marmora
quibus
templa, quibus
domus
fulgent? —Seneca, Epistles 90.25
Translation
Why need I speak of all that marble with which the temples and the houses glitter?
More literally: Why should I speak of the marbles (i.e., the types or pieces of marble) with which the temples, with which the houses glitter?
Details
Quid (interrog. adv.): what for? why? Loquar is the first person singular subjunctive form of loquor, loquī, locūtus sum (3, deponent): to speak, talk (of) (subjunctive in a deliberative question). Marmora is the accusative plural form of marmor, marmoris (3n): marble; a piece of marble or something made of marble. Quibus is the m/f/n ablative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Templa is the nominative plural form of templum, templī (2n): a piece of consecrated ground; temple; zone, space, region. Domūs is the nominative plural form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family. Fulgent is the third person plural form of fulgeō, fulgere, fulsī, — (2): to shine brightly, flash, glitter.
Dedecus
nostrae
domus
asporta
ab
oculis. —Seneca, Agamemnon 300-301
Translation
Remove from my sight this disgrace to our house.
Details
Dēdecus is the accusative singular form of dēdecus, dēdecoris (3n): disgrace, dishonor. Nostrae is the feminine genitive singular form of noster/nostra/nostrum (1/2): our, ours. Domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family. Asportā is the singular imperative form of asportō, asportāre, asportāvī, asportātum (1): to carry off, take away. Ab/ā (prep.): (away) from; by (takes the ablative). Oculīs is the ablative plural form of oculus, oculī (2m): eye.
Quae
domum
clades
gravat? —Seneca, The Mad Hercules 628
Translation
What disaster afflicts our house?
Alt. : What calamity weighs down our family?
Details
Quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Domum is the accusative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family. Clādēs, clādis (3f): disaster, calamity. Gravat is the third person singular form of gravō, gravāre, gravāvī, gravātum (1): to load, burden, weigh down; oppress.
Domus is one of the rare common nouns that have a locative case (used instead of in + abl.) and that often don’t take prepositions when motion to or from them is being described. The locative domī means at home. Home expressing motion toward one’s home (as in I’m going home—notice the similar lack of a preposition in English) is expressed by the accusative domum on its own. From home is expressed by the ablative domō on its own.
Quidam
se
domi
contrahunt. —Seneca, Epistles 20.3
Translation
Some men restrict themselves at home. (. . . but strut with swelling port before the public)
(Chicago:) Some people cut back at home (. . . only to extend themselves in public, and live large).
Details
Quīdam is the masculine nominative plural form of quīdam/quaedam/quiddam (pron.): a certain one, someone, something; (in pl.) some, some people, some things. Sē: themselves—the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Domī is the locative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family. Contrahunt is the third person plural form of contrahō, contrahere, contrāxī, contractum (3): to draw together, draw in, contract; restrict, restrain, curtail; collect, assemble.
Semel
eum
omnino
domi
meae
vidi. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 15.15.2
Translation
I saw him only once at my house.
Details
Semel (adv.): once, a single time. Eum is the masculine accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Omnīnō (adv.): entirely; in all, in total; at all. Domī is the locative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family. Meae is the feminine locative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine (adjectives don’t usually have locative forms, but possessive adjectives can modify the locative domī; the form of the adjective is then the same as the genitive form). Videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see.
Aut
sanior
domum
redeat
aut
sanabilior. —Seneca, Epistles 108.4
Translation
He should return home a sounder man, or on the way to becoming sounder.
More literally: He should return home either healthier or more curable.
Details
(What should happen after someone listens to a philosopher.) Aut (conj.): or (aut. . . aut = either. . . or). Sānior/sānior/sānius (3): healthier; saner, more sensible—the comparative form of sānus/sāna/sānum (1/2): healthy; sane, sensible. Domum is the accusative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family (the accusative of end of motion/place to which). Redeat is the third person singular subjunctive form of redeō, redīre, rediī, reditum (irreg.): to go back, return (a jussive subjunctive). Aut (conj.): or. Sānābilior/sānābilior/sānābilius (3): more curable—the comparative form of sānābilis/sānābilis/sānābile (3): curable.
Multa
palam
domum
suam
auferebat. —Cicero, In Defense of Sextus Roscius Amerinus 23
Translation
He was carrying off many thing to his house openly.
Details
Multa is the neuter accusative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many (many things). Palam (adv.): openly, overtly, publicly. Domum is the accusative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family (the accusative of end of motion/place to which). Suam: his (own)—the feminine accusative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Auferēbat is the third person singular imperfect form of auferō, auferre, abstulī, ablātum (3, irreg.): to carry off, take away.
Domos
abeamus
nostras, sultis, nunciam. —Plautus, The Little Carthaginian 814
Translation
Let’s go away to our homes right now, if you please.
Details
Domōs is the accusative plural form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family (the accusative of end of motion/place to which). Abeāmus is the first person plural subjunctive form of abeō, abīre, abiī, abitum (irreg.): to go away, depart (subjunctive because it’s hortatory). Nostrās is the feminine accusative plural form of noster/nostra/nostrum (1/2): our, ours. Sultis: if you please (addressing a plural you)—a contraction of sī (if) and vultis (you want/wish/please). Nunciam (adv.): right now, this very instant.
Biennium
iam
factum est, postquam
abii
domo. —Plautus, The Merchant 12
Translation
It’s been two years already since I left home.
More literally: A period of two years has already been made since I went away from home.
Details
Biennium, bienniī (2n): a period of two years. Iam (adv.): already; now; soon. Factum est is the third person neuter singular perfect passive form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Postquam (conj.): after; since (post = later; quam = than). Abeō, abīre, abiī, abitum (irreg.): to go away, depart. Domō is the ablative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family.
The locative form domī can be contrasted with bellī or mīlitiae to mean at home and in the field, in war and peace. (The locative forms bellī and mīlitiae are rare outside such expressions involving domī.)
Paucorum
arbitrio
belli
domique
agitabatur. —Sallust, The War with Jugurtha 41.7
Translation
Matters at home and in war were managed at the discretion of a few.
Alt. : Both domestic and military matters were managed according to the wishes of a few.
More literally: It was managed (i.e., management was carried out) in war and at home by the judgment of a few.
Details
Paucōrum is the m/n (here m) genitive plural form of paucus/pauca/paucum (1/2): few (the usual meaning; usually plural, occasionally singular); (sg. , rare) little. Arbitriō is the ablative singular form of arbitrium, arbitriī (2n): arbitration; judgment, decision, choice, discretion, wish, desire, inclination. Bellī is the locative singular form of bellum, bellī (2n): war. Domīque: domī is the locative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family; the enclitic conjunction –que adds and. Agitābātur is the third person singular imperfect passive form of agitō, agitāre, agitāvī, agitātum (1): to put in motion (esp. repeatedly or vigorously), move, stir, shake, agitate; rouse, excite; take action (about), busy oneself (with), deal with, manage, engage in; spend (time); plan, intend; ponder (it’s in the impersonal passive).
Una
semper
militiae
et
domi
fuimus. —Terence, The Brothers 495-6
Translation
We were always together, both out at war and back home.
Details
Ūnā (adv.): together. Semper (adv.): always. Mīlitiae is the locative singular form of mīlitia, mīlitiae (1f): the fact of being a soldier, military service; military campaign. Et (conj.): and. Domī is the locative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family. Fuimus is the first person plural perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Sometimes domus does take prepositions. First, all words that have a locative case and whose accusative and ablative forms are used on their own to express motion to and from them (that is, mostly names of cities and towns and a very few common nouns) can take prepositions to express a whole range of other ideas—for example ad meaning near, in the vicinity of or to the vicinity of. Domus can naturally take prepositions in the same situations where those other words can. But it sometimes takes prepositions when those other words wouldn’t. That is, it sometimes behaves like a “regular” noun with respect to prepositions. The rule of thumb is that when domus is being thought of in its capacity as someone’s home, the in/at, to and from ideas are typically expressed with the locative, preposition-less accusative and preposition-less ablative respectively. But if domus just means a building of the type known as a “house,” prepositions are used normally as with any other noun. So for example domī = at home and in domō = in the house. The two ideas can overlap, though, and you shouldn’t be surprised to see a bit of variety in usage. Below are a few examples of domus with prepositions.
Eadem
nocte
strepitus
in
domo
fuit. —Quintilian, Major Declamations 2. pr
Translation
On the same night there was noise in the house.
Details
Eādem is the feminine ablative singular form of īdem/eadem/idem (adj.): the same. Nocte is the ablative singular form of nox, noctis (3f): night. Strepitus, strepitūs (4m): noise. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Domō is the ablative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family. Fuit is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Vix
finieram, et
ilico
me
perducit
ad
domum
quampiam. —Apuleius, Metamorphoses 2.23
Translation
No sooner had I finished speaking than he led me to a house.
More literally: I had barely finished, and immediately he leads me to some house.
Details
Vix (adv.): hardly, barely, scarcely; with difficulty. Fīnieram is the first person singular pluperfect form of fīniō, fīnīre, fīnīvī/fīniī, fīnītum (4): to mark out the boundaries of; draw; prescribe (a limit or similar); end, finish, put an end to; define. Et (conj.): and. Īlicō (adv. —also illicō): immediately, at once, on the spot. Mē is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Perdūcit is the third person singular form of perdūcō, perdūcere, perdūxī, perductum (3): to lead (all the way to a place), take (to a place) (it’s in the historical present). Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Domum is the accusative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family. Quampiam is the feminine accusative singular form of quispiam/quaepiam/quodpiam (adj.): some, a certain.
Una
ex
domo
prodeunt. —Cicero, In Defense of Flaccus 22
Translation
They come out of the same house.
Details
Ūnā is the feminine ablative singular form of ūnus/ūna/ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one; (one and) the same. Ex/ē (prep.): out of, from (takes the ablative). Domō is the ablative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family. Prōdeunt is the third person plural form of prōdeō, prōdīre, prōdiī, prōditum (irreg.): to go or come forth/out/forward.
Exitus, exitūs
Exitus, exitūs (4m): the act of going out or a means of going out: egress, exit, way out, outlet; conclusion, end, ending; a person’s end, death; result, outcome.
Patet
exitus. —Seneca, On Providence 6.7
Translation
The way out is wide open.
Details
Patet is the third person singular form of pateō, patēre, patuī, — (2): to be open, accessible, available, exposed or obvious. Exitus, exitūs (4m): the act of going out or a means of going out: egress, exit, way out, outlet; conclusion, end, ending; a person’s end, death; result, outcome.
Septem
exitus
e
domo
fecerat. —Livy, History of Rome 39.51.5
Translation
He had built seven exits from the house.
Details
Septem (indeclinable): seven. Exitūs is the accusative plural form of exitus, exitūs (4m): the act of going out or a means of going out: egress, exit, way out, outlet; conclusion, end, ending; a person’s end, death; result, outcome. Ex/ē (prep.): out of, from (takes the ablative). Domō is the ablative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home; household; family. Fēcerat is the third person singular pluperfect form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
Exitum
specta. —Seneca, Epistles 110.13
Translation
Details
(Talking about food: a good way not to care for dainty dishes is to consider what all eaten food becomes in the end—or exit.) Exitum is the accusative singular form of exitus, exitūs (4m): the act of going out or a means of going out: egress, exit, way out, outlet; conclusion, end, ending; a person’s end, death; (end) result, outcome. Spectā is the singular imperative form of sectō, spectāre, spectāvī, spectātum (1): to watch, look at, observe.
Nunc
exitus
est
anni. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 8.10.3
Translation
It is now the end of the year.
Details
(From a letter written to Cicero by a friend.) Nunc (adv.): now. Exitus, exitūs (4m): the act of going out or a means of going out: egress, exit, way out, outlet; conclusion, end, ending; a person’s end, death; result, outcome. Est: it is. Annus, annī (2m): year.
In
exitu
iam
est
meus
consulatus. —Cicero, In Defense of Murena 80
Translation
My consulship is already drawing to an end.
More literally: My consulship is already in (its) end.
Details
In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Exitū is the ablative singular form of exitus, exitūs (4m): the act of going out or a means of going out; egress, exit, way out, outlet; conclusion, end, ending; a person’s end, death; result, outcome. Iam (adv.): already; now; soon. Est: is. Meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Cōnsulātus, cōnsulātūs (4m): consulship.
Nullum
sine
exitu
iter
est. —Seneca, Epistles 77.13
Translation
No journey is without a final destination.
Details
Nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Sine (prep.): without (takes the ablative). Exitū is the ablative singular form of exitus, exitūs (4m): the act of going out or a means of going out; exit, way out, outlet; conclusion, end, ending; a person’s end, death; result, outcome. Iter, itineris (3n): journey; route, way. Est: is.
Hic
exitus
Parmenionis
fuit. —Quintus Curtius, Histories of Alexander 7.2.33
Translation
Such was the end of Parmenio.
Details
Hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Exitus, exitūs (4m): the act of going out or a means of going out: egress, exit, way out, outlet; conclusion, end, ending; a person’s end, death; result, outcome. Parmeniōn, Parmeniōnis (3m): a general of Alexander the Great’s. Fuit is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Exitus
acta
probat. —Ovid, The Heroines 2.85
Translation
The end justifies the means.
Alt. : The outcome is the test of the act.
More literally: The end tests/justifies the actions.
Details
(Motto of George Washington’s family.) Exitus, exitūs (4m): the act of going out or a means of going out: egress, exit, way out, outlet; conclusion, end, ending; a person’s end, death; result, outcome. Ācta is the accusative plural form of āctum, āctī (2n): act, action, deed—originally the neuter perfect passive participle of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, cause to move; do, perform, deal with, engage in; act. Probat is the third person singular form of probō, probāre, probāvī, probātum (1): to test; approve; justify; prove.
Exitus
in
dis
est. —Ovid, The Heroines 20.44
Translation
The outcome is in the hands of the gods.
More literally: The outcome is in (i.e., depends on) the gods.
Details
Exitus, exitūs (4m): the act of going out or a means of going out: egress, exit, way out, outlet; conclusion, end, ending; a person’s end, death; result, outcome. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Dīs is the ablative plural form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Est: is.
Numquam
mens
exitu
aestimanda
est. —Quintilian, Minor Declamations 281.2
Translation
Intention should never be judged based on the outcome.
Details
Numquam (adv.): never. Mēns, mentis (3f): mind; attitude, frame of mind; intention. Exitū is the ablative singular form of exitus, exitūs (4m): the act of going out or a means of going out: egress, exit, way out, outlet; conclusion, end, ending; a person’s end, death; result, outcome. Aestimandus/aestimanda/aestimandum (1/2) is the gerundive of aestimō, aestimāre, aestimāvī, aestimātum (1): to estimate, rate, assess, judge. Est: is. Aestimanda est is the passive periphrastic: is to be judged, must/should be judged.
Impetus, impetūs
Impetus, impetūs (4m—also inpetus): a rushing or violent onward motion; impulse, impetus; attack, charge, assault; violence; force, vigor, ardor.
Impetus
aquarum
proluit
terram. —Columella, On Agriculture 2.17.5
Translation
The current of the waters washes away the soil.
Details
Impetus, impetūs (4m): a rushing or violent onward motion; impulse, impetus; attack, charge, assault; violence; force, vigor, ardor. Aquārum is the genitive plural form of aqua, aquae (1f): water. Prōluit is the third person singular form of prōluō, prōluere, prōluī, prōlūtum (3): to wash away; wash clean. Terram is the accusative singular form of terra, terrae (1f): land; earth; soil; ground.
In
eum
magno
impetu
rediit. —Livy, History of Rome 1.25.9
Translation
Facing about, he ran swiftly up to this man.
More literally: He went back at this one with a great rushing motion.
Details
(One of three opponents in a fight to the death.) In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on, at (denoting position); (with acc.) into; toward; against; on; at (denoting direction). Eum is the masculine accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Magnō is the m/n ablative singular form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Impetū is the ablative singular form of impetus, impetūs (4m): a rushing or violent onward motion; impulse, impetus; attack, charge, assault; violence; force, vigor, ardor. Rediit is the third person singular perfect from of redeō, redīre, rediī, reditum (irreg.): to go or come back, return.
Currus
effreno
impetu
effugit
aciem. —Seneca, Agamemnon 944-5
Translation
The chariot has fled out of sight with unbridled speed.
Details
Currus, currūs (4m): chariot. Effrēnō is the m/n ablative singular form of effrēnus/effrēna/effrēnum (1/2): unreined, unbridled, unrestrained. Impetū is the ablative singular form of impetus, impetūs (4m): a rushing or violent onward motion; impulse, impetus; attack, charge, assault; violence; force, vigor, ardor. Effūgit is the third person singular perfect form of effugiō, effugere, effūgī, — (3, –iō): to flee from (usually with success), escape. Aciem is the accusative singular form of aciēs, aciēī (5f): sharp edge; blade; (eye)sight; glance; army in battle formation; army engaged in battle; rank, line (of an army); battle.
Subito
ad
ruinam
toto
impetu
venit. —Seneca, Natural Questions 3.27.2
Translation
It comes to ruin suddenly and with full force.
Details
Subitō (adv.): suddenly. Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Ruīnam is the accusative singular form of ruīna, ruīnae (1f): fall, collapse; headlong rush; ruin. Tōtō is the m/n ablative singular form of tōtus/tōta/tōtum (1/2, irreg.): whole, entire, total, all, full. Impetū is the ablative singular form of impetus, impetūs (4m): a rushing or violent onward motion; impulse, impetus; attack, charge, assault; violence; force, vigor, ardor. Venit is the third person singular form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.
Impetus
habent
ferae. —Seneca, On Anger 1.3.4
Translation
Wild beasts have impulses.
Details
(But they don’t have anger.) Impetūs is the accusative plural form of impetus, impetūs (4m): a rushing or violent onward motion; impulse, impetus; attack, charge, assault; violence; force, vigor, ardor. Habent is the third person plural form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Ferae is the nominative plural form of fera, ferae (1f): wild animal (a substantive use of ferus/fera/ferum (1/2): wild, fierce, savage, ferocious—the feminine form is used because the noun bēstia, bēstiae (1f, meaning beast) was originally implied).
Habet
impetum
ac
motum
voluntarium. —Seneca, Epistles 76.9
Translation
Man has the power to act and to move at will.
(Chicago:) He has the capacity for impulse and voluntary movement.
More literally: He has impulse and voluntary movement.
Details
(But then so do animals. So what’s unique about people?) Habet is the third person singular form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Impetum is the accusative singular form of impetus, impetūs (4m): a rushing or violent onward motion; impulse, impetus; attack, charge, assault; violence; force, vigor, ardor. Atque/ac (conj.): and. Mōtum is the accusative singular form of mōtus, mōtūs (4m): a moving, movement, motion. Voluntārium is the m/n accusative singular form of voluntārius/voluntāria/voluntārium (1/2): voluntary.
Homini
pro
impetu
ratio
est. —Seneca, On Anger 2.16.1
Translation
In man reason takes the place of impulse.
(Chicago:) Humans have reason in place of impulse.
More literally: For man, reason is in place of impulse.
Details
Hominī is the dative singular form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being. Prō (prep.): in front of; for; instead of, in place of; in the capacity of; on behalf of; in defense of (takes ablative). Impetū is the ablative singular form of impetus, impetūs (4m): a rushing or violent onward motion; impulse, impetus; attack, charge, assault; violence; force, vigor, ardor. Ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation; reasoning; reason; method; the way a thing is done or structured. Est: is.
Non
natura
ista
sed
impetu
distant. —Seneca, Natural Questions 2.21.1
Translation
Those things do not differ in their nature, but in their force.
Details
Nōn: not. Nātūrā is the ablative singular form of nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. Ista is the neuter nominative plural form of iste/ista/istud (1/2): that (one), this (one); he, she, it (those/these things). Sed (conj.): but. Impetū is the ablative singular form of impetus, impetūs (4m): a rushing or violent onward motion; impulse, impetus; attack, charge, assault; violence; force, vigor, ardor. Distant is the third person plural form of distō, distāre, —, — (1): to stand apart, be distant; differ.
Impetu
magis
quam
cura
vigebat. —Tacitus, Annals 4.61
Translation
He excelled by vigor rather than by care.
Details
(Talking about an orator and his style.) Impetū is the ablative singular form of impetus, impetūs (4m): a rushing or violent onward motion; impulse, impetus; attack, charge, assault; violence; force, vigor, ardor. Magis (adv.): more; rather. Quam (rel. adv.): than; as. Cūrā is the ablative singular form of cūra, cūrae (1f): care; worry. Vigēbat is the third person singular imperfect form of vigeō, vigēre, viguī, — (2): to be active or vigorous; thrive, flourish; excel.
Impetum facere (often with in + acc.) means to charge or make an attack/assault (on).
Ultro
universi
in
hostes
impetum
fecerunt. —Caesar, The Civil War 3.37.6
Translation
They all spontaneously charged the enemy.
More literally: They all spontaneously made an assault on the enemies.
Details
Ultrō (adv.): beyond, to the farther side; away; in addition; spontaneously, of one’s own accord. Ūniversī is the masculine nominative plural form of ūniversus/ūniversa/ūniversum (1/2): whole, entire, all (esp. all at once, all together); as a whole; general, universal. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on (denoting position); (with acc.) into, onto (or on denoting direction). Hostēs is the accusative plural form of hostis, hostis (3m/f): enemy, foe. Impetum is the accusative singular form of impetus, impetūs (4m): a rushing or violent onward motion; impulse, impetus; attack, charge, assault; violence; force, vigor, ardor. Fēcērunt is the third person plural perfect form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
In
bona
eius
impetum
fecit. —Cicero, Against Verres 2.1.90
Translation
He made an attack on his possessions.
Details
(That is, one someone else’s possessions.) In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on (denoting position); (with acc.) into, onto (or on denoting direction). Bona is the accusative plural form of bonum, bonī (2n): a good thing, a good, a blessing, a boon; (in pl.) possessions, property. Eius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Impetum is the accusative singular form of impetus, impetūs (4m): a rushing or violent onward motion; impulse, impetus; attack, charge, assault; violence; force, vigor, ardor. Fēcit is the third person singular perfect form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
Impetum capere with a genitive gerund or gerundive phrase = to conceive an impulse to do something.
Statim
moriendi
impetum
cepit. —Suetonius, Life of Otho 9.3
Translation
At once he resolved to take his own life
More literally: At once he conceived the impulse of dying (i.e., to die).
Details
Statim (adv.): on the spot, immediately, at once. Moriendī is the genitive gerund of morior, morī, mortuus sum (3, –ior, deponent): to die. Impetum is the accusative singular form of impetus, impetūs (4m): a rushing or violent onward motion; impulse, impetus; attack, charge, assault; violence; force, vigor, ardor. Cēpit is the third person singular perfect form of capiō, capere, cēpī, captum (3, –iō): to take, seize, capture; (of mental operations) form, conceive.
Manus, manūs
Manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group.
Ad
proxima
quaeque
porrigatur
manus. —Seneca, Epistles 119.4
Translation
(Chicago:) My hand should reach for the nearest food.
Alt. : Let my hand reach out to whatever is nearest.
More literally: Let (my) hand be extended to whatever nearest things.
Details
(When hunger calls.) Ad (prep.): to, toward (takes accusative). Proxima is the neuter accusative plural form of proximus/proxima/proximum (1/2): nearest, closest; next; last, most recent—the superlative form of propinquus/propinqua/propinquum (1/2): near, close. Quaeque is the neuter accusative plural form of quisque/quaeque/quodque (adj.) or quisque/quaeque/quidque (pron.): each, every single, any single; whoever or whatever it be. Porrigātur is the third person singular passive subjunctive form of porrigō, porrigere, porrēxī, porrēctum (3): to stretch out, extend; hold out, offer, present (subjunctive because it’s jussive). Manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group.
Cedo
manum. —Plautus, Amphitruo 1076
Translation
Details
Cedo: give (me), bring (me), tell (me)—an irregular verb found only in the imperative (not to be confused with cēdō, cēdere, cessī, cessum (3): to go, move; go away, withdraw, retreat; yield, submit; result, turn out). Manum is the accusative singular form of manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group.
Haec
ad
te
mea
manu. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 12.32.1
Translation
I’m writing this to you with my own hand.
More literally: These things to you with my own hand.
Details
Haec is the neuter accusative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it (these things/words) (it’s probably the direct object of an implied verb like scrībō, I’m writing, or scrīpsī, I wrote; it could also be nominative if the implied verb were passive—scrībuntur, are being written or scrīpta sunt, were written—but this seems less likely). Ad (prep.): to, toward (takes accusative). Tē is the accusative form of tū: you. Meā is the feminine ablative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine, my own. Manū is the ablative singular form of manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group.
Nolunt
manus
parere. —Seneca, Thyestes 985-6
Translation
My hands won’t obey me.
Alt. : My hands are refusing to obey me.
Details
Nōlunt is the third person plural form of nōlō, nōlle, nōluī, — (irreg.): to refuse, not want, be unwilling. Manūs is the nominative plural form of manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group. Pāreō, pārēre, pāruī, pāritum (2): to comply with, obey (takes a dative object).
Manus appears in a variety of expressions referring to situations and activities that are associated with hands—such as availability, work, assistance, giving, control, force, violence, surrender. A few examples!
Ad
manum
est
quod
sat
est. —Seneca, Epistles 4.11
Translation
What is enough is at hand.
Details
(No need to seek things far away.) Ad (prep.): to, toward; at, near (takes accusative). Manum is the accusative singular form of manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group. Est: is. Quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Sat is another form of satis (n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here nom.): a sufficient thing or amount, enough. Est: is.
Manus
extrema
non
accessit
operibus
eius. —Cicero, Brutus 126
Translation
The finishing touch was not added to his works.
Details
Manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group. Extrēmus/extrēma/extrēmum (1/2): situated at the end or edge; last; extreme. Manus extrēma = the finishing touch. Nōn: not. Accessit is the third person singular perfect form of accēdō, accēdere, accessī, accessum (3): to come (to or toward someone/something), approach; be added; join; agree (it can take a dative object). Operibus is the dative plural form of opus, operis (3n): work. Eius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one).
Digna
est
cui
manum
commodes. —Quintilian, Minor Declamations 297.12
Translation
She deserves your assistance.
Alt. : Lend her a hand, she deserves it.
More literally: She is worthy to whom you may lend a hand.
Details
Dignus/digna/dignum (1/2): worthy (what one is worthy of can be conveyed by a relative clause with the subjunctive). Est: she is. Cui is the m/f/n dative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Manum is the accusative singular form of manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group. Commodēs is the second person singular subjunctive form of commodō, commodāre, commodāvī, commodātum (1): to lend; supply; be accommodating; adapt.
In
vestra
manu
est, utrum
velitis. —Seneca, Phoenician Women 454-5
Translation
It is up to you to decide what you want.
More literally: It is in your hand which (of the following two options) you want.
Details
In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Vestrā is the feminine ablative singular form of vester/vestra/vestrum (1/2): your, yours (addressing a plural you). Manū is the ablative singular form of manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group. Est: it is. Utrum is the m/n (here n) accusative singular form of uter/utra/utrum (interrog. pron. , 1/2, irreg.): which, which one (out of two). Velītis is the second person plural subjunctive form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question—which also happens to be deliberative).
Vivus
in
manus
hostium
venit
fortissimus
imperator. —Florus, Epitome of Roman History 1.18
Translation
The man of immense valor who was our commander was taken alive by the enemy.
More literally: The very valiant commander came into the hands of the enemies alive.
Details
Vīvus/vīva/vīvum (1/2): alive, living. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Manūs is the accusative plural form of manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group. Hostium is the genitive plural form of hostis, hostis (3m/f): enemy, foe. Vēnit is the third person singular perfect form (or it could be venit, the present-tense form, used as a historical present) of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. Fortissimus/fortissima/fortissimum (1/2): very brave/bravest, very/most valiant; very strong/strongest—the superlative form of fortis/fortis/forte (3): brave, valiant; strong. Imperātor, imperātōris (3): commander, general; emperor.
Manu
misit
utrumque
e vestigio
illa. —Seneca, On Benefits 2.23.3
Translation
She manumitted both of them on the spot.
Details
Manū is the ablative singular form of manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group. Mīsit is the third person singular perfect form of mittō, mittere, mīsī, missum (3): to release, let go; send; throw. Manū mittere (also written as one word, manūmittere) = to manumit, free (a slave), release (a slave) from one’s “hand”—i.e., one’s power or possession. Utrumque is the m/n (here m) accusative singular form of uterque/utraque/utrumque (1/2, irreg.): each of two, either; it can often be translated less literally as both. Ē vestīgiō: on the spot (idiomatic)—ex/ē (prep.): from, out of (takes ablative); vestīgiō is the ablative singular form of vestīgium, vestīgiī (2n): footprint; footing; the place where one stands; sole of the foot; step; trace. Ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it.
Grave
est
manus
sibi
adferre. —Seneca, On Providence 3.14
Translation
It is a terrible thing to lay violent hands on oneself.
Details
Gravis/gravis/grave (3): heavy; grave, serious; hard, troublesome, painful, grievous, severe, terrible. Est: it is. Manūs is the accusative plural form of manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group. Sibi: to/for/on oneself—the dative form of the reflexive pronoun. Adferō, adferre, adtulī, adlātum (3, irreg. —also afferō, afferre, attulī, allātum): to bring (manūs afferre + dative = to lay violent hands on; with a reflexive object like sibi, it typically refers to suicide).
Nemo
manum
conserit
cum
recedente. —Seneca, Epistles 74.7
Translation
Nobody joins in combat with a retreating man.
Details
Nēmō, nēminis (3m): no man, no one, nobody. Manum is the accusative singular form of manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group. Cōnserit is the third person singular form of cōnserō, cōnserere, cōnseruī, cōnsertum (3): to join, connect, fasten together, bring into contact. Manum or manūs cōnserere = to join battle or join in close combat; the opponent is expressed with the ablative after cum. Cum (prep.): with (takes the ablative). Recēdente is the m/f/n (here m) ablative singular form of recēdēns, recēdentis (3), the present active participle of recēdō, recēdere, recessī, recessum (3): to move back, draw back, recede, retreat, withdraw.
Manus
do: vicisti. —Fronto, Letters to and from Caesar 2.2.1
Translation
I surrender: you have won.
Details
(From a letter of Marcus Aurelius to Fronto.) Manūs is the accusative plural form of manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group. Dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Manūs dare = to surrender. Vīcistī is the second person singular perfect form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victus (3): to conquer, beat, defeat, vanquish, overcome; win, be victorious.
Another idiom involving manus (plēnā manū meaning open-handedly, generously, liberally) is illustrated in the plēnus entry.
Now a couple of examples of manus meaning band, troop, group (often an armed one).
Manus
ad
Quirinalia
paratur. —Cicero, Letters to Quintus 2.3.4
Translation
A troop is being gathered for the day of the Quirinal festival.
Details
Manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group. Ad (prep.): to, toward; for (takes the accusative). Quirīnālia is the accusative form of Quirīnālia, Quirīnālium (3n, plural only): the Quirinal festival, festival of Quirinus (a deity with a previous history but ultimately assimilated to the deified Romulus)—a substantive use of the neuter plural form of the adjective Quirīnālis/Quirīnālis/Quirīnāle (3): Quirinal, belonging to Quirinus. Parātur is the third person singular passive form of parō, parāre, parāvī, parātum (1): to make available, furnish, supply; get, obtain, acquire; buy; prepare; raise (troops), gather.
Ea
tam
exigua
manu
oppida
aliquot
cepit. —Livy, History of Rome 34.20.1
Translation
With this band, small as it was, he captured a number of towns.
More literally: With this so-small band he captured several towns.
Details
Eā is the feminine ablative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Tam (adv.): so (much), to such a degree. Exiguā is the feminine ablative singular form of exiguus/exigua/exiguum (1/2): small, scanty. Manū is the ablative singular form of manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop, group. Oppida is the accusative plural form of oppidum, oppidī (2n): town. Aliquot (indeclinable adj.): some, several, a few, a number of. Cēpit is the third person singular perfect form of capiō, capere, cēpī, captum (3, –iō): to take, seize, capture.
Confusion warning. To manus, manūs, compare mānēs, mānium (3m, plural only): the spirits of the dead; the spirit of a dead person; a ghost or ghosts. The dative/ablative plural forms are especially similar: manibus vs. mānibus.
Inferias
manibus
dabat. —Suetonius, Life of Caligula 3.2
Translation
He gave offerings to their spirits.
Details
(Whenever he came across the tombs of illustrious men.) Īnferiās is the accusative form of īnferiae, īnferiārum (1f, plural only): offerings to the dead. Mānibus is the dative form of mānēs, mānium (3m, plural only): the spirits of the dead; the spirit of a dead person; a ghost or ghosts. Dabat is the third person singular imperfect form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give.
Dis
manibus
sacrum. —a common phrase on Roman tombstones (often abbreviated as DMS; also found without sacrum).
Translation
Sacred to the spirits of the dead.
More literally: Sacred to the “manes” gods/to the spirit gods/to the gods (who are) the spirits of the dead.
Details
Dīs is the dative plural form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Mānibus is the dative form of mānēs, mānium (3m, plural only;): the spirits of the dead; the spirit of a dead person; a ghost or ghosts. Dī mānēs = the spirits of the dead, regarded as minor deities. Sacer/sacra/sacrum (1/2): sacred; cursed (sacrum here can be nominative or accusative depending on context).
Metus, metūs
Metus, metūs (4m): fear, dread.
(Est)
metus
opinio
impendentis
mali. —Cicero, Tusculan Disputations 4.14
Translation
Fear is a belief of threatening evil.
Alt. : Fear is an opinion of an impending evil.
Details
(The verb est is borrowed from earlier in the sentence.) Metus, metūs (4m): fear, dread. Opīniō, opīniōnis (3f): opinion, belief. Impendēns, impendentis (3) is the present active participle (threatening, impending) of impendeō, impendēre, —, — (2): to hang over; threaten, impend. Malum, malī (2n): a bad thing; evil; trouble, misfortune; disease; misdeed.
Per
vim
metumque
gesta
ne
sint
rata. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 9.3. pr
Translation
Acts motivated by force or fear shall not be valid.
More literally: Let things performed through force and fear not be regarded as valid.
Details
Per (prep.): through (takes the accusative). Vim is the accusative singular form of vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy; violence; constraint, compulsion; strength. Metumque: metum is the accusative singular form of metus, metūs (4m): fear, dread; the enclitic conjunction –que adds and. Gesta is the neuter nominative plural form gestus/gesta/gestum (1/2), the perfect passive participle (performed) of gerō, gerere, gessī, gestum (3): to bear, carry; carry on, transact, conduct, perform, do, accomplish. Nē (adv.): not (in wishes, commands and purposes). Sint is the third person plural subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s a command—a negative one, also called prohibition). Rata is the neuter nominative plural form of ratus/rata/ratum (1/2): fixed, established; (regarded as) valid—originally the perfect participle of reor, rērī, ratus sum (2, deponent): to reckon, think, judge (since the verb is deponent, the perfect participle usually has an active meaning; but its meaning is passive when it’s used in this way as an adjective).
Multos
fortuna
liberat
poena, metu
neminem. —Seneca, Epistles 97.16
Translation
Fortune frees many from punishment, but none from fear.
Details
(Wrongdoers live in fear of being caught even if they never are.) Multōs is the masculine accusative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Fortūna, fortūnae (1f): fortune, chance, luck. Līberat is the third person singular form of līberō, līberāre, līberāvī, līberātum (1): to free, liberate. Poenā is the ablative singular form of poena, poenae (1f): punishment, penalty. Metū is the ablative singular form of metus, metūs (4m): fear, dread. Nēminem is the accusative form of nēmō, nēminis (3m): no man, no one, nobody.
Paelicis
careo
metu. —Seneca, Phaedra 243
Translation
I have no fear of a rival
Details
Paelex, paelicis (3f): a mistress of a married man; a female rival for the love of a man. Careō, carēre, caruī, caritum (2): to lack, not have, be without, be free from (usually takes its object in the ablative case). Metū is the ablative singular form of metus, metūs (4m): fear, dread.
Certe
ne
lassescat
fortuna
metus
est. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 7.130
Translation
Assuredly there is a fear that fortune may grow weary.
Details
(Even if you suffer from no other misfortune, there’s always that fear to spoil your happiness a little.) Certē (adv.): certainly; at any rate, at least. Nē (conj. , with subjunctive): lest, that not; (when introducing a fear clause) that. Lassēscat is the third person singular subjunctive form of lassēscō, lassēscere, —, — (3): to grow tired; flag; fail. Fortūna, fortūnae (1f): fortune, chance, luck. Metus, metūs (4m): fear, dread. Est: there is.
Confusion wearning. Metuī can be the dative singular form of metus, but that form isn’t common. If you read metuī somewhere, it’s more likely to be either the first person singular perfect active indicative form or the present passive infinitive form of the related verb metuō, metuere, metuī, metūtum (3): to fear, be afraid of, dread.
Namque
id
metui. —Terence, The Brothers 193
Translation
I certainly was afraid of that.
Details
Namque (conj.): certainly, to be sure, yes; for. Id is the neuter accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Metuō, metuere, metuī, metūtum (3): to fear, be afraid of, dread.
Maluit
se
diligi
quam
metui. —Cornelius Nepos, Life of Timoleon 3.4
Translation
He preferred to be loved than to be feared.
More literally: He preferred himself to be loved. . .
Details
Māluit is the third person singular perfect form of mālō, mālle, māluī, — (irreg.): to prefer. Sē: himself—the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Dīligī is the passive infinitive form of dīligō, dīligere, dīlēxī, dīlēctum (3): to love, hold dear or in high regard. Quam (rel. adv.): than; as. Metuī is the passive infinitive form of metuō, metuere, metuī, metūtum (3): to fear, be afraid of, dread.
Sēnsus, sēnsūs
Sēnsus, sēnsūs (4m): sense; sensation, perception, feeling, consciousness, awareness; judgment, understanding, thought, idea, opinion, sentiment; meaning; sentence or clause (group of words).
This word can mean one of the five senses, or more generally the capacity for sensation or for perception; feeling, consciousness. It can also refer to a particular sensation or to awareness of a certain thing, etc. Also to the capacity for judgment or understanding, or to a particular thought, opinion, sentiment or feeling about something.
Quinque
enim
sensuum
maximus
in
oculis. —Varro, On the Latin Language 6.80
Translation
For the strongest of the five senses is in the eyes.
Details
Quīnque (indeclinable): five. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Sēnsuum is the genitive plural form of sēnsus, sēnsūs (4m): sense; sensation, perception, feeling, consciousness, awareness; judgment, understanding, thought, idea, opinion, sentiment; meaning; sentence or clause (group of words). Maximus/maxima/maximum (1/2): very big/biggest, very large/largest, very great/greatest (occasionally it can be translated as strongest or the like, when what is meant is greatest in power)—the superlative form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Oculīs is the ablative plural form of oculus, oculī (2m): eye. (The verb is implied.)
De
bonis
ac
malis
sensus
non
iudicat. —Seneca, Epistles 66.35
Translation
(Chicago:) Sensation makes no judgment concerning goods and evils.
Details
Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes ablative). Bonīs is the ablative plural form of bonum, bonī (2n): a good, any good thing (a blessing, a boon, etc.). Atque/ac (conj.): and. Malīs is the ablative plural form of malum, malī (2n): an evil or any bad thing (disaster, calamity, misfortune, ill, disease, etc.). Sēnsus, sēnsūs (4m): sense; sensation, perception, feeling, consciousness, awareness; judgment, understanding, thought, idea, opinion, sentiment; meaning; sentence or clause (group of words). Nōn: not. Iūdicat is the third person singular form of iūdicō, iūdicāre, iūdicāvī, iūdicātum (1): to judge, pass judgment, make a judgment.
Fallet
igitur
sensum. —Cicero, Lucullus 84
Translation
Therefore it will deceive our perception.
Details
Fallet is the third person singular future form of fallō, fallere, fefellī, falsum (3): to deceive. Igitur (conj.): therefore, so, then. Sēnsum is the accusative singular form of sēnsus, sēnsūs (4m): sense; sensation, perception, feeling, consciousness, awareness; judgment, understanding, thought, idea, opinion, sentiment; meaning; sentence or clause (group of words).
Nobis
sensum
nostrae
necis
auferunt. —Seneca, Consolation to Marcia 21.7
Translation
They keep us from being conscious that we are dying.
More literally: They take from us the perception of our death.
Details
(Speaking of the fates.) Nōbīs is the dative form of nōs: we (to/for/from us). Sēnsum is the accusative singular form of sēnsus, sēnsūs (4m): sense; sensation, perception, feeling, consciousness, awareness; judgment, understanding, thought, idea, opinion, sentiment; meaning; sentence or clause (group of words). Nostrae is the feminine genitive singular form of noster/nostra/nostrum (1/2): our, ours. Nex, necis (3f): murder, killing; death. Auferunt is the third person plural form of auferō, auferre, abstulī, ablātum (3, irreg.): to take away (the person whom something is taken away from often goes in the dative).
Sine
sensu
nascimur. —Cicero, Against Catiline 3.2
Translation
We are not conscious of our birth.
More literally: We are born without consciousness.
Details
Sine (prep.): without (takes the ablative). Sēnsū is the ablative singular form of sēnsus, sēnsūs (4m): sense; sensation, perception, feeling, consciousness, awareness; judgment, understanding, thought, idea, opinion, sentiment; meaning; sentence or clause (group of words). Nāscimur is the first person plural form of nāscor, nāscī, nātus sum (3, deponent): to be born.
Recipe
iam
sensus, era. —Seneca, Phaedra 733
Translation
Recover your senses already, mistress!
Details
Recipe is the singular imperative form of recipiō, recipere, recēpī, receptum (3, –iō): to get back, recover; receive; accept. Iam (adv.): already; now; soon. Sēnsūs is the accusative plural form of sēnsus, sēnsūs (4m): sense; sensation, perception, feeling, consciousness, awareness; judgment, understanding, thought, idea, opinion, sentiment; meaning; sentence or clause (group of words). Era is the vocative singular form of era, erae (1f—also hera): mistress (of slaves), lady of the house.
Aufert
humanum
sensum
auditoris. —Cicero, Orator 209
Translation
It robs the audience of their natural sympathy.
More literally: It takes away the listener’s human feeling.
Details
(He’s talking about the constant use of a rhetorical device.) Aufert is the third person singular form of auferō, auferre, abstulī, ablātum (3, irreg.): to take away. Hūmānum is the m/n accusative singular form of hūmānus/hūmāna/hūmānum (1/2): human; civilized; cultured; kind; courteous. Sēnsum is the accusative singular form of sēnsus, sēnsūs (4m): sense; sensation, perception, feeling, consciousness, awareness; judgment, understanding, thought, idea, opinion, sentiment; meaning; sentence or clause (group of words). Audītor, audītōris (3m): listener.
Sed
angor
intimis
sensibus. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 5.10.3
Translation
But I am distressed deep inside.
More literally: But I am distressed in (my) inmost feelings.
Details
Sed (conj.): but. Angor is the first person singular passive form of angō, angere, ānxī, ānctum (3): to strangle, smother, suffocate; cause pain or anguish to, afflict, distress. Intimīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of intimus/intima/intimum (1/2): inmost; most intimate. Sēnsibus is the ablative plural form of sēnsus, sēnsūs (4m): sense; sensation, perception, feeling, consciousness, awareness; judgment, understanding, thought, idea, opinion, sentiment; meaning; sentence or clause (group of words).
Non
est
ignotus
mihi
sensus
tuus. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 10.4.3
Translation
I am not unaware of your sentiments.
More literally: Your sentiment is not unknown to me.
Details
(From a letter written to Cicero.) Nōn: not. Est: is. Ignōtus/ignōta/ignōtum (1/2): unknown, unfamiliar. Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to me). Sēnsus, sēnsūs (4m): sense; sensation, perception, feeling, consciousness, awareness; judgment, understanding, thought, idea, opinion, sentiment; meaning; sentence or clause. Tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours.
Sēnsus can also mean the sense of a word, statement, etc. ; the thought or feeling that it expresses; meaning.
Sensus
est: —Porphyrio, Commentary of Horace’s Odes 1.1.16-18 and passim
Translation
Details
Sēnsus, sēnsūs (4m): sense; sensation, perception, feeling, consciousness, awareness; judgment, understanding, thought, idea, opinion, sentiment; meaning; sentence or clause. Est: is.
Sēnsus more rarely can mean a sentence, clause or the like (a group of words expressing a thought or feeling).
Confusion warning. Sēnsus, sēnsūs looks similar to sēnsus/sēnsa/sēnsum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of the related verb sentiō, sentīre, sēnsī, sēnsum (4): to feel; perceive; experience; think, opine. So for example sēnsus est, with sēnsus as a participle, could mean something like he was perceived or it was perceived (referring to a grammatically masculine thing). The neuter plural of the participle, sēnsa, can also be substantively to mean thoughts. But this participle (both in its “basic” and substantive uses) is much less common than the noun sēnsus, sēnsūs.
Spīritus, spīritūs
Spīritus, spīritūs (4m): breath, breathing; life, the breath of life; air (often air in motion); wind, breeze; spirit; pride, arrogance.
Breath, breathing (of a living being); sometimes symbolizing life itself.
Concutietur
crebro
spiritu
pectus. —Seneca, On Anger 2.35.3
Translation
The breast will be racked by incessant panting.
Alt. : The chest will be shaken by rapid breathing.
Details
(One of the effects of anger.) Concutiētur is the third person singular future passive form of concutiō, concutere, concussī, concussum (3, –iō): to shake, agitate. Crēbrō is the m/n ablative singular form of crēber/crēbra/crēbrum (1/2): placed at frequent intervals or occurring in close succession; dense, tight-packed; frequent, repeated, constant. Spīritū is the ablative singular form of spīritus, spīritūs (4m): breath, breathing; life, the breath of life; air (often air in motion); wind, breeze; spirit; pride, arrogance. Pectus, pectoris (3n): chest, breast.
Lusit
vir
egregius
extremo
spiritu. —Cicero, Tusculan Disputations 1.96
Translation
This noble spirit jested with his last breath.
More literally: The outstanding man jested with (his) last breath.
Details
(Speaking of Theramenes, who drank the poison assigned to him as a political punishment and made a joke and laughed before dying.) Lūsit is the third person singular perfect form of lūdō, lūdere, lūsī, lūsum (3): to play, have fun; jest, joke. Vir, virī (2m): man. Ēgregius/ēgregia/ēgregium (1/2): outstanding, excellent, first-rate, splendid; pre-eminent, distinguished, illustrious. Extrēmō is the m/n ablative singular form of extrēmus/extrēma/extrēmum (1/2): situated at the end or edge; last; extreme. Spīritū is the ablative singular form of spīritus, spīritūs (4m): breath, breathing; life, the breath of life; air (often air in motion); wind, breeze; spirit; pride, arrogance.
Cur
dextra
regi
spiritum
eripuit
tua? —Seneca, Trojan Women 328
Translation
Why then did your hand deprive the king of life?
More literally: Why did your right hand snatch breath away for (i.e., from) the king?
Details
Cūr (interrog. adv.): why? Dextra, dextrae (1f—also dextera): right hand. Rēgī is the dative singular form of rēx, rēgis (3m): king. Spīritum is the accusative singular form of spīritus, spīritūs (4m): breath, breathing; life, the breath of life; air (often air in motion); wind, breeze; spirit; pride, arrogance. Ēripuit is the third person singular perfect form of ēripiō, ēripere, ēripuī, ēreptum (3, –iō): to snatch out or away (from = often dative). Tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours.
A breath of air; wind, breeze, air in motion (sometimes also air in general).
Ignem
spiritus
concitat. —Seneca, Natural Questions 6.21.1
Translation
Details
Ignem is the accusative singular form of ignis, ignis (3m): fire. Spīritus, spīritūs (4m): breath, breathing; life, the breath of life; air (often air in motion); wind, breeze; spirit; pride, arrogance. Concitat is the third person singular form of concitō, concitāre, concitāvī, concitātum (1): to set in rapid motion; spur, urge on; rouse, arouse, stir up, excite, agitate.
Per
haec
intervalla
intrat
spiritus. —Seneca, Natural Questions 6.15.1
Translation
Air enters through these cracks.
Details
Per (prep.): through (takes the accusative). Haec is the neuter accusative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this (these). Intervalla is the accusative plural form of intervallum, intervallī (2n): distance; gap; opening, interstice; interval; break, pause, intermission; difference. Intrat is the third person singular form of intrō, intrāre, intrāvī, intrātum (1): to enter. Spīritus, spīritūs (4m): breath, breathing; life, the breath of life; air (often air in motion); wind, breeze; spirit; pride, arrogance.
Aliquando
in
adversum
spiritu
impellitur. —Seneca, Natural Questions 3.3.1
Translation
Sometimes it is forced backward by the wind.
Alt. : Sometimes it is driven in the opposite direction by the wind.
Details
(Talking about water.) Aliquandō (adv.): sometimes; someday, sometime; once, at some point in the past; finally, at last. In (prep.): (with abl.) in (denoting position); (with acc.) into (or in denoting direction). Adversum is the m/n accusative singular form of adversus/adversa/adversum (1/2): turned toward, facing, opposite; moving in the opposite direction, (esp. of winds) blowing against one (and thus unfavorable/adverse); (in all sorts of other contexts) opposed, adverse, hostile, unfavorable (here the neuter singular is used substantively to mean the opposite direction). Spīritū is the ablative singular form of spīritus, spīritūs (4m): breath, breathing; life, the breath of life; air (often air in motion); wind, breeze; spirit; pride, arrogance. Impellitur is the third person singular passive form of impellō, impellere, impulī, impulsum (3): to strike against; push, drive forward, propel, impel.
Spīritus can mean spirit in various senses: it can refer to the immaterial part of a person, to the principle that animates something, to a spiritual entity, or to a person’s disposition; or the meaning can be more like high spirits or mettle, vigor, courage and the like. Sometimes it refers more particularly to pride or arrogance. (See the animus entry for an illustration of that last meaning.) The meanings high spirits, mettle, vigor, courage and pride, arrogance are often conveyed by plural forms, except in the genitive and ablative (the genitive and ablative plural forms of spīritus are uncommon).
Pater, in
manus
tuas
commendo
spiritum
meum. —Luke 23:46
Translation
Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.
Details
Pater is the vocative singular form of pater, patris (3m): father. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Manūs is the accusative plural form of manus, manūs (4f): hand; band, troop. Tuās is the feminine accusative plural form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours (in archaic English thy, thine). Commendō, commendāre, commendāvī, commendātum (1): to entrust, commend. Spīritum is the accusative singular form of spīritus, spīritūs (4m): breath, breathing; life, the breath of life; air (often air in motion); wind, breeze; spirit; pride, arrogance. Meum is the m/n accusative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine.
In
nomine
Patris, et
Filii, et
Spiritus
Sancti. —common Christian phrase, drawn from Matt. 28:19
Translation
In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Details
(The Holy Trinity.) In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Nōmine is the ablative singular form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name. Pater, patris (3m): father. Et (conj.): and. Fīlius, fīliī (2m): son. Spīritus, spīritūs (4m): breath, breathing; life, the breath of life; air (often air in motion); wind, breeze; spirit; pride, arrogance. Sānctī is the m/n genitive singular form of sānctus/sāncta/sānctum (1/2): holy, sacred; righteous.
Magno
hoc
dictum
spiritu
putas? —Seneca, On Anger 1.20.5
Translation
You think this the utterance of a great soul?
(Chicago:) Do you suppose this was said by a great spirit?
Alt. : . . . with great spirit?
Details
(No. The utterance in question is “let them hate, if only they fear”—quoted from a play.) Magnō is the m/n ablative singular form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Hoc is the neuter accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Dictum is the m/n accusative singular form of dictus/dicta/dictum (1/2) the perfect passive participle (said, having been said) of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say. Spīritū is the ablative singular form of spīritus, spīritūs (4m): breath, breathing; life, the breath of life; air (often air in motion); wind, breeze; spirit; pride, arrogance. Putās is the second person singular form of putō, putāre, putāvī, putātum (1): to think, suppose, regard as.
Ite
alacres
et
spiritus
pleni. —Quintus Curtius, Histories of Alexander 4.14.25
Translation
Go with enthusiasm and full of high spirits.
More literally: Go enthusiastic and full of spirit.
Details
Īte is the plural imperative form of eō, īre, iī/īvī, itum (irreg.): to go. Alacrēs is the m/f nominative plural form of alacer/alacris/alacre (3): brisk; lively, active; eager, enthusiastic. Et (conj.): and. Spīritus, spīritūs (4m): breath, breathing; life, the breath of life; air (often air in motion); wind, breeze; spirit; pride, arrogance. Plēnī is the masculine nominative plural form of plēnus/plēna/plēnum (1/2): full.
Sometimes spīritus refers to divine inspiration. For example you could say of a poet that he was īnflātus dīvīnō spīritū: inspired—literally, blown on or into—by a divine spirit.
Ūsus, ūsūs
Ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship; need.
Res
tua
est, usus
rei
tuae
meus
est. —Seneca, On Benefits 7.5.2
Translation
The property is yours; the use of your property is mine.
Details
(If I rent a house from you.) Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; event; property. Tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Est: is. Ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship; need. Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; event; property. Tuae is the feminine genitive singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine.
Quidquid
ad
illum
pervenit, id
pravo
usu
corrumpitur. —Seneca, On Benefits 5.12.5
Translation
Whatever good reaches him is vitiated by his wrong use of it.
More literally: Whatever has come/comes to him, this is corrupted by wrong use.
Details
Quisquis/quidquid (rel. pron. ; the neuter form is also spelled quicquid): whoever, whatever. Ad (prep.): to, toward; at (takes the accusative). Illum is the masculine accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it. Pervēnit is the third person singular perfect form of perveniō, pervenīre, pervēnī, perventum (4): to come (all the way to a destination), arrive (it could also be present tense, pervenit; but Latin tends to use the perfect when a verb denotes an action that’s completed before another in a general statement). Is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Prāvō is the m/n ablative singular form of prāvus/prāva/prāvum (1/2): crooked, distorted; wicked, depraved; wrong. Ūsū is the ablative singular form of ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship; need. Corrumpitur is the third person singular passive form of corrumpō, corrumpere, corrūpī, corruptum (3): to destroy, spoil, ruin; corrupt.
Conceditis
divitias
habere
aliquid
usus. —Seneca, Epistles 87.29
Translation
You concede that riches have some utility.
Details
(Here’s imagining a Peripatetic argument against the Stoics.) Concēditis is the second person plural form of concēdō, concēdere, concessī, concessum (3): to depart, withdraw; give in, submit; concede, grant. Dīvitiās is the accusative form of dīvitiae, dīvitiārum (1f, plural only): wealth, riches. Habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Aliquid is the neuter accusative singular form of aliquis/aliqua/aliquid (pron.): someone, something; (in n. sg.) some amount (of). Ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship; need.
Vivit
is
qui
multis
usui
est. —Seneca, Epistles 60.4
Translation
He really lives who is useful to many.
More literally: . . . who is for use (a source of utility) to many.
Details
Vīvit is the third person singular form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live (sometimes implying really, in the true sense of the term). Is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Multīs is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Ūsuī is the dative singular form of ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship. Multīs ūsuī is a double-dative construction. Est: is.
Bonum
suum
nondum
in
usu
habent. —Seneca, Epistles 75.9
Translation
They have not yet put their good into practice.
More literally: They do not yet have their good in use/practice.
Details
(He’s describing people on different stages of the path toward wisdom.) Bonum is the accusative singular form of bonum, bonī (2n): a good, a blessing, a boon. Suum: their (own)—the m/n accusative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Nōndum (adv.): not yet. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Ūsū is the ablative singular form of ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship; need. Habent is the third person plural form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.
Tamen
in
usum
est receptum. —Anonymous, De Differentiis 525
Translation
Yet it has been received into usage.
Details
(The work may have been written by Fronto. The author is talking about adverbium, a word that he thinks doesn’t belong in the language.) Tamen (adv.): nevertheless, yet, still. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Ūsum is the accusative singular form of ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship; need. Est receptum is the third person neuter singular perfect passive form of recipiō, recipere, recēpī, receptum (3, –iō): to get back, recover; receive, take in; accept, admit, allow.
Haec
nec
disciplina
nec
usus
umquam
excutit. —Seneca, Epistles 11.2
Translation
Training and experience can never shake off this habit.
Alt. : No amount of instruction or practice can rid them of these phenomena.
More literally: Neither instruction nor practice ever shakes off these things.
Details
(He’s talking about the symptoms of stage fright in orators.) Haec is the neuter accusative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it (these things). Neque/nec (conj. and adv.): and not, nor; neither, not either, not even (nec. . . nec = neither. . . nor). Disciplīna, disciplīnae (1f): teaching, training, instruction; discipline. Neque/nec (conj. and adv.): and not, nor; neither, not either, not even. Ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship; need. Umquam (adv.): ever. Excutit is the third person singular form of excutiō, excutere, excussī, excussum (3, –iō): to shake or knock out or off; cast out, drive away; examine.
Est
rerum
omnium
magister
usus. —Caesar, The Civil War 2.8.3
Translation
Experience is the teacher of all things.
Details
Est: is. Rērum is the genitive plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; event; property. Omnium is the m/f/n genitive plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Magister, magistrī (3m): teacher, master. Ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship; need.
In
usum
novae
classis
tecta
domuum
resciderunt. —Florus, Epitome of Roman History 1.31
Translation
They tore away the roofs of houses for use in building a new fleet.
More literally: . . . for the use of a new fleet.
Details
In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into; for. Ūsum is the accusative singular form of ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship; need. Novae is the feminine genitive singular form of novus/nova/novum (1/2): new. Classis, classis (3f): fleet. Tēcta is the accusative plural form of tēctum, tēctī (2n): roof; ceiling; shelter; dwelling (a substantive use of tēctus/tēcta/tēctum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of tegō, tegere, tēxī, tectum (3): to cover; protect; hide, conceal). Domuum is the genitive plural form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home. Rescidērunt is the third person plural perfect form of rescindō, rescindere, rescidī, rescissum (3): to cut away; tear away; split open; cancel, annul, rescind.
Inter
nosmet
ipsos
vetus
usus
intercedit. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 13.23.1
Translation
We have an old-standing acquaintance.
More literally: An old-standing acquaintance exists between us ourselves.
Details
Inter (prep.): among; between (takes the accusative). Nōsmet: nōs is the accusative form of nōs: we (us); the enclitic particle –met adds emphasis to a pronoun. Ipsōs is the masculine accusative plural form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/oneself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very. Vetus, veteris (3, adj.): old, ancient; old-standing. Ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship; need. Intercēdit is the third person singular form of intercēdō, intercēdere, intercessī, intercessum (3): to intervene; (of relationships and the like) exist or be contracted (between people).
Ūsus est can mean there is need. The person in need (if mentioned) goes in the dative. The thing needed (if mentioned) is often a noun or pronoun in the ablative (and sometimes in the genitive).
Ad
eam
rem
usus
est
tua
mihi
opera. —Plautus, The Persian 328
Translation
I need your help for this.
More literally: There is need to me of your assistance for this thing.
Details
Ad (prep.): to, toward; for. 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; event; property. Ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship; need. Est: there is. Tuā is the feminine ablative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to/for me). Operā is the ablative singular form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort; attention; service; assistance.
A few other constructions are possible. For example, the thing needed is also sometimes an accusative-and-infinitive clause (ūsus est hoc fierī = there is need (for) this to be done, this needs to be done), an ut clause (ūsus est ut hoc fiat = there is need that this should be done, this needs to be done), a noun in the ablative combined with a perfect passive participle in the same case (pecūniā inventā ūsus est = there is need for found money, money needs to be found) or the perfect passive participle of a verb used impersonally (properātō ūsus est = there is need of it-having-been-hastened, we need to hasten). In other words, ūsus est takes many of the same constructions as opus est (see opus entry for illustrations).
Ūsus venit means the need arises. Here too the person in need (if mentioned) goes in the dative while the thing needed (if mentioned) often goes in the ablative (and sometimes in the genitive).
Non
usus
veniet, spero. —Terence, The Self-Tormentor 553
Translation
Hopefully that won’t be needed.
More literally: The need will not come, I hope.
Details
Nōn: not. Ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship; need. Veniet is the third person singular future form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. Spērō, spērāre, spērāvī, spērātum (1): to hope (for).
Ūsū venīre is another idiom, meaning to happen (to), be experienced (by someone in the dative).
Narra
illud
quod
tibi
usu
venit. —Petronius, Satyricon 61.2
Translation
Tell us the thing that happened to you.
More literally: Tell that which came to you in experience.
Details
Nārrā is the singular imperative form of nārrō, nārrāre, nārrāvī, nārrātum (1): to tell, narrate. Illud is the neuter accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it. Quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Tibi is the dative form of tū: you. Ūsū is the ablative singular form of ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship; need. Vēnit is the third person singular perfect form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. Ūsū venīre + dative = to happen to, be experienced by.
Confusion warning. The noun ūsus, ūsūs is not to be confused with ūsus/ūsa/ūsum (1/2), the perfect active participle (having used) of ūtor, ūtī, ūsus sum (3, deponent): to use. Thus if you see ūsus est, it could be the idiom mentioned earlier (meaning there is need). But it could also be (and more often is) the third person masculine singular perfect form of ūtor, meaning he used. Compare:
Usus
est
pecunia. —Plautus, The Weevil 383
Translation
I need money.
More literally: There is need for money.
Details
Ūsus, ūsūs (4m): use; utility; usage; practice; experience; habitual dealings (with a person), relationship; need (the thing needed often goes in the ablative). Est: there is. Pecūniā is the ablative singular form of pecūnia, pecūniae (1f): money.
Bene
usus est
viribus
suis. —Seneca, On Anger 3.40.4
Translation
He made good use of his power.
More literally: He used his power well.
Details
Bene (adv.): well. Ūsus est is the third person masculine singular perfect form of ūtor, ūtī, ūsus sum (3, deponent): to use (takes an ablative object). Vīribus is the ablative plural form of vīs, vīs (3f): force, power, energy; violence; strength (plural forms are often translated with the singular word strength and sometimes power—here it refers to political power). Suīs: his (own)—the m/f/n ablative plural form of suus/sua/suum (1/2).