Nouns: Second Declension

Animus, animī

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.

Animus illi obstrepit. —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).

Res ipsa parva sed animi mei dolor magnus est. —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.

Talem animum esse nostrum volo. —Seneca, Epistles 84.10
Translation

(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.

Dormientium animi maxime declarant divinitatem suam. —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).

Animorum magistra est. —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.

Medetur animis. —Cicero, Tusculan Disputations 2.11
Translation

It is a physician of souls.

More literally: It heals souls.

Details

(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.

Tempto enim te quo animo accipias. —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. 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, “hoc animo feci, ut vim facerem.” —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.

Animum resumpsit. —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 sunt militum animi. —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.

Noratis animos eius ac spiritus tribunicios. —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.

Vince animos iramque tuam, qui cetera vincis! —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.

Non faciet, bonum animum habe. —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.

Bono animo es, liberabit ille te homo. —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. 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.

Parcere victis in animo habebat. —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.

Mihi in animo est legum lationem exspectare. —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.

Dico me illo advenisse animi causa. —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). 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.

Anime mi, 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. 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, quid mortem times? —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.
Annus producit, non ager. —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.

Horum nemo annos tuos conteret. —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.

Incipe virtutibus illum, non annis aestimare. —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).

Undeviginti annos natus erat eo tempore. —Cicero, Brutus 229
Translation

He was nineteen years old at the time.

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. 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.

Erat trium ferme et triginta annorum. —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.

Nonagesimum et quintum annum agebat. —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.

Ubi sunt arma? —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.

Statim arma summittet. —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).

Fulgentes procul armis catervas vidit. —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.

Hic finis armorum civilium. —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.

Ex umeris armi fiunt. —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.
Ubicumque homo est, ibi benefici locus est. —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.

Nullum beneficium dabo, quod turpiter peterem. —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).

Tu contra beneficiis provoca. —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.) : 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).

Caram te, vita, beneficio mortis habeo. —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. 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.

Meo enim beneficio et sacrilegium illud inventum 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.
Principum saevitia bellum est. —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.

Bona bello perdidi. —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.

Bella Telemacho paras. —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.

Confusion warning. Compare bellus/bella/bellum (1/2): pretty, handsome; fine, excellent.

Nihil non ex eis bellum est. —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.

Caelum tonitru contremit. —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.

Cogitatio nostra caeli munimenta perrumpit. —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 prima caelum sparserat stellis. —Seneca, Agamemnon 465
Translation

Early night had sprinkled the sky with stars.

Details

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.

Nimirum in caelo secum ridet Iuppiter. —Phaedrus, Appendix 3.9
Translation

Jupiter must be laughing to himself in heaven.

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 ( = 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.

Pisonem ferebat in caelum. —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).

Intemperies caeli valitudinem temptat. —Seneca, Epistles 107.7
Translation

Unseasonable weather upsets the health.

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).

Ipse hominum color ab alio venire caelo fatebatur. —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, cōnsiliī

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.

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.

Quis ergo intererat vestris consiliis? —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.

Consilium dimisit. —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.

Counsel, advice.

Philosophia bonum consilium est. —Seneca, Epistles 38.1
Translation

Philosophy is good advice.

Details

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.

Consilium nemo clare dat. —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.

Ille dat consilia magnifica et erecta. —Seneca, Epistles 41.2
Translation

He it is that gives noble and upright counsel.

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.

Counsel, plan, intention, purpose, design; choice, decision.

Malum est consilium, quod mutari non potest. —Publilius Syrus, Maxims M.54
Translation

It’s an ill plan that can’t be changed.

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.

Facta et eventus aut consilii sunt aut imprudentiae. —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.

Velox consilium sequitur poenitentia. —Publilius Syrus, Maxims V.35
Translation

Repentance follows a hasty plan.

Alt. : Regret follows a quick decision.

Details

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).

Consilium rerum omnium sapiens, non exitum spectat. —Seneca, Epistles 14.16
Translation

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.

Sapienter haec reliquisti si consilio, feliciter si casu. —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. (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.

Haec ego non eo consilio disputo, ut homines eruditos redarguam. —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. 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.

Pugnant vota nostra cum votis, consilia cum consiliis. —Seneca, Epistles 45.6
Translation

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.

Eodem loco tibi sit quisquis consilio caret. —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.

Consilium capiunt ut ad servos M. Tulli veniant. —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.

Occidendi sui consilium inisse me videri vult. —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). 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.

Haec in concilio Aetolorum acta. —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 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.
Deo parere libertas est. —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.

Multa dixit de magnitudine deorum. —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. (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.

Quid rogas telum deos? —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.

Di boni! —common exclamation (occurring for instance in Cicero, In Defense of Milo, 59)
Translation

Good gods!

Details

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.

Di immortales! —common exclamation (occurring for instance in Cicero, In Defense of Sextus Roscius Amerinus, 37)
Translation

Immortal gods!

Details

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.

Pro deum hominumque fidem! —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.

Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam. —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.

Di deaeque vobis multa bona dent. —Plautus, The Little Carthaginian 667
Translation

May the gods and goddesses give you many blessings.

Details

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.
Exemplum Epicuri referam. —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.

Sed contentus nostrae domus exemplis ero. —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.

Vivimus ad exempla. —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.

Alienis perimus exemplis. —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.

Ad exemplum se modestiae tuae formaverat. —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. : 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.

Nullum caruit exemplo nefas. —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.

Sunt et alia ingenii eius exempla. —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.

In quem exempla fient? —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.

Quod est huiusce rei ius, quae consuetudo, quod exemplum? —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.

Omnibus exemplis excrucior. —Plautus, Bacchides 1092
Translation

I’m suffering all manners of torment.

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.

Misi ad te exemplum epistulae. —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). 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.

Exemplar boni viri posuit. —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.

Stomacho fastidium 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.

Quis autem ferat in egestate fastidium? —Seneca, Epistles 58.1
Translation

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.

Nulla est voluptas quae non adsiduitate fastidium pariat. —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).

Hic concupivit quod illi fastidio fuit. —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.

Sine fastidio implendus est. —Seneca, Epistles 110.12
Translation

It should be filled without fastidiousness.

Details

(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.

Itaque efferuntur fere fastidio et contumacia. —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.

Compare fastīdiōsus/fastīdiōsa/fastīdiōsum (1/2): squeamish; fastidious (difficult to please), exacting, particular; haughty, disdainful.

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.

Fastigio tuo adfixus es. —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:

Desine fata deum flecti sperare precando. —Virgil, Aeneid 6.376
Translation

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.

Quid mihi prodest philosophia, si fatum est? —Seneca, Epistles 16.4
Translation

How can philosophy help me, if Fate exists?

(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. (conj.): if. Fātum, fātī (2n): prophetic utterance; decree of fate or of the gods; fate, destiny; doom, death, destruction. Est: (there) is, exists.

Praebere se fato. —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). : 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.

Agunt opus suum fata. —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.

Sed fuit in fatis hoc quoque, 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.

It can also mean doom, death, destruction.

Decreta mors est: quaeritur fati genus. —Seneca, Phaedra 258
Translation

I’m determined to die: the question is how.

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.

Ruit in miserae fata parentis. —Anonymous, Octavia 3 6 4
Translation

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.
Exibit gaudium quod intravit. —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.

Sapiens ille plenus est gaudio. —Seneca, Epistles 59.14
Translation

(Chicago:) The wise person is filled with joy.

More literally: That wise man is full of joy.

Details

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.

Malo gaudia temperare quam dolores compescere. —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.

Ei quoque enim prorogatum imperium est. —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

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).

Solus hic detrectabat imperium. —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.

Argentum accepi, imperium vendidi. —Erasmus, Adagia (1536)
Translation

I took the money, sold my authority.

Details

(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.

Ne in unius imperium res recidat admonemur. —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

(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.

Is cum imperio in Siciliam praemittitur. —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.

Gerant habeantque suo modo imperia. —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.)

Command, order.

Si imperio proficitur, et admonitione. —Seneca, Epistles 94.44
Translation

If commands are helpful, so is advice.

More literally: If progress/a benefit is made by command, also by advice.

Details

(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.

Non omnibus imperiis patris parendum est. —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.

Laetus imperia excipit. —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.

Ab eo tum maxime finibus imperii pellebatur. —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). 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.


Ingenium, ingeniī

Ingenium, ingeniī (2n): natural disposition, innate character, nature, temperament; mental powers, intellect, mind; talent; cleverness, ingenuity.

Natural disposition, innate character, nature, temperament.

Ita ingenium meumst: —Plautus, Amphitruo 899
Translation

That’s my temperament:

Details

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.

Fit magna mutatio loci, non ingeni. —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.

Novi ego ingenium viri indocile. —Seneca, Thyestes 199-200
Translation

I know the man’s stubborn temperament.

Details

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.

Alit lectio ingenium. —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.

Hebeti enim ingenio est. —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.

Timanthi vel plurimum adfuit ingenii. —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.

Quid ingenii iste habuit, quid animi! —Seneca, Epistles 46.2
Translation

So full of wit and spirit it was!

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.

Ingenio est opus. —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.

Haud procul a Gadibus is locus abest. —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.

Sed locum virtus habet inter astra. —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.

Itaque ego ex hoc loco migrabo. —Seneca, Epistles 56.15
Translation

(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.

Ecce latratu gravi loca muta terret. —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).

Excandescit hoc loco Claudius. —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.

Fortuna belli semper ancipiti in loco est. —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.

Isti vero mihi defunctorum loco sunt. —Seneca, Epistles 122.10
Translation

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.

Nam ibi natus est loco nobili. —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.

Non multum loci habet. —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.

Non est iam lenitati locus. —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.

Numquam potest non esse virtuti locus. —Seneca, Medea 161
Translation

It can never happen that courage is out of place.

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.

Nullum locum praetermitto monendi, 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.

Nam est notus locus. —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.

Locum istum totum huc ex Pisonis annali transposuimus. —Gellius, Attic Nights 7.9.1
Translation

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.

Sit iam huius loci finis. —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.

Habeat omnis philosophiae notos ac tractatos locos. —Cicero, Orator 118
Translation

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.

Agri reliquit ei non magnum modum. —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. 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.

Dabit mihi consilium promissae rei modus. —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.

Hic mihi modus placet. —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).

Non servamus modum rerum. —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.

Non avaritia, non crudelitas modum novit. —Seneca, Epistles 95.30
Translation

Greed and cruelty know no bounds.

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).

Adficior dolore, nec tamen supra modum doleo. —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.

Est dolendi modus, non est timendi. —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.

Alter ponendi modus hic fuit: —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.

Pavimenta ad hunc modum facito: —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.

Is homo exornetur graphice in peregrinum modum. —Plautus, Trinummus 767
Translation

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.

Aliud alio modo fragile est. —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.

Seminis modo spargenda sunt. —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).

Tribus modis urit. —Seneca, Natural Questions 2.40.4
Translation

It burns things in three ways.

Details

(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.

Cuius modi hi homines erunt? —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. 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.

Cornelio eius modi nihil obiectum 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).

Monstras mihi qui sint modi flebiles. —Seneca, Epistles 88.9
Translation

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.

Sacrifica dulces tibia effundat modos. —Seneca, Agamemnon 584
Translation

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.
Observantur oculi tui. —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.

Nemo oculis suis lautus est. —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.

Qui amisit oculos, tamen vidit. —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.

Iamque ex oculis aufertur uterque. —Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 3.551
Translation

Both were already speeding out of sight.

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.

Molestum est” inquismortem ante oculos habere.” —Seneca, Epistles 12.6
Translation

“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.

Itaque publicanis in oculis sumus. —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).


Ōtium, ōtiī

Ōtium, ōtiī (2n): leisure, freedom from business, free time; rest; inactivity, idleness; peace, tranquility.
Quorundam otium occupatum est. —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.

Non habent isti otium, sed iners negotium. —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).

Quid in otio facio? —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.

Otium non est. —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.

Scribendi otium non erat. —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.

Tempus diei in otio consumebatur. —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.

Pacis est insigne et oti toga. —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.

In Gallia speramus esse otium. —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).


Perīculum, perīculī

Perīculum, perīculī (2n—also perīclum): test, trial, experiment; danger, risk, peril.

Test, trial, experiment; typically in the phrase perīculum (alicuius reī) facere = to make trial (of something), test (something).

Scio qui periclum feci. —Plautus, The Comdedy of Asses 617
Translation

I know, having experienced it myself.

More literally: I, who have made trial (of it), know.

Details

Sciō, scīre, scīvī/sciī, scītum (4): to know. Quī /quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Perīclum is the accusative singular form of perīclum, perīclī (2n—also perīculum): test, trial, experiment; danger, risk, peril. Faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.

Perit fortitudo, quae periculum facere debet sui. —Seneca, Epistles 74.13
Translation

Bravery is lost when it needs to test itself.

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.

Quam multos e periculo velocitas equi rapuit! —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.

Maiora me pericula expectant. —Seneca, Natural Questions 6.32.2
Translation

Greater dangers await me.

Details

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. 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.

Magis autem periculis patemus aversi. —Seneca, Epistles 104.10
Translation

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.

Atqui pericula contemnit et provocat. —Seneca, Epistles 67.6
Translation

And yet it despises and challenges dangers.

Details

(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). Vītae perīculum, 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 vītae perīculum (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.

Inter expositorum pericula non numerabamus educatorem. —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.

De periculo salutis ac libertatis loquor. —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

(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.

Periculum adfert primum furoris, deinde interitus. —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 maris et terrae caeca pericla latent. —Propertius, Elegies 2.27.6
Translation

Unseen dangers lurk on both land and sea.

More literally: . . . of both sea and land.

Details

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.

Tuo periculo fiet. —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+ + subjunctive means a risk that (something will happen).

At periculum est ne opprimamur. —Cicero, Philippics 13.16
Translation

But there’s a risk that we will be crushed.

Details

At (conj.): but. Perīculum, perīculī (2n): test, trial, experiment; danger, risk, peril. Est: there is. (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.

Populi Romani nomen salutemque defendite. —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.

Omnes Acarnaniae populi in dicionem legati venerunt. —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.

Multa annorum milia, multa populorum supervenient. —Seneca, Epistles 79.17
Translation

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 fulmina populos perusserunt. —Seneca, Natural Questions 6.1.7
Translation

Lightning strikes have never burned up nations.

Details

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.

De populi sapientia dicendum puto. —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.) (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.

Populo non erat satis vendibilis. —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.

Iste homo non est unus e populo. —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.

In orest omni populo. —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.

Populus superamur ab uno vixque viro. —Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.499-500
Translation

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.
Haec tamen praecepti mei summa est. —Seneca, Epistles 47.11
Translation

(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.

Ira praeceptis fugatur. —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.

Itaque obtemperare cogito praeceptis tuis. —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.

Continuo matris praecepta facessit. —Virgil, Georgics 4.548
Translation

He immediately carried out his mother’s orders.

Details

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.
Tenere uterque propositum videbatur. —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.

Nihilo minus propositum executus 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.

Vita sine proposito vaga est. —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.

Mutandum tibi propositum est et vitae genus. —Phaedrus, Fables 3. pr.15
Translation

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.

Nunc ad propositum revertamur. —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).

Ea non pertinet ad praesens meum propositum. —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.

Deinde contrariam rem proposito suo dicunt. —Seneca, Natural Questions 1.8.2
Translation

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.

Testatur haec fabella propositum meum. —Phaedrus, Fables 1.5.2
Translation

This tale bears witness to my assertion.

Details

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:

Ambo propositum peragunt iter. —Horace, Satires 2.6.99
Translation

They both carried out the proposed journey.

Details

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.

Sed puer decessit. —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.

Ea se peperisse puerum simulat militi. —Plautus, Truculentus 18
Translation

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. : 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.

Pueri ferunt gloria ducti. —Cicero, Tusculan Disputations 2.46
Translation

Boys bear it, led by glory.

Details

(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.

Sinite pueros venire ad me. —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). 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.)

Alteri a puero pro deliciis crudelitas fuit. —Cicero, Philippics 11.9
Translation

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.

Postridie Sesti pueri venerunt. —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 philosophia regnum suum. —Seneca, Epistles 53.9
Translation

Philosophy wields her own authority.

Details

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).

In regno nati 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.

Iam in unum regnum multa regna coniecit. —Seneca, Epistles 94.63
Translation

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.

Regnum adpetisse est 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.


Verbum, verbī

Verbum, verbī (2n): word; phrase, expression, saying, proverb; verb.

Word.

Ciceronem auctorem huius verbi habeo. —Seneca, Epistles 58.6
Translation

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.

Quid opus est verbis? —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.

Phrase, expression, saying, proverb.

Nosti enim, credo, verbum illud vetus et pervolgatum: —Gellius, Attic Nights 12.5.6
Translation

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.

Angornomen et verbum est. —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.

Veneri dicito multam meis verbis salutem. —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.

Verba dare non potes: tecum sum. —Seneca, Epistles 32.1
Translation

You cannot deceive me; for I am with you.

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 ( = 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.

Dictator Tusculanus ita verba fecit: —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).

Verbum tamen facere non audebant. —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.

Verbī grātiā (or causā): for example.

Si verbi gratia ego ita stipulatus sim: —Gaius, Institutes 3.112
Translation

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

(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.

Theocriti sunt versus, verbum ad verbum translati. —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.
Vinum caret clavo. —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.

Quis sit vini, quis mulsi sapor, scis. —Seneca, Epistles 77.16
Translation

You know the taste of wine and cordials.

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.
Vir bonusinquitnon laedit.” —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.

Non est viri timere sudorem. —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.

Et oleo et mero viros provocant. —Seneca, Epistles 95.21
Translation

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).

Peritinquitpropter desiderium viri.” —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.

Uxor virum in calamitate ne deserat. —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. (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).
Non est meum vitium, quod iracundus sum. —Seneca, Epistles 50.3
Translation

It’s not my fault that I am prone to anger.

Details

(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.

Vitium esse voluptatem credimus. —Seneca, Epistles 59.1
Translation

We hold that pleasure is a vice.

More literally: We believe pleasure to be a vice.

Details

(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.

Mercede te vitia sollicitant. —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. 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.

Nemo adscribit urbibus vitia singulorum. —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.

Mulierum cutis vitia emendat in facie. —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.

Radix et vesicae vitiis medetur. —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).

Prima inspectione neque vitia neque virtutes abditas ostendit. —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.

Et hactenus de vitium generibus. —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). (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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