Animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; anger, animosity. There is also a similar word of feminine gender: anima, animae (1f), typically defined as soul or spirit (it can also refer to wind or air). There is some overlap in usage between the words; when they are different, it is typically because animus relates more to the mind. (Seneca uses animus much more often.)
Mind, soul, spirit —the immaterial part of a person, as opposed to the body, and regarded as the seat of character, volition, thoughts and feelings; also believed by some to survive after death. It can sometimes be translated (non-literally) as heart.
Animusilliobstrepit. —Seneca, Epistles 56.8
Translation
His soul is in an uproar.
(Chicago:) His mind is noisy.
More literally: (His) soul makes loud noises at him.
Details
(Why he can’t sleep and complains of hearing sounds that don’t exist.)
Animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; anger, animosity. Illī
is the m/f/n dative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it. Obstrepit
is the third person singular form of obstrepō, obstrepere, obstrepuī, obstrepitum (3): to make a louder noise in opposition (to, with dative); make a loud noise or noises (at, with dative); clamor (at, with dative).
Resipsaparvasedanimimeidolormagnusest. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 13.77.3
Translation
The matter itself is small but my heart’s pain is great.
Details
Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; circumstance; property. Ipse/
ipsa
/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very. Parvus/
parva
/parvum (1/2): small, little; unimportant. Sed
(conj.): but. Animus, animī
(2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; anger, animosity. Meī
is the m/n genitive singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Dolor, dolōris (3m): pain; sorrow. Magnus
/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great; important. Est: is.
(Chicago:) This is what I want our mind to be like.
More literally: Such I want our mind to be.
Details
Tālem
is the m/f accusative singular form of tālis/tālis/tāle (3): such, like this/that, of such a quality. Animum
is the accusative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; anger, animosity. Esse: to be. Nostrum
is the m/n accusative singular form of noster/nostra/nostrum (1/2): our, ours. Volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish.
Dormientiumanimimaximedeclarantdivinitatemsuam. —Cicero, On Old Age 81
Translation
Our souls reveal their divine nature most clearly when we sleep.
More literally: The souls of the sleeping reveal their divinity the most.
Details
Dormientium
is the m/f/n (here m) genitive plural form of dormiēns, dormientis (3), the present active participle of dormiō, dormīre, dormīvī/dormiī, dormītum (4): to sleep. Animī
is the nominative plural form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; anger, animosity. Maximē
(adv.): most; very much. Dēclārant
is the third person plural form of dēclārō, dēclārē, dēclārāvī, dēclārātum (1): to announce, declare; show, reveal. Dīvīnitātem
is the accusative singular form of dīvīnitās, dīvīnitātis (3f): divine nature, divinity; faculty of divining. Suam: their (own)—the feminine accusative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2).
Animorummagistraest. —Seneca, Epistles 90.26
Translation
It is the teacher of our minds.
Details
(He’s speaking of wisdom—sapientia, sapientiae (1f).)
Animōrum
is the genitive plural form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; anger, animosity. Magistra, magistrae (1f): (female) teacher, mistress. Est: it is.
(Speaking of philosophy.)
Medētur
is the third person singular form of medeor, medērī, —, — (2, deponent): to cure, heal (takes a dative object). Animīs
is the dative plural form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; vehemence, anger, animosity.
Sometimes animus is used more specifically in reference to some of the mind’s states or functions. Many translations are possible depending on the context: attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; anger, animosity. Compare certain uses of the English words spirit, mind and heart. To say something in a certain spirit means to say it with a certain intention or attitude. In good spirits means having good morale. To have a mind to do something means to be inclined to do it. To take heart means to take courage. Latin animus has similar uses (though not always worded quite the same way) and more.
Meanings like pride, haughtiness, arrogance, anger, and animosity are almost always conveyed by plural forms even if the English translation is singular. The sense courage or morale can be plural (cf. English spirits) or singular.
Temptoenimtequoanimoaccipias. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 15.16.3
Translation
I’m testing you to see how you take it.
More literally: For I am testing you, in what spirit (with what attitude) you take (it).
Details
Temptō, temptāre, temptāvī, temptātum (1—also tentō): to test; try, attempt. Enim
(particle): for, indeed. Tē
is the accusative form of tū: you. Quō
is the m/n ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Animō
is the ablative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; vehemence, anger, animosity. Accipiās
is the second person singular subjunctive form of accipiō, accipere, accēpī, acceptum (3, –iō): to receive, accept, take (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).
“Non,”
inquit, “hocanimofeci, utvimfacerem.”
—Quintilian, Minor Declamations 386.2
Translation
“I didn’t do it with violent intentions,” he said.
More literally: “I didn’t,” he said, “do (it) with this mind/intention that I might do violence.
Details
Nōn: not. Inquit
is the third person singular form of inquam (irreg. and defective): to say (inquit = he/she says
or
said). Hōc
is the m/n ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Animō
is the ablative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; vehemence, anger, animosity. Faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Ut
(conj. , with subjunctive): so, so that, in order that. Vim
is the accusative singular form of vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy; violence; strength. Facerem
is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
Animumresumpsit. —Suetonius, Life of Vitellius 15.3
Translation
He took heart.
More literally: He recovered his spirit/courage.
Details
Animum
is the accusative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; vehemence, anger, animosity. Resūmpsit
is the third person singular perfect form of resūmō, resūmere, resūmpsī, resūmptum (3): to pick up again; regain, recover; resume.
Refecti suntmilitumanimi. —Livy, History of Rome 21.25.10
Translation
The morale of the soldiers was restored.
Details
Refectī sunt
is the third person masculine plural perfect passive form of reficiō, reficere, refēcī, refectum (3, –iō): to restore; refresh, revive. Mīlitum
is the genitive plural form of mīles, mīlitis (3m): soldier. Animī
is the nominative plural form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; vehemence, anger, animosity.
Noratisanimoseiusacspiritustribunicios. —Cicero, In Defense of Cluentius 109
Translation
You knew his pride and the airs he gave himself as a tribune.
More literally: You knew his pride and his haughty spirit characteristic of a tribune.
Details
Nōrātis
is the second person plural pluperfect form of nōscō, nōscere, nōvī, nōtum (3): (in present-stem forms) to get to know; (in perfect-stem forms) know (so the pluperfect is translated as knew). Animōs
is the accusative plural form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; vehemence, anger, animosity. Eius
is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Atque/
ac
(conj.): and. Spīritūs
is the accusative plural form of spīritus, spīritūs (4m): breath; spirit; disposition; pride, haughtiness, arrogance. Tribūniciōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of tribūnicius/tribūnicia/tribūnicium (1/2): belonging to or characteristic of a tribune.
Vinceanimosiramquetuam, quiceteravincis! —Ovid, The Heroines 3.85
Translation
Overcome your passions and your anger, you who overcome all things else!
Details
Vince
is the singular imperative form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, defeat, overcome; win, be victorious. Animōs
is the accusative plural form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; vehemence, anger, animosity. Īramque
is the accusative singular form of īra, īrae (1f): anger (the enclitic conjunction –que adds and). Tuam
is the feminine accusative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Quī
/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Cētera
is the neuter accusative plural form of cēterus/cētera/cēterum (1/2): (all) the other(s), the rest (of). Vincis
is the second person singular indicative form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, defeat, overcome; win, be victorious.
Bonum animum habēre and bonō animō esse means to be of good cheer or not to worry, etc.
Nonfaciet, bonumanimumhabe. —Plautus, The Braggart Soldier 1236
Translation
It won’t, don’t worry.
More literally: It will not do (that), have a good spirit.
Details
Nōn: not. Faciet
is the third person singular future form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Bonum
is the m/n accusative singular form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Animum
is the accusative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; vehemence, anger, animosity. Habē
is the singular imperative form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.
Bonoanimoes, liberabitilletehomo. —Plautus, The Merchant 531-2
Translation
Be of good cheer; that man will free you.
More literally: Be with a good spirit (courage). . .
Details
Bonō
is the m/n ablative singular form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Animō
is the ablative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; vehemence, anger, animosity. Es
is the singular imperative form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (this fairly rare imperative form looks identical to the second person singular indicative meaning
you are, but is differentiated by context; bonō animō es
didn’t cause confusion because it’s a set expression). Līberābit
is the third person singular future form of līberō, līberāre, līberāvī, līberātum (1): to free, liberate. Ille
/illa/illud (adj.): that. Tē
is the accusative form of tū: you. Homō, hominis (3m): man, human.
Aequō animō (literally with an even/calm mind) means calmly, with equanimity. See aequus/aequa/aequum for an illustration.
In animō habēre can mean to have in mind or, often, to plan, intend.
Parcerevictisinanimohabebat. —Livy, History of Rome 33.10.4
Translation
He intended to spare the defeated.
More literally: He had in mind to spare the defeated.
Details
Parcō, parcere, pepercī/parsī, parsum (3): to spare, be lenient, be merciful; refrain, forbear (with a dative object). Victīs
is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of victus/victa/victum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, defeat, overcome; win, be victorious. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Animō
is the ablative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; vehemence, anger, animosity. Habēbat
is the third person singular imperfect form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.
Similarly, in animō (alicui) esse, lit. to be in mind (for someone), means to be on someone’s mind or to be someone’s intention. It’s often rendered as one plans/intends or with similar wordings.
Mihiinanimoestlegumlationemexspectare. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 3.26.1
Translation
I propose to wait for the laws to be put to the vote.
More literally: It is in my mind to wait until the proposal of the laws.
Details
Mihi
is the dative form of ego: I (to/for me). In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Animō
is the ablative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; vehemence, anger, animosity. Est: it is. Lēgum
is the genitive plural form of lēx, lēgis (3f): law. Lātiōnem
is the accusative singular form of lātiō, lātiōnis (3f): proposal (of a law). Exspectō, exspectāre, exspectāvī, exspectātum (1—also expectō): to wait (for/until), await; expect; look forward to.
Animī causā means for one’s own pleasure/ amusement, for fun, because one feels like it.
Dicomeilloadvenisseanimicausa. —Plautus, The Weevil 340
Translation
I told him I’d come there for my amusement.
More literally: I said myself to have arrived there for the sake of (my) mind/inclination.
Details
Dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say (it’s in the historical present). Mē
is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Illō
(adv.): there (with motion), thither, to that place. Advēnisse
is the perfect infinitive form of adveniō, advenīre, advēnī, adventum (4): to come (all the way to a place), arrive. Animus, animī
(2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; vehemence, anger, animosity. Causā
is the ablative singular form of causa, causae (1f): case; cause, reason; (in abl. sg. after a genitive word) for the sake (of).
Animus is sometimes used as a term of endearment, often in the vocative.
Animemi, Menaechme, salve. —Plautus, The Brothers Menaechmus 182
Translation
Hi, Menaechmus, sweetheart!
More literally: My soul, Menaechmus, be well (hello)!
Details
Anime
is the vocative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; vehemence, anger, animosity. Mī
is the masculine vocative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Menaechmē
is the vocative singular form of Menaechmus, Menaechmī (2m). Salvē
is the singular imperative form of salveō, salvēre, —, — (2, defective): to be well, be in good health; it’s mostly used in the imperative as a greeting (hello).
And then one can address one’s own soul, as in this bit from a soliloquy.
Anime, quidmortemtimes? —Seneca, Oedipus 933
Translation
My soul, why do you fear death?
Details
Anime
is the vocative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit; attitude, disposition, inclination; intention; courage, morale; pride, haughtiness, arrogance; vehemence, anger, animosity. Quid
(interrog. adv.): why? Mortem
is the accusative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Timēs
is the second person singular form of timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to fear, be afraid.
Annus, annī
Annus, annī (2m): year.
Annusproducit, nonager. —Erasmus, Adagia (1536)
Translation
The year, not the field, produces the yield.
Details
(The result is produced by external conditions such as the quality of the weather, etc. —not intrinsic ones, such as the soil.)
Annus, annī (2m): year. Prōdūcit
is the third person singular form of prōdūcō, prōdūcere, prōdūxī, prōductum (3): to lead or bring forward; beget, produce, bring forth; rear, educate; lengthen, extend. Nōn: not. Ager, agrī (2m): field.
Horumnemoannostuosconteret. —Seneca, On the Shortness of Life 15.1
Translation
No one of these will wear out your years.
(Chicago:) None of them will diminish your years.
Details
(He’s talking about ancient philosophers and the safety of spending time with them by studying their works.)
Hōrum
is the m/n (here m) genitive plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it (of these). Nēmō, nēminis (3m): no one. Annōs
is the accusative plural form of annus, annī (2m): year. Tuōs
is the accusative plural form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Conteret
is the third person singular future form of conterō, conterere, contrīvī, contrītum (3): to grind, crush; wear out; consume, waste.
Incipevirtutibusillum, nonannisaestimare. —Seneca, Consolation to Marcia 24.1
Translation
Start to assess him by his virtues rather than by his years.
Details
(. . . and you will see that he lived long enough.)
Incipe
is the singular imperative form of incipiō, incipere, incēpī, inceptum (3, –iō; forms based on the perfect stem are rare and usually replaced by forms of
coepī): to begin, start. Virtūtibus
is the ablative plural form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): virtue, merit, good quality; courage, valor. Illum
is the masculine accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it. Nōn: not. Annīs
is the ablative plural form of annus, annī (2m): year. Aestimō, aestimāre, aestimāvī, aestimātum (1): to estimate, assess; consider.
Note three ways of saying how old someone is (or was).
More literally: He was having-been-born for nineteen years at that time.
Details
(Note that the Romans counted inclusively; so here Cicero was probably including the year of life that the person was in at the time, meaning he was in his nineteenth year—what we would call eighteen years old, because we only count completed years when we say
n years old.)
Ūndēvīgintī
(indeclinable): nineteen. Annōs
is the accusative plural form of annus, annī (2m): year (an accusative of duration/length of time). Nātus
/nāta/nātum (1/2): (having been) born—the perfect active participle of nāscor, nāscī, nātus sum (3, deponent): to be born. Erat
is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Eō
is the m/n ablative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Tempore
is the ablative singular form of tempus, temporis (3n): time.
Erattriumfermeettrigintaannorum. —Livy, History of Rome 33.33.2
Translation
He was about thirty-three years old.
More literally: He was of about three and thirty years.
Details
(Note that the Romans counted inclusively; so here Livy was probably including the year of life that the person was in at the time, meaning he was in his thirty-third year—what we would call thirty-two years old, because we only count completed years when we said
n years old.)
Erat
is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Trium
is the m/f/n genitive form of trēs/trēs/tria (3): three. Fermē
(adv. —also
ferē): approximately, about, roughly; almost; usually. Et
(conj.): and. Trīgintā
(indeclinable): thirty. Annōrum
is the genitive plural form of annus, annī (2m): year.
Nonagesimumetquintumannumagebat. —Quintus Curtius, Histories of Alexander 6.5.3
Translation
He was in his ninety-fifth year.
More literally: He was conducting (his) ninetieth and fifth year.
Details
Nōnāgēsimum
id the m/n accusative singular form of nōnāgēsimus/nōnāgēsima/nōnāgēsimum (1/2): ninetieth. Et
(conj.): and. Quīntum
is the m/n accusative singular form of quīntus/quīnta/quīntum (1/2): fifth. Annum
is the accusative singular form of annus, annī (2m): year. Agēbat
is the third person singular imperfect form of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, set in motion; do, perform, conduct, deal with; act; spend (time or life), live.
Arma, armōrum
Arma, armōrum (2n, plural only): arms, weapons—weaponry both offensive and defensive, so including armor and shields. To talk of a single weapon you’d use another word such as tēlum, tēlī (2n): spear; missile weapon; weapon (in general).
Arma can denote war through metonymy (i.e., the use of a word to denote a thing it’s associated with), so it’s sometimes natural to translate it as war.
Ubisuntarma? —Quintilian, The Orator’s Education 7.2.54
Translation
Where are the arms?
Details
Ubi
(interrog. adv.): where? Sunt: are (they). Arma, armōrum (2n, plural only): arms, weapons.
Statimarmasummittet. —Seneca, On Providence 3.3
Translation
He will straightway drop his weapons.
Details
Statim
(adv.): straightway, at once, immediately. Arma
is the accusative form of arma, armōrum (2n, plural only): arms, weapons. Summittet
is the third person singular future form of summittō, summittere, summīsī, summissum (3—also
submittō): to let grow; send as assistance; send secretly; lower, drop, lay down; place under; make subject or subordinate (to).
Fulgentesprocularmiscatervasvidit. —Seneca, Phoenician Women 544-5
Translation
It has seen squadrons glittering far off in armor.
Alt. : It saw the squadrons flashing with arms in the distance.
Details
(It = your fatherland.)
Fulgentēs
is the m/f accusative plural form of fulgēns, fulgentis (3), the present active participle of fulgeō, fulgēre, fulsī, — (2): to shine brightly, flash, glitter. Procul
(adv.): far (away); in the distance; from a distance. Armīs
is the ablative form of arma, armōrum (2n, plural only): arms, weapons. Catervās
is the accusative plural form of caterva, catervae (1f): band, company; squadron; crowd. Vīdit
is the third person singular perfect form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see.
Hicfinisarmorumcivilium. —Florus, Epitome of Roman History 2.21
Translation
Thus the civil wars came to an end.
More literally: This (was) the end of the civil wars.
Details
Hic
/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Fīnis, fīnis (3m): end. Arma, armōrum
(2n, plural only): arms, weapons; (by metonymy) war (or wars). Cīvīlium
is the m/f/n genitive plural form of cīvīlis/cīvīlis/cīvīle (3): civil, belonging to citizens. (The verb is implied.)
Confusion warning. Arma, armōrum is not to be confused with the less common word armus, armī (2m), meaning fore-quarter or shoulder, especially of an animal but sometimes poetically of a person.
Exumerisarmifiunt. —Ovid, Metamorphoses 10.700
Translation
Their arms changed to legs
More literally: Out of their shoulders, fore-quarters are made.
Details
(On people being transformed into lions.)
Ex
/ē (prep.): out of, from (takes the ablative). Umerīs
is the ablative plural form of umerus, umerī (2m—also
humerus): shoulder. Armī
is the nominative plural form of armus, armī (2m): fore-quarter, shoulder (usually of an animal, occasionally of a person). Fīunt
is the third person plural form of fīō, fierī, —, — (irreg.): to be done; be made; happen; come into being; become.
Beneficium, beneficiī
Beneficium, beneficiī (2n—the genitive can also be beneficī): a kindness, service, favor, benefit.
Ubicumquehomoest, ibibeneficilocusest. —Seneca, On the Happy Life 24.3
Translation
Wherever there is a human being there is the opportunity for a kindness.
(Chicago:) Wherever a human being is, there is a place for a favor.
Details
Ubicumque
(rel. adv.): wherever. Homō, hominis (3m): man, human being. Est: (there) is. Ibi
(adv.): there. Beneficium, beneficī
(2n): a kindness, service, favor, benefit. Locus, locī (2m): place; opportunity.
Nullumbeneficiumdabo, quodturpiterpeterem. —Seneca, On Benefits 2.15.2
Translation
I shall never give a benefit which I should be ashamed to ask for.
More literally: I will give no favor that I would request shamefully.
Details
Nūllum
is the m/n accusative singular form of nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Beneficium
is the accusative singular form of beneficium, beneficiī (2n): a kindness, service, favor, benefit. Dabō
is the first person singular future form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Quod
is the neuter accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Turpiter
(adv.): shamefully, disgracefully. Peterem
is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of petō, petere, petīvī/petiī, petītum (3): to direct one’s course to, make for; aim at; go for, attack; seek; ask for, request (imperfect subjunctive because it’s present contrary to fact).
Tucontrabeneficiisprovoca. —Seneca, On Anger 2.34.5
Translation
Take the opposite course and challenge him by your kindness.
More literally: You, conversely, challenge (him) by kindnesses.
Details
(When someone is mad at you.)
Tū: you. Contrā
(adv.): in front of one; against one; to the contrary; conversely; on the other hand; in return; in response. Beneficiīs
is the ablative plural form of beneficium, beneficiī (2n): a kindness, service, favor, benefit. Prōvocā
is the singular imperative form of prōvocō, prōvocāre, prōvocāvī, prōvocātum (1): to call forth; challenge; provoke.
The ablative singular form beneficiō modified by a genitive word or possessive adjective can mean thanks to X (literally by the favor/benefit of X).
Caramte, vita, beneficiomortishabeo. —Seneca, Consolation to Marcia 20.3
Translation
Life, I hold you dear thanks to death.
More literally: I hold you dear, life, by the benefit of death.
Details
Cāram
is the feminine accusative singular form of cārus/cāra/cārum (1/2): dear; expensive. Tē
is the accusative form of tū: you. Vīta
is the vocative singular form of vīta, vītae (1f): life. Beneficiō
is the ablative singular form of beneficium, beneficiī (2n): a kindness, service, favor, benefit. Mors, mortis
(3f): death. Habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have; hold.
Meoenimbeneficioetsacrilegiumilludinventum est. —Quintilian, Minor Declamations 324.8
Translation
For that sacrilege was also discovered thanks to me.
More literally: . . . by my kindness.
Details
(The words of someone asking for a reward.)
Meō
is the m/n ablative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Enim
(particle): for, indeed. Beneficiō
is the ablative singular form of beneficium, beneficiī (2n): a kindness, service, favor, benefit. Et
(adv.): also. Sacrilegium, sacrilegiī (2n): robbery of sacred property; sacrilege. Ille/illa/
illud
(adj.): that. Inventum est
is the third person neuter singular perfect passive form of inveniō, invenīre, invēnī, inventum (4): to find; discover; invent.
Bellum, bellī
Bellum, bellī (2n): war.
Principumsaevitiabellumest. —Seneca, On Mercy 1.5.2
Translation
When princes rage there is war.
More literally: The savagery of princes is war.
Details
Prīncipum
is the genitive plural form of prīnceps, prīncipis (3m/f): leader, ruler, prince, emperor. Saevitia, saevitiae (1f): savagery; cruelty. Bellum, bellī (2n): war. Est: is.
Bonabelloperdidi. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 4.8.1
Translation
I lost my property in the war.
Details
Bona
is the accusative plural form of bonum, bonī (2n): a good thing, a good, a blessing, a boon; (in pl.) possessions, property. Bellō
is the ablative singular form of bellum, bellī (2n): war. Perdō, perdere, perdidī, perditum (3): to destroy; waste; lose.
BellaTelemachoparas. —Seneca, Trojan Women 593
Translation
You’re going to cause wars that Telemachus will have to fight.
More literally: You’re preparing wars for Telemachus.
Details
Bella
is the accusative plural form of bellum, bellī (2n): war (it could also refer to a single war if it’s in the poetic plural). Tēlemachō
is the dative singular form of Tēlemachus, Tēlemachī (2m): the son of Odysseus and Penelope. Parās
is the second person singular form of parō, parāre, parāvī, parātum (1): to make available, furnish, supply; produce, bring about; get, obtain, acquire; buy; prepare.
Bellum has a locative form bellī, which appears only occasionally. It’s mostly used together with domī in expressions like bellī domīque = in war and at home; i.e., at home and in the field, in war and peace. See the domus entry for an illustration.
Nihilnonexeisbellumest. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 9.5.16
Translation
Every one of them is pretty.
More literally: None out of them is not pretty.
Details
(When taken individually; but when they’re put together, there’s redundancy. He’s talking about expressions used by an orator.)
Nihil
(n. , indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here nom.): nothing, none (when talking about things). Nōn: not. Ex
/ē (prep.): from, out of (takes ablative). Eīs
is the m/f/n (here n) ablative plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one) (these things). Bellus/bella/
bellum
(1/2): pretty, handsome; fine, excellent. Est: is.
Caelum, caelī
Caelum, caelī (2n): sky, heaven, the heavens; weather, climate; clime, region. This noun is neuter in the singular but becomes masculine in the plural. So the nominative plural form is caelī, not caela. Plural forms are rare in classical Latin but become more frequent in Christian texts.
Sky, heaven.
Caelumtonitrucontremit. —Pacuvius quoted in Cicero, On the Orator 357
Translation
The heavens tremble with thunder.
Details
Caelum, caelī (2n): sky, heaven, the heavens; weather, climate; clime, region. Tonitrū
is the ablative singular form of tonitrus, tonitrūs (4m): thunder. Contremit
is the third person singular form of contremō, contremere, —, — (3): to tremble violently.
Cogitationostracaelimunimentaperrumpit. —Seneca, On Leisure 5.6
Translation
Our thought bursts through the ramparts of the heavens.
Details
Cōgitātiō, cōgitātiōnis (3f): thought. Noster/
nostra
/nostrum (1/2): our, ours. Caelum, caelī
(2n): sky, heaven, the heavens; weather, climate; clime, region. Mūnīmenta
is the accusative plural form of mūnīmentum, mūnīmentī (2n): fortification, rampart, bulwark. Perrumpit
is the third person singular form of perrumpō, perrumpere, perrūpī, perruptum (3): to cause to burst apart; break through.
Nox, noctis (3f): night. Prīmus/
prīma
/prīmum (1/2): frontmost; first; earliest; foremost (it sometimes refers to
the frontmost/first/earliest part of). Caelum
is the accusative singular form of caelum, caelī (2n): sky, heaven, the heavens; weather, climate; clime, region. Sparserat
is the third person singular pluperfect form of spargō, spargere, sparsī, sparsum (3): to sprinkle, scatter. Stēllīs
is the ablative plural form of stēlla, stēllae (1f): star.
More literally: Presumably Jupiter is laughing with himself in heaven.
Dominus autem caelos fecit. —1 Chron. 16:26
But the Lord made the heavens.
Pater noster, qui es in caelis (. . .) —first line of the Lord’s Prayer; Matt. 6:9
Our Father, who art in heaven (. . .)
Details
Nīmīrum
(particle): naturally, of course, presumably. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Caelō
is the ablative singular form of caelum, caelī (2n): sky, heaven, the heavens; weather, climate; clime, region. Sēcum: with himself (sē = himself; cum = with). Rīdet
is the third person singular form of rīdeō, rīdēre, rīsī, rīsum (2): to laugh. Iuppiter, Iovis (3m): Jupiter, Jove.
Dominus, dominī (2m): lord, master. Autem
(particle): on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover; for my, your, his, etc. part. Caelōs
is the accusative plural form of caelum, caelī (2n, but m in the plural): sky, heaven, the heavens; weather, climate; clime, region. Fēcit
is the third person singular perfect form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
Pater
is the vocative singular form of pater, patris (3m): father. Noster
is the masculine vocative singular form of noster/nostra/nostrum (1/2): our, ours. Quī
/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Es: (you) are, (thou) art. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Caelīs
is the ablative plural form of caelum, caelī (2n, but m in the plural): sky, heaven, the heavens; weather, climate; clime, region.
Caelum is used in some expressions pertaining to praise; notably in (or ad) caelum ferre (or efferre) = to praise to the skies.
Pisonemferebatincaelum. —Cicero, Letter to Atticus 16.7.5
Translation
He was praising Piso to the skies.
Details
Pīsōnem
is the accusative singular form of Pīsō, Pīsōnis (3m). Ferēbat
is the third person singular imperfect form of ferō, ferre, tulī, lātum (3, irreg.): to carry, bear; endure; bring forth, produce; tell, narrate, say. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into; to. Caelum
is the accusative singular form of caelum, caelī (2n): sky, heaven, the heavens; weather, climate; clime, region.
The word laudibus (lit. with praises) is sometimes included in the expression (e. g. , Cicero’s sentence could be changed to Pīsōnem laudibus ferēbat in caelum and have the same meaning).
Caelum sometimes means not just the sky but the way the sky is at a particular time or place; i.e., the weather or climate (consisting of the phenomena associated with the sky).
More literally: Intemperateness of weather attacks the health.
Details
Intemperiēs, intemperiēī (5f): intemperateness, immoderateness. Caelum, caelī
(2n): sky, heaven, the heavens; weather, climate; clime, region. Valītūdinem
is the accusative singular form of valītūdō, valītūdinis (3f—also
valētūdō): health (whether good or bad), state of health; good health; ill health, sickness. Temptat
is the third person singular form of temptō, temptāre, temptāvī, temptātum (1): to test; try, attempt; attack; trouble, harass.
Or it can mean a clime, region (as situated under a certain sky or having a certain climate).
Ipsehominumcolorabaliovenirecaelofatebatur. —Florus, Epitome of Roman History 2.34
Translation
The very color of the men declared that they came from a different clime.
Details
Ipse
/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very. Hominum
is the genitive plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human, person. Color, colōris (3m): color. Ab
/ā (prep.): from; by (take the ablative). Aliō
is the m/n ablative singular form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another; different. Veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. Caelō
is the ablative singular form of caelum, caelī (2n): sky, heaven, the heavens; weather, climate; clime, region. Fatēbātur
is the third person singular imperfect form of fateor, fatērī, fassus sum (2, deponent): to admit, confess, acknowledge; declare.
Less common meanings include universe and vault (in architecture).
Note the homonym caelum, caelī (2n) meaning a chisel or other graving tool (a much less common word), and the related verb caelō, caelāre, caelāvī, caelātum (1): to emboss, engrave.
Cōnsilium is generally about knowing or figuring out what to do. That general idea is then applied to a broad range of more-or-less specific contexts. Thus cōnsilium can mean the fact of debating what to do (deliberation, discussion, consultation); or a meeting held for that purpose (council, meeting); or a suggestion as to what someone should do (advice); or a definite idea of what to do (plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision); or yet again a general ability to know what to do (judgment, discernment, intelligence). The English word counsel captures a large part of cōnsilium’s range of meanings; but as we’ve just seen and will see again in the illustrations, many other words can be used to translate cōnsilium depending on context, and those words are sometimes more usual and or more natural in a given situation.
Counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation.
Quisergointereratvestrisconsiliis? —Cicero, In Defense of Sulla 12
Translation
So who took part in your deliberations?
Details
Quis
/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Ergō
(particle): therefore, so, then. Intererat
is the third person singular imperfect form of intersum, interesse, interfuī, interfutūrus (irreg.): to be between or among; take part in (with dative); constitute a difference; (impersonal) to matter, make a difference. Vestrīs
is the m/f/n dative plural form of vester/vestra/vestrum (1/2): your, yours (with reference to a plural
you). Cōnsiliīs
is the dative plural form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence.
Council, meeting.
Consiliumdimisit. —Quintus Curtius, Histories of Alexander 8.8.20
Translation
He dismissed the meeting.
Details
Cōnsilium
is the accusative singular form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence. Dīmīsit
is the third person singular perfect form of dīmittō, dīmittere, dīmīsī, dīmissum (3): to send away, let go, dismiss, release.
Philosophia, philosophiae (1f): philosophy. Bonus/bona/
bonum
(1/2): good. Cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence. Est: is.
Consiliumnemoclaredat. —Seneca, Epistles 38.1
Translation
No one can give advice at the top of his lungs.
More literally: No one gives advice loudly.
Details
Cōnsilium
is the accusative singular form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence. Nēmō, nēminis (3m): no one. Clārē
(adv.): loudly, out loud; clearly; with distinction. Dat
is the third person singular form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give.
More literally: That one gives noble and upright counsels.
Details
(He’s talking about the god who dwells in every good person.)
Ille
/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it. Dat
is the third person singular form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Cōnsilia
is the accusative plural form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence. Magnifica
is the neuter accusative plural form of magnificus/magnifica/magnificum (1/2): magnificent, splendid, noble, excellent; sumptuous, luxurious; proud, boastful. Et
(conj.): and. Ērēcta
is the neuter accusative form of ērēctus/ērēcta/ērēctum (1/2): upright, erect; confident; noble, aspiring—originally the perfect passive participle (having been raised) of ērigō, ērigere, ērēxī, ērēctum (3): to raise, erect.
More literally: Bad is the plan that can’t be changed.
Details
Malus/mala/
malum
(1/2): bad; evil. Est: is. Cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence. Quī/quae/
quod
(rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Mūtārī
is the passive infinitive form of mūtō, mūtāre, mūtāvī, mūtātum (1): to change. Nōn: not. Potest
is the third person singular form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can.
Factaeteventusautconsiliisuntautimprudentiae. —Cicero, On the Classification of Rhetoric 38
Translation
Actions and their outcomes are either intentional or unintentional.
More literally: Actions and outcomes are either of intention or of inadvertency.
Details
Facta
is the nominative plural form of factum, factī (2n): deed, action, act; event, occurrence; fact. Et
(conj.): and. Ēventūs
is the nominative plural form of ēventus, ēventūs (4m): outcome, result; event, occurrence. Aut
(conj.): or (aut. . . aut: either. . . or). Cōnsilium, cōnsiliī
(2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence. Sunt: (they) are. Aut
(conj.): or. Imprūdentia, imprūdentiae
(1f): ignorance; inadvertency, the fact of doing something by accident; imprudence.
Vēlōx
is the neuter accusative singular form of vēlōx, vēlōcis (3, adj.): quick, fast, swift. Cōnsilium
is the accusative singular form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence. Sequitur
is the third person singular form of sequor, sequī, secūtus sum (3, deponent): to follow. Poenitentia, poenitentiae (1f—more often
paenitentia): regret (for one’s actions).
The wise man considers the intention behind every action rather than its outcome.
More literally: The wise man looks at the intention of all things, not at the outcome.
Details
Cōnsilium
is the accusative singular form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence. Rērum
is the genitive plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; act, action, deed; event; circumstance; property. Omnium
is the m/f/n genitive plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Sapiēns, sapientis (3m): wise man, sage. Nōn: not. Exitum
is the accusative singular form of exitus, exitūs (4m): the act of going out; way out; conclusion, end; outcome, result. Spectat
is the third person singular form of spectō, spectāre, spectāvī, spectātum (1): to watch, look at; consider; aim at; pertain to, be about, have to do with.
Sapienterhaecreliquistisiconsilio, felicitersicasu. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 7.28.3
Translation
If calculation made you leave, you are a sensible man; if chance, a lucky one.
More literally: You left these wisely if on purpose, luckily if by accident.
Details
Sapienter
(adv.): wisely. Haec
is the neuter accusative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it (these things/matters). Relīquistī
is the second person singular perfect form of relinquō, relinquere, relīquī, relictum (3): to leave, leave behind, relinquish, abandon; leave out, omit; ignore, disregard. Sī
(conj.): if. Cōnsiliō
is the ablative singular form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence. Fēlīciter
(adv.): with good fortune, luckily, fortunately; successfully. Cāsū
is the ablative singular form of cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; accident; misfortune.
Haecegononeoconsiliodisputo, uthomineseruditosredarguam. —Cicero, On the Orator 2.138
Translation
I don’t treat these matters in order to contradict accomplished people.
More literally: . . . with this intention that I may prove learned men wrong.
Details
Haec
is the neuter accusative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it (these things/matters). Ego: I. Nōn: not. Eō
is the m/n ablative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that; it can sometimes simply be translated as
the. Cōnsiliō
is the ablative singular form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence. Disputō, disputāre, disputāvī, disputātum (1): to argue a point, debate, discuss, dispute. Ut
(conj. , with subjunctive): that, so that. Hominēs
is the accusative plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human, person. Ērudītōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of ērudītus/ērudīta/ērudītum (1/2): learned, erudite. Redarguam
is the first person singular subjunctive form of redarguō, redarguere, redarguī, — (3): to prove wrong, refute.
Our own wishes are mutually incompatible, our own plans clash with one another.
More literally: Our wishes clash with (our) wishes, (our) plans with (our) plans.
Details
Pugnant
is the third person plural form of pugnō, pugnāre, pugnāvī, pugnātum (1) to fight; be contradictory, be incompatible, clash. Vōta
is the nominative plural form of vōtum, vōtī (2n) vow; wish; Nostra
is the neuter nominative plural form of noster/nostra/nostrum (1/2): our, ours. Cum
(prep.): with (takes the ablative). Vōtīs
is the ablative plural form of vōtum, vōtī (2n) vow; wish; . Cōnsilia
is the nominative plural form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence. Cōnsiliīs
is the ablative plural form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n).
Counsel, judgment, discernment, intelligence.
Eodemlocotibisitquisquisconsiliocaret. —Seneca, On Anger 3.27.2
Translation
You should have the same attitude toward people who lack discernment.
More literally: Let whoever lacks discernment be in the same position for you.
Details
(If you don’t get made at animals because lack of discernment means it make no sense to get mad at them, then you should apply the same rule to humans who lack discernment.)
Eōdem
is the m/n ablative singular form of īdem/eadem/idem (adj.): the same. Locō
is the ablative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place, position. Tibi
is the dative form of tū: you. Sit
is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (a jussive subjunctive). Quisquis
/quidquid (rel. pron. , the neuter form is also spelled
quidquid): whoever, whatever. Cōnsiliō
is the ablative singular form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence. Caret
is the third person singular form of careō, carēre, caruī, caritum (2): to lack, not have, be without (usually takes an ablative object).
Cōnsilium capere (or inīre) means to take counsel, hold a consultation, form a plan, or take a decision.
ConsiliumcapiuntutadservosM. Tulliveniant. —Cicero, In Defense of Tullius 34
Translation
They form the plan to go to Marcus Tullius’slaves.
More literally: They take a plan that they will come to Marcus Tullius’s slaves.
Details
Cōnsilium
is the accusative singular form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence. Capiunt
is the third person plural form of capiō, capere, cēpī, captum (3, –iō): to take, seize, capture (it’s in the historical present). Ut
(conj. , with subjunctive): that, so that. Ad
(prep.): to (takes the accusative). Servōs
is the accusative plural form of servus, servī (2m): slave. M.
is short for the name Mārcus, Mārcī (2m; here it would be genitive, Mārcī). Tullī
is the m/n (here m) genitive singular form of the family name Tullius/Tullia/Tullium (1/2). Veniant
is the third person plural subjunctive form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.
Occidendisuiconsiliuminissemeviderivult. —Livy, History of Rome 40.12.13
Translation
He wants me to look as if I had plotted to kill him.
More literally: He wants me to seem to have formed a plan of killing him (of him-to-be-killed).
Details
Occīdendī
is the m/n genitive singular form of occīdendus/occīdenda/occīdendum (1/2), the gerundive of occīdō, occīdere, occīdī, occīsum (3): to kill. Suī: of him(self)—the genitive form of the reflexive pronoun. Cōnsilium
is the accusative singular form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): counsel, deliberation, discussion, consultation; council, meeting; counsel, advice (or piece of advice); counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision; counsel, (capacity or exercise of) judgment, discernment, intelligence. Inīsse
is the perfct infinitive form of ineō, inīre, iniī, initum (irreg.): to go into, enter; enter upon, begin; form (a plan). Mē
is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Vidērī
is the passive infinitive form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see; (in the passive) seem. Vult
is the third person singular form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish.
Cōnsilium, cōnsiliī is not to be confused with concilium, conciliī (2n): assembly, meeting, gathering, council; band, company. Cōnsilium is the source of English counsel; concilium is the source of English council.
HaecinconcilioAetolorumacta. —Livy, History of Rome 31.32.5
Translation
That is what occurred in the council of the Aetolians.
More literally: These things were done in the council of the Aetolians.
Details
Haec
is the neuter nominative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it (these things). In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Conciliō
is the ablative singular form of concilium, conciliī (2n): assembly, meeting, gathering, council; band, company. Aetōlōrum
is the m/n (here m) genitive plural form of Aetōlus/Aetōla/Aetōlum (1/2): Aetolian (of Aetolia, a region of Greece). Ācta
(sunt) is the neuter nominative plural form of āctus/ācta/āctum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, set in motion; do, perform, achieve, transact, manage, conduct, deal with; act, behave; spend (time or life); discuss, talk (about); plead (sunt
is implied; ācta sunt
is the third person neuter plural perfect passive form).
Deus, deī
Deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. This noun has the label irreg. because of its nominative/vocative plural and dative/ablative plural forms. The nominative/vocative plural is often dī or diī, and the dative/ablative plural is often dīs or diīs. The more regular forms deī and deīs also exist but are just a little less common.
Deoparerelibertasest. —Seneca, On the Happy Life 15.7
Translation
To obey God is freedom.
Details
Deō
is the dative singular form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Pāreō, pārēre, pāruī, pāritum (2): to submit (to), obey, comply (with) (takes a dative object). Lībertās, lībertātis (3f): freedom, liberty. Est: is.
Multadixitdemagnitudinedeorum. —Seneca, The Pumpkinification of Claudius 9.3
Translation
He said many things about the greatness of the gods.
Details
Multa
is the neuter accusative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Dīxit
is the third person singular perfect form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say. Dē
(prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Magnitūdine
is the ablative singular form of magnitūdō, magnitūdinis (3f): size, greatness, magnitude. Deōrum
is the genitive plural form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god.
Quidrogastelumdeos? —Anonymous, Hercules on Mount Oeta 855
Translation
Why do you ask the gods for a missile?
Details
Quid
(interrog. adv.): what for? why? Rogās
is the second person singular form of rogō, rogāre, rogāvī, rogātum (1): to ask (it can take a double accusative). Tēlum
is the accusative singular form of tēlum, tēlī (2n): spear; missile weapon; weapon. Deōs
is the accusative plural form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god.
Diboni! —common exclamation (occurring for instance in Cicero, In Defense of Milo, 59)
Translation
Good gods!
Details
Dī
is the vocative plural form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Bonī
is the masculine vocative plural form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good.
Diimmortales! —common exclamation (occurring for instance in Cicero, In Defense of Sextus Roscius Amerinus, 37)
Translation
Immortal gods!
Details
Dī
is the vocative plural form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Immortālēs
is the m/f vocative plural form of immortālis/immortālis/immortāle (3): immortal.
The genitive plural form of deus sometimes ends – um instead of – ōrum. This pattern isn’t unique to deus, but deus is one of the words where it occurs most often. – um is an older ending sometimes used by poets for the sake of meter, and also found in a few other contexts, such as the following.
Prodeumhominumquefidem! —an exclamation used several times by Cicero, for example at In Defense of Quintus Roscius the Comedian 23
Translation
For heaven’s sake! (And similar renderings.)
More literally: Oh (I implore) the faith of gods and men!
Details
Prō
(interjection): expresses grief, disapproval, exasperation, etc. : oh! ah! alas! and the like, usually followed by a phrase (prō
is often a preposition meaning
instead of, for, etc. —but not here). Deum
is an older genitive plural form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Hominumque
is the genitive plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being (the enclitic conjunction –
que
adds
and). Fidem
is the accusative singular form of fidēs, fideī (5f): trust; faith; honesty; honor; credit; credence; loyalty; promise; protection.
Deus has no vocative singular form in regular use. In the Vulgate Bible and other Christian texts, the nominative form is used as a vocative.
Misereremei, Deus, secundummagnammisericordiamtuam. —Psalm 50:3 (Vulg.); 51:1 (most English versions)
Translation
Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness. (KJV)
More literally: . . . to your great compassion.
Details
Miserēre
is the singular passive imperative form of misereō, miserēre, miseruī (or impers. miseritum est) (2): (impersonal) something causes someone to feel pity or sympathy, one feels pity or sympathy; (personal, rare) to pity; (in the passive) feel pity for, have mercy on (with genitive). Meī
is the genitive form of ego: I (of/on me). Deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god (nominative used instead of the missing vocative). Secundum
(prep.): along; next to; following, after; according to (takes the accusative). Magnam
is the feminine accusative singular form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Misericordiam
is the accusative singular form of misericordia, misericordiae (1f): mercy; compassion, lovingkindness. Tuam
is the feminine accusative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours (or, in archaic English: thy, thine).
When the nominative form used in this vocative way is modified by an adjective, usage varies as to which case (nominative or vocative) the adjective goes in.
Note the feminine equivalent of deus: dea, deae (1f): goddess.
Dideaequevobismultabonadent. —Plautus, The Little Carthaginian 667
Translation
May the gods and goddesses give you many blessings.
Details
Dī
is the nominative plural form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Deaeque
is the nominative plural form of dea, deae (1f): goddess (the enclitic conjunction –
que
adds
and). Vōbīs
is the dative form of vōs: you (pl.). Multa
is the neuter accusative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Bona
is the accusative plural form of bonum, bonī (2n): a good thing, a good, a blessing, a boon. Dent
is the third person plural subjunctive form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give (subjunctive because it’s a wish).
When a masculine second-declension noun like deus has a feminine first-declension counterpart like dea, the dative/ablative plural form of the feminine version often ends – ābus instead of – īs to differentiate it from the masculine. So for example ā dīs/ diīs/deīs = from the gods (probably meaning deities of both genders, but it could also refer specifically to male deities); ā deābus = from the goddesses (only female deities).
Exemplum, exemplī
Exemplum, exemplī (2n): example, instance; sample, specimen; a warning example, exemplary punishment, a “lesson” to others; precedent; parallel; pattern; manner; copy. You won’t go very wrong if you think of exemplum as meaning mostly just example while keeping in mind that other translations are possible depending on context. A specimen is a concrete example of a type of person or thing; a pattern is an example to follow or reproduce; a precedent is an example of something happening before; a parallel is an example of a similar thing.
ExemplumEpicurireferam. —Seneca, Epistles 21.3
Translation
I’ll mention the example of Epicurus.
Details
Exemplum
is the accusative singular form of exemplum, exemplī (2n): example, instance; sample, specimen; a warning example, exemplary punishment, a “lesson” to others; precedent; parallel; pattern; manner; copy. Epicūrus, Epicūrī
(2m): Epicurus. Referam
is the first person singular future form of referō, referre, rettulī, relātum (3, irreg.): to bring back; give back, return; report, register, record; mention, recount, relate.
Sedcontentusnostraedomusexemplisero. —Seneca, Consolation to Polybius 15.2
Translation
But I shall be content with examples from my own family.
More literally: But I will be content with examples of our family.
Details
Sed
(conj.): but. Contentus
/contenta/contentum (1/2): content, satisfied. Nostrae
is the feminine genitive singular form of noster/nostra/nostrum (1/2): our, ours. Domus, domūs
(2/4f): house, home; household; family. Exemplīs
is the ablative plural form of exemplum, exemplī (2n): example, instance; sample, specimen; a warning example, exemplary punishment, a “lesson” to others; precedent; parallel; pattern; manner; copy. Erō
is the first person singular future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Vivimusadexempla. —Seneca, Epistles 123.6
Translation
We live according to a pattern.
More literally: We live according to patterns/examples.
Details
(. . . and are led astray by convention). Vīvimus
is the first person plural form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live. Ad
(prep.): to, toward; according to (takes accusative). Exempla
is the accusative plural form of exemplum, exemplī (2n): example, instance; sample, specimen; a warning example, exemplary punishment, a “lesson” to others; precedent; parallel; pattern; manner; copy.
Alienisperimusexemplis. —Seneca, On the Happy Life 1.4
Translation
It is the example of other people that is our undoing.
More literally: We are destroyed by the examples of others.
Details
Aliēnīs
is the m/f/n ablative plural form of aliēnus/aliēna/aliēnum (1/2): belonging to another or others, not one’s own; alien, foreign, unfamiliar; irrelevant, unsuitable. Perīmus
is the first person plural form of pereō, perīre, periī, peritum (irreg.): to disappear; be destroyed, perish, die. Exemplīs
is the ablative plural form of exemplum, exemplī (2n): example, instance; sample, specimen; a warning example, exemplary punishment, a “lesson” to others; precedent; parallel; pattern; manner; copy.
Adexemplumsemodestiaetuaeformaverat. —Seneca, Consolation to Polybius 3.2
Translation
He had modeled himself on the pattern of your restraint.
Details
Ad
(prep.): to, toward; according to (takes accusative). Exemplum
is the accusative singular form of exemplum, exemplī (2n): example, instance; sample, specimen; a warning example, exemplary punishment, a “lesson” to others; precedent; parallel; pattern; manner; copy. Sē: himself—the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Modestiae, modestiae
(1f): restraint; respect for decency, modesty. Tuae
is the feminine genitive singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Fōrmāverat
is the third person singular pluperfect form of fōrmō, fōrmāre, fōrmāvī, fōrmātum (1): to mold, shape, form, fashion, model.
Nullumcaruitexemplonefas. —Seneca, Phaedra 554
Translation
No crime was left uncommitted.
More literally: No crime lacked an example.
Details
Nūllus/nūlla/
nūllum
(1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Caruit
is the third person singular perfect form of careō, carēre, caruī, caritum (2): to lack, not have, be without (usually takes an ablative object). Exemplō
is the ablative singular form of exemplum, exemplī (2n): example, instance; sample, specimen; a warning example, exemplary punishment, a “lesson” to others; precedent; parallel; pattern; manner; copy. Nefās
(n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here nom.): sacrilege; a sacrilegious or heinous act, crime.
Suntetaliaingeniieiusexempla. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 35.74
Translation
There are also other examples of his talent.
Details
(Talking about a painter and his works.)
Sunt: there are. Et
(adv.): also. Alia
is the neuter nominative plural form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another; different. Ingenium, ingeniī
(2n): innate character, nature; talent, genius; intellect. Eius
is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Exempla
is the nominative plural form of exemplum, exemplī (2n): example, instance; sample, specimen; a warning example, exemplary punishment, a “lesson” to others; precedent; parallel; pattern; manner; copy.
Inquemexemplafient? —Terence, The Eunuch 948
Translation
Who’s going to be punished?
More literally: Who will be made an example of?
Most literally: Against whom will examples (exemplary punishments) be made?
Details
In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into; toward; for; against. Quem
is the masculine accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Exempla
is the nominative plural form of exemplum, exemplī (2n): example, instance; sample, specimen; a warning example, exemplary punishment, a “lesson” to others; precedent; parallel; pattern; manner; copy. Fīent
is the third person plural future form of fīō, fierī, —, — (irreg.): to be done; be made: happen; come into being; become.
Quodesthuiuscereiius, quaeconsuetudo, quodexemplum? —Cicero, Against Verres 2.5.76
Translation
What legitimacy, what custom, what precedent is there for this?
More literally: What right, what custom, what precedent is there of this thing?
Details
Quī/quae/
quod
(interrog. adj. or pron.): which? what? Est: is. Huiusce
is the m/f/n genitive singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.) (the enclitic particle –
ce
adds emphasis to a demonstrative word). Rēs, reī
(5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; deed; event; circumstance; property. Iūs, iūris (3n): right; law. Quī/
quae
/quod (interrog. adj. or pron.): which? what? Est: is. Cōnsuētūdō, cōnsuētūdinis (3f): custom, habit. Exemplum, exemplī (2n): example, instance; sample, specimen; a warning example, exemplary punishment, a “lesson” to others; precedent; parallel; pattern; manner; copy.
More literally: I’m being tormented in all manners.
Details
Omnibus
is the m/f/n ablative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Exemplīs
is the ablative plural form of exemplum, exemplī (2n): example, instance; sample, specimen; a warning example, exemplary punishment, a “lesson” to others; precedent; parallel; pattern; manner; copy. Excrucior
is the first person singular passive form of excruciō, excruciāre, excruciāvī, excruciātum (1): to torture, torment.
Misiadteexemplumepistulae. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 15.26.2
Translation
I’ve sent you a copy of the letter.
Details
Mittō, mittere, mīsī, missum (3): to send. Ad
(prep.): to, toward (takes the accusative). Tē
is the accusative form of tū: you. Exemplum
is the accusative singular form of exemplum, exemplī (2n): example, instance; sample, specimen; a warning example, exemplary punishment, a “lesson” to others; precedent; parallel; pattern; manner; copy. Epistula, epistulae
(1f): letter.
Note the expression exemplī grātiā, meaning for the sake of an example or more simply for example. It’s often used in English in the abbreviated form e. g. Exemplī causā means the same thing.
Also note a word similar to exemplum: exemplar, exemplāris (3n): example; pattern, model; copy. This word is less common than exemplum and usually emphasizes the aspect of imitation: exemplar tends to mean an example to be imitated (or else a copy). Exemplum can be that too, but its use is broader.
Exemplarboniviriposuit. —Seneca, Epistles 93.8
Translation
He has provided an example of a good man.
Details
(And so can die in peace.)
Exemplar
is the accusative singular form of exemplar, exemplāris (3n): example; pattern, model; copy. Bonī
is the m/n genitive singular form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Vir, virī
(2m): man. Posuit
is the third person singular perfect form of pōnō, pōnere, posuī, positum (3): to put, place, set; set up, erect; put down, lay down; set before one, supply, provide.
Fastīdium, fastīdiī
Fastīdium, fastīdiī (2n): aversion to food, lack of appetite; squeamishness; fastidiousness (the the quality of being difficult to please); weariness (the fact of having had enough of something); disgust, aversion; disdain; haughtiness, pride.
Aversion to food, lack of appetite.
Stomachofastidium
auferunt. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 19.127
Translation
They relieve the stomach of distaste for food.
They remove aversion for the stomach.
Details
(All kinds of lettuce.)
Stomachō
is the dative singular form of stomachus, stomachī (2m): stomach; displeasure, vexation. Fastīdium
is the accusative singular form of fastīdium, fastīdiī (2n): lack of appetite; squeamishness; fastidiousness (the quality of being difficult to please); weariness (the fact of having had enough of something); disgust, aversion; disdain; haughtiness, pride. Auferunt
is the third person plural form of auferō, auferre, abstulī, ablātum (3, irreg.): to take away (from = often dative). %they remove%
Squeamishness; fastidiousness (the quality of being difficult to please); weariness (the fact of having had enough of something); disgust, aversion; disdain.
But who can endure fastidiousness in the midst of poverty?
Details
Quis
/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Autem
(particle): on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover; for my, your, his, etc. part. Ferat
is the third person singular subjunctive form of ferō, ferre, tulī, lātum (3, irreg.): to carry, bear; endure (a potential subjunctive). In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.): into. Egestāte
is the ablative singular form of egestās, egestātis (3f): indigence, poverty. Fastīdium
is the accusative singular form of fastīdium, fastīdiī (2n): lack of appetite; squeamishness; fastidiousness (the quality of being difficult to please); weariness (the fact of having had enough of something); disgust, aversion; disdain; haughtiness, pride.
Nullaestvoluptasquaenonadsiduitatefastidiumpariat. —Pliny, Natural History 12.81
Translation
There is no pleasure that does not engender disgust with constant repetition.
Details
Nūllus/
nūlla
/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Est: there is. Voluptās, voluptātis (3f): pleasure, delight. Quī/
quae
/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Nōn: not. Adsiduitāte
is the ablative singular form of adsiduitās, adsiduitātis (3f—also
assiduitās): constant presence; diligence, assiduity; constant repetition, frequency, recurrence, persistency. Fastīdium
is the accusative singular form of fastīdium, fastīdiī (2n): lack of appetite; squeamishness; fastidiousness (the quality of being difficult to please); weariness (the fact of having had enough of something); disgust, aversion; disdain; haughtiness, pride. Pariat
is the third person singular subjunctive form of pariō, parere, peperī, partum (3, –iō): to give birth to; cause, engender, beget; get, acquire (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of characteristic).
Hicconcupivitquodillifastidiofuit. —Seneca, Consolation to Helvia 7.10
Translation
What one scorned, the other coveted.
More literally: This one conceived a desire for what to that one was for (i.e., a source of) weariness/aversion/disdain.
Details
(He’s talking about how throughout history peoples have left their own countries to settle elsewhere.)
Hic
/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it; the one (with
ille = the other). Concupīvit
is the third person singular perfect form of concupīscō, concupīscere, concupīvī/concupiī, concupītum (3): to covet, desire ardently; conceive a strong desire for. Quī/quae/
quod
(rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Illī
is the m/f/n dative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it; the other. Fastīdiō
is the dative singular form of fastīdium, fastīdiī (2n): lack of appetite; squeamishness; fastidiousness (the quality of being difficult to please); weariness (the fact of having had enough of something); disgust, aversion; disdain; haughtiness, pride (illī fastīdiō
is a double-dative construction). Fuit
is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
(The belly—venter, ventris (3m).)
Sine
(prep.): without (takes the ablative). Fastīdiō
is the ablative singular form of fastīdium, fastīdiī (2n): lack of appetite; squeamishness; fastidiousness (the quality of being difficult to please); weariness (the fact of having had enough of something); disgust, aversion; disdain; haughtiness, pride. Implendus
/implenda/implendum (1/2) is the gerundive of impleō, implēre, implēvī, implētum (2): to fill; fulfill; carry out (completely). Est: it is.
A generally disdainful attitude: haughtiness, pride.
Itaqueefferunturferefastidioetcontumacia. —Cicero, On Friendship 54
Translation
So they are usually carried away by haughtiness and arrogance.
Details
(People whom fortune as favored.)
Itaque
(adv.): (and) so, therefore. Efferuntur
is the third person plural passive form of efferō, efferre, extulī, ēlātum (3, irreg.): to bring out; lift, raise; (of an emotion or sim.) transport, carry away. Ferē
(adv. —also
fermē): roughly, about, approximately; nearly, almost, virtually; usually, in general. Fastīdiō
is the ablative singular form of fastīdium, fastīdiī (2n): lack of appetite; squeamishness; fastidiousness (the quality of being difficult to please); weariness (the fact of having had enough of something); disgust, aversion; disdain; haughtiness, pride. Et
(conj.): and. Contumāciā
is the ablative singular form of contumācia, contumāciae (1f): stubbornness, obstinacy; arrogance; contumacy, disobedience to authority.
Confusion warning. But fastīdium, fastīdiī is not to be confused with fastīgium, fastīgiī (2n): sharp point, tip, apex; slope; pointed roof; top, peak, summit; height.
Fastigiotuoadfixuses. —Seneca, On Mercy 1.8.3
Translation
You are fastened to your summit.
Details
(You can’t climb down; addressing Nero on his status as emperor.)
Fastīgiō
is the dative singular form of fastīgium, fastīgiī (2n): sharp point, tip, apex; slope; pointed roof; top, peak, summit; height. Tuō
is the m/n dative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Adfīxus
/adfīxa/adfīxum (1/2) is the perfect passive participle (fastened) of adfīgō, adfīgere, adfīxī, adfīxum (3—also
affīgō): to nail, fix, fasten, attach. Es: you are.
Fātum, fātī
Fātum, fātī (2n): prophetic utterance; decree of fate or of the gods; fate, destiny; doom, death, destruction. This is a substantive use of fātus/fāta/fātum (1/2), the perfect participle of for, fārī, fātus sum (1, deponent): to speak, say, tell. Being from a deponent verb, the perfect participle is usually active in meaning (having spoken) but when used like a noun it’s passive: having been spoken; hence that which has been spoken as a decree, decided once and for all.
Fātum can mean a prophetic utterance. Thus Cicero uses the expression fāta Sibyllīna in a couple of places (Against Catiline 3.9 and 3.11) to refer to the Sibylline prophecies (prophecies spoken by the Sibyl).
More generally, fātum means that which has been decreed by fate or by the gods. Sometimes it’s explicitly attributed to a god or gods:
Cease to dream that heaven’s decrees may be turned aside by prayer.
More literally: Cease to hope the decrees of the gods to be bent by praying.
Details
Dēsine
is the singular imperative form of dēsinō, dēsinere, dēsiī/dēsīvī, dēsitum (3): to stop, cease. Fāta
is the accusative plural form of fātum, fātī (2n): prophetic utterance; decree of fate or of the gods; fate, destiny; doom, death, destruction. Deum
is an alternative genitive plural form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Flectī
is the passive infinitive form of flectō, flectere, flexī, flexum (3): to bend; deflect; change; avert. Spērō, spērāre, spērāvī, spērātum (1): to hope (for). Precandō
is the ablative gerund of precor, precārī, precātus sum (1, deponent): to pray; beg.
But more usually it just means fate or destiny without being explicitly attributed to a source.
(Chicago:) What use is philosophy to me if there is fate?
Details
Quid
is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (pron.): who? what? (neuter accusative singular used adverbially: in what respect? to what extent? how? why? what for)? Mihi
is the dative form of ego: I (to me). Prōdest
is the third person singular form of prōsum, prōdesse, prōfuī, prōfutūrus (irreg.): to benefit, be useful, be helpful, avail (takes the dative). Philosophia, philosophiae (1f): philosophy. Sī
(conj.): if. Fātum, fātī (2n): prophetic utterance; decree of fate or of the gods; fate, destiny; doom, death, destruction. Est: (there) is, exists.
Praeberesefato. —Seneca, On Providence 5.8
Translation
(What, then, is the part of a good man?) To offer himself to Fate.
Details
Praebeō, praebēre, praebuī, praebitum (2): to put forward, present, offer; provide, supply; show, display, exhibit; cause, produce; make (so and so), render, cause to be (a certain way). Sē: himself—the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Fātō
is the dative singular form of fātum, fātī (2n): prophetic utterance; decree of fate or of the gods; fate, destiny; doom, death, destruction.
Aguntopussuumfata. —Seneca, Consolation to Marcia 21.7
Translation
The fates ply their work.
(Chicago:) The fates are doing their job.
Details
Agunt
is the third person plural form of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, set in motion; do, perform, carry out, deal with; act. Opus
is the accusative singular form of opus, operis (3n): work. Suum: their (own)—the m/n accusative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Fāta
is the nominative plural form of fātum, fātī (2n): prophetic utterance; decree of fate or of the gods; fate, destiny; doom, death, destruction.
Sedfuitinfatishocquoque, credo, meis. —Ovid, Letters from the Sea 1.7.56
Translation
But that too was part of my fate, I believe.
More literally: But this too was in my fate(s). . .
Details
Sed
(conj.): but. Fuit
is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Fātīs
is the ablative plural form of fātum, fātī (2n): prophetic utterance; decree of fate or of the gods; fate, destiny; doom, death, destruction. Hic/haec/
hoc
(pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Quoque
(adv.): too, as well. Crēdō, crēdere, crēdidī, crēditum (3): to entrust; lend (money); trust; believe. Meīs
is the m/f/n ablative plural form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine.
More literally: Death has been decided: the type of death is asked about.
Details
Dēcrēta
(est) is the third person feminine singular perfect passive form of dēcernō, dēcernere, dēcrēvī, dēcrētum (2): to decide, determine, decree. Mors, mortis (3f): death. Est: (see
dēcrēta
above). #(see
decreta)%
Quaeritur
is the third person singular passive form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to seek; ask (for/about). Fātum, fātī
(2n): prophetic utterance; decree of fate or of the gods; fate, destiny; doom, death, destruction. Genus, generis (3n): kind, type, sort; race; descent.
He’s rushing toward the murder of his poor mother.
More literally: . . . into the fate(s)/doom/death of. . .
Details
Ruit
is the third person singular form of ruō, ruere, ruī, ruitūrus (3): to fall, collapse; rush (it could be the perfect tense but given the context it’s probably a historical present). In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into; toward. Miserae
is the feminine genitive singular form of miser/misera/miserum (1/2): wretched, unfortunate. Fāta
is the accusative plural form of fātum, fātī (2n): prophetic utterance; decree of fate or of the gods; fate, destiny; doom, death, destruction. Parēns, parentis
(3m/f) parent (singular forms can be translated as
father
when masculine and
mother
when feminine).
As we’ve seen in a couple of illustrations, plural forms of fātum are sometimes used where the singular is more natural in English. Plural forms of fātum occur especially often (but not only) in poetry.
Gaudium, gaudiī
Gaudium, gaudiī (2n): joy.
Exibitgaudiumquodintravit. —Seneca, Epistles 98.1
Translation
The joy which entered from without will some day depart.
More literally: Joy that has entered will go out.
Details
Exībit
is the third person singular future form of exeō, exīre, exīvī/exiī, exitum (irreg.): to go out, exit, depart (from inside a place). Gaudium, gaudiī (2n): joy. Quī/quae/
quod
(rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Intrāvit
is the third person singular perfect form of intrō, intrāre, intrāvī, intrātum (1): to enter, go into, go or come in; penetrate, pierce.
Sapiēns, sapientis (3m): wise man, sage. Ille
/illa/illud (adj.): that. Plēnus
/plēna/plēnum (1/2): full (of = ablative or genitive). Est: is. Gaudiō
is the ablative singular form of gaudium, gaudiī (2n): joy.
Malogaudiatemperarequamdolorescompescere. —Seneca, On the Happy Life 25.3
Translation
I prefer to temper my joys rather than stifle my sorrows.
Details
(Words of a sage.)
Mālō, mālle, māluī, — (irreg.): to prefer. Gaudia
is the accusative plural form of gaudium, gaudiī (2n): joy. Temperō, temperāre, temperāvī, termperātum (1): to restrain, temper, moderate; behave with moderation. Quam
(adv.): than. Dolōrēs
is the accusative plural form of dolor, dolōris (3m): pain; sorrow. Compescō, compescere, compescuī, — (3): to suppress, stifle, restrain.
Imperium, imperiī
Imperium, imperiī (2n—also inperium): (supreme) power, authority, rule, sway, command, dominion, or a position involving such power (often a military command); command, order; empire.
Power, authority, rule, sway, command, dominion; especially political power or the authority of a general over the army; but it’s also used in other contexts where someone is seen to hold supreme power or authority. Sometimes imperium also means a position or office that involves such power.
Eiquoqueenimprorogatumimperiumest. —Livy, History of Rome 27.22.9
Translation
He too got a prorogation of his power.
More literally: For power was prolonged for him too.
Details
Eī
is the m/f/n dative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Quoque
(adv.): too, as well. Enim
(particle): for, indeed. Prōrogātum
(est) is the third person neuter singular perfect passive form of prōrogō, prōrogāre, prōrogāvī, prōrogātum (1): to prolong, extend; put off, postpone. Imperium, imperiī (2n): (supreme) power, authority, rule, sway, command, dominion, or a position involving such power (often a military command); command, order; empire. Est: (see
prōrogātum
above).
Solushicdetrectabatimperium. —Quintus Curtius, Histories of Alexander 10.10.3
Translation
He alone was refusing to submit to their rule.
Details
Sōlus
/sōla/sōlum (1/2, irreg.): alone; sole, only. Hic
/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Dētrectābat
is the third person singular imperfect form of dētrectō, dētrectāre, dētrectāvī, dētrectātum (1—also
dētractō): to refuse to undertake, refuse to submit to (something), decline, evade; disparage. Imperium
is the accusative singular form of imperium, imperiī (2n): (supreme) power, authority, rule, sway, command, dominion, or a position involving such power (often a military command); command, order; empire.
(As when you accept a favor and lose your liberty for it; derived from Plautus.)
Argentum
is the accusative singular form of argentum, argentī (2n): silver; money. Accipiō, accipere, accēpī, acceptum (3, –iō): to take, receive, accept. Imperium
is the accusative singular form of imperium, imperiī (2n): (supreme) power, authority, rule, sway, command, dominion, or a position involving such power (often a military command); command, order; empire. Vēndō, vēndere, vēndidī, vēnditum (3): to sell.
Neinuniusimperiumresrecidatadmonemur. —Cicero, On the Responses of the Haruspices 54
Translation
We are being warned not to let the republic fall under the sway of a single man.
More literally: We are being warned lest the republic fall into. . .
Details
Nē
(conj. , with subjunctive): lest, that not. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Ūnīus
is the m/f/n (here m) genitive singular form of ūnus/ūna/ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one. Imperium
is the accusative singular form of imperium, imperiī (2n): (supreme) power, authority, rule, sway, command, dominion, or a position involving such power (often a military command); command, order; empire. Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; event; circumstance; property; interest; affairs of state, body politic, republic. Recidat
is the third person singular subjunctive form of recidō, recidere, recidī, — (3, also
reccidō): to fall back; fall, pass (into a status, someone’s possession, etc.). Admonēmur
is the first person plural passive form of admoneō, admonēre, admonuī, admonitum (2): to remind; advise; warn.
IscumimperioinSiciliampraemittitur. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 7.15.2
Translation
He is being sent ahead to Sicily with military authority.
Details
Is
/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Cum
(prep.): with (takes the ablative). Imperiō
is the ablative singular form of imperium, imperiī (2n): (supreme) power, authority, rule, sway, command, dominion, or a position involving such power (often a military command); command, order; empire. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into, to. Siciliam
is the accusative singular form of Sicilia, Siciliae (1f): Sicily. Praemittitur
is the third person singular passive form of praemittō, praemittere, praemīsī, praemissum (3): to send ahead.
Geranthabeantquesuomodoimperia. —Sallust, Fragments of the Histories Macr.
Translation
Let them conduct and hold military commands in what way they please.
More literally: . . . in their own way.
Details
Gerant
is the third person plural subjunctive form of gerō, gerere, gessī, gestum (3): to bear, carry; carry on, transact, conduct, do, accomplish; wage (war). Habeantque
is the third person plural subjunctive form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have; hold (the enclitic conjunction –
que
adds
and). Suō: (in) their (own)—the m/n ablative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Modō
is the ablative singular form of modus, modī (2m): measure; limit; way, manner. Imperia
is the accusative plural form of imperium, imperiī (2n): (supreme) power, authority, rule, sway, command, dominion, or a position involving such power (often a military command); command, order; empire. (The verbs are subjunctive because they’re commands.)
More literally: If progress/a benefit is made by command, also by advice.
Details
Sī
(conj.): if. Imperiō
is the ablative singular form of imperium, imperiī (2n): (supreme) power, authority, rule, sway, command, dominion, or a position involving such power (often a military command); command, order; empire. Prōficitur
is the third person singular passive form of prōficiō, prōficere, prōfēcī, prōfectum (3, –iō): to advance, progress; achieve something; profit; benefit (used here in the impersonal passive). Et
(adv.): also; even. Admonitiōne
is the ablative singular form of admonitiō, admonitiōnis (3f): reminder; advice; warning; instruction.
Nonomnibusimperiispatrisparendumest. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 1.1.8
Translation
Not all the orders of a father ought to be obeyed.
More literally: It is not to be complied (i.e., one ought not to comply) with all the orders of a father.
Details
Nōn: not. Omnibus
is the m/f/n dative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Imperiīs
is the dative plural form of imperium, imperiī (2n): (supreme) power, authority, rule, sway, command, dominion, or a position involving such power (often a military command); command, order; empire. Pater, patris
(3m): father. Pārendum
is the gerundive of pāreō, pārēre, pāruī, pāritum (2): to submit (to), obey, comply (with) (takes a dative object) (pārendum est
is an impersonal passive periphrastic construction). Est: it is.
Laetusimperiaexcipit. —Seneca, The Mad Hercules 42
Translation
He receives the orders gladly.
Details
Laetus
/laeta/laetum (1/2): (of plants) flourishing, luxuriant; (of soil) fertile; joyous, cheerful, glad, happy. Imperia
is the accusative plural form of imperium, imperiī (2n): (supreme) power, authority, rule, sway, command, dominion, or a position involving such power (often a military command); command, order; empire. Excipit
is the third person singular form of excipiō, excipere, excēpī, exceptum (3, –iō): to take out; exclude, except; receive; sustain; catch, intercept.
Empire.
Abeotummaximefinibusimperiipellebatur. —Valerius, Memorable Deeds and Sayings 2.10.2
Translation
At that very moment he was being expelled by that man from the bounds of the empire.
Details
Ab
/ā (prep.): from; by (takes the ablative). Eō
is the m/n ablative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Tum
(adv.): then, at that time, at that moment. Maximē
(adv.): most; very much (tum maximē = just then, precisely then, at that very moment). Fīnibus
is the ablative plural form of fīnis, fīnis (3m): end; limit, bound, boundary; (in pl.) territory. Imperium, imperiī
(2n): (supreme) power, authority, rule, sway, command, dominion, or a position involving such power (often a military command); command, order; empire. Pellēbātur
is the third person singular imperfect passive form of pellō, pellere, pepulī, pulsum (3): to push; strike, beat; drive away, expel.
Ita
(adv.): thus, so, this/that way. Ingenium, ingeniī (2n): natural disposition, innate character, nature, temperament; mental powers, intellect, mind; talent; cleverness, ingenuity. Meumst
is a contraction of
meum est.
Fitmagnamutatioloci, noningeni. —Cicero, In Defense of Quinctius 12
Translation
There was a great change of location, but not of character.
Details
Fit
is the third person singular form of fīō, fierī, —, — (irreg.): to be done; be made; happen; come into being; become (it’s in the historical present). Magnus/
magna
/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Mūtātiō, mūtātiōnis (3f): change. Locus, locī
(2m): place, location. Nōn: not. Ingenium, ingenī
(or
ingeniī) (2n): natural disposition, innate character, nature, temperament; mental powers, intellect, mind; talent; cleverness, ingenuity.
Nōscō, nōscere, nōvī, nōtum (3): (in present-stem forms) to get to know; (in perfect-stem forms, translated as present) know. Ego: I. Ingenium
is the accusative singular form of ingenium, ingeniī (2n): natural disposition, innate character, nature, temperament; mental powers, intellect, mind; talent; cleverness, ingenuity. Vir, virī
(2m): man; husband. Indocile
is the neuter accusative singular form of indocilis/indocilis/indocile (3): difficult or impossible to teach; stubborn; uninstructed, ignorant.
Mental powers, intellect, mind.
Alitlectioingenium. —Seneca, Epistles 84.1
Translation
Reading feeds the intellect.
Details
Alit
is the third person singular form of alō, alere, aluī, altum/alitum (3): to feed, nourish. Lēctiō, lēctiōnis (3f): reading. Ingenium
is the accusative singular form of ingenium, ingeniī (2n): natural disposition, innate character, nature, temperament; mental powers, intellect, mind; talent; cleverness, ingenuity.
Hebetienimingenioest. —Cicero, Philippics 10.17
Translation
For he is of a dull intellect.
Details
Hebetī
is the m/f/n ablative singular form of hebes, hebetis (3, adj.): blunt; dull; dim; sluggish, inert; dull-witted, stupid. Enim
(particle): for, indeed. Ingeniō
is the ablative singular form of ingenium, ingeniī (2n): natural disposition, innate character, nature, temperament; mental powers, intellect, mind; talent; cleverness, ingenuity. Est: he is.
Talent; cleverness, ingenuity.
Timanthivelplurimumadfuitingenii. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 35.73
Translation
Timanthes perhaps had the most talent.
More literally: Perhaps the largest amount of talent was present for Timanthes.
Details
Tīmanthī
is the dative singular form of Tīmanthēs, Tīmanthis (3m): the name of a Greek painter who lived in the 5th and 4th centuries bc. Vel
(adv.): even; perhaps, possibly. Plūrimus/plūrima/
plūrimum
(1/2): most; very much, very many (neuter used substantively to mean
a very great deal, a very large amount, or
the largest amount). Adfuit
is the third person singular perfect form of adsum, adesse, adfuī, adfutūrus (irreg.): to be there, be present. Ingenium, ingeniī
(2n): natural disposition, innate character, nature, temperament; mental powers, intellect, mind; talent; cleverness, ingenuity.
More literally: What that had of cleverness, what of spirit!
Details
(Speaking of a manuscript—liber, librī (2m).)
Quid
is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Ingenium, ingeniī
(2n): natural disposition, innate character, nature, temperament; mental powers, intellect, mind; talent; cleverness, ingenuity. Iste
/ista/istud (pron.): that (of yours); he, she, it. Habuit
is the third person singular perfect form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Animus, animī
(2m): mind, soul, spirit.
Ingenioestopus. —Seneca, Trojan Women 618
Translation
I need ingenuity.
More literally: There is a need for ingenuity.
Details
Ingeniō
is the ablative singular form of ingenium, ingeniī (2n): natural disposition, innate character, nature, temperament; mental powers, intellect, mind; talent; cleverness, ingenuity. Est: there is. Opus, operis (3n): work; need (often with ablative of the thing needed).
Locus, locī
Locus, locī (2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject. Though masculine in the singular, locus is often neuter in the plural (with nom. /acc. pl. loca). But in the senses passage (of literature) and topic, subject, it’s usually masculine also in the plural.
The basic meaning of locus is place. From there, translations can vary depending on context. Among the variations closest to the basic meaning are spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something or some purpose). The meaning can be literal (e. g. , the place where you’re sitting now) or figurative (e. g. , your social position). The meaning room (for something or some purpose) also leads to the sense opportunity.
HaudproculaGadibusislocusabest. —Livy, History of Rome 28.37.1
Translation
That place is not far from Gades.
Details
Haud
(adv.): not. Procul
(adv.): far (away); in the distance; from a distance. Ab/
ā
(prep.): from; by (takes the ablative). Gādibus
is the ablative form of Gādēs, Gādium (3f, plural only): a town in Spain, modern-day Cadiz. Is
/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Locus, locī (2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject. Abest
is the third person singular form of absum, abesse, āfuī, āfutūrus (irreg.): to be away, be absent, be distant.
Sedlocumvirtushabetinterastra. —Anonymous, Hercules on Mount Oeta 1564
Translation
But valor has its place among the stars.
Details
Sed
(conj.): but. Locum
is the accusative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject. Virtūs, virtūtis (3f): virtue, moral excellence; courage, valor. Habet
is the third person singular form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Inter
(prep.): among; between (takes the accusative). Astra
is the accusative plural form of astrum, astrī (2n): star.
(Chicago:) That’s why I’m going to leave this place.
Details
(It was noisy.)
Itaque
(adv.): (and) so, therefore, that is why. Ego: I. Ex
/ē (prep.): from, out of (takes ablative). Hōc
is the m/n ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Locō
is the ablative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject. Migrābō
is the first person singular future form of migrō, migrāre, migrāvī, migrātum (1): to migrate, move, change residence.
Eccelatratugravilocamutaterret. —Seneca, The Mad Hercules 793-4
Translation
Behold, he terrorized the silent places with his deep barking.
Details
(Cerberus.)
Ecce
(interjection): behold! look! see! Lātrātū
is the ablative singular form of lātrātus, lātrātūs (4m): barking. Gravī
is the m/f/n ablative singular form of gravis/gravis/grave (3): heavy; grave, serious; hard, troublesome, painful, grievous, severe; (of a sound) low, deep. Loca
is the accusative plural form of locus, locī (2m, but often n in the plural): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject. Mūta
is the neuter accusative plural form of mūtus/mūta/mūtum (1/2): mute; silent. Terret
is the third person singular form of terreō, terrēre, terruī, territum (2): to terrify, terrorize (it’s in the historical present).
ExcandescithoclocoClaudius. —Seneca, The Pumpkinification of Claudius 6.2
Translation
At this point Claudius flared up.
Details
Excandēscit
is the third person singular form of excandēscō, excandēscere, excanduī, — (3): to catch fire; flare up, burst into a rage (it’s in the historical present). Hōc
is the m/n ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Locō
is the ablative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject. Claudius
/Claudia/Claudium (1/2): a Roman family name, here of the emperor Claudius.
Fortunabellisemperancipitiinlocoest. —Seneca, Phoenician Women 629
Translation
The fortune of war is always in an uncertain position.
Details
Fortūna, fortūnae (1f): fortune, chance, luck. Bellum, bellī
(2n): war. Semper
(adv.): always. Ancipitī
is the m/f/n ablative singular form of anceps, ancipitis (3, adj.): facing in two opposite directions; twofold, double; wavering, undecided; ambiguous; doubtful; hazardous. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Locō
is the ablative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject. Est: is.
In truth, those people are as good as dead to my mind.
More literally: In truth, those are in the position of dead men (men having died) to me.
Details
Istī
is the masculine nominative plural form of iste/ista/istud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it. Vērō
(particle): truly, in truth, indeed; but, however, on the other hand; for my, your, his, etc. part. Mihi
is the dative form of ego: I (to me). Dēfūnctōrum
is the m/n (here m) genitive plural form of dēfūnctus/dēfūncta/dēfūnctum (1/2), the perfect active participle of dēfungor, dēfungī, dēfūnctus sum (3, deponent): to bring (a matter) to an end, be done with (takes the ablative); die, pass away. Locō
is the ablative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject. Sunt: (they) are.
Namibinatus estloconobili. —Cicero, In Defense of Archias 4
Translation
For he was born there into a distinguished family.
More literally: For he was born there in a distinguished position.
Details
Nam
(particle): for, because. Ibi
(adv.): there. Nātus est
is the third person masculine singular perfect form of nāscor, nāscī, nātus sum (3, deponent): to be born. Locō
is the ablative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject. Nōbilī
is the m/f/n ablative singular form of nōbilis/nōbilis/nōbile (3): well-known, famous, renowned, celebrated, distinguished, illustrious; noble.
Nonmultumlocihabet. —Seneca, On the Happy Life 7.4
Translation
It doesn’t have much room.
Details
(Talking about pleasure.)
Nōn: not. Multum
is the accusative form of multum, multī (2n): a large amount, much. Locus, locī
(2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject. Habet
is the third person singular form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.
Nonestiamlenitatilocus. —Cicero, Against Catiline 2.6
Translation
There is no longer any place for clemency.
Details
Nōn: not. Est: there is. Iam
(adv.): already; now; soon; with a negative word (such as
nōn), it can mean
no longer
or
not anymore. Lēnitātī
is the dative singular form of lēnitās, lēnitātis (3f): lenity, mildness, clemency. Locus, locī (2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject.
More literally: There can never not be a place for courage.
Details
Numquam
(adv.): never. Potest
is the third person singular form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. Nōn: not. Esse: to be. Virtūtī
is the dative singular form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): virtue, moral excellence; courage, valor. Locus, locī (2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject.
Nullumlocumpraetermittomonendi, agendi, providendi. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 9.24.4
Translation
I neglect no occasion to advise, to act, to take precautions.
Details
Nūllum
is the m/n accusative singular form of nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Locum
is the accusative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject. Praetermittō, praetermittere, praetermīsī, praetermissum (3): to leave out, omit, neglect, pass over, overlook, miss, let slip. Monendī
is the genitive gerund of moneō, monēre, monuī, monitum (2): to advise, recommend, urge; warn. Agendī
is the genitive gerund of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, put in motion; do, perform, conduct, deal with; act; plead. Prōvidendī
is the genitive gerund of prōvideō, prōvidēre, prōvīdī, prōvīsum (2): to foresee; exercise forethough, take precautions, provide for a future situation.
Other meanings include passage (i.e., a place in a book, speech, etc.), topic, subject, theme and division of a subject.
Namestnotuslocus. —Quintilian, The Orator’s Education 6.3.40
Translation
For it is a well-known passage.
Details
Nam
(particle): for, because. Est: it is
Nōtus
/nōta/nōtum (1/2): known, familiar; noted, well-known—originally the perfect passive participle of nōscō, nōscere, nōvī, nōtum (3): (in present-stem forms) to get to know; (in perfect-stem forms) know (perfect forms are translated as present, pluperfect forms as imperfect, future perfect forms as future simple). Locus, locī (2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject.
We have transcribed here the entire passage from Piso’s book of annals.
More literally: We have transferred that entire passage from Piso’s book of annals to this place.
Details
Locum
is the accusative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject. Istum
is the masculine accusative singular form of iste/ista/istud (adj.): that, this. Tōtum
is the m/n accusative singular form of tōtus/tōta/tōtum (1/2, irreg.): whole, entire. Hūc
(adv.): here (with motion), to this place. Ex
/ē (prep.): from, out of (takes the ablative). Pīsō, Pīsōnis
(3m). Annālī
is the ablative singular form of annālis, annālis (3m): a book of annals (a substantive use of annālis/annālis/annāle (3): annual; recording events year by year—the substantive use is masculine because the noun
liber, librī
(2m, meaning
book) is implied). Trānsposuimus
is the first person plural (used for the singular) perfect form of trānspōnō, trānspōnere, trānsposuī, trānspositum (3): to move (something) across from one place to another, transfer.
Sitiamhuiuslocifinis. —Cicero, On Duties 3.115
Translation
Let this be the conclusion of this topic.
More literally: Let there now be an end of this topic.
Details
Sit
is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s jussive). Iam
(adv.): already; now; soon. Huius
is the m/f/n genitive singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Locus, locī
(2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject. Fīnis, fīnis (3m): end; limit; purpose.
He should be familiar with and experienced in treating all the themes of philosophy.
More literally: Let him have all the themes of philosophy known and handled.
Details
Habeat
is the third person singular subjunctive form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have (a jussive subjunctive). Omnīs
is the m/f accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Philosophia, philosophiae
(1f): philosophy. Nōtōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of nōtus/nōta/nōtum (1/2): known—the perfect passive participle of nōscō, nōscere, nōvī, nōtum (3): (in present-stem forms) to get to know; (in perfect-stem forms) know (perfect forms are translated as present, pluperfect forms as imperfect, future perfect forms as future simple). Atque/
ac
(conj.): and. Tractātōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of tractātus/tractāta/tractātum (1/2): examined, studied, dealt with—the perfect passive participle of tractō, tractāre, tractāvī, tractātum (1): to handle; deal with, treat; examine, study, consider. Locōs
is the accusative plural form of locus, locī
(2m): place, spot, point (in space or time), position, location, locality; room (for something, for some purpose); opportunity; passage (of literature, or of a speech); topic, subject, theme; division of a subject.
Modus, modī
Modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort; (often in pl.) rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody.
Measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent.
Agrireliquiteinonmagnummodum. —Plautus, The Pot of Gold 13
Translation
He left him a small measure of land.
More literally: He left him a measure of land not large.
Details
Ager, agrī
(2m): land, field. Relīquit
is the third person singular perfect form of relinquō, relinquere, relīquī, relictum (3): to leave (behind), relinquish, abandon; leave as an inheritance, bequeath. Eī
is the m/f/n dative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Nōn: not. Magnum
is the m/n accusative singular form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Modum
is the accusative singular form of modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort.
Dabitmihiconsiliumpromissaereimodus. —Seneca, On Benefits 4.36.1
Translation
The magnitude of the thing promised will guide my decision.
More literally: The size of the promised thing will give me advice.
Details
(About whether to make good on his promise to someone who he thought was a good man but later discovered was a bad one.)
Dabit
is the third person singular future form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Mihi
is the dative form of ego: I (to me). Cōnsilium
is the accusative singular form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): deliberation; advice; plan. Prōmissae
is the feminine genitive singular form of prōmissus/prōmissa/prōmissum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of prōmittō, prōmittere, prōmīsī, prōmissum (3): to let (the hair or beard) grow long; promise. Rēs, reī
(5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; circumstance; property. Modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort; (often in pl.) rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody.
Proper measure; moderation; limit, bound.
Hicmihimodusplacet. —Seneca, Epistles 5.5
Translation
This is the mean of which I approve.
More literally: This measure is pleasing to me.
Details
Hic
/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Mihi
is the dative singular form of ego: I (to me). Modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort; (often in pl.) rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody. Placet
is the third person singular form of placeō, placēre, placuī, placitum (2): to please, meet with approval, be pleasing to (takes a dative object).
Nonservamusmodumrerum. —Seneca, Epistles 13.13
Translation
We don’t keep the proper measure of things.
Details
Nōn: not. Servāmus
is the first person plural form of servō, servāre, servāvī, servātum (1): to observe; keep; save. Modum
is the accusative singular form of modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something. Rērum
is the genitive plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; circumstance; property.
More literally: Not greed, not cruelty know a limit.
Details
Nōn: not. Avāritia, avāritiae (1f): greed. Crūdēlitās, crūdēlitātis (3f): cruelty. Modum
is the accusative singular form of modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort; (often in pl.) rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody. Nōvit
is the third person singular perfect form of nōscō, nōscere, nōvī, nōtum (3): (in present-stem forms) to get to know; (in perfect stem forms) to know (perfect forms translate with the present tense of English know).
Adficiordolore, nectamensupramodumdoleo. —Pliny the Younger, Letters 4.21.2
Translation
I am stricken with grief, and yet my grief is not excessive.
More literally: I am affected with grief, and yet I do not grieve beyond proper measure.
Details
(He means the tragedy is so great that the magnitude of his grief is entirely justified.)
Adficior
is the first person singular passive form of adficiō, adficere, adfēcī, adfectum (3, –iō; also
afficiō): to do something to, cause (acc.) to experience (abl.), affect, visit (acc.) with (abl.), bestow (abl.) upon (acc.). Dolōre
is the ablative singular form of dolor, dolōris (3m): pain; grief, sorrow. Neque/
nec: (as conj.) and not, nor; (as adv.) neither, not either, not even. Tamen
(adv.): nevertheless, yet. Suprā
(prep.): above; beyond (takes the accusative). Modum
is the accusative singular form of modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort. Doleō, dolēre, doluī, dolitum (2): to feel pain, suffer; grieve.
Estdolendimodus, nonesttimendi. —Pliny the Younger, Letters 8.17.6
Translation
There is a limit to grieving; there is none to fearing.
Details
Est: there is. Dolendī
is the genitive gerund of doleō, dolēre, doluī, dolitum (2): to feel pain, suffer; grieve. Modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort; (often in pl.) rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody. Nōn: not. Timendī
is the genitive gerund of timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to fear, be afraid.
Manner, method, way of doing or arranging something.
Alterponendimodushicfuit: —Seneca, Epistles 86.19
Translation
The other method of planting was this:
Details
Alter
/altera/alterum (1/2, irreg.): the other, another; the second, a second; one (of two). Pōnendī
is the genitive gerund of pōnō, pōnere, posuī, positum (3): to put, place, set; set up, erect; put down, lay down; plant. Modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort; (often in pl.) rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody. Hic
/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Fuit
is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Pavimentaadhuncmodumfacito: —Cato, On Agriculture 18.7
Translation
Make the pavements in this manner:
Details
Pavīmenta
is the accusative plural form of pavīmentum, pavīmentī (2n): pavement. Ad
(prep.): to; according to, in (a manner). Hunc
is the masculine accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Modum
is the accusative singular form of modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort; (often in pl.) rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody. Facitō
is the singular future imperative form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
Let that man be dressed up properly in foreign fashion.
More literally: Let that man be adorned properly in a foreign manner.
Details
Is
/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Homō, hominis (3m): man, human being. Exōrnētur
is the third person singular passive subjunctive form of exōrnō, exōrnāre, exōrnāvī, exōrnātum (1): to equip; adorn; enhance; honor, distinguish (a jussive subjunctive). Graphicē
(adv.): perfectly, properly, thoroughly; vividly, graphically. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into; according to; in some special contexts (where some kind of motion, literal or figurative, is implied)
in
+ acc. can also be translated as
in, as when the meaning is
in
a particular manner. Peregrīnum
is the m/n accusative singular form of peregrīnus/peregrīna/peregrīnum (1/2): foreign. Modum
is the accusative singular form of modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something.
Aliudaliomodofragileest. —Seneca, Consolation to Polybius 1.1
Translation
Each thing is fragile in its own way.
More literally: A different thing is fragile in a different way.
Details
Alius/alia/
aliud
(1/2, irreg.): other, another; different. Aliō
is the m/n ablative singular form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another; different. Modō
is the ablative singular form of modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort; (often in pl.) rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody. Fragilis/fragilis/
fragile
(3): liable to break, easily destroyed, fragile, frail, brittle. Est: is.
Seminismodospargendasunt. —Seneca, Epistles 38.2
Translation
They should be scattered like seeds.
More literally: They are to be scattered in the manner of seed.
Details
(Talking about words—verbum, verbī (2n).) Sēmen, sēminis
(3n): seed. Modō
is the ablative singular form of modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort; (often in pl.) rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody. Spargenda
is the neuter nominative plural form of spargendus/spargenda/spargendum (1/2), the gerundive of spargō, spargere, sparsī, sparsum (3): to sprinkle, scatter. Sunt: they are (spargenda sunt
is the passive periphrastic: they are to be scattered, they must be scattered).
(He’s talking about a type of lightning.)
Tribus
is the ablative form of trēs/trēs/tria (3): three. Modīs
is the ablative plural form of modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort; (often in pl.) rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody. Ūrit
is the third person singular form of ūrō, ūrere, ussī, ustum (3): to burn (transitively; i.e., to cause an object to burn or inflict burns on an object).
Kind, sort —often in the genitive singular along with a demonstrative, relative or interrogative adjective to mean of this kind, of what kind, etc.
Cuiusmodihihomineserunt? —Plautus, The Brothers Menaechmus 221
Translation
What kind of people will those be?
More literally: People of what kind will these be?
Details
Cuius
is the m/f/n genitive singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Modus, modī
(2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort; (often in pl.) rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody. Hī
is the masculine nominative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this (these). Hominēs
is the nominative plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being. Erunt
is the third person plural future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Cornelioeiusmodinihilobiectum est. —Cicero, Against Vatinius 5
Translation
Cornelius wasn’t charged with anything of the sort.
More literally: Nothing of that sort was brought up as a charge against Cornelius.
Details
Cornēliō
is the m/n (here m) dative singular form of the family name Cornēlius/Cornēlia/Cornēlium (1/2). Eius
is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Modus, modī
(2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort; (often in pl.) rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody. Nihil
(n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here nom.): nothing. Obiectum est
is the third person neuter singular perfect passive form of obiciō, obicere, obiēcī, obiectum (3, –iō): to throw (to), throw in the way; expose; throw against, bring up as a charge (against someone in the dative).
Such expressions are sometimes written as one word: cuiusmodī, eiusmodī, huiusmodī, etc.
Rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody (referring to music or poetry). These meanings are often conveyed by plural forms (but not if you mean a single note; and there are other exceptions).
You show me what notes are apt to make tears flow.
Details
Mōnstrās
is the second person singular form of mōnstrō, mōnstrāre, mōnstrāvī, mōnstrātum (1): to show. Mihi
is the dative form of ego: I (to me). Quī
is the masculine nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj. or pron.): which? what? Sint
is the third person plural subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Modī
is the nominative plural form of modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort; (often in pl.) rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody. Flēbilēs
is the m/f nominative plural form of flēbilis/flēbilis/flēbile (3): related to weeping; causing one to weep; lamentable; plaintive; piteous; tearful.
Let the sacrificial reed pipe pour out its sweet melodies.
Details
Sacrificus/
sacrifica
/sacrificum (1/2): that performs priestly functions; associated with religious sacrifices, sacrificial. Dulcēs
is the m/f accusative plural form of dulcis/dulcis/dulce (3): sweet. Tībia, tībiae (1f): reed pipe; shin bone, tibia. Effundat
is the third person singular subjunctive form of effundō, effundere, effūdī, effūsum (3): to pour out, pour forth, shed, discharge (a jussive subjunctive). Modōs
is the accusative plural form of modus, modī (2m): measured amount, quantity, measure; size, extent; proper measure; moderation; limit, bound; manner, method, way of doing or arranging something; kind, sort; (often in pl.) rhythmic measure, beat, meter, note(s), tune, melody.
Quō modō, meaning in what way, is often turned into one word, quōmodo, which has its own entry. Also see the entry on quemadmodum(quem ad modum), of similar meaning. The singular ablative form modō also gave birth to the adverb modo meanings just, only. This too has its own entry.
Oculus, oculī
Oculus, oculī (2m): eye. Sometimes it means the organ literally, at other times it’s used to mean sight. It’s also used in some idiomatic expressions that refer to thinking constantly about someone/something or holding someone/something dear. The last two illustrations will show examples of such idioms.
Observanturoculitui. —Seneca, Consolation to Polybius 6.1
Translation
They watch your eyes!
More literally: Your eyes are watched.
Details
Observantur
is the third person plural passive form of observō, observāre, observāvī, observātum (1): to watch, observe. Oculī
is the nominative plural form of oculus, oculī (2m): eye. Tuī
is the masculine nominative plural form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours.
Nemooculissuislautusest. —Seneca, Epistles 94.70
Translation
No one makes himself elegant only for his own beholding.
More literally: No one is luxurious for his own eyes.
Details
Nēmō, nēminis (3m): no man, no one, nobody. Oculīs
is the dative plural form of oculus, oculī (2m): eye. Suīs: (for) his (own)—the m/f/n dative plural form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Lautus
/lauta/lautum (1/2): washed, clean; neat, fine, smart, elegant; luxurious, sumptuous—originally the perfect passive participle of lavō, lavāre/lavere, lāvī, lavātum/lautum (1/3): to wash. Est: is.
Quiamisitoculos, tamenvidit. —Seneca, On Benefits 6.2.2
Translation
A person who has gone blind still has seen.
More literally: He who has lost eyes (or sight) still has seen.
Details
(A favor can be stopped but never annulled.)
Quī
/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Āmīsit
is the third person singular perfect form of āmittō, āmittere, āmīsī, āmissum (3): to let go of; lose. Oculōs
is the accusative plural form of oculus, oculī (2m): eye. Tamen
(adv.): nevertheless, yet, still. Vīdit
is the third person singular perfect form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see.
More literally: And each of two is already being taken away from the eyes.
Details
Iamque
(adv.): already; now; soon (the enclitic conjunction –
que
adds
and). Ex
/ē (prep.): from, out of (takes the ablative). Oculīs
is the ablative plural form of oculus, oculī (2m): eye. Aufertur
is the third person singular passive form of auferō, auferre, abstulī, ablātum (3, irreg.): to carry off, take away (it’s in the historical present). Uterque
/utraque/utrumque (1/2, irreg.): each of two, either; often translated less literally as
both.
“But,” you say, “it is a nuisance to be looking death in the face!”
More literally: “It’s vexing,” you say, “to have death before one’s eyes.”
Details
Molestus/molesta/
molestum
(1/2): troublesome, vexing, annoying. Est: it is. Inquis
is the second person singular form of inquam (irreg. and defective): to say. Mortem
is the accusative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Ante
(prep.): before; in front of (takes the accusative). Oculōs
is the accusative plural form of oculus, oculī (2m): eye (ante oculōs habēre = to have before one’s mind’s eye, to keep in mind, think about, contemplate, etc.). Habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.
Itaquepublicanisinoculissumus. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 6.2.5
Translation
So the tax collectors love me.
More literally: And so we are in the eyes for the publicans.
Details
Itaque
(adv.): (and) so, therefore. Pūblicānīs
is the dative plural form of pūblicānus, pūblicānī (2m): a contractor for public works; tax collector, publican. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Oculīs
is the ablative plural form of oculus, oculī (2m): eye (in oculīs alicui esse = to be constantly in someone’s thoughts, be dear to someone). Sumus: we are (first person plural used for the first person singular).
Quorundamotiumoccupatumest. —Seneca, On the Shortness of Life 12.2
Translation
The leisure of some men is engrossed.
Details
(By silly activities that take up all their time.)
Quōrundam
is the m/n genitive plural form of quīdam/quaedam/quiddam (pron.): a certain one, someone, something; (in pl.) some people, some things. Ōtium, ōtiī (2n): leisure, freedom from business, free time; rest; inactivity, idleness; peace, tranquility. Occupātus/occupāta/
occupātum
(1/2): busy, occupied, engrossed—originally the perfect passive participle of occupō, occupāre, occupāvī, occupātum (1): to seize, take possession of; occupy. Est: is.
Nonhabentistiotium, sedinersnegotium. —Seneca, On the Shortness of Life 12.4
Translation
These have not leisure, but idle occupation.
Details
Nōn: not. Habent
is the third person plural form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Istī
is the masculine nominative plural form of iste/ista/istud (pron.): that (one), this (one); he, she, it (those/these). Ōtium
is the accusative singular form of ōtium, ōtiī (2n): leisure, freedom from business, free time; rest; inactivity, idleness; peace, tranquility. Sed
(conj.): but. Iners
is the neuter accusative singular form of iners, inertis (3, adj.): unskilled; lazy, idle, inactive. Negōtium
is the accusative singular form of negōtium, negōtiī (2n): occupation, business (it’s the negation of
ōtium
—i.e., the absence of leisure).
Quidinotiofacio? —Seneca, Epistles 68.8
Translation
What am I doing with my leisure?
Details
Quid
is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? In
(prep.): (with abl.): in; (with acc.) into. Ōtiō
is the ablative singular form of ōtium, ōtiī (2n): leisure, freedom from business, free time; rest; inactivity, idleness; peace, tranquility. Faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
Otiumnonest. —Plautus, The Merchant 374
Translation
There’s no time.
Details
Ōtium, ōtiī (2n): leisure, freedom from business, free time; rest; inactivity, idleness; peace, tranquility. Nōn: not. Est: there is.
Scribendiotiumnonerat. —Cicero, On Duties 2.4
Translation
I didn’t have the leisure to write.
More literally: There wasn’t leisure of writing.
Details
Scrībendī
is the genitive gerund of scrībō, scrībere, scrīpsī, scrīptum (3): to write. Ōtium, ōtiī (2n): leisure, freedom from business, free time; rest; inactivity, idleness; peace, tranquility. Nōn: not. Erat
is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Tempusdieiinotioconsumebatur. —Anonymous, The African War 78.3
Translation
The daytime was spent in idleness.
Details
Tempus, temporis (3n): time. Diēs, diēī
(5m/f): day. In
(prep.): (with abl.): in; (with acc.) into. Ōtiō
is the ablative singular form of ōtium, ōtiī (2n): leisure, freedom from business, free time; rest; inactivity, idleness; peace, tranquility. Cōnsūmēbātur
is the third person singular imperfect passive form of cōnsūmō, cōnsūmere, cōnsūmpsī, cōnsūmptum (3): to destroy; consume; use up; spend; waste.
Pacisestinsigneetotitoga. —Cicero, Against Piso 73
Translation
The toga is the symbol of peace and tranquility.
Details
Pāx, pācis
(3f): peace. Est: is. Īnsigne, īnsignis (3n): something worn to show one’s status; badge; mark; symbol, emblem (a substantive use of īnsignis/īnsignis/insigne (3): clearly visible; noteworthy, remarkable; distinguished). Et
(conj.): and. Ōtium, ōtī
(also
ōtiī)(2n): leisure, freedom from business, free time; rest; inactivity, idleness; peace, tranquility. Toga, togae (1f): toga.
InGalliasperamusesseotium. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 2.1.11
Translation
We hope things are peaceful in Gaul.
More literally: We hope there is peace in Gaul.
Details
In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Galliā
is the ablative singular form of Gallia, Galliae (1f): Gaul (the territory corresponding roughly to modern France and Belgium). Spērāmus
is the first person plural form of spērō, spērāre, spērāvī, spērātum (1): to hope. Esse: to be. Ōtium
is the accusative singular form of ōtium, ōtiī (2n): leisure, freedom from business, free time; rest; inactivity, idleness; peace, tranquility (accusative + infinitive construction with
esse).
More literally: The bravery is lost that has to make trial of itself.
Details
Perit
is the third person singular form of pereō, perīre, periī, peritum (irreg.): to become lost; disappear; be destroyed, perish, die. Fortitūdō, fortitūdinis (3f): bravery, courage, fortitude; strength. Quī/
quae
/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Perīculum
is the accusative singular form of perīculum, perīculī (2n): test, trial, experiment; danger, risk, peril. Faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Dēbet
is the third person singular form of dēbeō, dēbēre, dēbuī, dēbitum (2): to owe; ought, should, must, have to. Suī: of itself—the genitive form of the reflexive pronoun.
Danger, risk, peril.
Quammultosepericulovelocitasequirapuit! —Seneca, On Benefits 6.7.3
Translation
How many men have been rescued from peril by the speed of a horse!
More literally: How many has the speed of a horse snatched out of danger!
Details
Quam
(interrog. adv.): how (much)? to what degree? Multōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Ex/
ē
(prep.): out of, from (takes the ablative). Perīculō
is the ablative singular form of perīculum, perīculī (2n): test, trial, experiment; danger, risk, peril. Vēlōcitās, vēlōcitātis (3f): speed, swiftness. Equus, equī
(2m): horse. Rapuit
is the third person singular perfect form of rapiō, rapere, rapuī, raptum (3, –iō): to carry off, snatch.
Maiōra
is the neuter nominative plural form of maior/maior/maius (3): bigger, larger, greater—the comparative form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Mē
is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Perīcula
is the nominative plural form of perīculum, perīculī (2n): test, trial, experiment; danger, risk, peril. Expectant
is the third person plural form of expectō, expectāre, expectāvī, expectātum (1—also
exspectō): to wait (for), await; expect; look forward to.
And we are more exposed to dangers when we turn our backs to them.
More literally: And we are more exposed to dangers turned away.
Details
Magis
(adv.): more. Autem
(particle): on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover. Perīculīs
is the dative plural form of perīculum, perīculī (2n): test, trial, experiment; danger, risk, peril. Patēmus
is the first person plural form of pateō, patēre, patuī, — (2): to be open; be accessible; be exposed; be obvious. Āversī
is the masculine nominative plural form of āversus/āversa/āversum (1/2): turned away; reversed; averse; hostile—originally the perfect passive participle of āvertō, āvertere, āvertī, āversum (3): to turn away or aside, divert, avert.
(Talking about bravery.)
Atquī
(conj.): and yet, still, nevertheless. Perīcula
is the accusative plural form of perīculum, perīculī (2n): test, trial, experiment; danger, risk, peril. Contemnit
is the third person singular form of contemnō, contemnere, contempsī, contemptum (3): to despise, scorn, consider of no importance. Et
(conj.): and. Prōvocat
is the third person singular form of prōvocō, prōvocāre, prōvocāvī, prōvocātum (1): to call forth; challenge; provoke, excite.
A genitive word modifying perīculum can mean a few things. It can denote the person or thing that’s in danger. So Caesaris perīculum, literally Caesar’s danger/risk, means the danger that Caesar is in, or the risk faced by Caesar (also similarly with a possessive adjective: meum perīculum = literally my danger/risk; i.e., the danger I’m in, the risk I’m running). Vītaeperīculum, literally danger of life, means a danger to one’s life. The genitive word can also denote the thing that risks happening. Thus mortis perīculum, literally danger of death, denotes essentially the same thing as vītaeperīculum (it’s a mortal danger in either case). Finally, the genitive can also refer to the thing that causes or contains the danger; e. g. , perīcula silvae = the dangers of the forest.
Interexpositorumpericulanonnumerabamuseducatorem. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 10.4.21
Translation
Among the dangers faced by exposed children, we weren’t counting the man who reared them.
Details
Inter
(prep.): among; between (takes the accusative). Expositōrum
is the m/n (here m) genitive plural form of expositus/exposita/expositum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of expōnō, expōnere, exposuī, expositum (3): to display; expose; set forth, relate, explain (the participle is used substantively here to mean babies “exposed” —i.e., abandoned outside. Perīcula
is the nominative plural form of perīculum, perīculī (2n): danger, risk. #the
dangers%
Nōn: not. Numerābāmus
is the first person singular imperfect form of numerō, numerāre, numerāvī, numerātum (1): to count, reckon. Ēducātōrem
is the accusative singular form of ēducātor, ēducātōris (3m): a man who brings up children, a foster-father.
Depericulosalutisaclibertatisloquor. —Cicero, On the Agrarian Law 1.21
Translation
I am speaking of the danger to our safety and freedom.
More literally: I am speaking of the dangerou of our safety and of our freedom.
Details
Dē
(prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Perīculō
is the ablative singular form of perīculum, perīculī (2n): test, trial, experiment; danger, risk, peril. Salūs, salūtis
(3f): health; well-being, welfare; safety, preservation; salvation. Atque/
ac
(conj.): and. Lībertās, lībertātis
(3f): freedom, liberty. Loquor, loquī, locūtus sum (3, deponent): to speak, talk.
Periculumadfertprimumfuroris, deindeinteritus. —Celsus, On Medicine 2.7.26
Translation
It brings a risk first of delirium, then of death.
Details
Perīculum
is the accusative singular form of perīculum, perīculī (2n): test, trial, experiment; danger, risk, peril. Adfert
is the third person singular form of adferō, adferre, adtulī, adlātum (3, irreg. —also
afferō): to bring. Prīmum
(adv.): first. Furor, furōris
(3m): madness, frenzy, delirium; fury. Deinde
(adv.): next, then, afterward. Interitus, interitūs
(4m): death (esp. violent or untimely); destruction (the fact of being destroyed).
Et
(conj.): and (et. . . et = both. . . and). Mare, maris
(3n): sea. Et
(conj.): and. Terra, terrae
(1f): land; earth. Caeca
is the neuter nominative plural form of caecus/caeca/caecum (1/2): blind; invisible, unseen. Perīcla
is the nominative plural form of perīclum, perīclī (2n—also
perīculum): test, trial, experiment; danger, risk, peril. Latent
is the third person plural form of lateō, latēre, latuī, — (2): to be hidden, hide, lurk.
The ablative perīculō combined with a possessive adjective or genitive word can mean at one’s (my, your, etc.) own risk.
Tuopericulofiet. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 13.25.3
Translation
It will be done at your own risk.
Details
Tuō
is the m/n ablative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours, your own. Perīculō
is the ablative singular form of perīculum, perīculī (2n): test, trial, experiment; danger, risk, peril. Fīet
is the third person singular future form of fīō, fierī, —, — (irreg.): to be done; be made; happen; come into being; become.
Perīculum+ nē + subjunctive means a risk that (something will happen).
At
(conj.): but. Perīculum, perīculī (2n): test, trial, experiment; danger, risk, peril. Est: there is. Nē
(conj. , with subjunctive): lest, that not; (in expressions of fear and risk) that. Opprimāmur
is the first person plural passive subjunctive form of opprimō, opprimere, oppressī, oppressum (3): to press (on/against), squeeze; smother; overwhelm; crush; suppress; catch unawares.
Populus, populī
Populus, populī (2m—rarely poplus): people; nation; general public, populace; a number of people, crowd. The most usual meanings of populus are a particular people or nation (e. g. , the Roman people, the Athenian people, the people of such-and-such country or city); the general public, populace; or the common people, the masses. People in the sense of human beings in general, or a number of them, is more often conveyed by plural forms of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being, person. But populus does occasionally mean a number of people, crowd, as seen in the definition; and the meaning populace isn’t always very distant from people in general.
Populus is a collective noun that, when counted, refers to several groups. So for instance duo populī means two peoples, not two people. Two people would be duo hominēs.
PopuliRomaninomensalutemquedefendite. —Cicero, Against Catiline 4.3
Translation
Defend the name and safety of the Roman people.
Details
Populus, populī
(2m): people; nation; general public, populace; a number of people, crowd. Rōmānī
is the m/n genitive singular form of Rōmānus/Rōmāna/Rōmānum (1/2): Roman. Nōmen
is the accusative singular form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; reputation. Salūtemque
is the accusative singular form of salūs, salūtis (3f): health; well-being, welfare; safety, preservation; salvation (the enclitic conjunction –
que
adds
and). Dēfendite
is the plural imperative form of dēfendō, dēfendere, dēfendī, dēfēnsum (3): to ward off; defend, protect.
OmnesAcarnaniae
populi
indicionemlegativenerunt. —Livy, History of Rome 33.17.15
Translation
All the peoples of Acarnania came under the control of the legate.
Details
Omnēs
is the m/f nominative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Acarnānia, Acarnāniae
(1f): a region of Greece. Populī
is the nominative plural form of populus, populī (2m): people; nation; general public, populace; a number of people, crowd. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Diciōnem
is the accusative singular form of diciō, diciōnis (3f): dominion, sway, power, control, authority. Lēgātus, lēgātī
(2m): envoy, ambassador, deputy, lieutenant, legate. Vēnērunt
is the third person plural perfect form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.
Many thousands of years and many thousands of peoples will come after you.
Details
Multa
is the neuter nominative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Annōrum
is the genitive plural form of annus, annī (2m): year. Mīlia
is the nominative plural form of mīlle: thousand. Populōrum
is the genitive plural form of populus, populī (2m): people; nation; general public, populace; a number of people, crowd. Supervenient
is the third person plural future form of superveniō, supervenīre, supervēnī, superventum (4): to come on top, supervene; come up; follow after; overtake.
Numquam
(adv.): never. Fulmina
is the nominative plural form of fulmen, fulminis (3n): lightning (that strikes), thunderbolt, lightning strike. Populōs
is the accusative plural form of populus, populī (2m): people; nation; general public, populace; a number of people, crowd. Perussērunt
is the third person plural perfect form of perūrō, perūrere, perussī, perustum (3): to burn thoroughly, burn up, consume with fire.
Depopulisapientiadicendumputo. —Cicero, On the Republic 3.24
Translation
I think it better to discuss the wisdom of a people.
More literally: I think (something) to be said about the wisdom of the people.
Details
(Rather than about the wisdom of an individual.)
Dē
(prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Populus, populī
(2m): people; nation; general public, populace; a number of people, crowd. Sapientiā
is the ablative singular form of sapientia, sapientiae (1f): wisdom. Dīcendum
is the m/n (here n) accusative singular form of dīcendus/dīcenda/dīcendum (1/2), the gerundive of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say, speak (the verb
esse
is implied; dīcendum esse
is an impersonal passive periphrastic construction). Putō, putāre, putāvī, putātum (1): to think, consider, regard as.
Populononeratsatisvendibilis. —Cicero, Brutus 264
Translation
He wasn’t marketable enough to the general public.
Details
Populō
is the dative singular form of populus, populī (2m): people; nation; general public, populace; a number of people, crowd. Nōn: not. Erat
is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Satis
(adv.): enough. Vēndibilis
/vēndibilis/vēndibile (3): saleable, marketable; agreeable, popular.
Istehomononestunusepopulo. —Seneca, Epistles 10.3
Translation
That man stands out from the crowd.
More literally: That man isn’t one from the people (he’s different from the common people, or ordinary people).
Details
Iste
/ista/istud (adj.): that, this. Homō, hominis (3m): man, human being. Nōn: not. Est: is. Ūnus
/ūna/ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one. Ex/
ē
(prep.): from, out of (takes the ablative). Populō
is the ablative singular form of populus, populī (2m): people; nation; general public, populace; a number of people, crowd.
Inorestomnipopulo. —Terence, The Brothers 93
Translation
It’s on everyone’s lips.
More literally: It’s in the mouth for all the people.
Details
In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Ōrest
is a contraction of
ōre est; ōre
is the ablative singular form of ōs, ōris (3n): mouth; face (in ōre esse alicui = to be on someone’s lips, be much talked about by someone). Omnī
is the m/f/n dative singular form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all, whole; every. Populō
is the dative singular form of populus, populī (2m): people; nation; general public, populace; a number of people, crowd.
We, a whole people, are defied by one, and he scarcely a man.
We, a crowd, are overcome by one man, and hardly a man!
Details
Populus, populī (2m): people; nation; general public, populace; a number of people, crowd. Superāmur
is the first person plural passive form of superō, superāre, superāvī, superātum (1): to climb over, ascend; overcome, surpass, exceed. Ab
/ā (prep.): from; by (takes the ablative). Ūnō
is the m/n ablative singular form of ūnus/ūna/ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one. Vixque
(adv.): hardly, scarcely, barely; with difficulty (the enclitic conjunction –
que
adds
and). Virō
is the ablative singular form of vir, virī (2m): man.
Praeceptum, praeceptī
Praeceptum, praeceptī (2n): a piece of advice or teaching, precept; order, instruction; rule, principle. A substantive use of praeceptus/praecepta/praeceptum (1/2), the perfect passive participle (having been taught/recommended/enjoined) of praecipiō, praecipere, praecēpī, praeceptum (3, –iō): to take in advance, take first (before others); anticipate; teach, instruct; advise, recommend; enjoin, order. So a praeceptum is something that has been taught, recommended, enjoined, etc.
(Chicago:) But all my instructions can be summed up in this:
More literally: But this is the substance of my advice.
Details
(. . . treat your inferiors as you’d want be treated by your betters.) Hic/
haec
/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Tamen
(adv.): nevertheless, yet, still, however. Praeceptum, praeceptī
(2n): a piece of advice or teaching, precept; order, instruction; rule, principle. Meī
is the m/n genitive singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Summa, summae (1f): the whole (of a thing), sum total, sum; what a thing amounts to, (chief) point, substance, gist. Est: is.
Irapraeceptisfugatur. —Seneca, On Anger 2.2.2
Translation
Anger may be routed by precepts.
Details
Īra, īrae (1f): anger. Praeceptīs
is the ablative plural form of praeceptum, praeceptī (2n): a piece of advice or teaching, precept; order, instruction; rule, principle. Fugātur
is the third person singular passive form of fugō, fugāre, fugāvī, fugātum (1): to chase away, put to flight, rout.
Itaqueobtemperarecogitopraeceptistuis. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 9.25.1
Translation
So I plan to follow your advice.
Details
Itaque
(adv.): (and) so, therefore. Obtemperō, obtemperāre, obtemperāvī, obtemperātum (1): to comply with, obey (takes a dative object). Cōgitō, cōgitāre, cōgitāvī, cōgitātum (1): to think (about), reflect (on); plan, intend. Praeceptīs
is the dative plural form of praeceptum, praeceptī (2n): a piece of advice or teaching, precept; order, instruction; rule, principle. Tuīs
is the m/f/n dative plural form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours.
Continuō
(adv.): immediately, straight away. Māter, mātris
(3f): mother. Praecepta
is the accusative plural form of praeceptum, praeceptī (2n): a piece of advice or teaching, precept; order, instruction; rule, principle. Facessit
is the third person singular form of facessō, facessere, facessīvī/facessiī, facessītum (3): to carry out (orders); go away, be off (it’s in the historical present).
Prōpositum, prōpositī
Prōpositum, prōpositī (2n): something set before one as an intention, objective, object for consideration, etc. ; intention, purpose, objective, plan; chosen mode of conduct or way of life; subject, theme; point; assertion, statement, proposition, premise. This is a substantive use of prōpositus/prōposita/prōpositum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of prōpōnō, prōpōnere, prōposuī, prōpositum (3): to place or set before one; exhibit; post up; hold out, offer, propose; set out, state, explain; set up as one’s intention, purpose, intend. So a prōpositum is something that has been set before one as an objective, theme for discussion, statement to consider, etc.
Tenereuterquepropositumvidebatur. —Caesar, The Civil War 1.83.3
Translation
Each of them seemed to stick to his plan.
Details
Teneō, tenēre, tenuī, tentum (2): to hold; hold to; keep; attain. Uterque
/utraque/utrumque (1/2, irreg.): each of two, either; often translated less literally as
both. Prōpositum
is the accusative singular form of prōpositum, prōpositī (2n): something set before one as an intention, objective, object for consideration, etc. ; intention, purpose, objective, plan; chosen mode of conduct or way of life; subject, theme; point; assertion, statement, proposition, premise. Vidēbātur
is the third person singular passive form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see; (in the passive) seem.
Nihilominuspropositumexecutus est. —Valerius, Memorable Deeds and Sayings 2.7.15
Translation
He nevertheless carried out his purpose.
Details
Nihilō
is the ablative singular form of nihilum, nihilī (2n): nothing, nothingness (nihilō minus
—also written as one word, nihilōminus = nonetheless). Minus
(adv.): less. Prōpositum
is the accusative singular form of prōpositum, prōpositī (2n): something set before one as an intention, objective, object for consideration, etc. ; intention, purpose, objective, plan; chosen mode of conduct or way of life; subject, theme; point; assertion, statement, proposition, premise. Execūtus est
is the third person singular perfect form of exequor, exequī, execūtus sum (3, deponent—also
exsequor): to follow; seek after; pursue, persist in; carry out, execute; enumerate; attain.
Vitasinepropositovagaest. —Seneca, Epistles 95.46
Translation
(Chicago:) Without a goal, life drifts.
More literally: . . . life is wandering.
Details
Vīta, vītae (1f): life. Sine
(prep.): without (takes the ablative). Prōpositō
is the ablative singular form of prōpositum, prōpositī (2n): something set before one as an intention, objective, object for consideration, etc. ; intention, purpose, objective, plan; chosen mode of conduct or way of life; subject, theme; point; assertion, statement, proposition, premise. Vagus/
vaga
/vagum (1/2): wandering; moving at random; erratic. Est: is.
You need to change your goal and your way of life.
More literally: Your objective and type of life must be changed by you.
Details
(. . . if you want to cross the threshold of the Muses.) Mūtandus/mūtanda/
mūtandum
(1/2) is the gerundive of mūtō, mūtāre, mūtāvī, mūtātum (1): to change (tibi mūtandum est = it is to be changed by you, it must be changed by you, you must change it). Tibi
is the dative form of tū: you (to/for/by you—the dative of agent). Prōpositum, prōpositī (2n): something set before one as an intention, objective, object for consideration, etc. ; intention, purpose, objective, plan; chosen mode of conduct or way of life; subject, theme; point; assertion, statement, proposition, premise. Est: is. Et
(conj.): and. Vīta, vītae
(1f): life. Genus, generis (3n): kind, sort, type; race; descent.
Nuncadpropositumrevertamur. —Seneca, Epistles 9.8
Translation
Let us now return to the point.
Details
Nunc
(adv.): now. Ad
(prep.): to (takes the accusative). Prōpositum
is the accusative singular form of prōpositum, prōpositī (2n): something set before one as an intention, objective, object for consideration, etc. ; intention, purpose, objective, plan; chosen mode of conduct or way of life; subject, theme; point; assertion, statement, proposition, premise. Revertāmur
is the first person plural subjunctive form of revertor, revertī, reversus sum (3, deponent): to turn back, return (a hortatory subjunctive).
Eanonpertinetadpraesensmeumpropositum. —Quintilian, The Orator’s Education 9.1.7
Translation
This is not relevant to my present purpose.
Alt. : That does not pertain to my current point.
Details
Is/
ea
/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that (referring to a discussion—disputātiō, disputātiōnis (3f)). Nōn: not. Pertinet
is the third person singular form of pertineō, pertinēre, pertinuī, — (2): to extend (to a certain point in space); pertain, apply, refer, belong, matter (to), aim (at). Ad
(prep.): to (takes the accusative). Praesēns
is the neuter accusative singular form of praesēns, praesentis (3, adj.): present, current. Meum
is the m/n accusative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Prōpositum
is the accusative singular form of prōpositum, prōpositī (2n): something set before one as an intention, objective, object for consideration, etc. ; intention, purpose, objective, plan; chosen mode of conduct or way of life; subject, theme; point; assertion, statement, proposition, premise.
Secondly, they say something that contradicts their own point.
More literally: Then they say a thing contradictory to their own point.
Details
Deinde
(adv.): next, then, afterward (it can introduce the second point in an argument). Contrāriam
is the feminine accusative singular form of contrārius/contrāria/contrārium (1/2): contrary, opposite; opposed; conflicting, contradictory. Rem
is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; circumstance; property. Prōpositō
is the dative singular form of prōpositum, prōpositī (2n): something set before one as an intention, objective, object for consideration, etc. ; intention, purpose, objective, plan; chosen mode of conduct or way of life; subject, theme; point; assertion, statement, proposition, premise. Suō: (to) their (own)—the m/n dative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Dīcunt
is the third person plural form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say.
Testātur
is the third person singular form of testor, testārī, testātus sum (1, deponent): to call to witness; bear witness, attest, testify (to); demonstrate. Hic/
haec
/hoc (adj.): this. Fābella, fabellae (1f): (little) story, tale, fable. Prōpositum
is the accusative singular form of prōpositum, prōpositī (2n): something set before one as an intention, objective, object for consideration, etc. ; intention, purpose, objective, plan; chosen mode of conduct or way of life; subject, theme; point; assertion, statement, proposition, premise. Meum
is the m/n accusative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine.
Compare an example where prōpositum isn’t being used as a noun but in its basic capacity as a participle:
Ambō
/ambae/ambō (irreg.): both. Prōpositum
is the m/n accusative singular form of prōpositus/prōposita/prōpositum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of prōpōnō, prōpōnere, prōposuī, prōpositum (3): to place or set before one; exhibit; post up; hold out, offer, propose; set out, state, explain; set up as one’s intention, purpose, intend. Peragunt
is the third person plural form of peragō, peragere, perēgī, perāctum (3): to carry out, execute; complete, finish. Iter
is the accusative singular form of iter, itineris (3n): journey; route, way.
Puer, puerī
Puer, puerī (2m): boy; child; servant boy, page, young male slave. It mostly means a male child, but plural forms can mean children including both boys and girls; or the singular can mean a child of unknown gender (this is in accordance with the principle of the generic masculine in Latin; i.e., the masculine is used by default for mixed-gender groups and people of unknown gender). Application of puer to a specific female child is very rare. (The usual word for a girl is puella, puellae (1f); puera, puerae (1f) also exists but is much less common.)
Boy; child.
Sedpuerdecessit. —Seneca, Epistles 99.10
Translation
But he died in boyhood.
(Chicago:) But he died when he was only a boy.
More literally: But he died a boy.
Details
(But the boy died
is a possible meaning for the sentence by itself, but the context shows that Seneca meant to emphasize his stage of life; so think of
puer
as acting as a subject complement to the third person singular subject indicated by the verb: he. . . (as) a boy.)
Sed
(conj.): but. Puer, puerī (2m): boy; child; servant boy, page, young male slave. Dēcessit
is the third person singular perfect form of dēcēdō, dēcēdere, dēcessī, dēcessum (3): to go away, depart, withdraw; yield; pass away, die.
She pretends that she has borne a child to the soldier.
More literally: She pretends herself to have borne a child to the soldier.
Details
Is/
ea
/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Sē: herself—the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Peperisse
is the perfect infinitive form of pariō, parere, peperī, partum (3, –iō): to give birth to; give rise to, cause, produce, beget. Puerum
is the accusative singular form of puer, puerī (2m): boy; child; servant boy, page, young male slave. Simulat
is the third person singular form of simulō, simulāre, simulāvī, simulātum (1): to pretend; simulate. Mīlitī
is the dative singular form of mīles, mīlitis (3m): soldier.
(He’s talking about pain, and saying it’s more endurable than we might think.)
Puerī
is the nominative plural form of puer, puerī (2m): boy; child; servant boy, page, young male slave. Ferunt
is the third person plural form of ferō, ferre, tulī, lātum (3, irreg.): to carry, bear; endure. Glōriā
is the ablative singular form of glōria, glōriae (1f): glory. Ductī
is the masculine nominative plural form of ductus/ducta/ductum (1/2), the perfect passive participle (led) of dūcō, dūcere, dūxī, ductum (3): to lead.
Sinitepuerosvenireadme. —Luke 18:16
Translation
Suffer children to come to me.
Details
Sinite
is the plural imperative form of sinō, sinere, sīvī, situm (3): to allow, let (suffer
can mean that in old-fashioned English). Puerōs
is the accusative plural form of puer, puerī (2m): boy; child; servant boy, page, young male slave. Veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. Ad
(prep.): to (takes the accusative). Mē
is the accusative form of ego: I (me).
Ā puerō (literally from a boy) can mean since once was a boy/child, from boyhood/childhood. (Of course it can also just mean from a boy in other contexts.)
The other has had cruelty as a hobby since childhood.
More literally: For the other, cruelty has been in the capacity of delights from (when he was) a boy.
Details
Alterī
is the m/f/n dative singular form of alter/altera/alterum (1/2, irreg.): the other, another; the second, a second; one (of two). Ab/
ā
(prep.): from; by (takes the ablative). Puerō
is the ablative singular form of puer, puerī (2m): boy; child; servant boy, page, young male slave. Prō
(prep.): in front of, before; for; in place of, instead of; in exchange for; as, in the capacity of; on behalf of; in defense of; according to (takes the ablative). Dēliciīs
is the ablative plural form of dēlicia, dēliciae (1f, usually plural): delight, pleasure, enjoyment, fun; luxuries; sweetheart, favorite. Crūdēlitās, crūdēlitātis (3f): cruelty. Fuit
is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Ā puerīs is the plural equivalent: since we/you/they were boys.
Servant boy, page, young male slave.
PostridieSestipuerivenerunt. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 3.17.1
Translation
On the next day, Sestius’s servant boys came.
Details
Postrīdiē
(adv.): on the next day, the day after. Sēstī
is the m/n (here m) genitive singular form of the family name Sēstius/Sēstia/Sēstium (1/2—also
Sextius). Puerī
is the nominative plural form of puer, puerī (2m): boy; child; servant boy, page, young male slave. Vēnērunt
is the third person plural perfect form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.
Rēgnum, rēgnī
Rēgnum, rēgnī (2n): kingship; monarchy; kingdom, realm; reign, rule, sway, dominion, authority; tyranny. After the expulsion of the Tarquin kings from Rome and the establishment of the Republic, the dominant political view long remained that monarchy was a bad thing; it was associated with tyranny. That’s why rēgnum can sometimes be translated that way, too. But the word doesn’t always have a negative connotation.
Exercet
is the third person singular form of exerceō, exercēre, exercuī, exercitum (2): to train; exercise, practice, employ, wield; harass, trouble. Philosophia, philosophiae (1f): philosophy. Rēgnum
is the accusative singular form of rēgnum, rēgnī (2n): kingship; monarchy; kingdom, realm; reign, rule, sway, dominion, authority; tyranny. Suum: her (own)—the m/n accusative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2).
Inregnonati sumus. —Seneca, On the Happy Life 15.7
Translation
We have been born under a monarchy.
Details
(Under God.)
In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Rēgnō
is the ablative singular form of rēgnum, rēgnī (2n): kingship; monarchy; kingdom, realm; reign, rule, sway, dominion, authority; tyranny. Nātī sumus
is the first person masculine plural perfect form of nāscor, nāscī, nātus sum (3, deponent): to be born.
Already he has joined many kingdoms into one kingdom.
Details
Iam
(adv.): already; now; soon. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Ūnum
is the m/n accusative singular form of ūnus/ūna/ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one. Rēgnum
is the accusative singular form of rēgnum, rēgnī (2n): kingship; monarchy; kingdom, realm; reign, rule, sway, dominion, authority; tyranny. Multa
is the neuter accusative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Rēgna
is the accusative plural form of rēgnum, rēgnī (2n): kingship; monarchy; kingdom, realm, etc. Cōniēcit
is the third person singular perfect form of coniciō, conicere, coniēcī, coniectum (3, –iō): to throw together; put together; throw, cast, hurl.
Regnumadpetisseest iudicatus. —Cicero, On His House 101
Translation
He was judged to have aspired to kingship.
Details
Rēgnum
is the accusative singular form of rēgnum, rēgnī (2n): kingship; monarchy; kingdom, realm; reign, rule, sway, dominion, authority; tyranny. Adpetīsse
is the perfect infinitive form of adpetō, adpetere, adpetīvī/adpetiī, adpetītum (3—also
appetō): to try to reach; seek (instinctively), have an appetite for; strive after, aspire to; court. Est iūdicātus
is the third person masculine singular perfect passive form of iūdicō, iūdicāre, iūdicāvī, iūdicātum (1): to judge, deem.
I have Cicero as authority for the use of this word.
(Chicago:) I have Cicero as my guarantor for the term.
More literally: I have Cicero (as) authority of (for) this word.
Stultus verba multiplicat. —Eccles. 10:14
A fool multiplies words.
Details
(He’s talking about a then-unusual word, essentia, meaning
essence
—a noun formed from
esse: to be.)
Cicerōnem
is the accusative singular form of the proper name Cicerō, Cicerōnis (3m). Auctōrem
is the accusative singular form of auctor, auctōris (3m): creator; author; supporter; adviser; initiator; agent; seller; surety, guarantor; authority (a person whose opinion, practice, etc. , is authoritative). Huius
is the m/f/n genitive singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Verbum, verbī
(2n): word; phrase, expression, saying, proverb; verb. Habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.
Stultus
/stulta/stultum (1/2): foolish, stupid (used substantively to mean a foolish person, a fool). Verba
is the accusative plural form of verbum, verbī (2n): word; phrase, expression, saying, proverb; verb. Multiplicat
is the third person singular form of multiplicō, multiplicāre, multiplicāvī, multiplicātum (1): to multiply.
Quidopusestverbis? —Seneca, Epistles 98.18
Translation
(Chicago:) What need for more words?
More literally: In what respect/how is there a need for words?
Details
Quid
is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? (neuter accusative singular used adverbially to mean in what respect? to what extent? what for? why? how?). Opus, operis (3n): word; need (opus est
+ ablative = there is need for X). Est: is there. Verbīs
is the ablative plural form of verbum, verbī (2n): word; phrase, expression, saying, proverb; verb.
For I believe you know that old and famous saying:
More literally: For you know, I believe, that old and famous saying:
Details
(Speak less eruditely speak and more clearly.)
Nōstī
is the second person singular perfect form of nōscō, nōscere, nōvī, nōtum (3): (in present-stem forms) to get to know; (in perfect-stem forms) know (perfect forms translate with the present tense of English
know). Enim
(particle): for, indeed. Crēdō, crēdere, crēdidī, crēditum (3): to entrust; lend (money); trust; believe. Verbum
is the accusative singular form of verbum, verbī (2n): word; phrase, expression, saying, proverb; verb. Illud
is the neuter accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (adj.): that. Vetus
is the neuter accusative singular form of vetus, veteris (3, adj.): old, ancient. Et
(conj.): and. Pervolgātum
is the m/n accusative singular form of pervolgātus/pervolgāta/pervolgātum (1/2—also
pervulgātum): common, usual, widely known or used—originally the perfect passive participle of pervolgō, pervolgāre, pervolgāvī, pervolgātum (1—also
pervulgō): to make generally available; make generally known, publish.
Verb.
“Angor”
nomenetverbumest. —Flavius Caper, De Verbis Dubiis 107
Translation
“Angor” is a noun and a verb.
Details
Angor
can be the nominative singular form of the noun angor, angōris (3m): suffocation; anguish, anxiety; or it can be the first person singular passive form of angō, angere, ānxī, ānctum (3): to strangle, smother, suffocate; cause pain or anguish to, afflict, distress (so
angor
as a verb means
I am strangled
or
I am distressed, etc.). Nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun. Et
(conj.): and. Verbum, verbī (2n): word; phrase, expression, saying, proverb; verb. Est: is.
Now a few idiomatic expressions involving verbum.
Meīs (or tuīs, etc.) verbīs: on my (or your, etc.) part/behalf—when talking about passing on a greeting or similar message from a person to another.
Veneridicitomultammeisverbissalutem. —Plautus, The Little Carthaginian 406-7
Translation
Give my best greetings to Venus.
More literally: Say much health/greeting to Venus in my words.
Details
Venerī
is the dative singular form of Venus, Veneris (3f): Venus, goddess of love. Dīcitō
is the singular future imperative form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say. Multam
is the feminine accusative singular form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Meīs
is the m/f/n ablative plural form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Verbīs
is the ablative plural form of verbum, verbī (2n): word; phrase, expression, saying, proverb; verb. Salūtem
is the accusative singular form of salūs, salūtis (3f): health; well-being; safety, preservation; salvation; greeting, salutation (literally—the Romans greeted people by wishing them health).
Verba dare: to give (empty) words—i.e., to deceive.
More literally: You are not able to give (empty) words; for I am with you.
Details
Verba
is the neuter accusative plural form of verbum, verbī (2n): word; phrase, expression, saying, proverb; verb. Dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Nōn: not. Potes
is the second person singular form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. Tēcum: with you (tē = you; cum = with). Sum: I am.
When the person deceived is mentioned, it goes it the dative (as the indirect object of dare). So if Seneca had made the me explicit, he would have written it as mihi.
Verba facere (or habēre): to talk, speak.
DictatorTusculanusitaverbafecit: —Livy, History of Rome 6.26.4
Translation
The Tusculan dictator gave the following speech:
More literally: The Tusculan dictator gave words thus:
Details
Dictātor, dictātōris (3m): dictator (in ancient Rome this meant a man given plenary powers in order to deal with a crisis; he normally relinquished his dictatorial powers once the crisis was over.)
Tusculānus
/Tusculāna/Tusculānum (1/2): Tusculan, of Tusculum (a town in the Latium region of Italy). Ita
(adv.): thus, so, in this/that way. Verba
is the accusative plural form of verbum, verbī (2n): word; phrase, expression, saying, proverb; verb. Fēcit
is the third person singular perfect form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
Verbum facere: to say a word (typically in negative contexts).
Verbumtamenfacerenonaudebant. —Cicero, Against Verres 2.1.46
Translation
Yet they dared not say a word.
Details
Verbum
is the accusative singular form of verbum, verbī (2n): word; phrase, expression, saying, proverb; verb. Tamen
(adv.): nevertheless, yet, still. Faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Nōn: not. Audēbant
is the third person plural imperfect form of audeō, audēre, ausus sum (2, semi-deponent): to dare.
If, for example, I were to have exacted a solemn promise thus:
More literally: If, for the sake of a word, I were to have exacted a solemn promise thus:
Details
Sī
(conj.): if. Verbum, verbī
(2n): word; phrase, expression, saying, proverb; verb. Grātiā
is the ablative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor, kindness, goodwill; popularity; grace; charm, attraction, agreeableness; gratitude, thankfulness, (in plural) thanks; (in ablative singular after a genitive word) for the sake (of). Ego: I. Ita
(adv.): thus, so, in this/that way. Stipulātus sim
is the first person masculine singular perfect subjunctive form of stipulor, stipulārī, stipulātus sum (1, deponent): to exact a guarantee or solemn promise, stipulate (a potential subjunctive).
And verbum figures in many ways to say word for word: verbum dē verbō, verbum ē verbō, verbum ex verbō, verbum prō verbō, verbum ad verbum and ad verbum.
Theocritisuntversus, verbumadverbumtranslati. —Servius, Commentary on Virgil’s Bucolics 9.23
Translation
They are lines from Theocritus, translated word for word.
Details
Theocritus, Theocritī
(2m): a Greek poet of the third century bc. Sunt: they are. Versūs
is the nominative plural form of versus, versūs (4m): line (esp. of verse or writing); verse. Verbum
is the accusative singular form of verbum, verbī (2n): word; phrase, expression, saying, proverb; verb (the first instance of
verbum
is an adverbial accusative). Ad
(prep.): to; for; according to (takes the accusative). Trānslātī
is the masculine nominative plural form of trānslātus/trānslāta/trānslātum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of trānsferō, trānsferre, trānstulī, trānslātum (3, irreg.): to transfer; translate.
Vīnum, vīnī
Vīnum, vīnī (2n): wine.
Vinumcaretclavo. —Erasmus, Adagia (1536)
Translation
Wine has no rudder.
Details
(It makes you lose control.)
Vīnum, vīnī (2n): wine. Caret
is the third person singular form of careō, carēre, caruī, caritum (2): to lack, not have, be without. Clāvō
is the ablative singular form of clāvus, clāvī (2m): nail, rivet; helm, rudder, tiller.
More literally: You know what (the taste) of wine, what the taste of oenomel is.
Alius vino madet, alius inertia torpet. —Seneca, On the Shortness of Life 2.1
One man is besotted with wine, another is paralyzed by sloth.
Details
Quis
/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Sit
is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Vīnum, vīnī
(2n): wine. Mulsum, mulsī
(2n): oenomel, wine mixed with honey (a substantive use of mulsus/mulsa/mulsum (1/2): mixed with honey; with ellipsis of the noun
vīnum). Sapor, sapōris (3m): taste, flavor. Scīs
is the second person singular form of sciō, scīre, scīvī/sciī, scītum (4): to know; know how to.
Alius
/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): another, other; different (alius. . . alius = one. . . another). Vīnō
is the ablative singular form of vīnum, vīnī (2n): wine. Madet
is the third person singular form of madeō, madēre, maduī, — (2): to be wet, be sodden; be steeped (in = ablative); be drunk; be softened (by boiling or ripening). Alius
/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): another, other. Inertiā
is the ablative singular form of inertia, inertiae (1f): lack of skill; laziness, sloth, idleness. Torpet
is the third person singular form of torpeō, torpēre, torpuī, — (2): to be numb, paralyzed, inert, inactive or lethargic.
Vir, virī
Vir, virī (2m): man; husband. Vir typically means an adult male human being, a man with some (but not necessarily much) emphasis on gender. Compare homō, hominis (3m), which means man in the more general sense of human being. You could say that homō denotes the species whereas vir denotes one gender-age combination (viz. , male and adult) within the species. Occasionally plural forms of vir can mean people collectively without any emphasis on gender, but that meaning is more commonly expressed with plural forms of homō.
“Virbonus”
inquit
“nonlaedit.”
—Seneca, On Anger 1.6.5
Translation
“The good man,” he says, “does no injury.”
Details
(He = Plato.)
Vir, virī (2m): man; husband. Bonus
/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Inquit
is the third person singular form of inquam (irreg. and defective): to say (inquit = he/she says
or
said). Nōn: not. Laedit
is the third person singular form of laedō, laedere, laesī, laesum (3): to harm, hurt, injure.
Nonestviritimeresudorem. —Seneca, Epistles 31. 7
Translation
It is not (the part) of a man to fear sweat.
Details
Nōn: not. Est: it is. Vir, virī
(2m): man; husband. Timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to fear, be afraid. Sūdōrem
is the accusative singular form of sudor, sūdōris (3m): sweat.
They rival men both in staying up at night and in drinking.
More literally: They rival men in both oil and wine.
Details
(He’s talking about women in his times.)
Et
(conj.): and (et. . . et = both. . . and). Oleō
is the ablative singular form of oleum, oleī (2n): oil (it can be used in reference to staying up at night, because that involved the use of oil lamps). Et
(conj.): and. Merō
is the ablative singular form of merum, merī (2n): wine unmixed with water (a substantive use of merus/mera/merum (1/2): pure, unalloyed, undiluted; sheer; mere; the noun
vīnum
(2n, meaning
wine) is implied). Virōs
is the accusative plural form of vir, virī (2m): man; husband. Prōvocant
is the third person plural form of prōvocō, prōvocāre, prōvocāvī, prōvocātum (1): to call forth; challenge to a contest; rival; provoke.
Sometimes vir refers to the man of a particular woman; i.e., her husband (sometimes also lover).
“Perit”
inquit
“propterdesideriumviri.”
—Seneca the Elder, Controversies 10.3.10
Translation
“She died because she missed her husband,” he said.
More literally: “She died,” he said, “because of her desire for her husband.”
Details
Perīt
(contracted from
periit) is the third person singular perfect form of pereō, perīre, periī, peritum (irreg.): to disappear; be destroyed, perish, die. Inquit
is the third person singular form of inquam (irreg. and defective): to say (inquit = he/she says
or
said). Propter
(prep.): near, close to; because of (takes the ablative). Dēsīderium
is the accusative singular form of dēsīderium, dēsīderiī (2n): longing, the fact of missing someone or something; desire; need. Vir, virī
(2m): man; husband.
Uxorvirumincalamitatenedeserat. —Quintilian, Minor Declamations 357. pr
Translation
A wife shall not abandon her husband in adversity.
Details
Uxor, uxōris (3f): wife. Virum
is the accusative singular form of vir, virī (2m): man; husband. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Calamitāte
is the ablative singular form of calamitās, calamitātis (3f): misfortune, disaster, calamity. Nē
(adv.): not (in commands, wishes and purposes). Dēserat
is the third person singular form of dēserō, dēserere, dēseruī, dēsertum (3): to abandon, forsake, desert (subjunctive because it’s a command—a negative one, also called a prohibition).
Confusion warning. Vir, virī is not to be confused with vīs, vīs (3f): power, force, energy, potency; violence; strength; meaning —especially the plural forms of this latter word, vīrēs, vīrium, etc. One of those forms looks identical to a form of vir when macrons aren’t used: vīrīs is a variant accusative plural form of vīs, while virīs is the dative or ablative plural form of vir. Vīs is the subject of its own entry.
Vitium, vitiī
Vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault, flaw, defect, disorder (moral, mental or physical, in humans or in things).
(He is quoting examples of how people deceive themselves.)
Nōn: not. Est: it is. Meus/mea/
meum
(1/2): my, mine. Vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault, flaw, defect, disorder. Quod
(conj.): that; the fact that; as for the fact that; in that; because. Īrācundus
/īrācunda/īrācundum (1/2): irascible, irritable, prone to anger. Sum: I am.
(He distinguishes between
pleasures, which arise from apparent goods that aren’t real, and
joys, which arise from goods that are.)
Vitium
is the accusative singular form of vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault, flaw, defect, disorder. Esse: to be. Voluptātem
is the accusative singular form of voluptās, voluptātis (3f): pleasure. Crēdimus
is the first person plural form of credō, crēdere, crēdidī, crēditum (3): to entrust; lend (money); trust; believe.
Mercedetevitiasollicitant. —Seneca, Epistles 69.5
Translation
Vices tempt you by the rewards which they offer.
(Chicago:) Your faults ply you with rewards.
More literally: Vices tempt you with a reward.
Details
Mercēde
is the ablative singular form of mercēs, mercēdis (3f): reward, pay; bribe. Tē
is the accusative singular form of tū: you. Vitia
is the nominative plural form of vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault, flaw, defect, disorder. Sollicitant
is the third person plural form of sollicitō, sollicitāre, sollicitāvī, sollicitātum (1): to disturb, harass, molest; worry; solicit, tempt, seduce.
Nemoadscribiturbibusvitiasingulorum. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 9.2.1
Translation
No one ascribes to cities the faults of individuals.
Details
Nēmō, nēminis (3m): no one. Adscrībit
is the third person singular form of adscrībō, adscrībere, adscrīpsī, adscrīptum (3—also
ascrībō): to write in addition, add in writing; ascribe, attribute. Urbibus
is the dative plural form of urbs, urbis (3f): city. Vitia
is the accusative plural form of vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault, flaw, defect, disorder. Singulōrum
is the m/n (here m, used substantively) genitive plural form of singulus/singula/singulum (1/2): taken individually, single, separate, individual; (in pl. only) one each, one by one, one at a time, each individually, every single.
Mulierumcutisvitiaemendatinfacie. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 20.249
Translation
It removes spots on women’s faces.
More literally: It corrects defects of the skin of women in the face.
Details
(Speaking of linseed.)
Mulierum
is the genitive plural form of mulier, mulieris (3f): woman. Cutis, cutis
(3f): skin. Vitia
is the accusative plural form of vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault, flaw, defect, disorder. Ēmendat
is the third person singular form of ēmendō, ēmendāre, ēmendāvī, ēmendātum (1f): to correct, remedy (a fault or defect). In
(prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Faciē
is the ablative singular form of faciēs, faciēī (5f): face; appearance.
Radixetvesicaevitiismedetur. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 21.167
Translation
The root also cures disorders of the bladder.
Details
(Speaking of water parsley.)
Rādīx, rādīcis (3f): root. Et
(adv.): also, too; even. Vēsīca, vēsīcae
(1f): bladder. Vitiīs
is the dative plural form of vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault, flaw, defect, disorder. Medētur
is the third person singular form of medeor, medērī, —, — (2, deponent): to cure, heal, remedy (takes a dative object).
Primainspectionenequevitianequevirtutesabditasostendit. —Columella, On Agriculture 1.4.1
Translation
It reveals neither its hidden flaws nor its hidden virtues on the first inspection.
Details
Prīmā
is the feminine ablative singular form of prīmus/prīma/prīmum (1/2): first. Īnspectiōne
is the ablative singular form of īnspectiō, īnspectiōnis (3f): inspection, examination. Neque
/nec (conj.): and not, nor; (adv.): not; neither, not either, not even (neque. . . neque: neither. . . nor). Vitia
is the accusative plural form of vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault, flaw, defect, disorder. Neque
/nec (conj.): and not, nor. Virtūtēs
is the accusative plural form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): virtue, merit, good quality; courage, valor. Abditās
is the feminine accusative plural form of abditus/abdita/abditum (1/2): hidden, concealed—the perfect passive participle of abdō, abdere, abdidī, abditum (3): to hide, conceal. Ostendit
is the third person singular form of ostendō, ostendere, ostendī, ostentum/ostēnsum (3): to show, display, exhibit.
Confusion warning. Note a few other words that can be confused with vitium because they have forms that look similar or identical in certain forms.
— Vitiō, vitiāre, vitiāvī, vitiātum (1): to spoil, impair, corrupt (a verb derived from vitium). The first person singular form vitiō looks the same as the dative and ablative singular form of vitium. And the singular imperative vitiā would, in an unmacronized text, look the same as the nominative/accusative plural form of vitium(vitia). But these verb forms are uncommon.
— Vītis, vītis (3f): grape vine. Its genitive plural form looks like our familiar vitium in an unmacronized text.
Ethactenusdevitiumgeneribus. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 23.28
Translation
Enough said about the types of grape vines.
More literally: And so far (and no further) about the types of grape vines.
Details
Et
(conj.): and. Hāctenus
(adv.): so far (often implying
and no further). Dē
(prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Vītium
is the genitive plural form of vītis, vītis (3f): grape vine. Generibus
is the ablative plural form of genus, generis (3n): kind, type, sort; race; descent.
The dative singular form of vītis(vītī) and the genitive singular form of vitium can also be confused, especially when the latter appears in the contracted from vitī (instead of vitiī). The nominative and genitive singular vītis is also not to be confused with vitiīs (dat. /abl. pl. of vitium). See also vīta, vītae (1f), meaning life, which has the dat. /abl. pl. vītīs.
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