Amor, amōris (3m): love; love affair. It can denote many kinds of love: romantic love, love for one’s friends, love for one’s family, love for things.
Magnusestamorquiexmisericordiavenit. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies (excerpts) 8.6.1
Translation
Great is the love that arises out of pity.
Details
Magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great; important. Est: is. Amor, amōris (3m): love; love affair. Quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Ex/ē (prep.): out of, from (takes ablative). Misericordiā is the ablative singular form of misericordia, misericordiae (1f): pity, compassion, mercy. Venit is the third person singular form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.
Amoremdescriberevolo. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 2.1.26
Translation
I want to describe love.
Details
Amōrem is the accusative singular form of amor, amōris (3m): love; love affair. Dēscrībō, dēscrībere, dēscrīpsī, dēscrīptum (3): to draw; write down; transcribe; describe; prescribe. Volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish; be willing.
(Anger.) Tam (adv.): so, so much; as, as much. Ex/ē (prep.): from, out of (takes ablative). Amōre is the ablative singular form of amor, amōris (3m): love; love affair. Nāscitur is the third person singular form of nāscor, nāscī, nātus sum (3, deponent): to be born; come into being, spring, arise. Quam (rel. adv.): as; than; rather than. Tam. . . quam = as. . . as; as much. . . as. Odiō is the ablative singular form of odium, odiī (2n): hate, hatred, odium.
Sitavenereisamoribusaversus. —Columella, On Agriculture 11.1.14
Translation
He should also have an aversion to sexual indulgence.
Alt. : He should not be inclined to romantic involvements.
More literally: Let him be turned away from sexual loves (or love affairs).
Details
(If he goes down that road, he’ll think of little else; from a discussion of the qualities of a good farm manager.) Sit is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (a jussive subjunctive). Ab/ā (prep.): from; by (takes ablative). Venereīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of venereus/venerea/venereum (1/2—also venerius): belonging to Venus; relating to sexual love. Amōribus is the ablative plural form of amor, amōris (3m): love; love affair. 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.
Love of someone/something or for/toward someone/something is often expressed by combining amor with an objective genitive.
Numquampopulusuniversusfeminaeamoreflagravit. —Seneca, On Anger 3.2.2
Translation
Never has an entire people burned with love for a woman.
Details
(But an entire people is capable of fury.) Numquam (adv.): never. Populus, populī (2m): people; nation; general public. Ūniversus/ūniversa/ūniversum (1/2): whole, entire, all (together). Fēmina, fēminae (1f): woman; female. Amōre is the ablative singular form of amor, amōris (3m): love; love affair. Flagrāvit is the third person singular perfect form of flagrō, flagrāre, flagrāvī, flagrātum (1): to blaze, burn, be on fire.
Ebriosusconvictoresinamoremmeritraxit. —Seneca, On Anger 3.8.1
Translation
We have seen drunkards draw their companions to the love of wine.
More literally: A drunkard has drawn (his) companions to the love of wine.
Details
(It’s happened in the past and can happen in general.) Ēbriōsus/ēbriōsa/ēbriōsum (1/2): given to drinking, (habitually) drunken (used substantively to mean a drunken person, a drunkard). Convīctōrēs is the accusative plural form of convīctor, convīctōris (3m): a person who lives on intimate terms with another, close friend, companion. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Amōrem is the accusative singular form of amor, amōris (3m): love; love affair. Merum, merī (2n): wine unmixed with water (a substantive use of merus/mera/merum (1/2): pure, unmixed, undiluted, unalloyed; sheer, absolute; mere; the noun vīnum, vīnī (2n, meaning wine) is implied). Trāxit is the third person singular perfect form of trahō, trahere, trāxī, tractum (3): to pull, drag, draw; attract.
But instead of the genitive a prepositional phrase can be used: typically in + acc. or ergā + acc. , sometimes also adversus + acc. These constructions are preferred to the objective genitive when amor is already modified by a subjective genitive or a possessive pronoun; e. g. , your love of/for/toward me will be tuus ergā (or in or adversus) mē amor rather than tuus meī amor. But that’s not the only context they’re used in.
Nor do they yield to us in love for this fatherland.
Details
(Talking about the descendants of immigrants from Gaul and Spain.) Neque/nec: (as conj.) and not, nor; (as adv.) neither, not either, not even. Amōre is the ablative singular form of amor, amōris (3m): love; love affair. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into; toward; for. Hanc is the feminine accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Patriam is the accusative singular form of patria, patriae (1f): fatherland, country (a substantive use of patrius/patria/patrium (1/2): paternal, belonging to one’s father; the substantive is feminine because the noun terra, terrae (1f, meaning land) or possibly cīvitās, cīvitātis (3f, meaning state, city, city-state) is implied). Nōbīs is the dative form of nōs: we (to us). Concēdunt is the third person plural form of concēdō, concēdere, concessī, concessum (3): to depart, withdraw; give way, make place; yield, submit; be inferior; concede.
Tuamprudentiam, temperantiam, amoremergamenovi. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 16.9.3
Translation
I know your good sense, your temperate habits, and your affection for me.
Alt. : I know your prudence, your self-control, and your love toward me.
Details
Tuam is the feminine accusative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Prūdentiam is the accusative singular form of prūdentia, prūdentiae (1f): good sense, sagacity, wisdom, prudence. Temperantiam is the accusative singular form of temperantia, temperantiae (1f): moderation, restraint, self-control, temperance. Amōrem is the accusative singular form of amor, amōris (3m): love; love affair. Ergā (prep.): right against, next to; toward, for (mostly when talking about feelings and attitudes); with regard to (takes the accusative). Mē is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Nōscō, nōscere, nōvī, nōtum (3): (in present-stem forms) to get to know; (in perfect stem forms, translated like present-stem forms of other verbs) know (perfect forms translate with the present tense of English know).
Amōre capī (lit. to be taken by love) means to fall in love; the expression often appears in perfect-participle form: amōre captus = in love.
Arsitinersfratermeretriciscaptusamore. —Ovid, The Heroines 15.63
Translation
My idle brother fell madly in love with a prostitute.
More literally: (My) idle brother caught fire, taken by the love of a prostitute.
Details
Ārsit is the third person singular perfect form of ārdeō, ārdēre, ārsī, ārsum (2): to be on fire or catch fire, burn. Iners, inertis (3, adj.): unskilled; lazy, idle, inactive. Frāter, frātris (3m): brother. Meretrīx, meretrīcis (3f): prostitute. Captus/capta/captum (1/2) is the perfect passive participle form of capiō, capere, cēpī, captum (3, –iō): to take, seize, capture. Amōre is the ablative singular form of amor, amōris (3m): love; love affair.
Plural forms of amor (and, more rarely, the singular) can mean the object of one’s love.
Emamorestuos, sivisspectare. —Plautus, The Little Carthaginian 207-8
Translation
Here’s your sweetheart, if you want to look.
Details
Em (interjection): look! here you are! here is/are! (It can be followed by a word or phrase in the nominative or accusative.) Amōrēs is the accusative plural form of amor, amōris (3m): love; love affair; (often in the plural, with singular translation) the object of one’s love, sweetheart. Tuōs is the accusative plural form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Sī (conj.): if. Vīs is the second person singular form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish. Spectō, spectāre, spectāvī, spectātum (1): to watch, look (at).
Amor can also mean the god Love, Cupid, or a cupid.
A tender company of Loves presses the couch and cushions of the goddess.
Alt. : A tender army of cupids sat on the bed and bedposts of the goddess.
Details
Fulcra is the accusative plural form of fulcrum, fulcrī (2n): the head- or back-support of a couch, bedpost. Torōsque: torōs is the accusative plural form of torus, torī (2m): bed (plural used poetically instead of the singular); the enclitic conjunction –que adds and. Dea, deae (1f): goddess. Tener/tenera/tenerum (1/2): soft, tender, delicate. Premit is the third person singular form of premō, premere, pressī, pressum (3): to press; harass; crush; overwhelm; subdue; throng round, crowd round; sit or lie on (it’s in the historical present). Agmen, agminis (3): stream, current; army on the march, column; crowd, throng. Amōrum is the genitive plural form of amor, amōris (3m): love; love affair; Cupid.
Ars, artis
Ars, artis (3f): art, craft, skill, technique; a particular art or science, body of knowledge and techniques; trade, profession; artifice, trick, stratagem, guile; (usually in pl.) practices, ways, conduct, behavior.
Art, craft, skill, technique; a particular art or science, body of knowledge and techniques; trade, profession.
Arsestbonumfieri. —Seneca, Epistles 90.44
Translation
It is an art to become good.
Details
Ars, artis (3f): art, craft, skill, technique; a particular art or science, body of knowledge and techniques; trade, profession; artifice, trick, stratagem, guile; (usually in pl.) practices, ways, conduct, behavior. Est: it is. Bonum is the m/n (here m) accusative singular form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Fīō, fierī, —, — (irreg.): to be done; be made; happen; become.
Ettamenarspretiosiorerat. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 34.5
Translation
And yet the art was more precious still.
Details
(Than the precious metals in the statues.) Et (conj.): and. Tamen (adv.): nevertheless, yet, still. Ars, artis (3f): art, craft, skill, technique; a particular art or science, body of knowledge and techniques; trade, profession; artifice, trick, stratagem, guile; (usually in pl.) practices, ways, conduct, behavior. Pretiōsior/pretiōsior/pretiōsius (3): costlier, more expensive; more precious, more valuable—the comparative form of pretiōsus/pretiōsa/pretiōsum (1/2): costly, expensive; precious, valuable. Erat is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Poeticaeartishonosnonerat. —Cato the Elder quoted in Gellius, Attic Nights 11.2.5
Translation
There was no esteem for the art of poetry.
More literally: There was not esteem of the poetic art; esteem of the poetic art did not exist.
Details
Poēticae is the feminine genitive singular form of poēticus/poētica/poēticum (1/2): belonging to poetry, poetic. Ars, artis (3f): art, craft, skill, technique; a particular art or science, body of knowledge and techniques; trade, profession; artifice, trick, stratagem, guile; (usually in pl.) practices, ways, conduct, behavior. Honōs, honōris (3m—also honor): honor, esteem. Nōn: not. Erat is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Far from impeding the pilot’s skill, it reveals it.
More literally: It so much does not impede the pilot’s skill that it reveals it.
Details
(A storm.) Gubernātor, gubernātōris (3m): helmsman, pilot. Artem is the accusative singular form of ars, artis (3f): art, craft, skill, technique; a particular art or science, body of knowledge and techniques; trade, profession; artifice, trick, stratagem, guile; (usually in pl.) practices, ways, conduct, behavior. Adeō (adv.): so (much), to such a point, to such an extent, so true is it that. Nōn: not. Inpedit is the third person singular form of inpediō, inpedīre, inpedīvī/inpediī, inpedītum (4—also impediō): to impede, hinder, hamper. Ut (conj.): that, so that. Ostendat is the third person singular subjunctive form of ostendō, ostendere, ostendī, ostentum/ostēnsum (3): to show, exhibit, display, reveal (subjunctive because it's in a result clause).
There was a physician, distinguished in his craft, by the name of Charicles.
More literally: . . . Charicles by name.
Details
Erat is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Medicus, medicī (2m): doctor, physician. Arte is the ablative singular form of ars, artis (3f): art, craft, skill, technique; a particular art or science, body of knowledge and techniques; trade, profession; artifice, trick, stratagem, guile; (usually in pl.) practices, ways, conduct, behavior. Īnsignis/īnsignis/īnsigne (3): clearly visible; noteworthy, remarkable; distinguished. Nōmine is the ablative singular form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name. Chariclēs, Chariclis (3m).
Artēs is the nominative plural form of ars, artis (3f): art, craft, skill, technique; a particular art or science, body of knowledge and techniques; trade, profession; artifice, trick, stratagem, guile; (usually in pl.) practices, ways, conduct, behavior. Serviunt is the third person plural form of serviō, servīre, servīvī/serviī, servītum (4): to serve; be a slave (takes a dative object). Vītae is the dative singular form of vītā, vītae (1f): life. Sapientia, sapientiae (1f): wisdom. Imperat is the third person singular form of imperō, imperāre, imperāvī, imperātum (1): to command; rule over; demand (the person or thing receiving a command or being ruled over, or that something is demanded from, goes in the dative).
Nonestenimphilosophiasimilisartiumreliquarum. —Cicero, On the Orator 3.79
Translation
For philosophy is not like the rest of the arts.
Details
Nōn: not. Est: is. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Philosophia, philosophiae (1f): philosophy. Similis/similis/simile (3): similar, like (it can take the dative or the genitive). Artium is the genitive plural form of ars, artis (3f): art, craft, skill, technique; a particular art or science, body of knowledge and techniques; trade, profession; artifice, trick, stratagem, guile; (usually in pl.) practices, ways, conduct, behavior. Reliquārum is the feminine genitive plural form of reliquus/reliqua/reliquum (1/2): that is left, remaining, the rest (of).
Alt. : Does he want to learn a lucrative profession?
Details
(If so, make him become a musician or, if he can’t manage that, an auctioneer or an architect; in any case, don’t let him become an orator or a poet—advice to a father on the education of his son.) Artēs is the accusative plural form of ars, artis (3f): art, craft, skill, technique; a particular art or science, body of knowledge and techniques; trade, profession; artifice, trick, stratagem, guile; (usually in pl.) practices, ways, conduct, behavior. Discō, discere, didicī, discitūrus (3): to learn. Vult is the third person singular form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish. Pecūniōsās is the feminine accusative plural form of pecūniōsus/pecūniōsa/pecūniōsum (1/2): moneyed, rich, wealthy; gainful, lucrative.
Apudeoseasdemartesfeminaequasviriexercent. —Pomponius Mela, De Chorographia 1.114
Translation
Among them the women practice the same professions as the men.
More literally: Among them the women practice the same professions that the men (practice).
Details
Apud (prep.): at, near; with, among; in the presence of; at the house of; in the writings of (takes accusative). Eōs is the masculine accusative plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one) (these/those/them). Eāsdem is the feminine accusative plural form of īdem/eadem/idem (adj.): the same. Artēs is the accusative plural form of ars, artis (3f): art, craft, skill, technique; a particular art or science, body of knowledge and techniques; trade, profession; artifice, trick, stratagem, guile; (usually in pl.) practices, ways, conduct, behavior. Fēminae is the nominative plural form of fēmina, fēminae (1f): woman; female. Quās is the feminine accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Virī is the nominative plural form of vir, virī (2m): man. Exercent is the third person plural form of exerceō, exercēre, exercuī, exercitum (2): to train; exercise, practice, employ, wield; harass, trouble.
Artifice, trick, stratagem, guile.
Omniarterequiemfuroridabit. —Seneca, On Anger 3.39.4
Translation
He’ll use every stratagem to bring a pause to the person’s rage.
More literally: He will give a pause to (the person’s) rage by every stratagem.
Details
Omnī is the m/f/n ablative singular form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every; any. Arte is the ablative singular form of ars, artis (3f): art, craft, skill, technique; a particular art or science, body of knowledge and techniques; trade, profession; artifice, trick, stratagem, guile; (usually in pl.) practices, ways, conduct, behavior. Requiem is the accusative singular form of requiēs, requiētis (3/5f): rest; pause, break. Furōrī is the dative singular form of furor, furōris (3m): madness, frenzy, delirium; rage, fury. Dabit is the third person singular future form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give.
Sinonproficientartes, veniemusadarma. —Ovid, The Heroines 20.47
Translation
If artifices do not work, we will resort to arms.
Details
Sī (conj.): if. Nōn: not. Prōficient is the third person plural future form of prōficiō, prōficere, prōfēcī, prōfectum (3, –iō): to advance, progress; succeed, be successful, achieve something; benefit, avail, do good. Artēs is the nominative plural form of ars, artis (3f): art, craft, skill, technique; a particular art or science, body of knowledge and techniques; trade, profession; artifice, trick, stratagem, guile; (usually in pl.) practices, ways, conduct, behavior. Veniēmus is the first person plural future form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Arma is the accusative form of arma, armōrum (2n, plural only): arms, weapons.
Practices, ways, conduct, behavior. It’s usually plural when used in this sense.
Metushostilisinbonisartibuscivitatemretinebat. —Sallust, The War with Jugurtha 41.2
Translation
Fear of the enemy maintained the city’s good conduct.
More literally: Enemy-related fear maintained the city in good practices.
Details
Metus, metūs (4m): fear. Hostīlis/hostīlis/hostīle (3): of, belonging to, relating to or characteristic of an enemy; hostile. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Bonīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Artibus is the ablative plural form of ars, artis (3f): art, craft, skill, technique; a particular art or science, body of knowledge and techniques; trade, profession; artifice, trick, stratagem, guile; (usually in pl.) practices, ways, conduct, behavior. Cīvitātem is the accusative singular form of cīvitās, cīvitātis (3f): citizenship; state, city, city-state; citizenry, the citizens of a state. Retinēbat is the third person singular imperfect form of retineō, retinēre, retinuī, retentum (2): to hold back; keep, retain, maintain.
Confusion warning. Note a few words that can look similar to ars, artis but have entirely different meanings.
Calcāvit is the third person singular perfect form of calcō, calcāre, calcāvī, calcātum (1): to tread. Artīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of artus/arta/artum (1/2—also arctus): tight, close, firm; compact; narrow; restricted; scanty; dense, thick, close-packed; difficult, critical. Obsitum is the m/n accusative singular form of obsitus/obsita/obsitum (1/2): overgrown—originally the perfect passive participle of obserō, obserere, obsēvī, obsitum (3): to sow, plant. Dūmīs is the ablative plural form of dūmus, dūmī (2m): thorn bush, briar, bramble. Iter is the accusative singular form of iter, itineris (3n): journey; route, way, path.
—Artē (adv. —also arctē): tightly, closely, firmly; compactly (an adverb formed from the adjective mentioned above).
Tenesismearte, meavoluptas. —Plautus, The Little Carthaginian 1292
Translation
Hold me tight, please, sweetie.
More literally: Hold me tight(ly), please, my delight.
Details
Tenē is the singular imperative form of teneō, tenēre, tenuī, tentum (2): to hold. Sīs: please, if you please—a contraction of sī (if) and vīs (you want/wish/please). Mē is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Artē (adv. —also arctē): tight(ly), close(ly), firmly; compactly. Mea is the feminine vocative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Voluptās is the vocative singular form of voluptās, voluptātis (3f): pleasure, delight (here used as a term of endearment).
—Artus, artūs (4m): joint (in the body), articulation; limb; body part.
Torpor, torpōris (3m): numbness; paralysis; inactivity, lethargy, torpor. Gravis/gravis/grave (3): heavy; grave, serious; hard, troublesome, painful, grievous, severe. Occupat is the third person singular form of occupō, occupāre, occupāvī, occupātum (1): to seize, take possession of; occupy (it’s in the historical present). Artūs is the accusative plural form of artus, artūs (4m): joint (in the body), articulation; limb; body part.
Artus has a dative/ablative plural form artibus, identical to the dative/ablative plural form of ars. But that form of artus is rare. The dative/ablative plural form of artus is more usually artubus.
Compare also some other forms that look a bit similar: artium (the genitive plural form of ars) vs. artum (the accusative singular form of artus) and artuum (the genitive plural form of artus).
Dolor, dolōris
Dolor, dolōris (3m): pain; grief, sorrow—suffering whether physical or psychological.
Hocetcapitisdoloresfacit. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 13.16
Translation
The latter also causes headaches.
More literally: . . . pains of the head.
Details
Hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it; the latter. Et (adv.): also. Caput, capitis (3n): head. Dolōrēs is the accusative plural form of dolor, dolōris (3m): pain; grief, sorrow. Facit is the third person singular form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make; cause.
Dolor, dolōris (3m): pain; grief, sorrow. Et (conj.): and. Paupertās, paupertātis (3f): poverty. Dēteriōrem is the m/f (here m) accusative singular form of dēterior/dēterior/dēterius (3): worse, inferior. Nōn: not. Faciunt is the third person plural form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make; cause.
Estaliquaetdolorisambitio. —Seneca, Epistles 63.2
Translation
There is an element of self-seeking even in our sorrow.
More literally: There is a certain ambition/self-seeking/ostentation even of sorrow.
Details
(People like to display their grief to others.) Est: there is. Aliquī/aliqua/aliquod (adj.): some, a certain. Et (adv.): also; even. Dolor, dolōris (3m): pain; grief, sorrow. Ambitiō, ambitiōnis (3f): ambition, desire for favor; self-interest, self-seeking; ostentation.
Unumdoloremgeminatosolacioleva. —Seneca, Consolation to Marcia 16.8
Translation
Lighten your sorrow for one by drawing comfort from two.
More literally: Relieve a single sorrow with a double(d) consolation.
Details
(He’s advising her to treat her two granddaughters as consolation for the death of her son.) Ūnum is the m/n accusative singular form of ūnus/ūna/ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one, (only) a single. Dolōrem is the accusative singular form of dolor, dolōris (3m): pain; grief, sorrow. Geminātō is the m/n ablative singular form of geminātus/gemināta/geminātum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of geminō, gemināre, gemināvī, geminātum (1): to double, duplicate. Sōlāciō is the ablative singular form of sōlācium, sōlāciī (2n): comfort, consolation, solace. Levā is the singular imperative form of levō, levāre, levāvī, levātum (1): to raise, lift; relieve.
Good fortune, luckiness, (good) luck, prosperity, happiness (usually referring to happy circumstances rather than the feeling of happiness); success.
Domesticaillifelicitasest. —Seneca, Epistles 72.4
Translation
His happiness is something within himself.
(Chicago:) His happiness lives at home.
More literally: Happiness is domestic to him.
Details
(On the sage.) Domesticus/domestica/domesticum (1/2): domestic, of the house, belonging to one’s household; personal, one’s own. Illī is the m/f/n dative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it. Fēlīcitās, fēlīcitātis (3f): good fortune, luckiness, (good) luck, prosperity, happiness; success; fertility. Est: is.
Effice, nefelicitatisuaecredat. —Seneca, On Benefits 6.33.2
Translation
Stop him from trusting his good fortune.
More literally: Bring (it) about that he not trust his good fortune.
Details
(How to help a lucky man.) Effice is the singular imperative form of efficiō, efficere, effēcī, effectum (3, –iō): to make; make up, compose, assemble; produce; bring about, cause, make it so (that); carry out, execute, accomplish. Nē (conj. , with subjunctive): lest, that not. Fēlīcitātī is the dative singular form of fēlīcitās, fēlīcitātis (3f): good fortune, luckiness, (good) luck, prosperity, happiness; success; fertility. Suae: his (own)—the feminine dative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Crēdat is the third person singular subjunctive form of crēdō, crēdere, crēdidī, crēditum (3): to entrust; lend (money); trust; believe (the person/thing trusted or believed to be telling the truth goes in the dative).
No one is compelled to pursue prosperity at top speed.
More literally: It is necessary for no one to pursue prosperity at a run.
Details
Nūllī is the m/f/n dative singular form of nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any; (m. sg. used substantively) no one. Necesse (adj. , indeclinable): necessary, inevitable. Est: it is. Fēlīcitātem is the accusative singular form of fēlīcitās, fēlīcitātis (3f): good fortune, luckiness, (good) luck, prosperity, happiness; success; fertility. Cursū is the ablative singular form of cursus, cursūs (4m): the action of running, run; course; passage; race. Sequor, sequi, secūtus sum (3, deponent): to follow; pursue, chase.
Felicitatecorrumperis. —Quintilian, Major Declamations 15.10
Translation
You are ruined by your success.
Details
Fēlīcitāte is the ablative singular form of fēlīcitās, fēlīcitātis (3f): good fortune, luckiness, (good) luck, prosperity, happiness; success; fertility. Corrumperis is the second person singular passive form of corrumpō, corrumpere, corrūpī, corruptum (3): to ruin, spoil, destroy; corrupt.
Fertility (of land).
Haecfelicitasterraeimbecilliscultoribusfatigatur. —Pliny the Younger, Letters 3.19.6
Translation
This fertility of the land is being exhausted by incompetent cultivators.
Details
Hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Fēlīcitās, fēlīcitātis (3f): good fortune, luckiness, (good) luck, prosperity, happiness; success; fertility. Terra, terrae (1f): earth; land; soil; ground. Imbēcillīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of imbēcillus/imbēcilla/imbēcillum (1/2): weak, feeble; ineffective, incompetent. Cultōribus is the ablative plural form of cultor, cultōris (3m): inhabitant; cultivator; worshipper. (The animate agent of a passive verb is usually expressed in the ablative after the preposition ab/ā. Here imbēcillīs cultōribus is used without ab because the incompetent cultivators are considered as a circumstance rather than an agent.) Fatīgātur is the third person singular passive form of fatīgō, fatīgāre, fatīgāvī, fatīgātum (1): to tire, weary, exhaust; keep on at; harass; wear down.
Fīnis, fīnis
Fīnis, fīnis (3m, rarely f): boundary, bound, limit; end, ending; the farthest limit or culminating point (of anything); aim, goal, target, purpose, object; (in pl.) territory.
Boundary, bound, limit. Either a physical boundary (e. g. , between two pieces of land) or a figurative one.
IdemAsiametEuropamfinisinterfluit. —Quintus Curtius, Histories of Alexander 7.7.2
Translation
The same flows as a boundary between Asia and Europe.
Alt: The same boundary flows between Asia and Europe.
Details
(The river Don.) Īdem/eadem/idem (pron. or adj.): the same. Asiam is the accusative singular form of Asia, Asiae (1f): Asia. Et (conj.): and. Eurōpam is the accusative singular form of Eurōpa, Eurōpae (1f): Europe. Fīnis, fīnis (3m): boundary, bound, limit; end, ending; the farthest limit or culminating point (of anything); aim, goal, target, purpose, object; (in pl.) territory. Interfluit is the third person singular form of interfluō, interfluere, interflūxī, — (3): to flow between.
Difficileestfinemfacerepretionisilibidinifeceris. —Cicero, Against Verres 2.4.14
Translation
It is difficult to set a limit on the price if you do not set one on your desire.
Details
Difficilis/difficilis/difficile (3): difficult. Est: it is. Fīnem is the accusative singular form of fīnis, fīnis (3m): boundary, bound, limit; end, ending; the farthest limit or culminating point (of anything); aim, goal, target, purpose, object; (in pl.) territory. Faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Pretiō is the dative singular form of pretium, pretiī (2n): price; value. Nisi (conj.): unless, if not; except. Libīdinī is the dative singular form of libīdō, libīdinis (2f): desire, craving; lust. Fēcerīs is the second person singular perfect subjunctive form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make (fēcerīs is in the “potential” subjunctive because the subject is a general you; it’s in the perfect tense because it refers to an action completed before another).
The ablative singular form fīne or fīnī is occasionally combined with a genitive or ablative word to mean up to (the point of), as far as. Thus pectoris fīne/fīnī (literally with the limit of the chest) or pectore fīne/fīnī (literally (with) the chest (being) the limit) would mean up to the chest. (In general, fīne is the more usual ablative singular form.)
Plural forms can mean the borders of a territory or the territory itself (the two senses aren’t always distinct).
Mediaefinesingressus est. —Quintus Curtius, Histories of Alexander 5.1.9
Translation
He crossed into Median territory.
More literally: He entered the boundaries/territory of Media.
Details
Mēdia, Mēdiae (1f): Media, the country of the Medes (part of modern-day Iran). Fīnēs is the accusative plural form of fīnis, fīnis (3m): boundary, bound, limit; end, ending; the farthest limit or culminating point (of anything); aim, goal, target, purpose, object; (in pl.) territory. Ingressus est is the third person masculine singular perfect form of ingredior, ingredī, ingressus sum (3, –ior, deponent): to walk into, go into, enter; commence, begin; move forward, walk.
HocfereestinmediisEburonumfinibus. —Caesar, The Gallic War 6.32.4
Translation
It lies roughly in the middle of the territory of the Eburones.
Details
Hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Ferē (adv. —also fermē): approximately, roughly, about; almost; usually, in general. Est: is. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Mediīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of medius/media/medium (1/2): middle (often used where English would use the noun middle with of). Eburōnēs, Eburōnum (3m, plural): a people of Gaul. Fīnibus is the ablative plural form of fīnis, fīnis (3m): boundary, bound, limit; end, ending; the farthest limit or culminating point (of anything); aim, goal, target, purpose, object; (in pl.) territory.
End, ending (the ultimate boundary).
Isfinisorationifuit. —Livy, History of Rome 1.50.8
Translation
The speech ended there.
More literally: That was the end to the speech. Or: That end was to the speech (the speech had this end).
Details
Is/ea/id (pron. or adj.): this, this one; he, she, it. Fīnis, fīnis (3m): boundary, bound, limit; end, ending; the farthest limit or culminating point (of anything); aim, goal, target, purpose, object; (in pl.) territory. Ōrātiōnī is the dative singular form of ōrātiō, ōrātiōnis (3f): speech; (in Christian usage) prayer. Fuit is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Itaquefinemfaciam. —Seneca, Epistles 30.18
Translation
So I shall stop.
More literally: So I will make an end.
Details
Itaque (conj.): (and) so, therefore. Fīnem is the accusative singular form of fīnis, fīnis (3m): boundary, bound, limit; end, ending; the farthest limit or culminating point (of anything); aim, goal, target, purpose, object; (in pl.) territory. Faciam is the first person singular future form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
It is natural to rejoice at the ending of one’s ills.
Details
Nātūrālis/nātūrālis/nātūrāle (3): natural. Est: it is. Malum, malī (2n): an evil or any bad thing (trouble, misfortune, ill, disease, etc.). Suī: (of) one’s (own)—the m/n genitive singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Fīne is the ablative singular form of fīnis, fīnis (3m): boundary, bound, limit; end, ending; the farthest limit or culminating point (of anything); aim, goal, target, purpose, object; (in pl.) territory. Gaudeō, gaudēre, gāvīsus sum (2, semi-deponent): to rejoice, be joyful, be glad, take pleasure in.
The farthest limit or culminating point of anything.
Honorumpopulifinisestconsulatus. —Cicero, In Defense of Plancius 60
Translation
The summit of the honors conferred by the people is the consulship.
More literally: The farthest limit of the honors of the people is the consulship.
Details
Honōrum is the genitive plural form of honor, honōris (3m): honor, esteem; (political) office. Populus, populī (2m): people; nation; populace. Fīnis, fīnis (3m): boundary, bound, limit; end, ending; the farthest limit or culminating point (of anything); aim, goal, target, purpose, object; (in pl.) territory. Est: is. Cōnsulātus, cōnsulātūs (4m): consulship.
DeFinibusBonorumetMalorum—title of a work by Cicero
Translation
On the Ends of Good and Evil.
Details
(That is, on the farthest limits or culminating points of good things and of bad things; on the supreme good and the supreme evil.) Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning, on (takes the ablative). Fīnibus is the ablative plural form of fīnis, fīnis (3m): boundary, bound, limit; end, ending; the farthest limit or culminating point (of anything); aim, goal, target, purpose, object; (in pl.) territory. Bonōrum is the genitive plural form of bonum, bonī (2n): a good thing, a good, a blessing, a boon. Et (conj.): and. Malōrum is the genitive plural form of malum, malī (2n): an evil or any bad thing (trouble, misfortune, ill, disease, etc.).
Sometimes fīnis means an aim, goal, target, purpose or object—in other words, an end that one wants to reach. It can refer to a physical aim, goal or target (e. g. , an archery target, the finish line of a race, or the destination of a journey); or it can mean a more figurative aim, a purpose or object.
Estigiturindeliberandofinisutilitas. —Cicero, On the Classification of Rhetoric 83
Translation
Therefore the aim of deliberation is to reach the most advantageous decision.
More literally: Therefore the aim in deliberating is utility.
Details
Est: is. Igitur (conj.): therefore, so, then. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Dēlīberandō is the ablative gerund of dēlīberō, dēlīberāre, dēlīberāvī, dēlīberātum (1): to deliberate. Fīnis, fīnis (3m): boundary, bound, limit; end, ending; the farthest limit or culminating point (of anything); aim, goal, target, purpose, object; (in pl.) territory. Ūtilitās, ūtilitātis (3f): usefulness, utility; advantage, advantageousness; expediency.
Confusion warning. Note the related verb fīniō, fīnīre, fīnīvī/fīniī, fīnītum (4): to mark out the boundaries of, delimit; draw; prescribe (a limit or similar); end, finish, put an end to; define. The second person singular present indicative form of this verb (fīnīs) looks like an accusative plural form of the noun fīnis (alternative to fīnēs), and in an unmacronized text it also looks like the nominative and genitive singular forms. The singular imperative of the same verb (fīnī) looks the same as the dative singular form and alternative ablative singular form of the noun. These verb forms are much less common than the noun.
Tupopulosurbesqueetregnaingentiafinis. —Ovid, Book of Days 2.659
Translation
You delimit nations, cities and vast kingdoms.
Details
(Addressing Terminus, the god of boundaries.) Tū: you. Populōs is the accusative plural form of populus, populī (2m): people; nation; populace. Urbēsque: urbēs is the accusative plural form of urbs, urbis (3f): city; the enclitic conjunction –que adds and. Et (conj.): and. Rēgna is the accusative plural form of rēgnum, rēgnī (2n): kingship; reign; kingdom. Ingentia is the neuter accusative plural form of ingēns, ingentis (3, adj.): huge, vast, enormous, immense. Fīnīs is the second person singular form of fīniō, fīnīre, fīnīvī/fīniī, fīnītum (4): to mark out the boundaries of, delimit; draw; prescribe (a limit or similar); end, finish, put an end to; define.
Fortitūdō, fortitūdinis
Fortitūdō, fortitūdinis (3f): bravery, courage, fortitude; strength. The usual meaning is bravery, courage, fortitude—or mental strength. It only rarely refers to physical strength.
Nempe (particle): indeed, certainly, of course, presumably; so it may be assumed that? Fortitūdō, fortitūdinis (3f): bravery, courage, fortitude; strength. Optābilis/optābilis/optābile (3): desirable. Est: is.
Rashness lurks beneath the appellation of bravery.
(Chicago:) Temerity cloaks itself with the name of courage.
Details
Temeritās, temeritātis (3f): rashness, recklessness, temerity. Sub (prep.): (with abl.) under, beneath, in a position under or beneath; (with acc.) under (as a direction), to a position under or beneath. Titulō is the ablative singular form of titulus, titulī (2m):): an inscribed tablet, label, or the like; inscription; title; name, appellation; title of honor. Fortitūdō, fortitūdinis (3f): bravery, courage, fortitude; strength. Latet is the third person singular form of lateō, latēre, latuī, — (2): to be hidden, hide, lurk; be obscure or unknown.
Suntigiturdomesticaefortitudinesnoninferioresmilitaribus. —Cicero, On Duties 1.78
Translation
So domestic braveries are not inferior to military ones.
Details
Sunt: (they) are. Igitur (conj.): therefore, so, then. Domesticae is the feminine nominative plural form of domesticus/domestica/domesticum (1/2): domestic, of the house, belonging to one’s household; personal, one’s own. Fortitūdinēs is the nominative plural form of fortitūdō, fortitūdinis (3f): bravery, courage, fortitude; strength. Nōn: not. Īnferiōrēs is the m/f nominative plural form of īnferior/īnferior/īnferius (3): situated further below, lower; inferior—the comparative form of īnferus/īnfera/īnferum (1/2): situated below. Mīlitāribus is the m/f/n ablative (or maybe dative) plural form of mīlitāris/mīlitāris/mīlitāre (3): military (inferior to is often expressed with īnferior and an ablative of comparison, but the dative is sometimes used as well).
Gēns, gentis
Gēns, gentis (3f): nation, people, race; gens, clan, (extended) family.
Nation, people, race.
Nullagensestquamnonirainstiget. —Seneca, On Anger 3.2.1
Translation
All nations feel the goad of anger.
More literally: There is no nation that anger does not goad.
Details
Nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Gēns, gentis (3f): nation, people, race; gens, clan, (extended) family. Est: there is. Quam is the feminine accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Nōn: not. Īra, īrae (1f): anger. Īnstīget is the third person singular subjunctive form of īnstīgō, īnstīgāre, īnstīgāvī, īnstīgātum (1): to incite, urge, goad, provoke (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of characteristic).
Illumsuspiciantetcolantgentes. —Seneca, Consolation to Helvia 9.8
Translation
Let nations admire and worship him.
Details
Illum is the masculine accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she it. Suspiciant is the third person plural subjunctive form of suspiciō, suspicere suspexī, suspectum (3, –iō): to look up (at); look up to, admire, respect. Et (conj.): and. Colant is the third person plural subjunctive form of colō, colere, coluī, cultum (3): to inhabit; cultivate; worship. Gentēs is the nominative plural form of gēns, gentis (3f): nation, people, race; gens, clan, (extended) family. (The two verbs are jussive subjunctives.)
Ingeniacultusquegentiumdifferunt. —Pomponius Mela, De Chorographia 2.9
Translation
The characters and customs of the peoples differ among themselves.
Details
Ingenia is the nominative plural form of ingenium, ingeniī (2n): natural disposition, innate character, nature, temperament; mental powers, intellect, mind; talent; cleverness, ingenuity. Cultūsque: cultūs is the nominative plural form of cultus, cultūs (4m): inhabitation (the fact of inhabiting a place); cultivation, tilling (of land); education; personal care (of one’s body or appearance); adornment; manner of dress; smartness, elegance; refinement; mode of living; custom; worship, veneration; the enclitic conjunction –que adds and. Gentium is the genitive plural form of gēns, gentis (3f): nation, people, race; gens, clan, (extended) family. Differunt is the third person plural form of differō, differre, distulī, dīlātum (3, irreg.): to scatter, spread; delay, postpone, defer; differ.
Liberasvidebisgentesquaeiracundissimaesunt. —Seneca, On Anger 2.15.1
Translation
You will see that the most irascible peoples are free peoples.
More literally: You will see free the peoples that are the most irascible (i.e., you will see those peoples to be free; you will see that those peoples are free).
Details
(The argument of someone who thinks there’s something noble about anger; he mentions the Germans and the Scythians as examples.) Līberās is the feminine accusative plural form of līber/lībera/līberum (1/2): free (having freedom). Vidēbis is the second person singular future form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see. Gentēs is the accusative plural form of gēns, gentis (3f): nation, people, race; gens, clan, (extended) family. Quae is the f/n nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Īrācundissimae is the feminine nominative plural form of īrācundissimus/īrācundissima/īrācundissimum (1/2): very/most prone to anger, very/most irascible—the superlative form of īrācundus/īrācunda/īrācundum (1/2): prone to anger, irascible. Sunt: (they) are.
The genitive plural gentium is sometimes used as a partitive genitive in combination with an adverb (often an adverb of place like ubi, unde, quō, nusquam, usquam. . .), to create a meaning like (where/from where/where to/nowhere/anywhere. . .) on earth.
Ubituesgentium? —Plautus, The Rope 469
Translation
Where on earth are you?
More literally: Where of/among the nations are you?
Details
Ubi (interrog. adv.): where? Tū: you. Es: are (you). Gentium is the genitive plural form of gēns, gentis (3f): nation, people, race; gens, clan, (extended) family. Ubi gentium? = where on earth?
Fratremnusquaminveniogentium. —Terence, The Brothers 540
Translation
I can’t find my brother anywhere.
More literally: I find my brother nowhere of/among the nations.
The phrase minimē gentium appears a few times in Plautus and Terence (and once in Apuleius) with the meaning not at all, absolutely not.
Details
Frātrem is the accusative singular form of frāter, frātris (3m): brother. Nusquam (adv.): nowhere. Inveniō, invenīre, invēnī, inventum (4): to find. Gentium is the genitive plural form of gēns, gentis (3f): nation, people, race; gens, clan, (extended) family. Nusquam gentium = nowhere on earth, nowhere at all.
Gens, clan, (extended) family. A Roman gēns is a large group of people sharing a common ancestor and a nōmen gentīlicium (more or less a family name). For example, the gēns of Mārcus Tullius Cicerō is the gēns Tullia, the “Tullian” family (or the “Tullian” clan). (The third name, the cognōmen—here Cicerō—was originally a personal nickname, given to someone on the basis of a personal characteristic; but it could become hereditary among a particular branch of a gēns. It was then like a second family name, referring to a smaller group than the nōmen gentīlicium did.)
Sullagentispatriciaenobilisfuit. —Sallust, The War with Jugurtha 95.3
Translation
Sulla was from a distinguished patrician family.
Details
Sulla, Sullae (1m). Gēns, gentis (3f): nation, people, race; gens, clan, (extended) family. Patriciae is the feminine genitive singular form of patricius/patricia/patricium (1/2): patrician. Nōbilis is the m/f/n genitive singular form of nōbilis/nōbilis/nōbile (3): renowned, famous, celebrated, distinguished, illustrious; noble. Fuit is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
TumFabiagenssenatumadiit. —Livy, History of Rome 2.48.8
Translation
Then the Fabia gens appealed to the Senate.
Alt. : Then the Fabian clan appealed to the Senate.
Details
Tum (adv.): then, at that time, at that moment. Fabius/Fabia/Fabium (1/2): a family name. Gēns, gentis (3f): nation, people, race; gens, clan, (extended) family. Senātum is the accusative singular form of senātus, senātūs (4m): senate. Adiit is the third person singular perfect form of adeō, adīre, adiī, aditum (irreg.): to go to, approach, visit; go to for help, appeal to.
Homō, hominis
Homō, hominis (3m): man, human being, person; (in pl.) people. This word can be translated as man, but its emphasis is on humanity rather than gender. Compare vir, which specifically means an adult male human being.
Homō is grammatically masculine, and if you point at someone and say aspice illum hominem, usually it’ll be a male (it’s like saying look at that man/guy/fellow). But if you’re talking more generally, homō encompasses the whole human species. If you say homō is an animal endowed with reason, you mean human beings (if you meant males only, you’d say vir). And a woman can say homō sum if she means I am a human being. Plural forms of homō are often used to mean people in general.
Quidesthomo? —Seneca, Consolation to Marcia 11.3
Translation
What is man?
(Chicago:) What is a human being?
Details
Quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Est: is. Homō, hominis (3m): man, human being, person; (in pl.) people.
Officiacivisamisit? Hominisexerceat. —Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind 4.3
Translation
(Chicago:) Has he lost the duties of a citizen? Then let him perform those of a human being.
Details
Officia is the accusative plural form of officium, officiī (2n): service; duty; office. Cīvis, cīvis (3m/f): citizen. Āmīsit is the third person singular perfect form of āmittō, āmittere, āmīsī, āmissum (3): let go of; lose, misplace. Homō, hominis (3m): man, human being, person; (in pl.) people. Exerceat is the third person singular subjunctive form of exerceō, exercēre, exercuī, exercitum (2): to train; exercise, practice; trouble, harass (subjunctive because it’s jussive).
Hominessumus, nondei. —Petronius, Satyricon 75.1
Translation
We are human beings, not gods.
Details
Hominēs is the nominative plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being, person; (in pl.) people. Sumus: we are. Nōn: not. Deī is the nominative plural form of deus, deī (2m): god.
Hominēs is the nominative plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being, person; (in pl.) people. Dum (conj.): while; until; so long as. Docent is the third person plural form of doceō, docēre, docuī, doctum (2): to teach. Discunt is the third person plural form of disco, discere, didicī, discitūrus (3): to learn.
Magnamtibipersonamhominumconsensusimposuit. —Seneca, Consolation to Polybius 6.1
Translation
Public opinion has assigned to you an important role.
More literally: The consensus of men has assigned a great role to you.
Details
Magnam is the feminine accusative singular form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great; important. Tibi is the dative form of tū: you. Persōnam is the accusative singular form of persōna, persōnae (1f): mask; character (in a play); role, part; person, individual (in specific contexts; less general than homō). Hominum is the genitive plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being, person; (in pl.) people. Cōnsēnsus, cōnsēnsūs (4m): consensus, agreement. Imposuit is the third person singular perfect form of impōnō, impōnere, imposuī, impositum (3): to place (acc.) upon (dat.); impose, fix, assign.
Fugiohomines. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 3.7.1
Translation
I avoid people.
Details
Fugiō, fugere, fūgī, fugitūrus (3, –iō): to flee, run away; shun, avoid. Hominēs is the accusative plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being, person; (in pl.) people.
I picked her up from the platform, I made her a human being equal to others.
More literally: . . . I made (her) a human being among human beings.
Details
Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Māchinā is the ablative singular form of māchina, māchinae (1f): machine; scaffolding, platform (here, a platform on which slaves are exposed for sale). Illam is the feminine accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it. Tollō, tollere, sustulī, sublātum (3): to lift, raise; pick up; take away, remove. Hominem is the accusative singular form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being, person; (in pl.) people. Inter (prep.): among; between (takes the accusative). Hominēs is the accusative plural form of homō, hominis (3m). Faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
Reshominifuitvehementergrata. —Cicero, Letters to Quintus 2.3.6
Translation
The man was very pleased.
More literally: The matter was very pleasing to the man.
Details
Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; act, deed; circumstance; property. Hominī is the dative singular form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being, person; (in pl.) people. Fuit is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Vehementer (adv.): strongly; violently; very (much), extremely. Grātus/grāta/grātum (1/2): grateful, thankful; received with gratitude, appreciated; enjoying favor, welcome, popular; pleasing, agreeable.
Valdehominemdiligo. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 3.1.3
Translation
I have a great deal of affection for the man.
More literally: I love the man very much.
Details
Valdē (adv.): strongly; very (much), extremely. Hominem is the accusative singular form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being, person; (in pl.) people. Dīligō, dīligere, dīlēxī, dīlēctum (3): to love, hold dear, have affection or esteem for.
Hostis, hostis
Hostis, hostis (3m/f—most of the time masculine, but it occasionally refers to a female and then becomes feminine): enemy, foe—especially a public enemy; a personal enemy is more often expressed by inimīcus, inimīcī (2m) for a male enemy and inimīca, inimīcae (1f) for a female one.
Hostis originally meant stranger but the meaning had entirely shifted to enemy, foe by the classical period. (Hostis is cognate at the Proto-Indo-European level with English guest; i.e., the two words derive from a common ancestor in a language that both Latin and English—among others—are descended from.)
Singular forms of hostis are sometimes used to refer to many enemies collectively (“the enemy”). But plural forms are more common in that sense. Thus you’ll often find plural forms translated as the enemy when a more literal but less natural translation would be the enemies.
(Chicago:) He conquered even his enemy’s conquest.
Alt. : He was victorious over the very victory of his enemy.
Details
(The man who said all my goods are with me when his city had been destroyed by the enemy.) Ipsam is the feminine accusative singular form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/etc. ; in person; the very. Hostis, hostis (3m/f): enemy, foe. Suī: (of) his (own)—the m/n genitive singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Victōriam is the accusative singular form of victōria, victōriae (1f): victory. Vīcit is the third person singular perfect form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, defeat, overcome; win, be victorious (over).
Noctequomodohostemcivemquedistinguam? —Seneca the Elder, Controversies (excerpts) 5.7.1
Translation
How am I to tell friend from foe in the dark?
More literally: At night, how am I to tell a foe and a (fellow) citizen apart?
Details
Nocte is the ablative singular form of nox, noctis (3f): night. Quōmodo (interrog. adv.): how? Hostem is the accusative singular form of hostis, hostis (3m/f): enemy, foe. Cīvemque: cīvem is the accusative singular form of cīvis, cīvis (3m/f): citizen; fellow citizen, compatriot; the enclitic conjunction –que adds and. Distinguam is the first person singular subjunctive form of distinguō, distinguere, distīnxī, distīnctum (3): to distinguish; tell apart; separate; adorn (subjunctive in a deliberative question).
They are not enemies when we acquire them; we make them enemies.
More literally: We do not have them (as) enemies, but make (them so).
Details
(Talking about slaves.) Nōn: not. Habēmus is the first person plural form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Illōs is the masculine accusative plural form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it (those, them). Hostēs is the accusative plural form of hostis, hostis (3m/f): enemy, foe. Sed (conj.): but. Facimus is the first person plural form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
Transfluviumincollehostiumcastraerant. —Livy, History of Rome 39.30.10
Translation
On a hill across the river was the enemy’s camp.
Details
Trāns (prep.): across, on or to the other side of (takes the accusative). Fluvium is the accusative singular form of fluvius, fluviī (2m): stream, river. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into, onto, (or in or on denoting a direction of motion). Colle is the ablative singular form of collis, collis (3m): hill. Hostium is the genitive plural form of hostis, hostis (3m/f): enemy, foe. Castra is the nominative plural form of castrum, castrī (2n): fortified place; (in the plural only, with singular translation) camp. Erant is the third person plural imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Fusishostibusetiamcastracapta. —Livy, History of Rome 3.8.11
Translation
The enemy were routed and even lost their camp.
More literally: (With) the enemies having been routed, the camp (was) taken also.
Details
Fūsīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of fūsus/fūsa/fūsum (1/2), the perfect passive participle (having been routed) of fundō, fundere, fūdī, fūsum (2): to pour; spread, scatter; rout. Hostibus is the ablative plural form of hostis, hostis (3m/f): enemy, foe. Fūsīs hostibus is an ablative absolute. Etiam (particle): still; even; also. Castra is the nominative plural form of castrum, castrī (2n): fortified place; (in the plural only, with singular translation) camp. Capta is the neuter nominative plural form of captus/capta/captum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of of capiō, capere, cēpī, captum (3, –iō): to take, seize, capture (sunt is implied: capta sunt is the third person neuter plural perfect passive form).
Ignis, ignis
Ignis, ignis (3m): fire.
Ignisaurumprobat, miseriafortesviros. —Seneca, On Providence 5.9
Translation
Fire tests gold, misfortune brave men.
Details
Ignis, ignis (3m): fire. Aurum is the accusative singular form of aurum, aurī (2n): gold. Probat is the third person singular form of probō, probāre, probāvī, probātum (1): to approve; test; prove; cause to be regarded with approval, render agreeable, justify. Miseria, miseriae (1f): misfortune, affliction, misery, distress. Fortēs is the m/f accusative plural form of fortis/fortis/forte (3): brave; strong. Virōs is the accusative plural form of vir, virī (2m): man; husband.
Ferroetigneresgeritur. —Seneca, Epistles 7.4
Translation
(Chicago:) Steel and flames are the business of the hour.
More literally: The affair is carried on by steel and fire.
Details
(He’s talking about gladiatorial fights.) Ferrō is the ablative singular form of ferrum, ferrī (2n): iron or steel; sword. Et (conj.): and. Igne is the ablative singular form of ignis, ignis (3m): fire. Ferrō et igne—alternatively ferrō et ignī, ferrō ignīque, ferrō atque ignī—is a set phrase, equivalent to by fire and sword; i.e., by war or violent means. Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair, business. Geritur is the third person singular passive form of gerō, gerere, gessī, gestum (3): to bear, carry; wear; carry on, conduct; wage (war).
Ignibusheulentisuretur. —Ovid, The Art of Love 3.573
Translation
Alas, he will be burned with slow fires.
Details
(An experienced man who’s in love. He’ll act more sedately than an inexperienced youth. He’ll still be burned by the fires of love, but more slowly.) Ignibus is the ablative plural form of ignis, ignis (3m): fire. Heu (interjection): alas! Lentīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of lentus/lenta/lentum (1/2): slow. Ūrētur is the third person singular future passive form of ūrō, ūrere, ussī, ustum (3): to burn (transitively; i.e., cause to burn).
Labor, labōris
Labor, labōris (3m; the nominative singular can also be labōs, an older form): labor, work, toil, effort; task; trouble, hardship, suffering.
Labor, work, toil, effort; task.
Laborbonumnonest. —Seneca, Epistles 31.4
Translation
Work is not a good.
Details
(So what is? Not minding the work.) Labor, labōris (3m): labor, work, toil, effort; task; trouble, hardship, suffering. Bonum, bonī (2n): a good thing, a good, profit, advantage. Nōn: not. Est: is.
More literally: It is an immense task (or the task is immense) but fruitful the same.
Details
Inmēnsus/inmēnsa/inmēnsum (1/2—also immēnsus): immeasurable, boundless, immense. Labor, labōris (3m): labor, work, toil, effort; task; trouble, hardship, suffering. Est: (it) is. Sed (conj.): but. Fertilis/fertilis/fertile (3): fruitful, fertile. Īdem/eadem/idem (pron. or adj.): the same.
Diutiuscupiditasillislaborisquamfacultasest. —Seneca, On the Shortness of Life 20.4
Translation
Their desire to work outlasts their ability.
More literally: The desire of work is to them (i.e., exists for them, is had by them) for a longer time than the ability.
Details
Diūtius (adv.): longer, for a longer time—the comparative form of diū (adv.): long, for a long time. Cupiditās, cupiditātis (3f): desire, longing, yearning; greed; lust. Illīs is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it (those, them). Labor, labōris (3m): labor, work, toil, effort; task; trouble, hardship, suffering. Quam (rel. adv.): than; as. Facultās, facultātis (3f): capacity, ability, possibility, opportunity. Est: is.
Omnissudorperlaboremexeat. —Seneca, Epistles 51.6
Translation
Let all my sweat come out through toil.
Details
(Rather than in hot baths and saunas.) Omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Sūdor, sūdōris (3m): sweat. Per (prep.): through (takes the accusative). Labōrem is the accusative singular form of labor, labōris (3m): labor, work, toil, effort; task; trouble, hardship, suffering. Exeat is the third person singular subjunctive form of exeō, exīre, exīvī/exiī, exitum (irreg.): to go or come out, exit (subjunctive because it’s jussive).
Life has never given anything to mortals without great effort.
More literally: Life has given nothing. . .
Details
Nīl (contraction of nihil; n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here acc.): nothing. Sine (prep.): without (takes the ablative). Magnō is the m/n ablative singular form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Vīta, vītae (1f): life. Labōre is the ablative singular form of labor, labōris (3m): labor, work, toil, effort; task; trouble, hardship, suffering. Dedit is the third person singular perfect form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Mortālibus is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of mortālis/mortālis/mortāle (3): mortal, subject to death.
More literally: This time (of life) is suitable for work(s)/efforts.
Details
(Youth.) Hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Tempus, temporis (3n): time, period, season. Idōneus/idōnea/idōneum (1/2): fit (for a purpose), suitable. Est: is. Labōribus is the dative plural form of labor, labōris (3m): labor, work, toil, effort; task; trouble, hardship, suffering.
Trouble, hardship, suffering.
Misererelaborumtantorum. —Virgil, Aeneid 2.143-4
Translation
Pity such distress.
More literally: Pity sufferings so great.
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, pity or sympathy is felt, one feels pity or sympathy (the person feeling pity goes in the accusative and the object of pity in the genitive); (in the passive) to pity, feel pity or sympathy for, have mercy on (with genitive); (active and personal, rare) to pity, feel pity or sympathy for, have mercy on (with genitive). Labōrum is the genitive plural form of labor, labōris (3m): labor, work, toil, effort; task; trouble, hardship, suffering. Tantōrum is the m/n genitive plural form of tantus/tanta/tantum (1/2): so great, such great, as great.
Confusion warning. Compare the verb lābor, lābī, lāpsus sum (3, deponent): to slip, slide, glide; fall, collapse.
Māter, mātris
Māter, mātris (3f): mother.
Matrisimperioobsequor. —Seneca, Phoenician Women 591
Translation
I’m complying with my mother’s order.
Details
Māter, mātris (3f): mother. Imperiō is the dative singular form of imperium, imperiī (2n): power, authority, rule, sway, command, dominion; command, order; empire. Obsequor, obsequī, obsecūtus sum (3, deponent): to comply with, obey; humor, oblige (takes a dative object).
Etattulitmatrisuae. —Matt. 14:11
Translation
And she brought it to her mother.
Details
Et (conj.): and. Attulit is the third person singular perfect form of adferō, adferre, attulī, allātum (3, irreg.): to bring. Mātrī is the dative singular form of māter, mātris (3f): mother. Suae: (to) her (own)—the feminine dative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2).
Scrutarematrem. —Seneca, Trojan Women 615
Translation
Look at your mother carefully.
Details
Scrūtāre is the singular imperative form of scrūtor, scrūtārī, scrūtātus sum (1, deponent): to examine, scrutinize; look at carefully or searchingly; search. Mātrem is the accusative singular form of māter, mātris (3f): mother.
The word is sometimes used figuratively, as in English.
Omnibusinrebussimilitudomaterest
satietatis. —Cicero, On Invention 1.76
Translation
In everything monotony is the mother of boredom.
More literally: In all things monotony is the mother of disgust.
Details
Omnibus is the m/f/n ablative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Rēbus is the ablative plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; fact; event; circumstance; property. Similitūdō, similitūdinis (3f): likeness, resemblance, similarity; uniformity; monotony. Māter, mātris (3f): mother. Est: is. Satietās, satietātis (3f): sufficiency; satiety; the feeling of being glutted or of having had enough, disgust.
(Chicago:) Excellence of mind is never devoid of God.
More literally: No mind is good without God. Or: There is no good mind without God.
Details
Nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Sine (prep.): without (takes the ablative). Deō is the ablative singular form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Mēns, mentis (3f): mind; purpose, intention; frame of mind, attitude, disposition, inclination. Bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Est: (there) is.
Sapientia, sapientiae (1f): wisdom. Perfectus/perfecta/perfectum (1/2): completed; perfected, brought to perfection; complete; perfect—the perfect passive participle of perficiō, perficere, perfēcī, perfectum (3, –iō): to complete, finish; perfect, bring to perfection; bring about, achieve. Bonum, bonī (2n): a good thing, a good, a blessing, a boon. Est: is. Mēns, mentis (3f): mind; purpose, intention; frame of mind, attitude, disposition, inclination. Hūmānae is the feminine genitive singular form of hūmānus/hūmāna/hūmānum (1/2): human, belonging to or characteristic of a human being.
Maerorcontunditmentes, abicit, contrahit. —Seneca, On Mercy 2.5.5
Maeror, maerōris (3m): grief, sorrow. Contundit is the third person singular form of contundō, contundere, contudī, contūsum (3): to pound to pieces, crush; bruise. Mentēs is the accusative plural form of mēns, mentis (3f): mind; purpose, intention; frame of mind, attitude, disposition, inclination. Abicit is the third person singular form of abiciō, abicere, abiēcī, abiectum (3, –iō): to throw away; throw down; overthrow; abandon; waste; degrade. Contrahit is the third person singular form of contrahō, contrahere, contrāxī, contractum (3): to draw together, assemble; draw in, contract; compress; diminish; depress; bring about; incur.
Volo
et
mente
tota
volo. —Seneca, Epistles 71.36
Translation
It is a thing which I desire, and I desire it with all my heart.
Alt. : I
am
willing
—with my entire mind I am willing.
Details
(To make progress as a Stoic.) Volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish; be willing. Et (conj.): and. Mente is the ablative singular form of mēns, mentis (3f): mind; purpose, intention; frame of mind, attitude, disposition, inclination. Tōtā is the feminine ablative singular form of tōtus/tōta/tōtum (1/2, irreg.): whole, entire.
And infused throughout the parts, a mind stirs the entire mass.
Details
(The mind that gives life to the universe.) Tōtamque: tōtam is the feminine accusative singular form of tōtus/tōta/tōtum (1/2, irreg.): whole, entire; the enclitic conjunction –que adds and. Īnfūsus/īnfūsa/īnfūsum (1/2): infused—the perfect passive participle of īnfundō, īnfundere, īnfundī, īnfūsum (2): to pour in, on or into; instill; infuse. Per (prep.): through; throughout (takes the accusative). Artūs is the accusative plural form of artus, artūs (4m): joint (in the body), articulation; limb; body part; part (of something considered as a body). Mēns, mentis (3f): mind; purpose, intention; frame of mind, attitude, disposition, inclination. Agitat is the third person singular form of agitō, agitāre, agitāvī, agitātum (1): to put in motion (esp. repeatedly or vigorously), move, stir, shake, agitate; rouse, excite; take action (about), busy oneself (with), deal with, engage in; spend (time); plan, intend; ponder. Mōlem is the accusative singular form of mōlēs, mōlis (3f): a large mass or massive structure.
I left with the intention to be back on the Kalends of January.
More literally: I left with this intention, that I might be present on the Kalends of January.
Details
Eā is the feminine ablative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Mente is the ablative singular form of mēns, mentis (3f): mind; purpose, intention; frame of mind, attitude, disposition, inclination. Discēdō, discēdere, discessī, discessum (3): to part company; go away, depart, leave. Ut (conj. , with subjunctive): that, so that. Adessem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of adsum, adesse, adfuī, adfutūrus (irreg.): to be present, be there; (with a dative object) assist. Kalendīs is the ablative form of Kalendae, Kalendārum (1f, plural only): the Kalends, the first day of a month. Iānuāriīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of Iānuārius/Iānuāria/Iānuārium (1/2): belonging to the god Janus; belonging to January.
QuamenteessetAntoniusdemonstravit. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 11.1.1
Translation
He described Antony’s disposition.
More literally: He showed with what mind/disposition Antony was.
Details
(From a letter written by someone else.) Quā is the feminine ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Mente is the ablative singular form of mēns, mentis (3f): mind; purpose, intention; frame of mind, attitude, disposition, inclination. Esset is the third person singular imperfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Antōnius/Antōnia/Antōnium (1/2): a Roman family name, notably of the famous Mark Antony. Dēmōnstrāvit is the third person singular perfect form of dēmōnstrō, dēmōnstrāre, dēmōnstrāvī, dēmōnstrātum (1): to point out; show, demonstrate; describe, explain.
Mensubimaternaest? —Ovid, Metamorphoses 8.499
Translation
Where is my maternal attitude?
Details
Mēns, mentis (3f): mind; purpose, intention; frame of mind, attitude, disposition, inclination. Ubi (interrog. adv.): where? Māternus/māterna/māternum (1/2): maternal, belonging to or characteristic of a mother. Est: is.
In mentem venīre means to come to mind, occur (to a person’s mind). If mentioned, the person to whom something occurs goes in the dative.
Mihiveniuntinmentemhaec: —Cicero, Letters to Friends 14.18.1
Translation
Here are the thoughts that occur to me:
More literally: These things come (in)to mind for me:
Details
Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to/for me). Veniunt is the third person plural form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Mentem is the accusative singular form of mēns, mentis (3f): mind; purpose, intention; frame of mind, attitude, disposition, inclination. In mentem venīre = to come to mind, occur. Haec is the neuter nominative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it (these things).
Nonneinmentemvenitquantumpiaculicommittatur? —Livy, History of Rome 5.52.13
Translation
Does it not occur to you how great a sin would be committed?
More literally: Does it not come (in)to mind how much of a sin. . .
Details
Nōnne: nōn: not; the enclitic interrogative particle –ne turns the word into part of a question. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Mentem is the accusative singular form of mēns, mentis (3f): mind; purpose, intention; frame of mind, attitude, disposition, inclination. Venit is the third person singular form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. In mentem venīre = to come to mind, occur. Quantum, quantī (interrog. pron.): how great an amount? how much? Piāculum, piāculī (2n): an expiatory rite or offering, act of atonement, expiation; an act or occurrence requiring expiation; sin. Committātur is the third person singular passive subjunctive form of committō, committere, commīsī, commissum (3): to bring together, join; begin; entrust; commit, perpetrate, bring about (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question; it’s probably potential at the same time).
Sometimes the thing that one is reminded of goes in the genitive.
Venitenimmihiinmentemoristui. —Cicero, In Defense of Sextus Roscius Amerinus 95
Translation
For I recall your impudence.
Alt. : Because your impudence comes to mind.
More literally: For it comes into mind for me of your impudence.
Details
Venit is the third person singular form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to/for me). In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Mentem is the accusative singular form of mēns, mentis (3f): mind; purpose, intention; frame of mind, attitude, disposition, inclination. In mentem venīre = to come to mind, occur; the thing that one is reminded of sometimes goes in the genitive. Ōs, ōris (3n): mouth; face; impudence, effrontery. Tuī is the m/n genitive singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours.
Mentumsemperintonsumest. —Quintus Curtius, Histories of Alexander 8.9.22
Translation
Their chins are always unshaven.
More literally: The chin is. . .
Details
Mentum, mentī (2n): chin. Semper (adv.): always. Intōnsus/intōnsa/intōnsum (1/2): unshaven; uncut, unshorn (with reference to hair or beard). Est: is.
Mentī is also the dative singular form of mēns; and mentum differs from the genitive plural form of mēns by one letter (mentum vs. mentium).
Mīles, mīlitis
Mīles, mīlitis (3, usually m—it becomes feminine when applied to a female, but that’s rare): soldier; (singular for plural, by metonymy) army, troops, soldiers collectively.
The bravest soldier comes from rock-ribbed regions.
More literally: A braver soldier comes from a rough place.
Details
Fortior/fortior/fortius (3): braver; stronger—the comparative form of fortis/fortis/forte (3): brave; strong. Mīles, mīlitis (3m): soldier. Ex/ē (prep.): from, out of (takes ablative). Cōnfragōsō is the m/n ablative singular form of cōnfragōsus/cōnfragōsa/cōnfragōsum (1/2): rough, uneven (neuter used substantively to mean a rough place or region). Venit is the third person singular form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.
Gubernatoremintempestate, inaciemilitemintellegas. —Seneca, On Providence 4.5
Translation
It is in the storm that you recognize a pilot, and in battle that you recognize a soldier.
More literally: You recognize a pilot in a storm, a soldier in battle.
Details
Gubernātōrem is the accusative singular form of gubernātor, gubernātōris (3m): helmsman, pilot. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Tempestāte is the ablative singular form of tempestās, tempestātis (3f): time, period, season; weather; storm, tempest. Aciē is the ablative singular form of aciēs, aciēī (5f): sharp edge; blade; eyesight; glance; army in battle formation; rank, line (of an army); army engaged in battle; battle. Mīlitem is the accusative singular form of mīles, mīlitis (3m): soldier. Intellegās is the second person singular subjunctive form of intellegō, intellegere, intellēxī, intellēctum (3): to understand; realize; recognize (it’s in the potential subjunctive because the subject is a general you).
HincethortarimilitesScipioorsus est. —Livy, History of Rome 28.19.6
Translation
Scipio also began to encourage the soldiers based on that fact.
More literally: From this fact Scipio also began to encourage the soldiers.
Details
Hinc (adv.): from here, hence; from this source; from this fact; next, then; on this side. Et (adv.): also. Hortor, hortārī, hortātus sum (1, deponent): to urge, exhort, encourage. Mīlitēs is the accusative plural form of mīles, mīlitis (3m): soldier. Scīpiō, Scīpiōnis (3m). Ōrsus est is the third person masculine singular perfect form of ōrdior, ōrdīrī, ōrsus sum (4, deponent): to start, begin.
Sometimes singular forms of mīles are used instead of the plural. It’s like saying literally the soldier in a generic way—really meaning soldiers collectively.
Eaomnismilitidata est. —Livy, History of Rome 2.60.3
Translation
This was all given to the troops.
Details
(This refers to booty: praeda, praedae (1f).) Is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Mīlitī is the dative singular form of mīles, mīlitis (3m): soldier; (singular for plural, by metonymy) army, troops, soldiers collectively. Data est is the third person feminine singular perfect passive form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give; assign, attribute.
Mors, mortis
Mors, mortis (3f): death.
Optandamorsestsinemetumortismori. —Seneca, Trojan Women 869
Translation
To die without fear of death is a desirable death.
Details
Optandus/optanda/optandum (1/2): to be wished for, desirable—the gerundive of optō, optāre, optāvī, optātum (1): to wish for, pray for; choose. Mors, mortis (3f): death. Est: (it) is. Sine (prep.): without (takes the ablative). Metū is the ablative singular form of metus, metūs (4m): fear. Mors, mortis (3f): death. Morior, morī, mortuus sum (3, –ior, deponent): to die.
Mededomorti. —Seneca, Medea 1005
Translation
I surrender myself to death.
Details
(Mē comes first in the sentence for a reason: the idea of the passage is “kill me but please spare our son.” The father is addressing the murderous mother, Medea.) Mē is the accusative singular form of ego: I (me, myself). Dēdō, dēdere, dēdidī, dēditum (3): to hand over, surrender. Mortī is the dative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death.
Eō is the m/n ablative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Annō is the ablative singular form of annus, annī (2m): year. Mortem is the accusative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Obiit is the third person singular perfect form of obeō, obīre, obiī, obitum (irreg.): to meet face to face; visit for inspection; take on (a task or the like); (with or without mortem as an object) meet one’s death, die. Memmius/Memmia/Memmium (1/2): a family name. Rēgulus, Rēgulī (2m): here a proper name (more specifically a cognomen), but it can also be a common noun meaning little king, kinglet, petty king (it’s a diminutive of rēx, rēgis (3m): king).
More literally: So each of the two decreed death for himself.
Details
Itaque (adv.): (and) so, therefore, consequently. Mortem is the accusative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Sibi: for himself—the dative form of the reflexive pronoun. Uterque/utraque/utrumque (1/2, irreg.): each of two, either; it can often be translated less literally as both. Cōnscīvit is the third person singular perfect form of cōnscīscō, cōnscīscere, cōnscīvī/cōnsciī, cōnscītum (3): to decree; (with reflexive pronoun or personal pronoun used reflexively) decree for oneself, inflict on oneself (mortem sibi cōnscīscere is a common phrase meaning to commit suicide).
(About the bodies of men slain in a battle.) Quae is the neuter accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj. , here used in an exclamatory way): which. . . ? what. . . ? Vulnera is the accusative plural form of vulnus, vulneris (3n): wound. Cernis is the second person singular form of cernō, cernere, crēvī, crētum (3): to sift; decide, determine; distinguish, perceive, see. Quās is the feminine accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj. , here used in an exclamatory way): which. . . ? what. . . ? Mortēs is the accusative plural form of mors, mortis (3f): death.
Mōs, mōris
Mōs, mōris (3m): custom, habit, (established) practice, (habitual) manner/way; (usually in the plural) manners, ways, (habitual) behavior, morals, character.
Itamosgentiserat. —Livy, History of Rome 21.20.1
Translation
Thus was the custom of that people.
Details
Ita (adv.): thus, so, in this/that way. Mōs, mōris (3m): custom, habit, (established) practice, (habitual) manner/way; (usually in the plural) manners, ways, (habitual) behavior, morals, character. Gēns, gentis (3f): nation, people, race; gens, clan, (extended) family. Erat is the third person singular imperfect from of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Reismorisestsummitterecapillum. —Pliny the Younger, Letters 7.27.14
Translation
It is customary for defendants to let their hair grow.
More literally: It is of custom for defendants to let the hair grow.
Details
Reīs is the dative plural form of reus, reī (2m): defendant, accused. Mōs, mōris (3m): custom, habit, (established) practice, (habitual) manner/way; (usually in the plural) manners, ways, (habitual) behavior, morals, character. Est: it is. Summittō, summittere, summīsī, summissum (3—also submittō): to let grow long; put forth; send by way of assistance; send secretly; lower, drop; make subject or subordinate. Capillum is the accusative singular form of capillus, capillī (2m): hair.
Moremhuncmeretriceshabent. —Plautus, The Brothers Menaechmus 338
Translation
Prostitutes have this habit.
Details
Mōrem is the accusative singular form of mōs, mōris (3m): custom, habit, (established) practice, (habitual) manner/way; (usually in the plural) manners, ways, (habitual) behavior, morals, character. Hunc is the masculine accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Meretrīcēs is the nominative plural form of meretrīx, meretrīcis (3f): prostitute. Habent is the third person plural form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.
Necaliorummorevitiorumsollicitatanimos. —Seneca, On Anger 3.1.3
Translation
Nor does it excite our minds in the same way as other vices.
More literally: Nor does it excite minds in the manner of other vices.
Details
(It—i.e., anger—is worse in a number of ways.) Neque/nec: (conj.) and not, nor; (adv.) neither, not either, not even. Aliōrum is the m/n genitive plural form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another. Mōre is the ablative singular form of mōs, mōris (3m): custom, habit, (established) practice, (habitual) manner/way; (usually in the plural) manners, ways, (habitual) behavior, morals, character. Vitiōrum is the genitive plural form of vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault, flaw, defect. Sollicitat is the third person singular form of sollicitō, sollicitāre, sollicitāvī, sollicitātum (1): to disturb, harass, molest; worry; rouse, excite, provoke; solicit, tempt, seduce. Animōs is the accusative plural form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit.
Scrībam is the first person singular future form of scrībō, scrībere, scrīpsī, scrīptum (3): to write. Ergō (particle): therefore, so, then. Quod is the neuter accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Vīs is the second person singular form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish. Sed (conj.): but. Meō is the m/n ablative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine, my own. Mōre is the ablative singular form of mōs, mōris (3m): custom, habit, (established) practice, (habitual) manner/way; (usually in the plural) manners, ways, (habitual) behavior, morals, character.
I am repulsed by your damnable ways, but I love your body.
More literally: I am repulsed by the flaws (matters for accusation) of (your) ways/character; I love (your) body.
Details
Āversor, āversārī, āversātus sum (1, deponent): to turn away from (acc.) in disgust or horror, recoil from, avoid, reject, feel aversion for, be repulsed by. Mōrum is the genitive plural form of mōs, mōris (3m): custom, habit, (established) practice, (habitual) manner/way; (usually in the plural) manners, ways, (habitual) behavior, morals, character. Crīmina is the accusative plural form of crīmen, crīminis (3n): charge, accusation; a matter for accusation or reproach, a flaw; crime. Corpus is the accusative singular form of corpus, corporis (3n): body. Amō, amāre, amāvī, amātum (1): to love.
Iungitenimamicitiassimilitudomorum. —Quintilian, Minor Declamations 307.6
Translation
For similarity of character creates friendships.
Details
Iungit is the third person singular form of iungō, iungere, iūnxī, iūnctum (3): to put in the yoke, harness; fasten, attach, connect, join, unite; form, create (by joining). Enim (particle): for, indeed. Amīcitiās is the accusative plural form of amīcitia, amīcitiae (1f): friendship. Mōrum is the genitive plural form of mōs, mōris (3m): custom, habit, (established) practice, (habitual) manner/way; (usually in the plural) manners, ways, (habitual) behavior, morals, character. Similitūdō, similitūdinis (3f): likeness, similarity, resemblance, similitude.
Pudebitcumanimalibuspermutassemores. —Seneca, On Anger 2.31.6
Translation
We shall blush to have exchanged characters with the beasts!
(Chicago:) It will be a shame to have exchanged our human character with animals.
More literally: It will cause shame to have exchanged ways/characters with animals.
Details
Pudēbit is the third person singular future form of pudeō, pudēre, puduī, puditum (2): (impersonal) it causes shame, shame is felt, one is ashamed (the person ashamed, if mentioned, goes in the accusative); (personal, rare) to be ashamed. Cum (prep.): with (takes ablative). Animālibus is the ablative plural form of animal, animālis (3n): animal. Permūtāsse is the perfect infinitive form of permūtō, permūtāre, permūtāvī, permūtātum (1): to exchange; switch round; change (thoroughly), transform. Mōrēs is the accusative plural form of mōs, mōris (3m): custom, habit, (established) practice, (habitual) manner/way; (usually in the plural) manners, ways, (habitual) behavior, morals, character.
Propulsabofacileuxoremhismoribus. —Terence, The Woman of Andros 395
Translation
With these manners I’ll easily ward off a wife.
Details
Prōpulsābō is the first person singular future form of prōpulsō, prōpulsāre, prōpulsāvī, prōpulsātum (1): to drive away, beat off, ward off, repel. Facile (adv.): easily. Uxōrem is the accusative singular form of uxor, uxōris (3f): wife. Hīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this (these). Mōribus is the ablative plural form of mōs, mōris (3m): custom, habit, (established) practice, (habitual) manner/way; (usually in the plural) manners, ways, (habitual) behavior, morals, character.
Mōrem alicui gerere is an idiom meaning to humor someone.
Fiat, geraturmostibi. —Plautus, The Comedy of Asses 40
Translation
All right, I’ll do as you like.
Alt. : All right, I’ll humor you.
More literally: Let it be done, let (my) manner/behavior be performed for you.
Details
Fīat is the third person singular subjunctive form of fīō, fierī, —, — (irreg.): to be done; be made; happen; become. Gerātur is the third person singular passive subjunctive form of gerō, gerere, gessī, gestum (3): to bear, carry; wear; carry on, conduct, do, perform. Mōs, mōris (3m): custom, habit, (established) practice, (habitual) manner/way; (usually in the plural) manners, ways, (habitual) behavior, morals, character. Mōrem gerere (+ dative) = to humor (someone). Tibi is the dative form of tū: you. (The verbs are subjunctive because they’re jussive.)
Confusion warning. The dative singular form mōrī is not to be confused with morī, the infinitive form of the deponent verb morior, meaning to die. Also compare mōrum, mōrī (2n): the fruit of the black mulberry; a blackberry or similar fruit.
Nēmō, nēminis
Nēmō, nēminis (3m—very rarely f; singular only): no man, no one, nobody. This word developed from a contraction of the negative prefix ne– and the noun hemō, heminis, an archaic form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being, person.
The genitive form nēminis is rare; nūllīus is usually used instead (see the entry on nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any). The ablative nēmine is also relatively rare (often replaced by nūllō), but less so than nēminis. For the other cases, forms of nūllus are simply an alternative.
Nēmō means no person whether male or female, and is almost always grammatically masculine. It can become feminine when talking about no one out of an exclusively female group, but that use is very rare; the typical word then would be a feminine form of nūllus/nūlla/nūllum.
Nemomeimpunelacessit. —motto of Scotland
Translation
No one attacks me with impunity.
Details
(Also the motto of the party who takes revenge in Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado.) Nēmō, nēminis (3m): no man, no one, nobody. Mē is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Impūne (adv.): with impunity. Lacessit is the third person singular form of lacessō, lacessere, lacessīvī/lacessiī, lacessītum (3): to challenge to a contest; excite, provoke; harass; assail; attack.
Estmisernemonisicomparatus. —Seneca, Trojan Women 1023
Translation
No one is miserable except by comparison.
More literally: . . . except compared.
Details
Est: is. Miser/misera/miserum (1/2): wretched, miserable, unfortunate. Nēmō, nēminis (3m): no man, no one, nobody. Nisi (conj.): unless, if not; except. Comparātus/comparāta/comparātum (1/2): (having been) compared—the perfect passive participle of comparō, comparāre, comparāvī, comparātum (1): to pair, match (one thing with another); compare.
More literally: No one of us reflects himself (to be) mortal (reflects on the fact that he is mortal).
Details
Nēmō, nēminis (3m): no man, no one, nobody. Nostrum is the (partitive) genitive form of nōs: we (of us). Mortālem is the m/f accusative singular form of mortālis/mortālis/mortāle (3): mortal, subject to death. Sē: himself—the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Cōgitat is the third person singular form of cōgitō, cōgitāre, cōgitāvī, cōgitātum (1): to think (about), reflect (on).
He who lives for no one does not necessarily live for himself.
More literally: He does not necessarily live for himself, who (lives) for no one.
Details
Nōn: not. Continuō (adv.): immediately; without further evidence; necessarily, in consequence. Sibi: for himself—the dative form of the reflexive pronoun. Vīvit is the third person singular form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live. Quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Nēminī is the dative form of nēmō, nēminis (3m): no man, no one, nobody.
Neminemdespexeris. —Seneca, On Benefits 3.28.3
Translation
Do not look down on anyone.
More literally: Look down on no one.
Details
Nēminem is the accusative form of nēmō, nēminis (3m): no man, no one, nobody. Dēspexerīs is the second person singular perfect subjunctive form of dēspiciō, dēspicere, dēspexī, dēspectum (3, –iō): to look down (at); look down on, scorn, despise, disdain (perfect subjunctive because it’s a second-person negative command).
Nēmō sometimes works a little like an adjective (or at least can be translated as such) by being combined with a noun that denotes a type of person.
NemohostisCatilinapropiusaccessit. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 7.2.7
Translation
No enemy came closer than Catiline.
Details
Nēmō, nēminis (3m): no man, no one, nobody; it’s sometimes used a bit like an adjective and can then be translated as no (followed by a noun denoting a person). Hostis, hostis (3m/f): enemy, foe. Catilīnā is the ablative singular form of Catilīna, Catilīnae (1m): Catiline (Lucius sergius Catilina), a Roman politician who plotted a coup thwarted by Cicero (it’s in the ablative of comparison). Propius (adv.): closer, nearer—the comparative form of prope (adv.): close, near. Accessit is the third person singular perfect form of accēdō, accēdere, accessī, accessum (3): to come (toward someone/something), draw near, approach; be added.
Another way of interpreting it literally: no one (being) an enemy. . .
Nox, noctis
Nox, noctis (3f): night.
Noxerat, ettotaluminanulladomo. —Ovid, Book of Days 2.792
Translation
It was night, and there were no lights in the entire house.
Details
Nox, noctis (3f): night. Erat is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Et (conj.): and. Tōtā is the feminine ablative singular form of tōtus/tōta/tōtum (1/2, irreg.): whole, entire. Lūmina is the nominative plural form of lūmen, lūminis (3n): light; eye. Nūlla is the neuter nominative plural form of nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Domō is the ablative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home.
Nihildehodiernanoctepromittitur. —Seneca, Consolation to Marcia 10.4
Translation
No promise has been given you for this night.
More literally: Nothing is promised about today’s night.
Details
Nihil (n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here nom.): nothing. Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning. Hodiernā is the feminine ablative singular form of hodiernus/hodierna/hodiernum (1/2): belonging to this day, today’s. Nocte is the ablative singular form of nox, noctis (3f): night. Prōmittitur is the third person singular passive form of prōmittō, prōmittere, prōmīsī, prōmissum (3): to let grow long; send forth; promise.
Diemnoctisexpectationeperdunt, noctemlucismetu. —Seneca, On the Shortness of Life 16.5
Translation
They lose the day in expectation of the night, and the night in fear of the dawn.
Details
Diem is the accusative singular form of diēs, diēī (5 m/f): day. Nox, noctis (3f): night. Expectātiōne is the ablative singular form of expectātiō, expectātiōnis (3f—also exspectātiō): expectation. Perdunt is the third person plural form of perdō, perdere, perdidī, perditum (3): to destroy; waste, squander; lose. Noctem is the accusative singular form of nox, noctis (3f): night. Lūx, lūcis (3f): light; daylight. Metū is the ablative singular form of metus, metūs (4m): fear.
The genitive plural form is noctium.
Parvulisnoctiumturbamuroffensis. —Quintilian, Major Declamations 2.18
Translation
We are troubled by the tiniest disruptions at night.
More literally: We are troubled by the tiny knocks of nights.
Details
Parvulīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of parvulus/parvula/parvulum (1/2): (very) small, (very) little, tiny. Noctium is the genitive plural form of nox, noctis (3f): night. Turbāmur is the first person plural passive form of turbō, turbāre, turbāvī, turbātum (1): to cause a disturbance; agitate, stir up; trouble, disturb, perturb. Offēnsīs is the ablative plural form of offēnsa, offēnsae (1f): collision, knock, jar; upset; offense.
At night, by night or during the night can be expressed with nocte (as an ablative of time when) but is often conveyed by the adverb noctū (the ablative and locative singular form of an old fourth-declension variant of nox).
Huncnoctuperficiiussit. —Caesar, The Civil War 1.41.2
Translation
He ordered it to be completed during the night.
Details
(Talking about a bridge—pōns, pontis (3m).) Hunc is the masculine accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Noctū (adv.): at night, by night, during the night. Perficī is the passive infinitive form of perficiō, perficere, perfēcī, perfectum (3, –iō): to complete, finish; perfect, bring to perfection; bring about, achieve. Iussit is the third person singular perfect form of iubeō, iubēre, iussī, iussum (2): to order.
Noctū is very occasionally modified by an adjective (in the feminine ablative singular). You might come across hāc noctū once in a while, for instance (meaning on this night—tonight or last night). But besides the ablative/locative singular, no other form of the old fourth-declension variant is known to have been used by Roman authors.
Ōrātiō, ōrātiōnis
Ōrātiō, ōrātiōnis (3f): speech; language; style of speaking, diction; oratory; a speech, oration; (in Christian usage) prayer. Ōrātiō sometimes refers specifically to more formal speech (or a formal speech—an oration), whereas sermō (which has its own entry) tends to denote informal speech or conversation.
First some illustrations of classical uses of the word.
Vēritās, vēritātis (3f): truth. Simplex, simplicis (3, adj.): single, onefold, uncompounded; simple; candid, artless. Ōrātiō, ōrātiōnis (3f): speech; language; style of speaking, diction; oratory; a speech, oration; (in Christian usage) prayer. Est: is.
Primamiramnonaudebimusorationemulcere. —Seneca, On Anger 3.39.2
Translation
When anger is in its first stage, we will not dare to soothe it with words.
More literally: We will not dare to soothe the first anger (i.e., anger in its first stage) with speech.
Details
Prīmam is the feminine accusative singular form of prīmus/prīma/prīmum (1/2): furthest to the front, frontmost; first; earliest; foremost (it sometimes refers to the frontmost part of, the first part of, the earliest stage of, and the like). Īram is the accusative singular form of īra, īrae (1f): anger. Nōn: not. Audēbimus is the first person plural future form of audeō, audēre, ausus sum (2, semi-deponent): to dare. Ōrātiōne is the ablative singular form of ōrātiō, ōrātiōnis (3f): speech; language; style of speaking, diction; oratory; a speech, oration; (in Christian usage) prayer. Mulceō, mulcēre, mulsī, mulsum/mulctum (2): to stroke, caress; soothe, appease; relieve.
More literally: The Greek language is very foreign from us.
Details
Graecus/Graeca/Graecum (1/2): Greek. Ōrātiō, ōrātiōnis (3f): speech; language; style of speaking, diction; oratory; a speech, oration; (in Christian usage) prayer. Ab/ā (prep.): from; by (takes the ablative). Nōbīs is the ablative form of nōs: we (us) (first person plural used for the first person singular). Aliēnissimus/aliēnissima/aliēnissimum (1/2): most/very foreign, most/very unfamiliar, most/very unrelated—the superlative form of aliēnus/aliēna/aliēnum (1/2): of another, belonging to another or others, not one’s own; alien, foreign, unfamiliar, unrelated; out-of-place, unsuitable. Est: is.
Anxious language does not befit a philosopher (i.e., a philosopher shouldn’t be overly concerned about his style of speech or writing).
Details
Ōrātiō, ōrātiōnis (3f): speech; language; style of speaking, diction; oratory; a speech, oration; (in Christian usage) prayer. Sollicitus/sollicita/sollicitum (1/2): worried, anxious; attentive, solicitous; anxiously careful. Philosophum is the accusative singular form of philosophus, philosophī (2m): philosopher. Nōn: not. Decet, decēre, decuit, — (2, third person only): to be fitting, suitable, proper or becoming; suit, befit, beseem.
Eratorationesatisamplus. —Cicero, Brutus 239
Translation
He was fairly copious in his diction.
Details
Erat is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Ōrātiōne is the ablative singular form of ōrātiō, ōrātiōnis (3f): speech; language; style of speaking, diction; oratory; a speech, oration; (in Christian usage) prayer. Satis (adv.): enough; fairly. Amplus/ampla/amplum (1/2): ample, large, great; copious, abundant; impressive, magnificent; distinguished, eminent.
Hacorationehabitaconciliumdimisit. —Caesar, The Gallic War 1.33.1
Translation
After giving this speech, he dismissed the meeting.
More literally: This speech having been had. . .
Details
Hāc is the feminine ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Ōrātiōne is the ablative singular form of ōrātiō, ōrātiōnis (3f): speech; language; style of speaking, diction; oratory; a speech, oration; (in Christian usage) prayer. Habitā is the feminine ablative singular form of habitus/habita/habitum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have; hold. Hāc ōrātiōne habitā is an ablative absolute. Concilium is the accusative singular form of concilium, conciliī (2n): assembly, meeting, gathering, council. Dīmīsit is the third person singular perfect form of dīmittō, dīmittere, dīmīsī, dīmissum (3): to let go, release, dismiss, send away.
Legiorationesduastuas. —Cicero, Letters to Brutus 3.4
Translation
I read two speeches of yours.
Details
(Brutus is writing this to Cicero.) Legō, legere, lēgī, lēctum (3): to pick; choose; read. Ōrātiōnēs is the accusative plural form of ōrātiō, ōrātiōnis (3f): speech; language; style of speaking, diction; oratory; a speech, oration; (in Christian usage) prayer. Duās is the feminine accusative form of duo/duae/duo (irreg.): two. Tuās is the feminine accusative plural form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours.
Now an illustration of the meaning prayer, which isn’t classical but is common in Church Latin.
Dominusorationemmeamsuscepit. —Psalms 6:10 (Vulgate); 6:9 (most English versions)
Translation
The Lord hath received my prayer.
Details
Dominus, dominī (2m): lord, master; owner. Ōrātiōnem is the accusative singular form of ōrātiō, ōrātiōnis (3f): speech; language; style of speaking, diction; oratory; a speech, oration; (in Christian usage) prayer. Meam is the feminine accusative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Suscēpit is the third person singular perfect form of suscipiō, suscipere, suscēpī, susceptum (3, –iō): to catch from below; take up; undertake; receive.
The Latin term for the Lord’s Prayer is Ōrātiō Dominica (dominicus/dominica/dominicum (1/2): belonging to a master, lord or owner; in Christian usage especially, belonging to the Lord, the Lord’s).
Parēns, parentis
Parēns, parentis (3m/f): parent; father; mother; (occasionally) ancestor; sometimes in later texts it can also mean any relative. Parēns is naturally masculine when referring to a father and feminine when referring to a mother. When referring to both parents, it’s masculine in accord with the Latin principle of the generic masculine (i.e., the masculine is used by default for mixed-gender groups of people and people of unknown gender).
Ideosuntparentescarissimi. —Quintilian, Minor Declamations 368.1
Translation
That is why our parents are so dear to us.
Details
(Because they gave us life.) Ideō (adv.): therefore, that is why, for that/this/the reason. Sunt: (they) are. Parentēs is the nominative plural form of parēns, parentis (3m/f): parent. Cārissimī is the masculine nominative plural form of cārissimus/cārissima/cārissimum (1/2): very dear/most dear/dearest—the superlative form of cārus/cāra/cārum (1/2): dear; expensive.
“Children aren’t always born similar to their parents,” she says.
Details
Nōn: not. Semper (adv.): always. Inquit is the third person singular form of inquam (irreg. and defective): to say (inquit = he/she says or said). Similēs is the m/f nominative plural form of similis/similis/simile (3): similar, like (it can be modified by a dative or genitive word). Parentibus is the dative plural form of parēns, parentis (3m/f): parent. Līberī, līberōrum (2m, plural only): children (in respect to their parents), sons and daughters. Nāscuntur is the third person plural form of nāscor, nāscī, nātus sum (3, deponent): to be born.
Vexeruntparentessuos. —Seneca, On Benefits 3.37.2
Translation
They carried their parents.
Details
(While fleeing from a volcanic eruption.) Vexērunt is the third person plural perfect form of vehō, vehere, vēxī, vectum (3; the length of the e in the third principal part is uncertain): to carry, convey. Parentēs is the accusative plural form of parēns, parentis (3m/f): parent. Suōs: their (own)—the masculine accusative plural form of suus/sua/suum (1/2).
Meropeveranonfueratparens. —Seneca, Oedipus 802
Translation
Merope was not your real mother.
More literally: Merope had not been (your) real mother.
Details
Meropē, Meropēs (a female name borrowed from Greek, hence the unusual forms—it belongs to the Greek first declension): Merope, the adoptive mother of Oedipus. Vērus/vēra/vērum (1/2): true; real. Nōn: not. Fuerat is the third person singular pluperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Parēns, parentis (3m/f): parent; father (then it’s masculine); mother (then it’s feminine).
It is in vain that you call upon the spirit of your father.
More literally: In vain do you call upon. . .
Details
Frūstrā (adv.): in vain, to no avail; for no reason or purpose. Parēns, parentis (3m/f): parent; father (then it’s masculine); mother (then it’s feminine). Invocās is the second person singular form of invocō, invocāre, invocāvī, invocātum (1): to call upon, summon, invoke. Mānēs is the accusative form of mānēs, mānium (3m, plural only): the spirits of the dead; the spirit of a dead person; a ghost or ghosts. Tuī is the m/n genitive singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours.
The genitive plural form is often parentum but can also be parentium.
We have grown up amid the curses invoked by our parents.
More literally: We have grown amid the curses of (our) parents.
Details
(They’ve wished things for us that they thought were good but weren’t.) Inter (prep.): among, amid; between; during (takes accusative). Exsecrātiōnēs is the accusative plural form of exsecrātiō, exsecrātiōnis (3f): curse. Parentum is the genitive plural form of parēns, parentis (3m/f): parent. Crēvimus is the first person plural perfect form of crēscō, crēscere, crēvī, crētum (3): to grow (up).
Intestatorumparentiumliberiheredessint. —Quintilian, The Orator’s Education 3.6.96
Translation
When parents die intestate, their children shall be the heirs.
More literally: Of intestate parents, let the children be the heirs.
Details
Intestātōrum is the m/n genitive plural form of intestātus/intestāta/intestātum (1/2): intestate, not having made a will. Parentium is the genitive plural form of parēns, parentis (3m/f): parent. Līberī, līberōrum (2m, plural only): children (in respect to their parents), sons and daughters. Hērēdēs is the nominative plural form of hērēs, hērēdis (3m/f): heir. Sint is the third person plural subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s jussive).
Parēns is sometimes used figuratively. Thus the poet Statius uses the phrase parēns odiī metus: the parent of hate, fear. (Thebaid 1.127)
Parēns, parentis is not to be confused with pārēns, pārentis (3), meaning complying, obeying or obedient, the present active participle of pāreō, pārēre, pāruī, pāritum (2): to comply (with), obey (takes a dative object).
Hanciramnonvoco, motumanimirationiparentem. —Seneca, On Anger 2.3.4
Translation
This, an emotion that obeys reason, is not what I call anger.
More literally: I do not call this anger, a mind’s motion obeying reason.
Details
Hanc is the feminine accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Īram is the accusative singular form of īra, īrae (1f): anger. Nōn: not. Vocō, vocāre, vocāvī, vocātum (1): to call. Mōtum is the accusative singular form of mōtus, mōtūs (4m): motion, movement; disturbance; emotion. Animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit. Ratiōnī is the dative singular form of ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation; reasoning; reason; method; the way in which a thing works or is constructed. Pārentem is the m/f accusative singular form of pārēns, pārentis (3), the present active participle (obeying) of pāreō, pārēre, pāruī, pāritum (2): to comply (with), obey (takes a dative object).
The basic meaning of pars is part in the simple sense of a portion, piece, bit, element of anything; also a part of something that’s being split among recipients, a share.
Parsoperisetnossumus. —Seneca, On Benefits 6.23.3
Translation
We too are part of their work.
Details
(The work of the gods.) Pars, partis (3f): part, piece, portion, share; region, quarter; side; direction; aspect; party, faction; role. Opus, operis (3n): work. Et (adv.): also, too, as well. Nōs: we. Sumus: (we) are.
Partem is the accusative singular form of pars, partis (3f): part, piece, portion, share; region, quarter; side; direction; aspect; party, faction; role. Noctium is the genitive plural form of nox, noctis (3f): night. Studiīs is the dative plural form of studium, studiī (2n): zeal, diligence, devotion, enthusiasm; pursuit; study. Vindicō, vindicāre, vindicāvī, vindicātum (1): to lay claim to, claim as one’s property, appropriate; claim as free, assert the freedom of; free, liberate; protect; avenge.
I will divide philosophy into parts, not into crumbs.
Details
(That is, he won’t go into excessively fine distinctions.) Philosophiam is the accusative singular form of philosophia, philosophiae (1f): philosophy. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Partēs is the accusative plural form of pars, partis (3f): part, piece, portion, share; region, quarter; side; direction; aspect; party, faction; role. Nōn: not. Frusta is the accusative plural form of frustum, frustī (2n): scrap of food, morsel; small piece, fragment (of anything). Dīvidam is the first person singular future form of dīvidō, dīvidere, dīvīsī, dīvīsum (3): to divide.
Totavincetur, dumpartibuscarpitur. —Seneca, On Anger 2.29.1
Translation
(Chicago:) It will be overcome entirely while you pluck it away bit by bit.
More literally: It will be all overcome while it is plucked away in parts.
Details
(He’s talking about how to overcome anger—īra, īrae (1f).) Tōtus/tōta/tōtum (1/2, irreg.): whole, entire, all. Vincētur is the third person singular future passive form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, defeat, overcome; win, be victorious. Dum (conj.): while, as; until; as long as. Partibus is the ablative plural form of pars, partis (3f): part, piece, portion, share; region, quarter; side; direction; aspect; party, faction; role. Carpitur is the third person singular passive form of carpō, carpere, carpsī, carptum (3): to pluck; pluck away, eat away, erode.
I will relinquish my share if you do not take yours.
More literally: I will relinquish mine if you do not take your share.
Details
Meam is the feminine accusative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Relinquam is the first person singular future form of relinquō, relinquere, relīquī, relictum (3): to relinquish, abandon, leave (behind). Nisi (conj.): unless, if not; except. Tuam is the feminine accusative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Partem is the accusative singular form of pars, partis (3f): part, piece, portion, share; region, quarter; side; direction; aspect; party, faction; role. Accipis is the second person singular form of accipiō, accipere, accēpī, acceptum (3, –iō): to receive, accept, take.
Pars is used in phrases expressing fractions; e. g. , tertia pars, the third part, can mean a third.
Tertiaparsagridempta est. —Livy, History of Rome 35.9.8
Translation
One third of the land was subtracted.
More literally: A third part of the land. . .
Details
Tertius/tertia/tertium (1/2): third. Pars, partis (3f): part, piece, portion, share; region, quarter; side; direction; aspect; party, faction; role. Ager, agrī (2m): land, field. Dēmpta est is the third person feminine singular perfect passive form of dēmō, dēmere, dēmpsī, dēmptum (3): to remove, take away, subtract, withdraw.
Now some uses of the word pars that are a bit more derivative or idiomatic. In some cases part remains a possible translation; in others the general idea of a part is present even if a natural translation would use another word.
First, pars can mean a part of the world, a region, quarter or the like.
DeindeveniinpartesSyriae, etCiliciae. —Gal. 1:21
Translation
Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
Details
Deinde (adv.): next, then, afterwards. Veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Partēs is the accusative plural form of pars, partis (3f): part, piece, portion, share; region, quarter; side; direction; aspect; party, faction; role. Syria, Syriae (1f): Syria. Et (conj.): and. Cilicia, Ciliciae (1f): Cilicia.
It can also loosely mean a side (in the spatial sense) or direction (still literally a part; i.e., a part of space).
Abalteraparteeuripusest. —Livy, History of Rome 44.11.4
Translation
On the other side is a strait.
Details
Ab/ā (prep.): from; by (takes the ablative); in some contexts, especially when talking about sides, it can be translated idiomatically as on. Alterā is the feminine ablative singular form of alter/altera/alterum (1/2, irreg.): the other, another; a second, the second; one (of two). Parte is the ablative singular form of pars, partis (3f): part, piece, portion, share; region, quarter; side; direction; aspect; party, faction; role. Eurīpus, eurīpī (2m): a narrow channel, strait; canal. Est: is.
Waves are an agitation of the sea in one direction.
Details
Flūctus, flūctūs (4m): wave, billow; (collective singular) the waving of the sea, waves. Est: is. Mare, maris (3n): sea. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on (denoting position); (with acc.) into, onto (or in or on denoting motion in a direction or toward an object). Ūnam is the feminine accusative singular form of ūnus/ūna/ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one. Partem is the accusative singular form of pars, partis (3f): part, piece, portion, share; region, quarter; side; direction; aspect; party, faction; role. Agitātiō, agitātiōnis (3f): violent motion, agitation.
It more figuratively can mean an aspect or a respect—an abstract part or figurative side of a thing under consideration.
(Also included in the adages of Erasmus.) Nihil (n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here nom.): nothing. Est: is. Ab/ā (prep.): from (takes the ablative); in some contexts it can be translated idiomatically as on or in. Omnī is the m/f/n ablative singular form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Parte is the ablative singular form of pars, partis (3f): part, piece, portion, share; region, quarter; side; direction; aspect; party, faction; role. Beātus/beāta/beātum (1/2): happy, blessed, fortunate.
Pars can also mean a side in an argument, dispute, etc. ; or a party or faction. In this sense, pars can be plural and translated as singular.
Adhibenturabutraquepartetestes. —Seneca, On Benefits 3.15.2
Translation
Witnesses are called in by both parties.
Alt. : Witnesses are called in on either side.
Details
Adhibentur is the third person plural passive form of adhibeō, adhibēre, adhibuī, adhibitum (2): to apply; use; bring in, call in; consult. Ab/ā (prep.): from; by; sometimes idiomatically translated as on (when talking about sides) (takes the ablative). Utrāque is the feminine ablative singular form of uterque/utraque/utrumque (1/2, irreg.): each of two, either; often translated less literally as both. Parte is the ablative singular form of pars, partis (3f): part, piece, portion, share; region, quarter; side; direction; aspect; party, faction; role. Testēs is the nominative plural form of testis, testis (3m/f): witness.
Quidais, Seneca? Deserispartes? —Seneca, On Leisure 1.4
Translation
What are you saying, Seneca? Are you deserting your party?
Details
(Seneca imagines his friend thinking that what he just said doesn’t sound very Stoic.) Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Ais is the second person singular form of aiō (3, defective): to say. Seneca is the vocative singular form of Seneca, Senecae (1m). Dēseris is the second person singular form of dēserō, dēserere, dēseruī, dēsertum (3): to abandon, forsake, desert. Partēs is the accusative plural form of pars, partis (3f): part, piece, portion, share; region, quarter; side; direction; aspect; party, faction (can be plural with singular translation); (often pl. with sg. translation as well) role.
The last meaning to be noted here is a part played by someone or something, a role (it can refer to a role in a play or more broadly to any role played in any context). In this sense, pars is usually plural (but translated as singular).
Partesboniviriexequere. —Seneca, On Benefits 1.2.4
Translation
Carry out the part of a good man.
Details
Partēs is the accusative plural form of pars, partis (3f): part, piece, portion, share; region, quarter; side; direction; aspect; party, faction (can be plural with singular translation); (often pl. with sg. translation as well) role (or part in that sense). Bonī is the m/n genitive singular form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Vir, virī (2m): man. Exequere is the singular imperative form of exequor, exequī, execūtus sum (3, deponent—also exsequor): to follow; seek after; pursue, persist in; carry out, execute; enumerate; attain.
Primaeparteseiussunt. —Seneca, On Benefits 4.2.2
Translation
It has the leading role.
More literally: The first parts are (i.e., the first role is) its.
Details
(Talking about virtue.) Prīmae is the feminine nominative plural form of prīmus/prīma/prīmum (1/2): frontmost; first; foremost. Partēs is the nominative plural form of pars, partis (3f): part, piece, portion, share; region, quarter; side; direction; aspect; party, faction (can be plural with singular translation); (often pl. with sg. translation as well) role. Eius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Sunt: (they) are.
Let’s conclude with a few miscellaneous idioms involving pars.
—Ex parte means in part. An adjective can be added to mean in large part, etc. E. g. , id magnā ex parte intellegō = I understand it in large part.
—Inbonam (or malam) partem means in good (or bad) part, in the context of taking something well or ill. In bonam hoc partem accipe = Take this in good part (don’t take umbrage; I’m saying it with a good intention).
—Pars can come in pairs to mean part (of it/them). . . (another) part. Pars can be the subject and take a singular verb. Pars manet, pars abit = A part remains, another goes away. But it can also be used predicatively to a plural subject, and then the verb is plural. Mīlitēs pars fugiunt, pars resistunt = The soldiers part(ly) flee, part(ly) make a stand (part of the soldiers flee, part make a stand).
—Prō virīlī parte = to the best of one’s ability or in proportion to one’s allotted responsibility, according to the part that one can be expected to fulfill. (Virīlis/virīlis/virīle (3): belonging to a man; virile; belonging to each man as his share.) Prō virīlī parte cōnābor = I’ll try to the best of my ability. Prō suā (or mēa, etc.) parte can have a similar meaning.
Pater, patris
Pater, patris (3m): father; (usually pl.) forefathers; (usually pl.) patricians or senators.
The primary meaning of pater is father.
Aluitmepater. —Seneca, On Benefits 3.32.1
Translation
My father fed me.
Details
Aluit is the third person singular perfect form of alō, alere, aluī, altum/alitum (3): to feed, nourish; maintain, nurture; rear, bring up (children). Mē is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Pater, patris (3m): father; (usually pl.) forefathers; (usually pl.) patricians or senators.
Sceptrapraeripietpatri. —Seneca, The Mad Hercules 65
Translation
He will snatch the scepter away from his father.
Details
Scēptra is the accusative plural form of scēptrum, scēptrī (2n): royal staff, scepter; (by metonymy) kingdom, power, authority (the plural form here is used poetically for the singular). Praeripiet is the third person singular future form of praeripiō, praeripere, praeripuī, praereptum (3, –iō): to seize first; snatch away in advance; snatch away (from = dative). Patrī is the dative singular form of pater, patris (3m): father; (usually pl.) forefathers; (usually pl.) patricians or senators.
Quammultipatresoptantsimilemfilium! —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 1.1.9
Translation
How many fathers wish for such a son!
Details
Quam (interrog. adv. , here used in an exclamatory way): how (much)? to what degree? Multī is the masculine nominative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Patrēs is the nominative plural form of pater, patris (3m): father; (usually pl.) forefathers; (usually pl.) patricians or senators. Optant is the third person plural form of optō, optāre, optāvī, optātum (1): to wish for; choose. Similem is the m/f accusative singular form of similis/similis/simile (3): similar. Fīlium is the accusative singular form of fīlius, fīliī (2m): son.
Like the word father in English, pater can occasionally refer to forefathers (usually in the plural).
Hicvestrumpanxitmaximafactapatrum. —from Ennius’s epitaph (apparently written by Ennius himself), quoted by Cicero in Tusculan Disputations 1.34
Translation
This man recounted in verse the great deeds of your forefathers.
Details
Hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Vestrum is a variant of vestrōrum, the m/n genitive plural form of vester/vestra/vestrum (1/2): your, yours (referring to a plural you). Pānxit is the third person singular perfect form of pangō, pangere, pepigī/pēgī/pānxī, pactum (3): to insert firmly; plant; arrange, settle, conclude; compose (poetry); tell about in verse. Maxima is the neuter accusative plural form of maximus/maxima/maximum (1/2): very big/biggest, very large/largest, very great/greatest—the superlative form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Facta is the accusative plural form of factum, factī (2n): act, action, deed. Patrum is the genitive plural form of pater, patris (3m): father; (usually pl.) forefathers; (usually pl.) patricians or senators.
Pater can also be used to refer to patricians or senators. It’s then usually in the plural.
Disseditplebstotacumpatribus. —Seneca, On Anger 3.2.4
Translation
All the commoners have been at discord with the nobles.
Details
Dissēdit is the third person singular perfect form of dissideō, dissidēre, dissēdī, — (2): to be apart from; disagree, be at variance, be at discord. Plēbs, plēbis (3f): the (body of) common people. Tōtus/tōta/tōtum (1/2, irreg.): whole, entire, all. Cum (prep.): with (takes ablative). Patribus is the ablative singular form of pater, patris (3m): father; (usually pl.) forefathers; (usually pl.) patricians or senators.
Deindepatresconscriptivocabantur. —Cicero, On the Agrarian Law 2.93
Translation
And then they were called “conscript fathers”.
Details
(Talking about magistrates in the city of Capua, whom he thinks have no right to that title; according to him, only Roman senators do.) Deinde (adv.): next, then, after that. Patrēs is the nominative plural form of pater, patris (3m): father; (usually pl.) forefathers; (usually pl.) patricians or senators. Cōnscrīptī is the masculine nominative plural form of cōnscrīptus/cōnscrīpta/cōnscrīptum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of cōnscrībō, cōnscrībere, cōnscrīpsī, cōnscrīptum (3): to enrol, enlist; write down; write, compose. Patrēs cōnscrīptī = conscript fathers, a formal phrase to denote senators. Vocābantur is the third person plural imperfect passive form of vocō, vocāre, vocāvī, vocātum (1): to call; summon.
Frūgālitās, frūgālitātis (3f): thriftiness, frugality, sober lifestyle. Autem (particle): on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover; for my, your, his, etc. part. Paupertās, paupertātis (3f): poverty. Voluntārius/voluntāria/voluntārium (1/2): voluntary. Est: is.
Contemnitepaupertatem. —Seneca, On Providence 6.6
Translation
Do not fear poverty.
Details
Contemnite is the plural imperative form of contemnō, contemnere, contempsī, contemptum (3): to despise, scorn, hold in contempt, regard as unimportant, not fear. Paupertātem is the accusative singular form of paupertās, paupertātis (3f): poverty.
(He’s saying that experiments with simple eating and living make it easier to understand the difference between what we want and need.) Incipe is the singular imperative form of incipiō, incipere, incēpī, inceptum (3, –iō): to begin. Cum (prep.): with (takes the ablative). Paupertāte is the ablative singular form of paupertās, paupertātis (3f): poverty. Habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Commercium is the accusative singular form of commercium, commerciī (2n): commerce, business dealings; dealings (other than commercial), connection, fellowship, relationship, intercourse.
Pāx, pācis
Pāx, pācis (3f): peace—literally a pact (concluded with the enemy), hence more generally peace (often literally and sometimes in more figurative contexts).
(Chicago:) Peace itself will supply you with fears.
Details
Ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/etc. ; in person; the very. Pāx, pācis (3f): peace. Timōrēs is the accusative plural form of timor, timōris (3m): fear. Sumministrābit is the third person singular future form of sumministrō, sumministrāre, sumministrāvī, sumministrātum (1—also subministrō): to supply, furnish.
Pacemcumhominibushabebis, bellumcumvitiis. —attributed to Publilius Syrus
Translation
You will have peace with men, war with vices.
Details
(This phrase or a variant of it is said to have been a motto of Frederic the Fair of Austria (died ca. 1330).) Pācem is the accusative singular form of pāx, pācis (3f): peace. Cum (prep.): with (takes ablative). Hominibus is the ablative plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human. Habēbis is the second person singular future form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Bellum is the accusative singular form of bellum, bellī (2n): war. Vitiīs is the ablative plural form of vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault, flaw.
Milesinmediapacedecurrit. —Seneca, Epistles 18.6
Translation
In days of peace the soldier performs maneuvers.
More literally: The soldier performs maneuvers in the middle of peace.
Details
(When you’re free from adversity, prepare for adversity.) Mīles, mīlitis (3m): soldier. In (prep.): (with abl.): in; (with acc.) into. Mediā is the feminine ablative singular form of medius/media/medium (1/2): middle (often used where in English we’d use the noun middle or midst with of). Pāce is the ablative singular form of pāx, pācis (3f): peace. Dēcurrit is the third person singular form of dēcurrō, dēcurrere, dēcurrī, dēcursum (3): to run down, hurry down, rush down; conduct military exercises or maneuvers; travel over; have recourse (to).
The ablative singular pāce with a possessive adjective or a genitive word can mean by (your, etc.) leave or with all due respect to (you, etc.). This usage has passed into English as pace (e. g. , pace Professor Farnsworth, his favored theory isn’t universally accepted).
Pacetuadixerim. —expression Cicero uses; e. g. , On Laws 3.29
Translation
With all due respect to you. . . .
Alt. : Do not take offense, but. . .
More literally: May I have said (or I would say) with your peace. . .
Details
Pāce is the ablative singular form of pāx, pācis (3f): peace. Tuā is the feminine ablative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Dīxerim is the first person singular perfect subjunctive form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say (subjunctive because it’s either a wish or a potential).
Pēs, pedis
Pēs, pedis (3m): foot.
First, pēs can mean foot as a body part (of a human or animal).
Pedesdolent. —Seneca, Epistles 53.6
Translation
There’s pain in the feet.
More literally: The feet hurt.
Details
Pedēs is the nominative plural form of pēs, pedis (3m): foot. Dolent is the third person plural form of doleō, dolēre, doluī, dolitum (2): to be in pain, suffer; hurt; be painful; grieve.
Dextropede! —Petronius, Satyricon 30.5
Translation
Right foot first!
More literally: With the right foot!
Details
(Crossing a threshold or starting a journey left foot first was believed to bring bad luck. In this passage a slave is standing at the door, shouting this to the guests as they arrive.) Dextrō is the m/n ablative singular form of dexter/dext(e)ra/dext(e)rum (1/2): right, situated on the right. Pede is the ablative singular form of pēs, pedis (3m): foot.
Pedibus (or, more rarely, pede) can mean on foot.
Actiomaluimusiterfacerepedibus. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 5.9.1
Translation
From Actium we preferred to make the journey on foot.
Details
Actiō is the ablative singular form of Actium, Actiī (2n): a town on a promontory at the entrance of the Ambracian Gulf in Greece, later made famous by the Battle of Actium—the naval battle in which Octavian (future Augustus) defeated Mark Antony. Māluimus is the first person plural perfect form of mālō, mālle, māluī, — (irreg.): to prefer. Iter is the accusative singular form of iter, itineris (3n): journey; route, way. Faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Pedibus is the ablative plural form of pēs, pedis (3m): foot.
Pēs also sometimes refers to something that resembles the body part, such as the foot of a piece of furniture.
At the foot of the bed lay a bow, quiver and arrows.
More literally: Before the feet of the bed lay a bow and quiver and arrows.
Details
Ante (prep.): before (takes the accusative). Lectulus, lectulī (2m): couch or bed. Pedēs is the accusative plural form of pēs, pedis (3m): foot. Iacēbat is the third person singular imperfect form of iaceō, iacēre, iacuī, iacitum (2): to lie (in a certain place or state, or be in a recumbent position). Arcus, arcūs (4m): bow. Et (conj.): and. Pharetra, pharetrae (1f): quiver. Sagittae is the nominative plural form of sagitta, sagittae (1f): arrow.
Pēs, like foot, can also be a unit of measurement. The Roman foot was just slightly shorter than the English one (about 296 mm, with some variations).
Areasfacitopedeslatasquaternos. —Cato the Elder, On Agriculture 151.3
Translation
Make seed beds four feet wide each.
Details
Āreās is the accusative plural form of ārea, āreae (1f): open space; forecourt; building site; playground; threshing floor; seed bed. Facitō is the singular future imperative form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Pedēs is the accusative plural form of pēs, pedis (3m): foot (an accusative of extent of space). Lātās is the feminine accusative plural form of lātus/lāta/lātum (1/2): wide. Quaternōs is the masculine accusative form of quaternī/quaternae/quaterna (1/2, plural): four each; four at a time.
Or pēs can mean a metrical foot—or, by extension, meter (poetical rhythm) or verse.
Heroireseratistapedis. —Ovid, Book of Days 2.126
Translation
It was a matter for heroic verse.
More literally: It was a matter (or that matter was) of (i.e., belonging to or suitable for) the heroic foot.
Details
Hērōī is the m/n genitive singular form of hērōus/hērōa/hērōum (1/2): heroic (belonging to the heroes of mythology, or heroic verse). Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair. Erat is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Iste/ista/istud (pron. or adj.): that, this; he, she, it. Pēs, pedis (3m): foot; meter; verse.
Ratiō, ratiōnis
Ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business.
Calculation, reckoning, account.
Rationeminireoportetoperarum, dierum. —Cato the Elder, On Agriculture 2.2
Translation
He should make a calculation of the works and the days.
More literally: It is proper to make. . .
Details
Ratiōnem is the accusative singular form of ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business. Ineō, inīre, iniī, initum (irreg.): to go into, enter; start, begin; form, devise (a plan); make (a calculation). Oportet, oportēre, oportuit, — (2, impersonal): it is proper, fitting or necessary. Operārum is the genitive plural form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort; service; laborer. Diērum is the genitive plural form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day.
Videamusrationesquemadmodumrettulerit. —Cicero, Against Verres 2.1.36
Translation
Let us see how he reported his accounts.
More literally: Let us see in what manner he reported (his) accounts.
Details
Videāmus is the first person plural subjunctive form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see (a hortatory subjunctive). Ratiōnēs is the accusative plural form of ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business. Quem is the masculine accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Ad (prep.): to; according to, in (a manner) (takes the accusative). Modum is the accusative singular form of modus, modī (2m): measure; limit; moderation; way, manner. Quem ad modum = in what manner, how; it can also be written as quemadmodum. Rettulerit is the third person singular perfect subjunctive form of referō, referre, rettulī, relatum (3, irreg.): to bring back; give back, return; report, register, record (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).
Ratiō can also mean account in a more figurative sense, for example in the phrase ratiōnem habēre (+ genitive) = to take account(of), pay regard(to).
I think we should pay regard to peace and tranquility before all things.
More literally: I consider account (to be) needing to be had (i.e., that account is to be had) of peace and tranquility the most.
Details
Ratiōnem is the accusative singular form of ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business. Habendam is the feminine accusative singular form of habendus/habenda/habendum (1/2), the gerundive of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have; hold. Maximē (adv.) (the) most; very much. Arbitror, arbitrārī, arbitrātus sum (1, deponent): to observe; judge, think, consider. Pāx, pācis (3f): peace. Atque/ac (conj.): and. Ōtium, ōtī (2n—the genitive singular can also be ōtiī): leisure, freedom from business, free time; rest; inactivity, idleness; peace, tranquility.
Ratiō can also mean a proportion or relation of one thing to another.
Ubinonerunt, scitoprorationefructumesse. —Cato the Elder, On Agriculture 1.5
Translation
When they are not, you should expect produce in proportion.
More literally: . . . know the produce to be according to proportion.
Details
(After saying that a prospective buyer of a farm should look at whether the vessels, vats, etc. in it are many.) Ubi (rel. adv.): where; when. Nōn: not. Erunt is the third person plural future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Scītō is the singular future imperative form of sciō, scīre, scīvī/sciī, scītum (4): to know. Prō (prep.): in front of, before; for; in place of, instead of; in exchange for; on behalf of; in defense of; in proportion to, according to (takes the ablative). Ratiōne is the ablative singular form of ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business. Frūctum is the accusative singular form of frūctus, frūctūs (4m): fruit, produce. Esse: to be.
More meanings: reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; an account to render or a reason given for something.
Accipeergorationem. —Martial, Epigrams 12. pr
Translation
So let me give you my reasons.
More literally: Hear (my) reasoning, then. (Or: Hear the argument, then.)
Details
Accipe is the singular imperative form of accipiō, accipere, accēpī, acceptum (3, –iō): to receive, accept, take (something offered); hear. Ergō (particle): therefore, so, then. Ratiōnem is the accusative singular form of ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business.
Ecquandoterationemfactorumtuorumredditurumputasti? —Cicero, Against Verres 2.2.43
Translation
Did you ever think that you would have to explain your actions?
More literally: Did you ever think yourself (to be) going to render an account of your actions?
Details
Ecquandō (interrog. adv.): ever? Tē is the accusative form of tū: you (used reflexively: yourself). Ratiōnem is the accusative singular form of ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business. Factōrum is the genitive plural form of factum, factī (2): act, action, deed. Tuōrum is the m/n genitive plural form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Redditūrum is the m/n accusative singular form of redditūrus/redditūra/redditūrum (1/2), the future active participle (going to render) of reddō, reddere, reddidī, redditum (3): to give back, return; render. Putāstī is the second person singular perfect form of putō, putāre, putāvī, putātum (1): to think, suppose, regard as.
Also reason in general, the capacity of reasoning.
Idemfacitratio. —Seneca, Epistles 38.2
Translation
(Chicago:) Reasoning does the same.
Details
(After explaining that a small seed grows into a great plant.) Idem is the neuter accusative singular form of īdem/eadem/idem (pron.): the same. Facit is the third person singular form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business.
Aliavitiaaratione, hocasanitatedesciscit. —Seneca, On Anger 3.1.5
Translation
Other vices rebel against reason, this one rebels against sanity.
More literally: Other vices defect from reason, this one from sanity.
Details
Alia is the neuter nominative plural form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another; different. Vitia is the nominative plural form of vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault, flaw. Ab/ā (prep.): from; by (takes ablative). Ratiōne is the ablative singular form of ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business. Hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Sānitāte is the ablative singular form of sānitās, sānitātis (3f): health, soundness of body; sanity, soundness of mind. Dēscīscit is the third person singular form of dēscīscō, dēscīscere, dēscīvī/dēsciī, dēscītum (3): to defect, revolt, desert, turn away (from).
Or it can mean a method, manner, plan, system, principle. . . (many translations are possible); generally speaking, the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way it works.
Adurendiratiohaecest: —Celsus, On Medicine 7.31.2
Translation
The process of cauterizing is as follows:
More literally: The method of cauterizing is this:
Details
Adūrendī is the genitive gerund of adūrō, adūrere, adussī, adustum (3): to scorch, char, burn; cauterize. Ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business. Hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Est: is.
Optimavivendiratioesteligenda. —Anonymous, Ad Herennium 4.24
Translation
One should choose the best way of life.
More literally: The best way of living is to be chosen.
Details
Optimus/optima/optimum (1/2): best; very good, excellent—the superlative form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Vīvendī is the genitive gerund of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live. Ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business. Est: is. Ēligendus/ēligenda/ēligendum (1/2) is the gerundive of ēligō, ēligere, ēlēgī, ēlēctum (3): to choose. Est: is. Est ēligenda is the passive periphrastic: is to be chosen, must/should be chosen.
Adhuncinterficiundumtaleminiitrationem. —Cornelius Nepos, Life of Hannibal 10.3
Translation
In order to kill him he devised the following plan.
More literally: For the purpose of killing him, he formed such a plan (as follows).
Details
Ad (prep.): to; for the purpose of (takes the accusative). Hunc is the masculine accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Interficiundum is the m/n accusative singular form of interficiundus/interficiunda/interficiundum (1/2—also interficiendus), the gerundive of interficiō, interficere, interfēcī, interfectum (3, –iō): to kill. Tālem is the m/f accusative singular form of tālis/tālis/tāle (3): such, like this/that, of this/that kind or quality. Iniit is the third person singular perfect form of ineō, inīre, iniī, initum (irreg.): to go into, enter; start, begin; form, devise. Ratiōnem is the accusative singular form of ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business.
Eadembeneficiiratioest. —Seneca, On Benefits 2.17.3
Translation
A kindness works the same way.
More literally: The way of working of a kindness is the same.
Details
(It’s like a ball game, where the thrower and catcher both need to play competently, and the thrower needs to adapt his throw to the catcher’s height.) Īdem/eadem/idem (pron. or adj.): the same. Beneficium, beneficiī (2n): a kindness, service, favor, benefit. Ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business. Est: is.
(He’s talking about lightning, saying we only have to look at how fire is produced on earth to understand how it’s produced in the sky.) Eādem is the feminine ablative singular form of īdem/eadem/idem (adj.): the same. Enim (particle): for, indeed. Ratiōne is the ablative singular form of ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business. Et (adv.): also. Suprā (adv.): above. Fīet is the third person singular future form of fīō, fierī, —, — (irreg.): to be done; be made; happen; become.
Sometimes ratiō means more loosely a matter, affair, business.
Atestidexrationemedicinae. —Quintilian, The Orator’s Education 2.21.19
Translation
Yet that is a matter of medicine.
More literally: Yet that is from the business of medicine.
Details
At (conj.): but, yet. Est: is. Is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this (one), that (one). Ex/ē (prep.): out of, from (takes the ablative). Ratiōne is the ablative singular form of ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, reckoning, account; proportion, relation; reasoning, rationale; explanation; justification; reason; method, manner; plan; system; principle; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured, or the way a thing works; matter, affair, business. Medicīna, medicīnae (1f): medicine.
Senectūs, senectūtis
Senectūs, senectūtis (3f): old age.
Nonunahominibussenectusest. —Seneca, Consolation to Marcia 21.4
Translation
There is no uniform time for old age in the case of men.
More literally: Old age is not single for men; there is not (only) one old age for men.
Details
(In other words, the meaning of old age is highly relative, so no one’s death is really untimely.) Nōn: not. Ūnus/ūna/ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one; alone; only, sole, single. Hominibus is the dative plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human. Senectūs, senectūtis (3f): old age. Est: is.
Nonrelinquamsenectutem. —Seneca, Epistles 58.35
Translation
I will not abandon old age.
Details
(. . . as long as it doesn’t attack my mind; if it does, I’ll choose death.) Nōn: not. Relinquam is the first person singular future form of relinquō, relinquere, relīquī, relictum (3): to relinquish, abandon, leave (behind). Senectūtem is the accusative singular form of senectūs, senectūtis (3f): old age.
More literally: Let us in old age begin to gather together (our) equipment.
Details
(After wasting too much time on stupid things.) Incipiāmus is the first person plural subjunctive form of incipiō, incipere, incēpī, inceptum (3, –iō): to begin (subjunctive because it’s hortatory). Vāsa is the accusative plural form of vās, vāsis (3n) or vāsum, vāsī (2n): vessel, dish, vase; utensil; (in pl.) equipment. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Senectūte is the ablative singular form of senectūs, senectūtis (3f): old age. Colligō, colligere, collēgī, collēctum (3): to gather together, collect, assemble. Vāsa colligere is a set phrase of military origin, meaning for the soldiers to pack up their kit before striking camp.
Sermō, sermōnis
Sermō, sermōnis (3m): speech; language; talk; gossip; conversation; style of speaking. It tends to refer to informal speech and is sometimes contrasted with ōrātiō, which can (but doesn’t always) refer specifically to formal speech (or a formal speech, oration). Ōrātiō has its own entry.
Concordetsermocumvita. —Seneca, Epistles 75.4
Translation
Our words should be in agreement with our lives.
More literally: Speech should be in agreement with life.
Details
Concordet is the third person singular subjunctive form of concordō, concordāre, concordāvī, concordātum (1): to be in agreement, harmonize (subjunctive because it’s jussive). Sermō, sermōnis (3m): speech; language; talk; gossip; conversation; style of speaking. Cum (prep.): with (takes the ablative). Vītā is the ablative singular form of vīta, vītae (1f): life.
Carentsermonequaeidfaciunt. —Quintilian, The Orator’s Education 2.16.16
Translation
The creatures that do these things lack speech.
More literally: (The things/creatures) that do it lack speech.
Details
(Weaving nests, making honey.) Carent is the third person plural form of careō, carēre, caruī, caritum (2): to lack, not have, be without (usually takes an ablative object). Sermōne is the ablative singular form of sermō, sermōnis (3m): speech; language; talk; gossip; conversation; style of speaking. Quae is the f/n (here n) nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Id is the neuter accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Faciunt is the third person plural form of facio, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
Plēraque is the neuter accusative plural form of plērusque/plēraque/plērumque (1/2): most; very much, very many, a great many (a great many things/words). Latīnō is the m/n ablative singular form of Latīnus/Latīna/Latīnum (1/2): Latin, belonging to the Latium region of Italy or to its people or language. Sermōne is the ablative singular form of sermō, sermōnis (3m): speech; language; talk; gossip; conversation; style of speaking. Interiaciēbat is the third person singular imperfect form of interiaciō, interiacere, interiēcī, interiectum (3, –iō—also intericiō): to throw between; intersperse.
Absenshominumsermonesfaciliussustinebis. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 15.14.4
Translation
You’ll bear people’s talk more easily if you are absent.
More literally: You’ll bear people’s talk more easily (while) being absent.
Details
Absēns, absentis (3): (being) absent—the present active participle of absum, abesse, āfuī, āfutūrus (irreg.): to be away, be absent, be distant. Hominum is the genitive plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being; (in pl.) people. Sermōnēs is the accusative plural form of sermō, sermōnis (3m): speech; language; talk; gossip; conversation; style of speaking (plural forms are sometimes naturally translated as singular). Facilius (adv.): more easily—the comparative form of facile (adv.): easily. Sustinēbis is the second person singular future form of sustineō, sustinēre, sustinuī, sustentum (2): to support; sustain; withstand, bear, endure.
AspasiaautemsermonemcumipsoXenophonteinstituit. —Cicero, On Invention 1.52
Translation
Aspasia started a conversation with Xenophon himself.
Details
Aspasia, Aspasiae (1f): personal name of a courtesan. Autem (particle): on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover; now; for my, your, his, her, etc. part (often used to mark a minor transition; it doesn’t always need a translation). Sermōnem is the accusative singular form of sermō, sermōnis (3m): speech; language; talk; gossip; conversation; style of speaking. Cum (prep.): with (takes the ablative). Ipsō is the m/n ablative singular form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very. Xenophonte is the ablative singular form of Xenophōn, Xenophontis (3m): a 5th/4th-century BC Greek historian, philosopher and military leader. Īnstituit is the third person singular perfect form (or it could be in the historical present) of īnstituō, īnstituere, īnstituī, īnstitūtum (3): to set up, establish, organize; appoint; start, initiate.
Multinobissermonesfuerunt. —Seneca, Epistles 66.4
Translation
We had many conversations.
More literally: There were many conversations for us.
Details
Multī is the masculine nominative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Nōbīs is the dative form of nōs: we (to/for us). Sermōnēs is the nominative plural form of sermō, sermōnis (3m): speech; language; talk; gossip; conversation; style of speaking. Fuērunt is the third person plural perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
SermopuruseritetLatinus. —Cicero, Orator 79
Translation
The language will be pure and properly Latin.
Details
Sermō, sermōnis (3m): speech; language; talk; gossip; conversation; style of speaking. Pūrus/pūra/pūrum (1/2): pure. Erit is the third person singular future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Et (conj.): and. Latīnus/Latīna/Latīnum (1/2): Latin, belonging to the Latium region of Italy or to its people or language; properly Latin, spoken or written in good Latin.
Timor, timōris
Timor, timōris (3m): fear, dread.
Nonesthoctimor. —Seneca, Epistles 57.4
Translation
This is not fear.
Details
Nōn: not. Est: is. Hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Timor, timōris (3m): fear, dread.
Vicitpudoremlibido, timoremaudacia, rationemamentia. —Cicero, In Defense of Cluentius 15
Vīcit is the third person singular perfect form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, overcome; win, be victorious. Pudōrem is the accusative singular form of pudor, pudōris (3m): shame; modesty, sense of propriety. Libīdō, libīdinis (3f): desire; lust. Timōrem is the accusative singular form of timor, timōris (3m): fear, dread. Audācia, audāciae (1f): boldness, daring; audacity, insolence. Ratiōnem is the accusative singular form of ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): calculation, account; reasoning; reason; manner, method; the way a thing is done, arranged or structured. Āmentia, āmentiae (1f): madness.
Stultitia, stultitiae (1f): stupidity, foolishness, folly. Est: it is. Timōre is the ablative singular form of timor, timōris (3m): fear, dread. Mors, mortis (3f): death. Morior, morī, mortuus sum (3, –ior, deponent): to die.
Urbs, urbis
Urbs, urbis (3f): city. It can refer to any city, but sometimes urbs without further qualification means Rome (which, to the Romans, was the City).
(Chicago:) City living demands certain expenditures.
More literally: The city itself demands great expenditures.
Details
(He’s mocking the excuses of people who live extravagantly.) Urbs, urbis (3f): city. Ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/ myself/etc. ; in person; the very. Magnās is the feminine accusative plural form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): great, large; important. Inpēnsās is the accusative plural form of inpēnsa, inpēnsae (1f—also impēnsa): cost, expense, expenditure (a substantive use of inpēnsus/inpēnsa/inpēnsum (1/2—also impēnsus), the perfect passive participle (spent) of inpendō, impendere, impendī, impēnsum (3—also impendō): to spend—the substantive use is feminine because the noun pecūnia, pecūniae (1f, meaning money) is implied). Exigit is the third person singular form of exigō, exigere, exēgī, exāctum (3): to force out; demand, require.
I say the same about cities as about their inhabitants.
More literally: I say the same about cities that (I say) about the inhabitants of cities.
Details
(Ashes make them all equal in the end.) Idem is the neuter accusative singular form of īdem/eadem/idem (pron.): the same. Dē (prep.): from, down from; of; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Urbibus is the ablative plural form of urbs, urbis (3f): city. Quod is the neuter accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Urbium is the genitive plural form of urbs, urbis (3f). Incolīs is the ablative plural form of incola, incolae (1m/f): inhabitant, resident. Dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say.
When English speakers use the word city together with the name of a particular one, we might typically say the city of X. The classical Latin way of combining urbs with the name of a city is different. Rather than going in the genitive, the name of the city usually serves as an apposition to urbs, agreeing with it in case. It’s like saying the city Rome instead of the city of Rome.
IterumtriumphansinurbemRomamredit. —Livy, History of Rome 41.28.9
Translation
For the second time, he returned in triumph into the city of Rome.
More literally: For the second time, he returned triumphing into the city Rome.
Details
Iterum (adv.): again, once more, a second time. Triumphāns, triumphantis (3) is the present active participle of triumphō, triumphāre, triumphāvī, triumphātum (1): to triumph, celebrate a triumph (ceremony of victory). In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Urbem is the accusative singular form of urbs, urbis (3f): city. Rōmam is the accusative singular form of Rōma, Rōmae (1f): Rome. Redīt (contracted from rediit) is the third person singular perfect form of redeō, redīre, rediī, reditum (irreg.): to go or come back, return.
Sometimes urbs is instead modified by an adjective derived from the city’s name. So for example urbs Rōmāna, literally the Roman city, also means the city of Rome. You can even occasionally find it the English way after all: urbs Rōmae (genitive)—but it’s rare and not classical.
Finally, urbs takes prepositions like any other common noun—but unlike names of cities. So you say Rōmam eō (I’m going to Rome) without a preposition, but in urbem eō (I’m going to the city) with a preposition. This rule still applies when the name of the city is mentioned as an apposition: in urbem Rōmam eō (I’m going to the city of Rome). The preposition in goes with the common noun urbem, while Rōmam is just an apposition to the latter.
Virtūs, virtūtis
Virtūs, virtūtis (3f): courage, bravery, valor; virtue, excellence, merit, good quality or property; potency, power, strength; (in Christian usage) miracle. Virtūs is derived from vir, virī (2m): man. Its etymological meaning is manhood or manliness, and from there the qualities that are required or desirable in a (good) man: courage, bravery, valor, or more generally moral excellence. The etymological meaning faded over time so that virtūs could belong to females too—and in a different sense even to things, as we’ll see.
So the meaning of virtūs is wide-ranging. In some contexts it means specifically courage, bravery, valor; that’s probably what it means if you read about the virtūs of soldiers, for example. At other times it encompasses all the qualities that make someone a good (or even excellent) person. So when philosophers talk about virtūs they often mean virtue in the sense of the moral excellence that we should all strive for, which includes courage and more. (Sometimes the English word virtue refers only to chaste behavior; that’s not the case with the Latin virtūs.)
Virtūs can also refer to any good quality of a person or thing. So you can say that kindness is a virtūs or that the fertility of a field is a virtūs. Or virtūs can be a particular power or property of a thing. A virtūs of honey is to soothe sore throats.
Especially in later Latin, virtūs sometimes means power or strength in general. In Christian contexts it can also denote a miracle.
Some illustrations of classical usages:
Sedtamennostrivirtutevicerunt. —Caesar, The Civil War 3.67.6
Translation
But their courage made our men victorious nevertheless.
More literally: But nevertheless our men overcame by courage.
Details
Sed (conj.): but. Tamen (adv.): nevertheless, yet. Nostrī is the masculine nominative plural form of noster/nostra/nostrum (1/2): our, ours (used substantively to mean our men). Virtūte is the ablative singular form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): courage, bravery, valor; virtue, excellence, merit, good quality or property; potency, power, strength; (in Christian usage) miracle. Vīcērunt is the third person plural perfect form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, beat, defeat, overcome; win, be victorious.
Whether this is deceit or valour, who would ask in warfare?
More literally: Deception or valor, who would ask in an enemy?
Details
(Said before disguising themselves in the enemy’s armor.) Dolus, dolī (2m): guilty intention; deception, guile, trickery. An (interrog. particle): whether (introducing an indirect question); or (in a question); it can also start a direct question. Virtūs, virtūtis (3f): courage, bravery, valor; virtue, excellence, merit, good quality or property; potency, power, strength; (in Christian usage) miracle. Quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Hoste is the ablative singular form of hostis, hostis (3m/f): enemy, foe. Requīrat is the third person singular subjunctive form of requīrō, requīrere, requīsīvī/requīsiī, requīsītum (3): to look for, seek; ask, inquire, seek to know; want; need; miss (a potential subjunctive).
Est, mihicrede, virtutietiaminlectulolocus. —Seneca, Epistles 78.21
Translation
There is, I assure you, a place for virtue even upon a bed of sickness.
(Chicago:) Believe me: there is a place for courage even on the sickbed.
More literally: There is, believe me, a place for virtue/valor even in bed.
Details
Est: there is. Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (me). Crēde is the singular imperative form of crēdō, crēdere, crēdidī, crēditum (3): to entrust; lend (money); trust; believe (the person trusted or believed to be telling the truth goes in the dative). Virtūtī is the dative singular form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): courage, bravery, valor; virtue, excellence, merit, good quality or property; potency, power, strength; (in Christian usage) miracle. Etiam (particle): still; even; also. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on (denoting position); (with acc.) into, onto, on (denoting direction). Lectulō is the ablative singular form of lectulus, lectulī (2m): (small) bed (the “sick” aspect of the bed is inferred from context). Locus, locī (2m): place.
Gloriaumbravirtutisest. —Seneca, Epistles 79.13
Translation
Fame is the shadow of virtue.
Details
Glōria, glōriae (1f): glory; fame. Umbra, umbrae (1f): shadow; shade; ghost. Virtūs, virtūtis (3f): courage, bravery, valor; virtue, excellence, merit, good quality or property; potency, power, strength; (in Christian usage) miracle. Est: is.
Nonenimdatnaturavirtutem. —Seneca, Epistles 90.44
Translation
For nature does not bestow virtue.
Details
(It is an art to become good.) Nōn: not. Enim (particle): for. Dat is the third person singular form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. Virtūtem is the accusative singular form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): courage, bravery, valor; virtue, excellence, merit, good quality or property; potency, power, strength; (in Christian usage) miracle.
More literally: All the oratorical virtues will be found in them.
Details
(In the speeches of Cato the Elder—none of which have survived to us intact.) Omnēs is the m/f nominative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Ōrātōriae is the feminine nominative plural form of ōrātōrius/ōrātōria/ōrātōrium (1/2): oratorical, belonging to oratory. Virtūtēs is the nominative plural form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): courage, bravery, valor; virtue, excellence, merit, good quality or property; potency, power, strength; (in Christian usage) miracle. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Eīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Reperientur is the third person plural future passive form of reperiō, reperīre, repperī, repertum (4): to find.
More literally: There is friendship for all the virtues among themselves (all the virtues have friendship among themselves).
Details
Omnibus is the m/f/n dative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Inter (prep.): among; between (takes the accusative). Sē: themselves—the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Virtūtibus is the dative plural form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): courage, bravery, valor; virtue, excellence, merit, good quality or property; potency, power, strength; (in Christian usage) miracle. Amīcitia, amīcitiae (1f): friendship. Est: there is.
Primaesteloquentiaevirtusperspicuitas. —Quintilian, The Orator’s Education 2.3.8
Translation
The first virtue of eloquence is clarity.
Details
Prīmus/prīma/prīmum (1/2): frontmost; first; foremost. Est: is. Ēloquentia, ēloquentiae (1f): eloquence. Virtūs, virtūtis (3f): courage, bravery, valor; virtue, excellence, merit, good quality or property; potency, power, strength; (in Christian usage) miracle. Perspicuitās, perspicuitātis (3f): transparency; clarity; self-evidency.
Iuniperoeademvirtusquaecedro. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 16.198
Translation
The juniper has the same property as the cedar.
More literally: (There is) the same property to the juniper that (there is) to the cedar.
Details
Iūniperō is the dative singular form of iūniperus, iūniperī (2f): juniper tree; juniper wood. Īdem/eadem/idem (adj.): the same. Virtūs, virtūtis (3f): courage, bravery, valor; virtue, excellence, merit, good quality or property; potency, power, strength; (in Christian usage) miracle. Quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Cedrō is the dative singular form of cedrus, cedrī (2f): cedar tree; cedar wood.
Now a couple of examples of usages that developed later.
Exaltare, Domine, invirtutetua. —Psalms 20:14 (Vulgate); 21:13 (most English versions)
Translation
Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thy own strength.
Details
Exaltāre is the singular passive imperative form of exaltō, exaltāre, exaltāvī, exaltātum (1): to raise, elevate, exalt. Domine is the vocative singular form of dominus, dominī (2m): lord, master; owner. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Virtūte is the ablative singular form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): courage, bravery, valor; virtue, excellence, merit, good quality or property; potency, power, strength; (in Christian usage) miracle. Tuā is the feminine ablative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours, your own (archaically thy, thine, thine own, thy own).
He wrought not many miracles there, because of their unbelief.
Alt. : He didn’t perform many miracles there, because of their unbelief.
Details
Nōn: not. Fēcit is the third person singular perfect form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make; work, perform. Ibi (adv.): there. Virtūtēs is the accusative plural form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): courage, bravery, valor; virtue, excellence, merit, good quality or property; potency, power, strength; (in Christian usage) miracle. Multās is the feminine accusative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Propter (prep.): near, close to; because of. Incrēdulitātem is the accusative singular form of incrēdulitās, incrēdulitātis (3f): incredulity, disbelief, unbelief. Illōrum is the m/n (here m) genitive plural form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she it (of those, of them, their).
Vīs, vīs
Vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing. Plural forms of this word are often used to convey the idea of the singular English word strength. The illustrations below will be divided into singular and plural uses.
Magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing. Est: there is. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Virtūtibus is the ablative plural form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): virtue; courage, valor.
Namgaudioquoquecogendivisinest. —Pliny the Younger, Panegyric 73.2
Translation
For joy too has a power that compels.
More literally: For in joy too there is a power of compelling.
Details
Nam (particle): for, because. Gaudiō is the dative singular form of gaudium, gaudiī (2n): joy. Quoque (adv.): too, as well; even. Cōgendī is the genitive gerund of cōgō, cōgere, coēgī, coāctum (3): to drive together, round up, collect; force, compel. Vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing. Inest is the third person singular form of īnsum, inesse, īnfuī, — (irreg.): to be in (it can take a dative object).
Do you not realize that all things lose their force because of familiarity?
More literally: You do not understand all things to lose their force by familiarity?
Details
Nōn: not. Intellegis is the second person singular form of intellegō, intellegere, intellēxī, intellēctum (3): to understand; realize. Omnia is the neuter accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every; (n. pl. used substantively) all things, everything. Cōnsuētūdine is the ablative singular form of cōnsuētūdō, cōnsuētūdinis (3f): habit, custom, experience, familiarity. Vim is the accusative singular form of vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing. Suam: their (own)—the feminine accusative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Perdō, perdere, perdidī, perditum (3): to destroy; waste, squander; lose.
Fitviavi. —Virgil, Aeneid 2.494
Translation
By force a way is made.
Details
Fit is the third person singular form of fīō, fierī, —, — (irreg.): to be done; be made; happen; become. Via, viae (1f): way, road. Vī is the ablative singular form of vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing.
Medomomeapervimexpulistis. —Cicero, In Defense of Sextus Roscius Amerinus 32
Translation
You drove me out of my house by force.
Details
Mē is the accusative singular form of ego: I (me). Domō is the ablative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home. Meā is the feminine ablative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Per (prep.): through; by (means of) (takes the accusative). Vim is the accusative singular form of vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing. Expulistis is the second person plural perfect form of expellō, expellere, expulī, expulsum (3): to drive out, expel.
Ventivisomniscecidit. —Livy, History of Rome 26.39.8
Translation
All the violence of the wind abated.
Details
Ventus, ventī (2m): wind. Vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing. Omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Cecidit is the third person singular perfect form of cadō, cadere, cecidī, cāsum (3): to fall, drop; subside, abate.
Magnavishominumibiinteriit. —Livy, History of Rome 33.41.8
Translation
A large number of people perished there.
Details
Magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing. Hominum is the genitive plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being, person; (in pl.) people. Ibi (adv.): there. Interiit is the third person singular perfect form of intereō, interīre, interiī, interitum (irreg.): to perish, die.
Visvocabulidefiniendaverbisest. —Cicero, On Invention 1.10
Translation
The meaning of a term must be defined with words.
Details
Vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing. Vocābulum, vocābulī (2n): a word by which a thing is called, a name, term; noun. Dēfīniendus/dēfīnienda/dēfīniendum (1/2) is the gerundive form of dēfīniō, dēfīnīre, dēfīnīvī/dēfīniī, dēfīnītum (4): to delimit; limit; fix, settle, determine; define. Verbīs is the ablative plural form of verbum, verbī (2n): word; verb. Est: is. Dēfīnienda est is the passive periphrastic: is to be defined, must be defined.
Indicatvimsapor. —Seneca, Natural Questions 3.2.1
Translation
The taste indicates the properties.
More literally: The taste indicates the property/nature.
Details
(Talking about what the taste you find in water can tell you about it—sulphur, iron, salt, etc.) Indicat is the third person singular form of indicō, indicāre, indicāvī, indicātum (1): to point out; show, indicate, reveal. Vim is the accusative singular form of vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing. Sapor, sapōris (3m): taste, flavor.
Vīnum, vīnī (2n): wine. Vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing. Existit is the third person singular form of existō, existere, extitī, extitum (3—also exsistō): to emerge, appear, show oneself. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Acētō is the ablative singular form of acētum, acētī (2n): vinegar.
Plural uses.
Nostrosvireslassitudinedeficiebant. —Caesar, The Civil War 2.41.7
Translation
Our men were losing their strength through fatigue.
More literally: Powers were (strength was) failing ours from fatigue.
Details
Nostrōs is the masculine accusative plural form of noster/nostra/nostrum (1/2): our, ours (used substantively to mean our men). Vīrēs is the nominative plural form of vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing (plural forms are often translated with the singular strength). Lassitūdine is the ablative singular form of lassitūdō, lassitūdinis (3): tiredness, weariness, fatigue. Dēficiēbant is the third person plural imperfect form of dēficiō, dēficere, dēfēcī, dēfectum (3, –iō): to run out; fail.
Magnarumviriumanimaliahumanaemanusictusimpellit. —Seneca, On Providence 6.8
Translation
Animals of great strength are driven forward by the push of a human hand.
More literally: The push of a human hand drives animals of great strength forward.
Details
(The first translation better renders the sequence of ideas conveyed by the Latin word order.) Magnārum is the feminine genitive plural form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Vīrium is the genitive plural form of vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing (plural forms are often translated with the singular strength). Animālia is the accusative plural form of animal, animālis (3n): living being, animal. Hūmānae is the feminine genitive singular form of hūmānus/hūmāna/hūmānum (1/2): human. Manus, manūs (4f): hand. Ictus, ictūs (4m): blow; thrust, push; bite or sting (esp. of a snake or insect). Impellit is the third person singular form of impellō, impellere, impulī, impulsum (3): to push forward, drive forward, propel, impel.
Dabitiravires. —Seneca, Trojan Women 672
Translation
Anger will give me strength.
Details
Dabit is the third person singular future form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Īra, īrae (1f): anger. Vīrēs is the accusative plural form of vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing (plural forms are often translated with the singular strength).
But the weakness of his body did not hold back the strength of his spirit.
Details
Sed (conj.): but. Animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit. Vīrīs is the accusative plural form of vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing (plural forms are often translated with the singular strength). Corpus, corporis (3n): body. Īnfirmitās, īnfirmitātis (3f): weakness. Nōn: not. Retardāvit is the third person singular perfect form of retardō, retardāre, retardāvī, retardātum (1): to delay; hold back.
But others too are protected by the power of the ruler.
More literally: But the ruler protects also others with his power.
Details
(Not only philosophers; yet philosophers owe more to a good ruler than other people do, because the peace maintained by the good ruler gives philosophers the leisure to pursue philosophy, the most important matter of all.) Vērum (conj.): but at the same time, but actually, but, yet, however. Aliōs is the masculine accusative plural form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another. Quoque (adv.): too, as well, also; even. Rēx, rēgis (3m): king; ruler. Vīribus is the ablative plural form of vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, energy, potency; violence; strength; (large) number or amount (usually modified by magna or a similar adjective); meaning; property, quality; the essence or nature of a thing (plural forms are often translated with the singular strength; sometimes also power—e. g. , political power). Suīs: his (own)—the m/f/n ablative plural form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Prōtegit is the third person singular form of prōtegō, prōtegere, prōtēxī, prōtēctum (3): to cover; protect, defend.
Confusion warning. Note that vīs is also the second person singular form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to wish, want. It’s covered elsewhere, but:
Imperaquodvis. —Seneca the Elder, Controveries 2.1.4
Translation
Give what orders you will.
More literally: Order what you want.
Details
Imperā is the singular imperative form of imperō, imperāre, imperāvī, imperātum (1): to command, order; rule, govern; demand. Quod is the neuter accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Vīs is the second person singular form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish.
Vīs, vīs is also not to be confused with vir, virī (2m): man. Compare especially vīrīs (an accusative plural form of vīs, alternative to vīrēs) and virīs (the dative or ablative plural form of vir). Vir has its own entry.
Voluptās, voluptātis
Voluptās, voluptātis (3f): pleasure, delight.
Nonestigiturvoluptasbonum. —Cicero, On the Ends of Good and Evil 1.39
Translation
Therefore pleasure is not a good.
Details
Nōn: not. Est: is. Igitur (conj.): therefore, so, then. Voluptās, voluptātis (3f): pleasure, delight. Bonum, bonī (2n): a good, a blessing, a boon.
Rapiteexliberisvoluptates. —Seneca, Consolation to Marcia 10.4
Translation
Snatch the pleasures your children bring.
More literally: Snatch pleasures out of (your) children.
Details
(Life is short.) Rapite is the plural imperative form of rapiō, rapere, rapuī, raptum (3, –iō): to snatch, carry off. Ex/ē (prep.): from, out of (takes the ablative). Līberīs is the ablative form of līberī, līberōrum (2m, plural only): children (in relation to their parents), sons and daughters. Voluptātēs is the accusative plural form of voluptās, voluptātis (3f): pleasure, delight.
(Chicago:) Self-control takes command of our pleasures.
Details
(He’s recounting the functions of different virtues.) Temperantia, temperantiae (1f): moderation, self-control, temperance. Voluptātibus is the dative plural form of voluptās, voluptātis (3f): pleasure, delight. Imperat is the third person singular form of imperō, imperāre, imperāvī, imperātum (1): to command; rule (over), govern, control; demand (the person or thing that receives a command, is ruled over or that something is demanded from goes in the dative).
Vōx primarily means the voice of a human being, but it can also be applied to the cry of an animal and sometimes even to a sound produced by a thing (such as a musical instrument).
Vultusremittatur, voxleniorsit, graduslentior. —Seneca, On Anger 3.13.2
Translation
The face should become relaxed, the voice gentler, the gait slower.
More literally: Let the face become relaxed, let the voice be gentler, the gait slower.
Details
Vultus, vultūs (4m): countenance; facial expression; face. Remittātur is the third person singular passive subjunctive form of remittō, remittere, remīsī, remissum (3): to send back; release; relax; concede; remit. Vōx, vōcis (3f): voice; cry; sound; speech; utterance; saying, maxim; word. Lēnior/lēnior/lēnius (3): gentler, milder, softer—the comparative form of lēnis/lēnis/lēne (3): gentle, mild, soft. Sit is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Gradus, gradūs (4m): step, pace; gait; degree. Lentior/lentior/lentius (3): slower—the comparative form of lentus/lenta/lentum (1/2): slow. (The verbs are subjunctive because they’re jussive.)
Audirevocemvisa summodomilitis. —Terence, The Eunuch 454
Translation
It seems to me I just heard the soldier’s voice.
More literally: I just seemed to hear the soldier’s voice.
Details
Audiō, audīre, audīvī/audiī, audītum (4): to hear. Vōcem is the accusative singular form of vōx, vōcis (3f): voice; cry; sound; speech; utterance; saying, maxim; word. Vīsa sum is the first person feminine singular perfect passive form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see; (in the passive) seem. Modo (adv.): just, only. Mīles, mīlitis (3m): soldier.
Magnavoce
“Claudius”
inquit
“veniet.”
—Seneca, The Pumpkinification of Claudius 13.3
Translation
He said in a loud voice, “Claudius is coming.”
More literally: . . . “Claudius will be coming.”
Details
Magnā is the feminine ablative singular form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great; (of the voice) loud. Vōce is the ablative singular form of vōx, vōcis (3f): voice; cry; sound; speech; utterance; saying, maxim; word. Claudius/Claudia/Claudium (1/2): a family name, notably of the emperor Claudius. Inquit is the third person singular form of inquam (irreg. and defective): to say (inquit = he/she says or said). Veniet is the third person singular future form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.
Don’t you see how many people’s voices a chorus consists of?
Details
Nōn: not. Vidēs is the second person singular form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see. Quam (interrog. adv.): how (much)? to what degree? Multōrum is the m/n (here m) genitive plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Vōcibus is the ablative plural form of vōx, vōcis (3f): voice; cry; sound; speech; utterance; saying, maxim; word. Chorus, chorī (2m): chorus, choir. Cōnstet is the third person singular subjunctive form of cōnstō, cōnstāre, cōnstitī, cōnstātūrus (1): to stand firm; be consistent; (with ex + ablative or ablative alone) consist of, be composed of; (with ablative) cost; (impersonal) it is agreed, is well-known, it is established as a fact (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).
Elephantosporcinavoxterret. —Seneca, On Anger 2.11.5
Translation
Elephants are terrified by the squealing of a pig.
More literally: A pig’s cry terrifies elephants.
Details
Elephantōs is the accusative plural form of elephantus, elephantī (2m): elephant. Porcīnus/porcīna/porcīnum (1/2): of or belonging to a pig, porcine. Vōx, vōcis (3f): voice; cry; sound; speech; utterance; saying, maxim; word. Terret is the third person singular form of terreō, terrēre, terruī, territum (2): to frighten, terrify, alarm.
Longās is the feminine accusative plural form of longus/longa/longum (1/2): long. Ēmūgit is the third person singular form of ēmūgiō, ēmūgīre, —, — (4): to bellow out. Būcina, būcinae (1f): a curved trumpet or horn. Vōcēs is the accusative plural form of vōx, vōcis (3f): voice; cry; sound; speech; utterance; saying, maxim; word.
Vōx can also mean speech or any utterance, someone’s words—sometimes specifically a saying, maxim or the like.
Nesibosquidemvocemedat. —Erasmus, Adagia (1536)
Translation
Not if an ox were to speak.
More literally: Not even if an ox were to emit speech.
Details
(I won’t believe it under any circumstances, not even then.) Nē (adv.): not (usually in a wish, command or purpose, except in the expression nē. . . quidem). Sī (conj.): if. Bōs, bovis (3m/f): ox; bull; cow. Quidem (particle): at any rate; indeed, certainly; even (the last meaning is found almost exclusively in the expression nē. . . quidem = not even). Vōcem is the accusative singular form of vōx, vōcis (3f): voice; cry; sound; speech; utterance; saying, maxim; word. Ēdat is the third person singular subjunctive form of ēdō, ēdere, ēdidī, ēditum (3): to give out, emit; produce; utter; declare, proclaim (subjunctive in a future-less-vivid conditional).
Multomihivoxmatrisvideturanimosior. —Seneca, Consolation to Helvia 16.6
Translation
The mother’s words seem to me much more spirited.
Details
Multō (adv.): much, by much. Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to me). Vōx, vōcis (3f): voice; cry; sound; speech; utterance; saying, maxim; word. Māter, mātris (3f): mother. Vidētur is the third person singular passive form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see; (in the passive) seem. Animōsior/animōsior/animōsius (3): more spirited, more courageous—the comparative form of animōsus/animōsa/animōsum (1/2): spirited, courageous.
Cōnsīderā is the singular imperative form of cōnsīderō, cōnsīderāre, cōnsīderāvī, cōnsīderātum (1): to look at closely; consider, contemplate. Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Vōx, vōcis (3f): voice; cry; sound; speech; utterance; saying, maxim; word. Iste/ista/istud (adj.): that, this. Significet is the third person singular subjunctive form of significō, significāre, significāvī, significātum (1): to mean, signify; show, indicate (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).
(Chicago:) Are you lowering yourself to Epicurean maxims?
Alt. : Are you descending to Epicurean maxims?
Details
(A reaction Seneca imagines coming from his friend after Seneca has said something that might sound Epicurean.) Ad (prep.): to, toward (takes the accusative). Epicūrēas is the feminine accusative plural form of Epicūrēus/Epicūrēa/Epicūrēum (1/2): Epicurean. Vōcēs is the accusative plural form of vōx, vōcis (3f): voice; cry; sound; speech; utterance; saying, maxim; word. Dēlāberis is the second person singular form of dēlābor, dēlābī, dēlāpsus sum (3, deponent): to fall, glide down, sink, descend.
Or it can mean a single word.
NamestvoxGallica. —Gellius, Attic Nights 15.30.6
Translation
For it is a Gaulish word.
Details
(He’s talking about the word petorritum, petorritī (2n): a type of open four-wheeled carriage.) Nam (particle): for, because. Est: it is. Vōx, vōcis (3f): voice; cry; sound; speech; utterance; saying, maxim; word. Gallicus/Gallica/Gallicum (1/2): Gaulish, Gallic.
Animal, animālis
Animal, animālis (3n): animal, animate creature, living thing.
Rationaleanimales. —Seneca, Epistles 124.23
Translation
You are a reasoning animal.
Details
Ratiōnālis/ratiōnālis/ratiōnāle (3): connected with reasoning, dialectical; rational, endowed with reason. Animal, animālis (3n): animal, animate creature, living thing. Es: you are.
Besides, no living thing is part of another living thing.
Details
Dēnique (adv.): finally, at last; besides. Nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Animal, animālis (3n): animal, animate creature, living thing. Pars, partis (3f): part. Est: is. Alterīus is the m/f/n genitive singular form of alter/altera/alterum (1/2, irreg.): the other, another; the second, a second; one (of two). Animal, animālis (3n): animal, animate creature, living thing.
In dumb animals there is not a trace of the happy life, nor of the means whereby the happy life is produced.
More literally: In a dumb animal the happy life is not (does not exist), nor that by which the happy life is produced.
Details
In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Mūtō is the m/n ablative singular form of mūtus/mūta/mūtum (1/2): dumb, mute; silent. Animālī is the ablative singular form of animal, animālis (3n): animal, animate creature, living thing. Nōn: not. Est: is. Beātus/beāta/beātum (1/2): happy, fortunate. Vīta, vītae (1f): life. Neque/nec: (conj.) and not, nor; (adv.) neither, not either, not even. Is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Quō is the m/n ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Efficitur is the third person singular passive form of efficiō, efficere, effēcī, effectum (3, –iō): to make; produce; bring about, cause.
Ergononsuntanimalia. —Seneca, Epistles 113.16
Translation
Therefore they are not living things.
(Chicago:) Therefore they are not animate creatures.
Details
Ergō (particle): therefore, so, then. Nōn: not. Sunt: they are. Animālia is the nominative plural form of animal, animālis (3n): animal, animate creature, living thing.
Eademanimaliumhominumquediscriminasunt. —Seneca, On Anger 2.19.2
Translation
The same distinctions apply to animals and to men.
More literally: The distinctions of animals and of men are the same.
Details
(As those of regions: distinctions between wet and dry, hot and cold.) Eadem is the neuter nominative plural form of īdem/eadem/idem (pron. or adj.): the same. Animālium is the genitive plural form of animal, animālis (3n): animal, animate creature, living thing. Hominumque: hominum is the genitive plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being; the enclitic conjunction –que adds and. Discrīmina is the nominative plural form of discrīmen, discrīminis (3n): separation; distinction, difference; decision (between alternatives); crisis, critical situation. Sunt: (they) are.
Simutisanimalibusfinisvoluptas, idemhomini. —Quintilian, The Orator’s Education 5.11.34
Translation
If pleasure is the highest aim for dumb animals, so it is for man.
More literally: If the (highest) aim for dumb animals (is) pleasure, (it is) the same for man.
Details
(Meant as a specimen of bad argument.) Sī (conj.): if. Mūtīs is the m/f/n dative plural form of mūtus/mūta/mūtum (1/2): dumb, mute; silent. Animālibus is the dative plural form of animal, animālis (3n): animal, animate creature, living thing. Fīnis, fīnis (3m): boundary, limit; end; the farthest limit or culminating point (of anything); (highest/ultimate) aim, goal, target, purpose. Voluptās, voluptātis (3f): pleasure. Īdem/eadem/idem (pron.): the same. Hominī is the dative singular form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being.
Adanimaliavenio. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 3. pr.9
Translation
I turn to animals.
Details
(After reviewing how a principle applies to humans.) Ad (prep.): to (takes accusative). Animālia is the accusative plural form of animal, animālis (3n): animal, animate creature, living thing. Veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.
Caput, capitis
Caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document).
First a few illustrations of the basic meaning: head as a body part.
More literally: Why should I mention spinnings of the head?
Details
Quid (interrog. adv.): what for? why? Caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Vertīginēs is the accusative plural form of vertīgō, vertīginis (3f): a spinning motion; spinning sensation, dizziness. Dīcam is the first person singular subjunctive form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say; mention (subjunctive in a deliberative question).
Alterumcapitisubdidit. —Tacitus, Histories 2.49
Translation
He slipped one of them under his head.
Details
(Talking about two daggers—pūgiō, pūgiōnis (3m)—one of which this person (the emperor Otho) would use later to take his life.) Alterum is the m/n accusative singular form of alter/altera/alterum (1/2, irreg.): the other, another; the second, a second; one (of two). Capitī is the dative singular form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Subdidit is the third person singular perfect form of subdō, subdere, subdidī, subditum (3): to place or insert (acc.) under (dat.); subject (acc.) to (dat.).
Demulcerecaput. —Erasmus, Adagia (1536)
Translation
To stroke a man’s head.
Details
(To flatter him.) Dēmulceō, dēmulcēre, dēmulsī, dēmulctum (2): to stroke. Caput is the accusative singular form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document).
Quidquassascaput? —Plautus, The Three Coins 1169
Translation
Why are you shaking your head?
Details
Quid (interrog. adv.): what for? why? Quassās is the second person singular form of quassō, quassāre, quassāvī, quassātum (1): to shake; batter. Caput is the accusative singular form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document).
Soleispedes, capitalinteisvinciunt. —Quintus Curtius, Histories of Alexander 8.9.21
Translation
They bind their feet with sandals and their heads with linen cloths.
Details
(Indians.) Soleīs is the ablative plural form of solea, soleae (1f): sandal (of the simplest kind, made of a sole and thongs). Pedēs is the accusative plural form of pēs, pedis (3m): foot. Capita is the accusative plural form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Linteīs is the ablative plural form of linteum, linteī (2n): a piece of linen cloth (a substantive use of linteus/lintea/linteum (1/2): made of linen). Vinciunt is the third person plural form of vinciō, vincīre, vīnxī, vīnctum (4): to tie up, fasten, bind.
Sometimes caput symbolizes a person’s life.
Cuicaputmeumcredam? —Quintus Curtius, Histories of Alexander 6.9.21
Translation
Whom shall I entrust my life to?
More literally: To whom shall I entrust my head?
Details
Cui is the m/f/n dative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Caput is the accusative singular form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Meum is the m/n accusative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Crēdam is the first person singular subjunctive form of crēdō, crēdere, crēdidī, crēditum (3): to entrust; lend (money); trust; believe (subjunctive in a deliberative question).
In this sense it’s often used in expressions referring to capital (notice the etymology) punishment (note however that a death sentence against a Roman citizen was often commuted into exile).
More literally: They summoned many (in)to a trial of the head.
Details
In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Iūdicium is the accusative singular form of iūdicium, iūdiciī (2n): trial; judgment. Caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Multōs is the masculine accusative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Vocāvērunt is the third person plural perfect form of vocō, vocāre, vocāvī, vocātum (1): to call; summon.
Capitisdamnati sunt. —Livy, History of Rome 39.35.8
Translation
They were condemned to death.
More literally: They were condemned of (i.e., regarding) the head (i.e., life).
Details
Caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Damnātī sunt is the third person masculine plural perfect passive form of damnō, damnāre, damnāvī, damnātum (1): to condemn (the thing regarding which, for which or to which one is condemned can go in the genitive or ablative; so here you have capitis but could also have had capite).
Also note the legal expression capite minuere (or dēminuere/dīminuēre), which means to deprive of civil rights.
Caput can also stand for the whole individual.
Ainvero, verbereumcaput? —Plautus, The Persian 184
Translation
Really, you whip-worthy fellow?
More literally: Are you really saying (it), you whip-worthy head?
Details
Ain is a contraction of aisne (which itself isn’t in regular use): ais is the second person singular form of aiō (3, defective): to say; the enclitic interrogative particle –ne turns the word into part of a question. Vērō (adv. and particle): truly, really, indeed; on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover; for my, your, his, etc. part. Ain vērō = really? you don’t say? Verbereum is the neuter vocative singular form of verbereus/verberea/verbereum (1/2): associated with flogging, or worthy of being flogged (an adjective based on verber, verberis (3n): instrument for flogging, whip, lash; a blow received from such an instrument, or a blow in general—the adjective may be a facetious coinage by Plautus). Caput is the vocative singular form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document).
Liberacapitasinepretiodimisit. —Livy, History of Rome 31.40.4
Translation
He released the free individuals without a ransom.
More literally: He released the free heads without a ransom.
Details
Lībera is the neuter accusative plural form of līber/lībera/līberum (1/2): free. Capita is the accusative plural form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Sine (prep.): without (takes the ablative). Pretiō is the ablative singular form of pretium, pretiī (2n): reward; price (or any kind of payment; e. g. , a ransom or a bribe). Dīmīsit is the third person singular perfect form of dīmittō, dīmittere, dīmīsī, dīmissum (3): to let go, release, dismiss, send away.
Caput can be used when individuals are being counted (e. g. , in a census).
Censaciviumcapitacentumseptendecimmiliatrecentaundeviginti. —Livy, History of Rome 3.24.10
Translation
One hundred seventeen thousand three hundred nineteen citizens were registered.
More literally: . . . heads of citizens. . .
Details
Cēnsa is the neuter nominative plural form of cēnsus/cēnsa/cēnsum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of cēnseō, cēnsēre, cēnsuī, cēnsum (2): to give as one’s opinion; judge, deem; recommend; register at a census; assess (sunt is implied: cēnsa sunt is the third person neuter plural perfect passive form). Cīvium is the genitive plural form of cīvis, cīvis (3m/f): citizen. Capita is the nominative plural form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Centum (indeclinable): one hundred. Septendecim (indeclinable—also septemdecim): seventeen. Mīlia (alternatively mīllia) is the nominative plural form of mīlle: thousand. Trecentī/trecentae/trecenta (1/2): three hundred. Ūndēvīgintī (indeclinable): nineteen.
Now we’ll see some illustrations of caput used in figurative ways to denote the extremity of something or the first or most important part/person/thing (source, leader, (chief) point, etc.).
(At ends of trenches—fossa, fossae (1f).) Capitibus is the ablative plural form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Eārum is the feminine genitive plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Castella is the accusative plural form of castellum, castellī (2n): a fortified settlement or garrison: castle, stronghold, bastion, etc. Commūniit is the third person singular perfect form of commūniō, commūnīre, commūnīvī/commūniī, commūnītum (4): to fortify; build and fortify.
Magnōrum is the m/n genitive plural form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Flūminum is the genitive plural form of flūmen, flūminis (3n): river. Capita is the accusative plural form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Venerāmur is the first person plural form of veneror, venerārī, venerātus sum (1, deponent): to solicit the goodwill of (esp. a deity); revere, venerate; worship; pay homage to.
Eacapitaconiurationisfuerant. —Livy, History of Rome 9.26.7
Translation
Those had been the leaders of the conspiracy.
Details
Ea is the neuter nominative plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Capita is the nominative plural form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Coniūrātiō, coniūrātiōnis (3f): conspiracy. Fuerant is the third person plural pluperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Scodramcaputgentisdelessesuffecit. —Florus, Epitome of Roman History 1.29
Translation
The destruction of Scodra, the capital of the nation, was enough.
More literally: To have destroyed Scodra. . .
Details
Scodram is the accusative singular form of Scodra, Scodrae (1f): a town in Illyria (present-day Shkodër in Albania). Caput is the accusative singular form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Gēns, gentis (3f): nation, people, race; gens, clan, (extended) family. Dēlēsse is the perfect infinitive form of dēleō, dēlēre, dēlēvī, dēlētum (2): to destroy. Suffēcit is the third person singular perfect form of sufficiō, sufficere, suffēcī, suffectum (3, –iō): to supply; substitute; appoint in place of someone else; suffice, be enough.
Caputilludestquodscis. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 12.29.2
Translation
The principal consideration is the one you know of.
Details
Caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one, the one; he, she, it. Est: is. Quod is the neuter accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Scīs is the second person singular form of sciō, scīre, scīvī/sciī, scītum (4): to know (of).
Nunccapitarerumattigi. —Fronto, Letters to and from Caesar 3.8.4
Translation
For now I’ve merely touched on the main points.
More literally: For now, I have touched on the chief points of things.
Details
Nunc (adv.): now; as it is; for now. Capita is the accusative plural form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Rērum is the genitive plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair. Attingō, attingere, attigī, attāctum (3): to touch; touch on.
Of these four points, all concede the second and the third.
Details
Hōrum is the m/n genitive plural form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Quattuor (indeclinable): four. Capitum is the genitive plural form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Secundum is the m/n accusative singular form of secundus/secunda/secundum (1/2): moving in the same direction, moving along with one; favorable; second. Et (conj.): and. Tertium is the m/n accusative singular form of tertius/tertia/tertium (1/2): third. Omnēs is the m/f nominative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every; (m. pl. used substantively) all (people), everyone. Concēdunt is the third person plural form of concēdō, concēdere, concessī, concessum (3): to depart, withdraw; give in; grant, concede.
The last meaning that we’ll illustrate is section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document).
In another clause he bequeathed all his maidservants to his wife.
Details
Aliō is the m/n ablative singular form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another. Capite is the ablative singular form of caput, capitis (3n): head; the summit or extremity of anything; the first or most important person or thing; beginning; source, origin; leader; chief city, capital; (chief) point; section, chapter, paragraph, clause (of a document). Omnēs is the m/f accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Ancillās is the accusative plural form of ancilla, ancillae (1f): female slave, maidservant. Suās: his (own)—the feminine accusative plural form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Uxōrī is the dative singular form of uxor, uxōris (3f): wife. Lēgāvit is the third person singular perfect form of lēgō, lēgāre, lēgāvī, lēgātum (1): to send as an envoy; bequeath, leave as an inheritance.
Confusion warning. The ablative singular form of caput looks the same as the plural imperative form of capiō, capere, cēpī, captum (3, –iō): to take, seize, capture.
Iteigitur, capitearma, viri. —Silius Italicus, Punica 8.273
Translation
Go then and take up arms, men.
Details
Īte is the plural imperative form of eō, īre, iī/īvī, itum (irreg.): to go. Igitur (conj.): therefore, so, then. Capite is the plural imperative form of capiō, capere, cēpī, captum (3, –iō): to take (up), seize, capture. Arma is the accusative form of arma, armōrum (2n, plural only): arms, weapons. Virī is the vocative plural form of vir, virī (2m): man.
And the genitive singular form of caput looks the same as the second person plural active indicative form of that same verb.
Exinbecillitatevestraconiecturamcapitisingentisanimi. —Seneca, On the Firmness of the Wise Man 15.2
Translation
From the measure of your own weakness you form your idea of an heroic spirit.
More literally: You take a conjecture of a great spirit out of your (own) weakness.
Details
Ex/ē (prep.): from, out of; according to (takes ablative). Inbēcillitāte is the ablative singular form of inbēcillitās, inbēcillitātis (3f—also imbēcillitās): weakness, feebleness. Vestrā is the feminine ablative singular form of vester/vestra/vestrum (1/2): your, yours, your own (with reference to a plural you). Coniectūram is the accusative singular form of coniectūra, coniectūrae (1f): inference, conclusion; guess, conjecture; interpretation of dreams; soothsaying. Capitis is the second person plural form of capiō, capere, cēpī, captum (3, –iō): to take, seize, capture; form (an idea or the like.). Ingēns, ingentis (3, adj.): huge, enormous, immense, (very) great. Animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit.
Corpus, corporis
Corpus, corporis (3n): body; substance; concrete object; corpus. The sense body can be literal (e. g. , a person’s body) or it can denote more figuratively any whole made up of connected parts—for example a structure, a body of people, or a body of writings (a corpus).
More literally: Contempt of one’s body is certain freedom.
Details
Contemptus, contemptūs (4m): contempt, scorn; disregard, the fact of valuing little or not caring about something. Corpus, corporis (3n): body; substance; concrete object; corpus. Suī: (of) one’s (own)—the m/n genitive singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Certus/certa/certum (1/2): settled, fixed; certain, sure. Lībertās, lībertātis (3f): freedom, liberty. Est: is.
Quisquis/quidquid (rel. pron. ; the second form is also spelled quicquid): whoever, whatever; everyone who, everything that. Animum is the accusative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit. Ērēxit is the third person singular perfect form of ērigō, ērigere, ērēxī, ērēctum (3): to raise, lift up, elevate; set up, erect; uplift; cheer; rouse, stimulate (the perfect tense can be used in general statements to denote an action that’s completed before another: here something first uplifts the mind, and then the body). Etiam (particle): still; even; also. Corporī is the dative singular form of corpus, corporis (3n): body; substance; concrete object; corpus. Prōdest is the third person singular form of prōsum, prōdesse, prōfuī, prōfutūrus (irreg.): to be useful, help, benefit, avail (the recipient of the benefit goes in the dative).
Corpuseiussepelivi. —Seneca, On Benefits 5.20.4
Translation
I buried his body.
Details
Corpus is the accusative singular form of corpus, corporis (3n): body; substance; concrete object; corpus. Eius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Sepeliō, sepelīre, sepelīvī/sepeliī, sepultum (4): to bury.
(He’s talking about the power of philosophy.) Nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Tēlum, tēlī (2n): spear; missile; weapon. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Corpore is the ablative singular form of corpus, corporis (3n): body; substance; concrete object; corpus. Eius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Sedet is the third person singular form of sedeō, sedēre, sēdī, sessum (2): to sit, be seated; settle, lodge.
(Chicago:) Look around at the bodies of everything.
Details
Circumspice is the singular imperative form of circumspiciō, circumspicere, circumspexī, circumspectum (3, –iō): to look around (at/for); ponder, consider. Omnium is the m/f/n (here n, referring to living beings—animal, animālis (3n)) genitive plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Corpora is the accusative plural form of corpus, corporis (3n): body; substance; concrete object; corpus.
Duoenimsuntcorpora. —Cicero, Letters to Quintus 2.12.4
Translation
For there are two bodies of them.
Details
(Talking about someone’s writings.) Duo/duae/duo (irreg.): two. Enim (particle): for. Sunt: there are. Corpora is the nominative plural form of corpus, corporis (3n): body; substance; concrete object; corpus.
Quodmotumhabetcorpusest. —Seneca, Epistles 117.7
Translation
That which has motion is a body.
Details
Quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what (that which). Mōtum is the accusative singular form of mōtus, mōtūs (4m): motion. Habet is the third person singular form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Corpus, corporis (3n): body; substance; concrete object; corpus. Est: is.
Namcorporasuntetinane. —Lucretius, On the Nature of Things 1.420
Translation
For there are bodies and the void.
Alt. : For there are substances and the void.
Details
(The two things that the universe consists of.) Nam (particle): for. Corpora is the nominative plural form of corpus, corporis (3n): body; substance; concrete object; corpus. Sunt: there are. Et (conj.): and. Ināne, inānis (3n): empty space, void, emptiness (a substantive use of inānis/inānis/ināne (3): empty, void).
Ex/ē (prep.): from, out of, of (takes ablative). Hāc is the feminine ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Notā is the ablative singular form of nota, notae (1f): a mark; brand; a mark of censure placed by the censors before a person’s name; a mark of disgrace, stigma; grade, class; sign; symbol, character. Corporum is the genitive plural form of corpus, corporis (3n): body; substance; concrete object; corpus. Āēr, āeris (3m): air. Est: is.
Other things can be perfect according to their kind.
More literally: . . . in their own kind.
Details
(But only that which has reason can be perfect according to the whole of nature.) Cētera is the neuter nominative plural form of cēterus/cētera/cēterum (1/2): (all) (the) other(s), the rest (of). Possunt is the third person plural form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Suō: their (own)—the m/n ablative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Genere is the ablative singular form of genus, generis (3n): kind, type, sort, class; race, breed; birth, descent; gender; way, mode, method. Esse: (to) be. Perfecta is the neuter nominative plural form of perfectus/perfecta/perfectum (1/2): complete; perfect.
If I am not mistaken, there are three main classes of these.
(Chicago:) If I am not mistaken, those objects are of three kinds.
More literally: Of which, unless I am deceived, there are three kinds.
Details
(He’s talking about objects of fear.) Quōrum is the m/n (here n) genitive plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Trēs/trēs/tria (3): three. Nisi (conj.): unless, if not; except. Fallor is the first person singular passive form of fallō, fallere, fefellī, falsum (3): to deceive; passive forms can mean to be mistaken. Genera is the nominative plural form of genus, generis (3n): kind, type, sort, class; race, breed; birth, descent; gender; way, mode, method. Sunt: there are.
The singular accusative of genus is sometimes used in a way that can be translated as if it were genitive, in expressions meaning of this kind, of that kind, of every kind, and the like.
Sihocgenusrebusnonproficitur, demittitursanguis. —Varro, On Agriculture 2.1.23
Translation
If improvement is not obtained by treatment of this kind, blood is let.
More literally: If it is not progressed (if no progress is made, if no result is achieved) with things (of) this kind, blood is let.
Details
(On the treatment of animals who are suffering from being overworked.) Sī (conj.): if. Hoc is the neuter accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Genus is the accusative singular form of genus, generis (3n): kind, type, sort, class; race, breed; birth, descent; gender; way, mode, method. Rēbus is the ablative plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair. Nōn: not. Prōficitur is the third person singular passive form of prōficiō, prōficere, prōfēcī, prōfectum (3, –iō): to make progress; achieve something, gain results; benefit, help (it’s an impersonal passive). Dēmittitur is the third person singular passive form of dēmittō, dēmittere, dēmīsī, dēmissum (3): to send down, let down, lower; shed; let (blood). Sanguis, sanguinis (3m): blood; sap.
Race, breed; birth, descent.
GenerisGraecist. —Plautus, The Merchant 525
Translation
It’s of the Greek breed.
Details
(Talking about a sheep.) Genus, generis (3n): kind, type, sort, class; race, breed; birth, descent; gender; way, mode, method. Graecīst is a contracted spelling of graecī est: graecī is the m/n genitive singular form of Graecus/Graeca/Graecum (1/2): Greek; est: is.
Quigenusiactatsuum, alienalaudat. —Seneca, The Mad Hercules 340-41
Translation
He who boasts about his birth praises achievements that are not his own.
More literally: . . . praises things not his own.
Details
Quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Genus is the accusative singular form of genus, generis (3n): kind, type, sort, class; race, breed; birth, descent; gender; way, mode, method. Iactat is the third person singular form of iactō, iactāre, iactāvī, iactātum (1): to throw, toss, toss about; boast about, show off. Suum: his (own)—the m/n accusative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Aliēna is the neuter accusative plural form of aliēnus/aliēna/aliēnum (1/2): of another, belonging to another or others, not one’s own; alien, foreign, unfamiliar, unrelated; unsuitable; harmful; hostile. Laudat is the third person singular form of laudō, laudāre, laudāvī, laudātum (1): to praise.
Hūmānum genus is a common phrase meaning the human race, humanity, mankind.
(God.) Ipse/ipsa/ipsum (pron. or adj.): himself/herself/itself/etc. Hūmānō is the m/n dative singular form of hūmānus/hūmāna/hūmānum (1/2): human. Generī is the dative singular form of genus, generis (3n): kind, type, sort, class; race, breed; birth, descent; gender; way, mode, method. Ministrat is the third person singular form of ministrō, ministrāre, ministrāvī, ministrātum (1): to attend, wait upon, serve (the recipient of the service goes in the dative); supply.
Another meaning of genus is gender (often as a grammatical term, sometimes in other contexts).
Estautemgenerisfeminini. —Servius, Commentary on Virgil’s Aeneid 1.119
Translation
It is of the feminine gender.
Details
(He’s talking about the noun gaza, gazae (1f): treasure.) Est: it is. Autem (particle): on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover; for my, your, his, etc. part (it’s often used to mark a transition in a narrative, argument, description, etc. and doesn’t always need a translation). Genus, generis (3n): kind, type, sort, class; race, breed; birth, descent; gender; way, mode, method. Fēminīnī is the m/n genitive singular form of fēminīnus/fēminīna/fēminīnum (1/2): feminine.
Or it can mean a way of doing something, mode, method.
Movetcerebrumnonunogenere. —Seneca, Epistles 36.1
Translation
It stirs the brain in more ways than one.
(Chicago:) It addles the brain, and not always in the same way.
More literally: It stirs the brain not (only) in a single way.
Details
(He’s talking about the effects of prosperity.) Movet is the third person singular form of moveō, movēre, mōvī, mōtum (2): to move, stir, set in motion; trouble, disturb, perturb. Cerebrum is the accusative singular form of cerebrum, cerebrī (2n): brain. Nōn: not. Ūnō is the m/n ablative singular form of ūnus/ūna/ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one; alone; only, sole, single. Genere is the ablative singular form of genus, generis (3n): kind, type, sort, class; race, nationality; birth, descent; gender; way, mode, method.
Compare gener, generī (2m): son-in-law—especially, the genitive singular and accusative singular forms of this word, which are not to be confused with the identical-looking dative singular and genitive plural forms of genus (generī and generum).
Iūs, iūris
Iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations. It can mean law in a general sense, or a particular legal system; sometimes a particular law; or what is in accordance with right or law; or yet again any right that someone has, what someone is entitled to according to law; or the rights that someone has over others—i.e., authority, jurisdiction. Sometimes it also mean obligations, especially as arising from certain types of relationship (for example iūs amicitiae = the law of friendship, or the obligations of friends to one another).
Iusestinarmis. —Seneca, The Mad Hercules 253
Translation
Law consists in the power of arms.
More literally: Law is in arms.
Details
(Or, as you may say, might is right. He’s describing a bad state of affairs.) Iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations. Est: is. In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Armīs is the ablative form of arma, armōrum (2n, plural only): arms, weapons.
Estetmihicensendiius. —Seneca, On the Happy Life 3.2
Translation
I too am entitled to an opinion.
More literally: To/for me, too, there is the right of holding an opinion.
Details
Est: there is. Et (adv.): also, too, as well. Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to/for me). Cēnsendī is the genitive gerund of cēnseō, cēnsēre, cēnsuī, cēnsum (2): to hold or express an opinion, give as one’s opinion; judge, deem; recommend; register at a census; assess. Iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations.
Iusvitaeacnecismeaepenesmeest. —Seneca, Phoenician Women 103-4
Translation
It is my right to decide whether I live or die.
More literally: The right of my life and death is in my possession.
Details
Iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations. Vīta, vītae (1f): life. Atque/ac (conj.): and. Nex, necis (3f): violent death, killing, murder. Meae is the feminine genitive singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Penes (prep.): in the possession of, under the control of, in the charge of (takes the accusative). Mē is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Est: is.
Fāta is the nominative plural form of fātum, fātī (2n): fate. Aliter (adv.): otherwise, differently. Iūs is the accusative singular form of iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations. Suum: their (own)—the m/n accusative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Peragunt is the third person plural form of peragō, peragere, perēgī, perāctum (3): to carry out, perform, execute, exercise (esp. to the end); finish, complete; live out.
Idbonumestsuoiure. —Seneca, Epistles 44.6
Translation
(Chicago:) That thing is a good in its own right.
Alt. : That is good in its own right.
Details
Is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good (the neuter can be used substantively: bonum, bonī (2n): a good thing, a good, a blessing, a boon; but nothing indicates that it’s necessarily substantive here). Est: is. Suō: (in) its (own)—the m/n ablative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Iūre is the ablative singular form of iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations.
Patriaesanctioraiuraquamhospitiiesseduxit. —Cornelius Nepos, Life of Timotheus 4.3
Translation
He considered his obligations toward his fatherland more sacred than those toward his guest.
More literally: He considered the rights of the fatherland to be more sacred than (those) of hospitality/of the relationship between a host and a guest.
Details
Patria, patriae (1f): fatherland, one’s country. Sānctiōra is the neuter accusative plural form of sānctior/sānctior/sānctius (3): more sacred—the comparative form of sānctus/sāncta/sānctum (1/2): sacrosanct, holy, sacred; morally pure, virtuous, upright. Iūra is the accusative plural form of iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations. Quam (rel. adv.): than; as. Hospitium, hospitiī (2n): hospitality; the relationship between a host and their guest (considered to give rise to mutual obligations, often considered sacred); lodgings. Esse: to be. Dūxit is the third person singular perfect form of dūcō, dūcere, dūxī, ductum (3): to lead; consider, regard as.
Iniuseamus. —Seneca, The Pumpkinification of Claudius 13.6
Translation
Let’s go to court.
More literally: Let’s go to law.
Details
In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into, to. Iūs is the accusative singular form of iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations. Eāmus is the first person plural subjunctive form of eō, īre, iī/īvī, itum (irreg.): to go (subjunctive because it’s hortatory).
Iūs appears in some idioms about making the laws ( = ruling), administering justice or rendering judgments. Two common ones are illustrated below.
Iuradabatpopulosenior. —Ovid, Book of Days 5.65
Translation
The elders gave the laws to the people.
More literally: The elder (a generic singular, not referring to any particular elder, but to the idea of an elder in general). . .
Details
Iūra is the accusative plural form of iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations. Dabat is the third person singular imperfect form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Populō is the dative singular form of populus, populī (2m): people; nation; general public, populace. Senior/senior/— (3): older, elder—the comparative form of senex, senis (3, adj.): old (but more often used as a noun meaning old man).
Inarceregnipaludatusiusdixit. —Lucius Ampelius, Liber Memorialis 16.5
Translation
He rendered his judgments in the citadel of the kingdom, clothed in a military cloak.
Details
In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Arce is the ablative singular form of arx, arcis (3f): citadel. Rēgnum, rēgnī (2n): kingship; reign; kingdom. Palūdātus/palūdāta/palūdātum (1/2): wearing a military cloak. Iūs is the accusative singular form of iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations. Dīxit is the third person singular perfect form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say, declare. Iūs dīcere can mean to render judgments, administer justice.
Suī (or meī, tuī, etc.) iūris, literally of one’s (or my, your, etc.) own right/law means under one’s own control, independent. The meaning can be legal or more figurative.
Quaedamsuntsuiiuris. —Seneca, Epistles 99.15
Translation
Some reactions are a law unto themselves.
More literally: Some things are of their own law.
Details
(He’s talking about manifestations of grief and how some are out of your control.) Quaedam is the neuter nominative plural form of quīdam/quaedam/quiddam (pron.): someone, something; (in pl.) some, some people, some things. Sunt: (they) are. Suī: (of) their (own)—the m/n genitive singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations.
Similar expressions are also used in non-reflexive contexts; for example you can say haec domus meī iūris est = this house is under my control, this house is my property.
The mother went about diligently consulting men learned in the law.
Alt. : The mother diligently consulted lawyers.
More literally: The mother diligent(ly) consults experts of (i.e., in) the law.
Details
Māter, mātris (3f): mother. Sēdulus/sēdula/sēdulum (1/2): attentive, careful, painstaking, diligent, sedulous. Iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations. Perītōs is the masculine accusative plural form of perītus/perīta/perītum (1/2): experienced, practiced, expert (often with genitive of the field of expertise). Iūris perītus, also sometimes written as one word = a law expert, lawyer, jurist. Cōnsulit is the third person singular form of cōnsulō, cōnsulere, cōnsuluī, cōnsultum (3): to consult (with acc.); take thought for, look after the interests of, give thought to (with dat.) (it’s in the historical present).
Rettulitadiurisconsultos. —Cicero, In Defense of Flaccus 80
Translation
He referred the matter to jurists.
More literally: He referred (the matter) to men learned of (i.e., in) the law.
Details
Rettulit is the third person singular perfect form of referō, referre, rettulī, relātum (3, irreg.): to bring back; give back, return; refer; trace back, ascribe; report, relate, mention. Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations. Cōnsultōs is the masculine accusative plural form of cōnsultus/cōnsulta/cōnsultum (1/2): practiced, learned (esp. in law); deliberate, considered; well-advised—originally the perfect passive participle of cōnsulō, cōnsulere, cōnsuluī, cōnsultum (3): to consult (with acc.); take thought for, look after the interests of, give thought to (with dat.). Iūris cōnsultus, also sometimes written as one word = a law expert, lawyer, jurist.
The phrase iūs iūrandum (sometimes written as one word, but both parts always decline) means an oath.
Tameniusiurandumservabat. —Cornelius Nepos, Life of Agesilaus 2.5
Translation
He nevertheless kept his oath.
Details
Tamen (adv.): nevertheless, yet, still. Iūsiūrandum is the accusative singular form of iūsiūrandum, iūrisiūrandī (also written as two words, iūs iūrandum): oath—iūs is the accusative singular form of iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations; iūrandum is the m/n accusative singular form of iūrandus/iūranda/iūrandum (1/2), the gerundive of iūrō, iūrāre, iūrāvī, iūrātum (1): to swear. Servābat is the third person singular imperfect form of servō, servāre, servāvī, servātum (1): to observe; keep; save.
The ablative singular form iūre is sometimes used to mean rightfully or justly, deservedly, with good reason.
Iurefactumiudico. —Plautus, The Braggart Soldier 1435
Translation
I judge it serves me right.
More literally: I judge (it) justly done.
Most literally: I judge (it) done by right.
Details
Iūre is the ablative singular form of iūs, iūris (3n): law; right; justice; prerogative; authority, jurisdiction; obligations (the ablative singular form, meaning literally by right, can mean rightfully, justly, deservedly, with good reason; this usage is sometimes classified as an adverb). Factum is the m/n (here n) accusative singular form of factus/facta/factum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Iūdicō, iūdicāre, iūdicāvī, iūdicātum (1): to judge, deem.
Confusion warning. The word that’s the topic of this entry—iūs, iūris meaning law, right, etc. —has a (much less frequent) homonym: iūs, iūris (3n), meaning a broth, soup or sauce.
Iussupraperfundes. —Apicius, On the Subject of Cooking 4.1.2
Translation
Pour sauce on top.
More literally: You will pour sauce on top.
Details
Iūs is the accusative singular form of iūs, iūris (3n): broth, soup, sauce. Suprā (adv.): above, on top. Perfundēs is the second person singular future form of perfundō, perfundere, perfūdī, perfūsum (3): to overspread; pour or spread (over).
Mare, maris
Mare, maris (3n): sea.
Maremalorum. —Erasmus, Adagia (1536)
Translation
A sea of troubles.
Details
Mare, maris (3n): sea. Malōrum is the genitive plural form of malum, malī (2n): a bad thing; evil; trouble, misfortune; disease; misdeed.
Inmariaquamquaeris. —Erasmus, Adagia (1536)
Translation
You seek water in the sea.
Details
(As when someone looks for faults in a book that contains nothing else.) In (prep.): (with abl.) in; (with acc.) into. Marī is the ablative singular form of mare, maris (3n): sea. Aquam is the accusative singular form of aqua, aquae (1f): water. Quaeris is the second person singular form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to seek; ask, seek to know.
More literally: Seas are agitated when they have been still.
Details
Turbantur is the third person plural passive form of turbō, turbāre, turbāvī, turbātum (1): to cause a disturbance; agitate, stir up, upset. Maria is the nominative plural form of mare, maris (3n): sea. Cum (conj.): when; since; while; although. Quiēvērunt is the third person plural perfect form of quiēscō, quiēscere, quiēvī, quiētum (3): to rest; sleep; be still.
Philippusimpigreterramariqueparabatbellum. —Livy, History of Rome 31.33.1
Translation
Philip was tireless in preparing for war on land and sea.
More literally: Philip was preparing (for) war energetically on land and sea.
Details
Philippus, Philippī (2m). Impigrē (adv.): energetically, actively. Terrā is the ablative singular form of terra, terrae (1f): land; earth; ground. Marīque: marī is the ablative singular form of mare, maris (3n): sea; the enclitic conjunction –que adds and. Parābat is the third person singular imperfect form of parō, parāre, parāvī, parātum (1): to make available, furnish, supply, provide; get, acquire; prepare. Bellum is the accusative singular form of bellum, bellī (2n): war.
Compare mās, māris (3m or adj.): male.
Parturientisolatiaetministeriaexmare. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 10.105
Translation
When she is producing a brood she receives comfort and attendance from the cock.
More literally: For the one being about to lay eggs, (there are) consolations and services from the male.
Details
(He’s talking about doves. The verb is implied.) Parturientī is the m/f/n dative singular form of parturiēns, parturientis (3), the present active participle of parturiō, parturīre, parturīvī, — (4): to be about to give birth (or lay eggs), be in labor. Sōlātia is the nominative plural form of sōlātium, sōlātiī (2n—more usually sōlācium): comfort, consolation, solace. Et (conj.): and. Ministeria is the nominative plural form of ministerium, ministeriī (2n): service. Ex/ē (prep.): out of, from (takes the ablative). Māre is the ablative singular form of mās, māris (3m): male.
First a few basic illustrations where nōmen simply means name without any figurative meaning or other connotations.
Nonnostinomenmeum? —Plautus, The Brothers Manaechmus 294
Translation
Don’t you know my name?
Details
Nōn: not. Nōstī is the second person singular perfect form of nōscō, nōscere, nōvī, nōtum (3): (in present-stem forms) to get to know, become acquainted with, acquire knowledge of; (in perfect-stem forms, translated like present-stem forms of other verbs) know, be acquainted with, have knowledge of (so perfect forms are translated with the present tense of know). Nōmen is the accusative singular form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Meum is the m/n accusative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine.
Apud (prep.): at, near; with, among; in the presence of; at the house of; in the writings of (takes accusative). Nōs is the accusative form of nōs: we (us). Sine (prep.): without (takes ablative). Nōmine is the ablative singular form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Est: it is.
Solinominasua, solivocemdomesticamagnoscunt. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 8.146
Translation
They are the only ones to recognize their names, the only ones to recognize a familiar voice.
More literally: They alone recognize their names, they alone a familiar voice.
Details
(Talking about dogs—canis, canis (3m/f)—compared to other domestic animals.) Sōlī is the masculine nominative plural form of sōlus/sōla/sōlum (1/2, irreg.): alone; only, sole. Nōmina is the accusative plural form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Sua: their (own)—the neuter accusative plural form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Vōcem is the accusative singular form of vōx, vōcis (3f): voice; utterance; word. Domesticam is the feminine accusative singular form of domesticus/domestica/domesticum (1/2): domestic, of the house, belonging to one’s household; private; familiar. Agnōscunt is the third person plural form of agnōscō, agnōscere, agnōvī, agnitum (3): to recognize.
More literally: What does it avail/how is it relevant to use names or examples?
Details
(You’re already familiar with the topic.) Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Attinet is the third person singular form of attineō, attinēre, attinuī, attentum (2): to hold back; retain; concern, be connected with; be relevant or important, matter, avail. Nōminibus is the ablative plural form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Ūtor, utī, ūsus sum (3, deponent): to use (takes an ablative object). Aut (conj.): or. Exemplīs is the ablative plural form of exemplum, exemplī (2n): example.
Typical ways of asking or saying what someone’s or something’s name is:
Quidnomentibiest? —Plautus, Amphitruo 364
Translation
What’s your name?
More literally: What is the name for you?
Details
Quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Tibi is the dative form of tū: you (to/for you). Est: is.
LocoGeldubanomenest. —Tacitus, Histories 4.26
Translation
The place is called Gelduba.
More literally: Gelduba is the name for the place.
Details
Locō is the dative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place. Gelduba, Geldubae (1f—the length of the u is uncertain): a place in Germany. Nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Est: is.
The name in this kind of expression can simply be in the same case as nōmen (in the example above that means being nominative—Gelduba; if the sentence were about a person giving a name to something, for instance, it would be accusative). However, it often happens that the name is instead attracted into the dative of the person who bears it.
NomenMercurioestmihi. —Plautus, Amphitruo 19
Translation
My name is Mercury.
More literally: The name is Mercury for me.
Details
Nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Mercuriō is the dative singular form of Mercurius, Mercuriī (2m): Mercury (attracted into the dative of mihi, the person bearing the name). Est: is. Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to/for me).
The ablative form nōmine followed by a name agreeing in case with a person or thing mentioned nearby is a common wording meaning X by name; i.e., by the name of X, named/called X.
FiliusnomineHostuscastrispraeerat. —Livy, History of Rome 23.40.4
Translation
His son, named Hostus, was in command of the camp.
More literally: (His) son, Hostus by name, was in command of the camp.
Details
Fīlius, fīliī (2m): son. Nōmine is the ablative singular form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Hostus, Hostī (2m). Castrīs is the dative plural form of castrum, castrī (2n): fortified place; (in the plural only, with singular translation) camp. Praeerat is the third person singular imperfect form of praesum, praeesse, praefuī, praefutūrus (irreg.): to be in charge of, be in command of, be at the head of (with dative).
Note: Nōmen often means name in a general way; but sometimes it refers more specifically to the second of the three names often borne by a Roman man; e. g. , Tullius in Mārcus Tullius Cicerō. The precise term for the first name is praenōmen; the term for the third name is cognōmen.
In discussions of grammar, nōmen can mean noun.
Declinanturquomodonomina. —Anonymous, The Art of Grammar 545
Translation
They decline like nouns.
More literally: They are declined in what way nouns (are).
Details
(Talking about participles. The work has been traditionally attributed to Remmius Palaemon but is now thought not to be his.) Dēclīnantur is the third person plural passive form of dēclīnō, dēclīnāre, dēclīnāvī, dēclīnātum (1): to deflect; bend; turn aside; incline; decline; conjugate. Quō is the m/n ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. adj.): which, what. Modō (or modo) is the ablative singular form of modus, modī (2m): measure; limit; way, manner (the second o was often shortented in the phrase quō modo—alternatively written as one word, quōmodo). Nōmina is the nominative plural form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt.
Now some uses that are more figurative, or where nōmen has special connotations.
Nōmine can mean in the name (of), on behalf (of), on account (of), for the purpose (of) or for (this, that, etc.) reason.
Necilliusnomine
nec
meotimeo. —Seneca, On Benefits 6.43.2
Translation
I fear neither on his account nor on mine.
Details
Neque/nec (conj. and adv.): and not, nor; neither, not either, not even (nec. . . nec = neither. . . nor). Illīus is the m/f/n genitive singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it. Nōmine is the ablative singular form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Neque/nec (conj. and adv.): and not, nor; neither, not either, not even. Meō is the m/n ablative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to fear, be afraid.
More literally: . . . in this name/on this account:
Details
Hōc is the m/n ablative singular form of his/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Nōmine is the ablative singular form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, cause to move; do, perform, deal with, be engaged in. Grātiās is the accusative plural form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor; gratitude, (in plural) thanks; grace. Grātiās agere = to give thanks. Senectūtī is the dative singular form of senectūs, senectūtis (3f): old age.
Sometimes nōmen means a mere name as opposed to substance; or it can mean a false name or reason, a guise or pretext.
Misfortune reveals whether you have a friend or only one in name.
More literally: Misfortune reveals (whether) you have a friend or the (mere) name (of one).
Details
Amīcum is the accusative singular form of amīcus, amīcī (2m): friend. An (interrog. particle): whether, if (introducing an indirect question); or (in a question); it can also start a direct question. Nōmen is the accusative singular form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Habeās is the second person singular subjunctive form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Aperit is the third person singular form of aperiō, aperīre, aperuī, apertum (4): to open; uncover; reveal. Calamitās, calamitātis (3f): misfortune, disaster, calamity.
Vices creep into our hearts under the name of virtues.
(Chicago:) Faults creep in calling themselves virtues.
More literally: Vices creep up to us under the name of virtues.
Details
Vitia is the nominative plural form of vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault, flaw. Nōbīs is the dative form of nōs: we (to us). Sub (prep.): (with abl.) under (denoting location), in a position under; (with acc.) under (denoting direction), to a position under, toward and under. Virtūtum is the genitive plural form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): virtue, good quality; courage, valor. Nōmine is the ablative singular form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Obrēpunt is the third person plural form of obrēpō, obrēpere, obrēpsī, obrēptum (3): to creep up (to), approach stealthily (someone in the dative).
Nōmen can also mean good or bad name; i.e., fame, repute.
More literally: Give me whatever man of great name/repute you want. Or: Give me a man, whichever you want, of great name/repute.
Details
Dā is the singular imperative form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to me). Quemcumque is the masculine accusative singular form of quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque (rel. pron. or adj.): whoever, whatever, whichever. Vīs is the second person singular form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish. Magnī is the m/n genitive singular form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Virum is the accusative singular form of vir, virī (2m): man.
It can also mean loan or debt—because the names of debtors and creditors (as well as the names of parties to other transactions) were entered into a ledger.
Nominamea, perdeos, expedi, exsolve. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 16.6.3
Translation
For heaven’s sake clear off my debts, pay the lot.
More literally: My debts, by the gods, settle (them), pay (them) off/by the gods, settle my debts, pay (them) off.
Details
Nōmina is the accusative plural form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Mea is the neuter accusative plural form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Per (prep.): through; by (takes accusative). Deōs is the accusative plural form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Expedī is the singular imperative form of expediō, expedīre, expedīvī/expediī, expedītum (4): to untie; extricate, disentangle; release; solve; settle; explain; prepare; be expedient. Exsolve is the singular imperative form of exsolvō, exsolvere, exsolvī, exsolūtum (3): to loose, unfasten, untie; release; do away with; discharge; pay (off).
We can note an idiom that arose in a similar way: nōmen dare = literally to give one’s name; that is, to get enrolled (often in the army), because the names of recruits were written down during enrollment.
Multivoluntatenominadabant. —Livy, History of Rome 42.32.6
Translation
Many were enrolling voluntarily.
More literally: Many were giving (their) names by free choice.
Details
Multī is the masculine nominative plural form multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Voluntāte is the ablative singular form of voluntās, voluntātis (3f): will, wish, free choice. Nōmina is the accusative plural form of nōmen, nōminis (3n): name; noun; behalf, account, grounds, reason, purpose; guise; pretext; fame, repute; loan, debt. Dabant is the third person plural imperfect form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give.
Confusion warning. The nominative/accusative plural form nōmina isn’t to be confused with nōminā, the singular imperative form of the derivative verb nōminō, nōmināre, nōmināvī, nōminātum (1): to name; call by name; mention (by name).
NominaadhucT. Livium. —Seneca, Epistles 100.9
Translation
You may also include Livy.
More literally: Name Titus Livy also.
Details
Nōminā is the singular imperative form of nōminō, nōmināre, nōmināvī, nōminātum (1): to name, mention. Adhūc (adv.): still, yet, even now; so far; in addition, also. T. is an abbreviation of the first name Titus, Titī (2m); here it would have been accusative, Titum. Līvium is the m/n (here m) accusative singular form of Līvius/Līvia/Līvium (1/2): a family name, notably of the historian Titus Livius, known in English as Livy.
Opus, operis
Opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement; also need (that last meaning appears only in the nominative and accusative singular forms in some specific constructions; most of them will be mentioned below).
This noun is similar to opera, operae (1f) in meaning and appearance. To make matters more confusing, opera is the nominative singular form of the second word, and the nominative and accusative plural form of the first. In an unmacronized text, operā, the ablative singular form of opera, operae, also looks identical; and operis (genitive singular form of opus, operis) can also be confused with operīs (dative and ablative plural form of opera, operae). Lewis and Short suggest that “opus is used mostly of the mechanical activity of work, as that of animals, slaves, and soldiers; opera supposes a free will and desire to serve.” In addition, among the common meanings of opus, operis is the concrete result of one’s work (e. g. , an author’s piece of writing), whereas that meaning is rare for opera, operae. And opera, operae can also mean a laborer by metonymy whereas opus, operis can’t. Opera, operae has its own entry.
Examples of opus, operis meaning work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement.
Hocopus, hiclaborest. —Virgil, Aeneid 6.129
Translation
This is the task, this the toil!
Details
(On the climb from the infernal regions back up; the descent is easy.) Hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement. Hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Labor, labōris (3m): labor, work, toil, effort; hardship, distress, trouble. Est: is.
Sufficit is the third person singular form of sufficiō, sufficere, suffēcī, suffectum (3, –iō): to supply; substitute; appoint in place of someone else; suffice, be sufficient, be enough. Ūnus/ūna/ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one; alone; only, sole, single. Huic is the dative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Operī is the dative singular form of opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement.
Opereomnissemitafervet. —Virgil, Aeneid 4.407
Translation
All the path is aglow with work.
Alt. : The path all glows with the work; the whole path seethes with work.
Details
Opere is the ablative singular form of opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement. Omnis/omnis/omne (3): all, whole; every. Sēmita, sēmitae (1f): path. Fervet is the third person singular form of ferveō, fervēre, ferbuī, — (2): to boil, seethe, burn; seethe with activity, be astir.
(By fires and earthquakes, etc. ; so we should regard the collapse of cities calmly.) Ipsīus is the m/f/n genitive singular form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very. Nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. Opera is the nominative plural form of opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement. Vexantur is the third person plural passive form of vexō, vexāre, vexāvī, vexātum (1): to vex, trouble, distress, harass, afflict, persecute; shake, agitate, buffet.
(Because I prompted him to perform them.) Ergō (particle): therefore, so, then. Opera is the nominative plural form of opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement. Illīus is the m/f/n genitive singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that, that one; he, she, it. Mea is the neuter nominative plural form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Sunt: (they) are.
Now consider some special constructions where opus means need. Opus est (or erat, erit, etc.) appears as an impersonal phrase to mean it is (or was, will be, etc.) needful, there is (or was, will be, etc.) need (of something)—it can sometimes be translated less literally as one (I, you, etc.) need X, one (I, you, etc.) should do X, and the like. The person in need, if mentioned, goes in the dative case. The thing needed can be expressed in many ways; we’ll see most of them below.
First, the thing needed can be a noun (or pronoun) in the ablative (more rarely in the genitive).
Quidvotisopusest? —Seneca, Epistles 31.5
Translation
What need is there of vows?
(Chicago:) Why do you need prayers?
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? what for? why? how? Vōtīs is the ablative plural form of vōtum, vōtī (2n): vow; prayer; wish, desire. Opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement; (in the expression opus esse) need (often with ablative of the thing needed). Est: is there.
It will be necessary, however, for you to find a loan.
More literally: However, there will be need for you of a creditor.
Details
Opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement; (in the expression opus esse) need (often with ablative of the thing needed). Erit is the third person singular future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Tamen (adv.): nevertheless, yet, however. Tibi is the dative form of tū: you (to/for you). Crēditōre is the ablative singular form of crēditor, crēditōris (3): creditor.
The thing needed can also be an action, in which case it can be expressed by an infinitive.
Posthaecpaulumconquiescereopusest. —Celsus, On Medicine 1.2.7
Translation
After these things, one should take a little rest.
More literally: After these things, there is a need to rest a little.
Details
Post (prep.): after; behind (takes the accusative). Haec is the neuter accusative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it (these things). Paulum (adv. —also paullum): a little. Conquiēscō, conquiēscere, conquiēvī, conquiētum (3): to rest. Opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement; (in the expression opus esse) need. Est: there is.
Bellumfinirecupientiopuseratdecipi. —Quintus Curtius, Histories of Alexander 6.1.17
Translation
If he wished to end the war, he had to let himself be deceived.
More literally: For (him) wishing to end the war, there was need to be deceived.
Details
(He had to pretend not to notice the hypocrisy of certain people.) Bellum is the accusative singular form of bellum, bellī (2n): war. Fīniō, fīnīre, fīnīvī/fīniī, fīnītum (4): to mark out the boundaries of, delimit; draw; prescribe (a limit or similar); end, finish, put an end to; define. Cupientī is the m/f/n dative singular form of cupiēns, cupientis (3), the present active participle of cupiō, cupere, cupīvī/cupiī, cupītum (3, –iō): to want, wish, desire. Opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement; (in the expression opus esse) need. Erat is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Dēcipī is the passive infinitive form of dēcipiō, dēcipere, dēcēpī, dēceptum (3, –iō): to deceive.
Or it can be an accusative-and-infinitive clause.
Nihilopusfuitteisticsedere. —Cicero, In Defense of Sextus Roscius Amerinus 104
Translation
There was no need for you to sit there.
More literally: In no way was there a need (for) you to sit there.
Details
Nihil (n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here acc.): nothing; (acc. used adverbially) in nothing, in no respect, to no extent, in no way, not at all. Opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement; (in the expression opus esse) need. Fuit is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Tē is the accusative form of tū: you. Istīc (adv.): there (typically with second-person reference), in that place where you are. Sedeō, sedēre, sēdī, sessum (2): to sit, be seated.
Sometimes a subjunctive clause is used instead. The subjunctive clause can be introduced by ut, as in the example below (or by nē if the meaning is negative—e. g. , it is necessary that you not do X).
Hicopusestaliquotutmaneasdies. —Plautus, The Little Carthaginian 1421
Translation
You should stay here a few days.
More literally: There is need that you stay here a few days.
Details
Hīc (adv.): here. Opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement; (in the expression opus esse) need. Est: there is. Aliquot (indeclinable adj.): some, several, a few. Ut (conj. , with subjunctive): that, so that. Maneās is the second person singular subjunctive form of maneō, manēre, mānsī, mānsum (2): to stay, remain; wait (for), await. Diēs is the accusative plural form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day (the accusative of duration).
The subjunctive clause can also come without ut (so hīc opus est aliquot maneās diēs would still be grammatically correct and mean the same thing).
Sometimes the thing needed is expressed by an ablative phrase comprising a perfect passive participle.
More literally: For there is still need for me of this neighbor having been met.
Details
Nam (particle): for, because. Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to/for me). Vīcīnō is the ablative singular form of vīcīnus, vīcīnī (2m): neighbor. Hōc is the m/n ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Etiam (particle): still; even; also. Conventō is the m/n ablative singular form of conventus/conventa/conventum (1/2), the perfect passive participle (having been met) of conveniō, convenīre, convēnī, conventum (4): to come together, meet (with); be agreed upon; be fitting. Est: is. Opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement; (in the expression opus esse) need (often with ablative of the thing needed).
The perfect passive participle of an intransitive verb can be used in a similar way—but then it stands alone in an impersonal passive construction.
Properatoestopus. —Seneca, Phaedra 8.62
Translation
You must be quick.
More literally: Haste is needed.
Most literally: There is need for (it) having been hastened.
Details
Properātō is the m/n (here n) ablative singular form of properātus/properāta/properātum (1/2), the perfect passive participle of properō, properāre, properāvī, properātum (1): to hurry, hasten (this verb is sometimes transitive and often intransitive; here it’s used intransitively in an impersonal passive construction). Est: is. Opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement; (in the expression opus esse) need (often with ablative of the thing needed).
Opus est can also take a neuter pronoun as a subject; e. g. , hoc opus est = this is necessary; quae opus sunt = the things that are necessary. Much more rarely it takes a noun as a subject (e. g. , tempus opus est = time is necessary); it then becomes personal, whereas it’s usually impersonal.
Naturally opus est can also just stand on its own, with the thing needed being inferred from context.
Siopuserit, deducenturRhodum. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 5.18.4
Translation
If needed, they will be escorted to Rhodes.
Details
Sī (conj.): if. Opus, operis (3n): work, effort; task; deed, exploit, achievement; (in the expression opus esse) need. Erit is the third person singular future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Dēdūcentur is the third person plural future passive form of dēdūcō, dēdūcere, dēdūxī, dēductum (3): to lead or bring away; lead, accompany or escort to a destination. Rhodum is the accusative singular form of Rhodus, Rhodī (2f): Rhodes (the accusative of end of motion/place to which—without a preposition because it’s the name of a city (or of the small island on which the city is located)).
Pectus, pectoris
Pectus, pectoris (3n): chest, breast; in addition to the mere physical meaning, it was also regarded as the seat of one’s feelings and personality, much like English heart—hence it can be translated that way too, or alternatively as soul. It can also refer to intellectual capacities. Sometimes mind will work as a translation.
Pectorisdoloribusacorumsubvenit. —Pliny the Elder, Natural History 26.28
Translation
Acorum relieves chest pains.
Details
Pectus, pectoris (3n): chest, breast; (figuratively) heart, mind, soul. Dolōribus is the dative plural form of dolor, dolōris (3m): pain; grief, sorrow. Acorum, acorī (2n—also found in its Greek form acoron in the nominative/accusative singular): the name of a plant, maybe the sweet flag, yellow flag, or both. Subvenit is the third person singular form of subveniō, subvenīre, subvēnī, subventum (4): to come to the rescue, aid, assist, rescue, relieve (takes a dative object).
Lanceanudopectoriinfixa est. —Quintus Curtius, Histories of Alexander 6.1.15
Translation
A lance was planted in his naked chest.
Details
Lancea, lanceae (1f): lance. Nūdō is the m/n dative singular form of nūdus/nūdā/nūdum (1/2): bare, naked. Pectorī is the dative singular form of pectus, pectoris (3n): chest, breast; (figuratively) heart, mind, soul. Īnfīxa est is the third person feminine singular perfect passive form of īnfīgō, īnfīgere, īnfīxī, īnfīxum (3): to drive in, imbed, plant, fix in or on (the thing that something is driven in etc. can go in the dative).
Nullihorumpatebitpectustuum. —Seneca, Consolation to Helvia 17.5
Translation
To none of these will your heart be open.
Details
(None of a list of negative emotions.) Nūllī is the m/f/n (here n) dative singular form of nūllus/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any, none. Hōrum is the m/n (here n) genitive plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it (of these). Patēbit is the third person singular future form of pateō, patēre, patuī, — (2): to be open; be exposed; be obvious. Pectus, pectoris (3n): chest, breast; (figuratively) heart, mind, soul. Tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours.
Eximendumhocepectoreest. —Seneca, Epistles 82.19
Translation
Root out this idea from your soul.
More literally: This is to be taken out of the chest/heart.
Alt. : This must be removed from your heart.
Details
Eximendus/eximenda/eximendum (1/2) is the gerundive (to be removed) of eximō, eximere, exēmī, exēmptum (3): to take out, extract, remove; banish, get rid of; release, set free, save. Hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Ex/ē (prep.): out of, from (takes the ablative). Pectore is the ablative singular form of pectus, pectoris (3n): chest, breast; (figuratively) heart, mind, soul. Est: is. Eximendumest is the passive periphrastic: is to be removed, must be removed.
Scelus, sceleris
Scelus, sceleris (3n): crime; villainy; wickedness; curse, affliction, misfortune (sent by the gods). It can mean a particular wicked act or crime; or it can mean criminal or wicked behavior in general, or a disposition to crime or to wicked acts. The meaning curse, affliction, misfortune (shown in the first illustration below) is a rarer one.
Quodhocestscelus? —Plautus, The Captives 762
Translation
What curse is this?
Details
(Said by a man whose small son was kidnapped and whose elder son was taken captive in war.) Quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this, this one; he, she, it. Est: is. Scelus, sceleris (3n): crime; villainy; wickedness; (rarely) curse, affliction, misfortune.
Noxplacetsceleri. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 7.5.2
Translation
Night is to the liking of crime.
More literally: Night is pleasing to crime.
Details
Nox, noctis (3f): night. Placet is the third person singular form of placeō, placēre, placuī, placitum (2): to please (with dative), be pleasing to, meet with approval. Scelerī is the dative singular form of scelus, sceleris (3n): crime; villainy; wickedness; (rarely) curse, affliction, misfortune.
Ecquidpavesnescelusfeceris? —Quintilian, Minor Declamations 340.7
Translation
Are you not afraid that you may have committed a crime?
Details
Ecquid (interrog. particle): starting a direct question: to any extent. . . ? is it true that. . . ? do/does/is/etc. . . . (at all)? is it not the case that. . . ? starting an indirect question: whether, if (at all). Pavēs is the second person singular form of paveō, pavēre, pavī, — (2): to be frightened, be terrified. Nē (conj. , with subjunctive): lest, that not; (in a fear clause) that. Scelus is the accusative singular form of scelus, sceleris (3n): crime; villainy; wickedness; (rarely) curse, affliction, misfortune. Fēcerīs is the second person singular perfect subjunctive form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make; perform; commit.
Etquotaistaparsscelerumest! —Seneca, On Anger 2.9.3
Translation
And yet how few of all the crimes are these!
More literally: And this is a part of the crimes bearing what proportion to the total! (How small a part of the crimes this is!)
Details
Et (conj.): and. Quotus/quota/quotum (1/2, interrog. adj. , here used in an exclamatory way): having what position in a series? bearing what proportion to the total? how many/few/small (compared to the total)? Iste/ista /istud (pron.): that, this; he, she, it. Pars, partis (3f): part, share. Scelerum is the genitive plural form of scelus, sceleris (3n): crime; villainy; wickedness; (rarely) curse, affliction, misfortune. Est: is.
HiserantfinitimipariscelereetaudaciaTebarani. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 15.4.10
Translation
Neighboring these were the Tebarani, of equal wickedness and audacity.
Details
Hīs is the m/f/n dative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it (these). Erant is the third person plural imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Fīnitimī is the masculine nominative plural form of fīnitimus/fīnitima/fīnitimum (1/2): situated on the boundary, adjacent, neighboring (with dative). Parī is the m/f/n ablative singular form of pār, paris (3, adj.): equal. Scelere is the ablative singular form of scelus, sceleris (3n): crime; villainy; wickedness; (rarely) curse, affliction, misfortune. Et (conj.): and. Audāciā is the ablative singular form of audācia, audāciae (1f): boldness, daring; audacity; recklessness. Parī scelere et audāciā is an ablative of quality/description. Tebarānī, Tebarānōrum (2m, plural—also Tibarānī): a people of Cilicia, in what we’d now call southern Turkey.
Scelus is sometimes applied to a person as an insult.
More literally: Do you even threaten, crime of a man?
Details
Etiam (particle): still; even; also. Scelus is the vocative singular form of scelus, sceleris (3n): crime; villainy; wickedness; (rarely) curse, affliction, misfortune; here the word is used as an insult. Vir, virī (2m): man. Minitāre is the second person singular form of minitor, minitārī, minitātus sum (1, deponent): to threaten.
Responde, scelus. —Plautus, The Braggart Soldier 841
Translation
Answer, thug.
More literally: Answer, crime.
Details
Respondē is the singular imperative form of respondeō, respondēre, respondī, respōnsum (2): to reply, respond, answer. Scelus is the vocative singular form of scelus, sceleris (3n): crime; villainy; wickedness; (rarely) curse, affliction, misfortune; here the word is used as an insult.
Tempus, temporis
Tempus, temporis (3n): time, season, period, moment; circumstance(s), situation, occasion; temple of the head.
Time is the basic meaning (referring to either time in general or a particular time). Other related translations such as season, period or moment are possible depending on context.
Tempusomniarevelat. —Erasmus, Adagia (1536)
Translation
Time reveals all things.
Details
Tempus, temporis (3n): time, season, period, moment; circumstance(s), situation, occasion. Omnia is the neuter accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every; (n. pl. used substantively) all things, everything. Revēlat is the third person singular form of revēlō, revēlāre, revēlāvī, revēlātum (1): to unveil, uncover, reveal.
Pusillumtemporisperiit. —Seneca, Epistles 99.2
Translation
A fragment of time has been lost.
Details
Pusillus/pusilla/pusillum (1/2): very small, tiny; insignificant (n. sg. used substantively to mean a tiny amount). Tempus, temporis (3n): time, season, period, moment; circumstance(s), situation, occasion. Periit is the third person singular perfect form of pereō, perīre, periī, peritum (irreg.): to vanish, disappear; be destroyed, perish, die.
Noscetempus. —Erasmus, Adagia (1536)
Translation
Know your time.
Details
(Erasmus elaborates that timing “can turn what is honorable into dishonor, loss into gain, happiness into misery, kindness into unkindness, and the reverse.”) Nōsce is the singular imperative form of nōscō, nōscere, nōvī, nōtum (3): (in present-stem forms) to know (as a process), come to know, learn, become acquainted with; recognize; (in perfect-stem forms, denoting a present state and translated like present-stem forms of other verbs) to know (as a state), be acquainted with. Tempus is the accusative singular form of tempus, temporis (3n): time, season, period, moment; circumstance(s), situation, occasion.
Accurrunttamenadtempustutores. —Cicero, Against Verres 2.1.141
Translation
The guardians nevertheless hastened to the spot on time.
Details
Accurrunt is the third person plural form of accurrō, accurrere, accurrī/accucurrī, accursum (3): to run to a person or place, come running (esp. to help), run to the rescue (it’s in the historical present). Tamen (adv.): nevertheless, yet, still. Ad (prep.): to, toward; at, near; for; here idiomatically translated as on. Tempus is the accusative singular form of tempus, temporis (3n): time, season, period, moment; circumstance(s), situation, occasion. Ad tempus is an idiomatic phrase that can have a few meanings: on time, punctually; to suit the occasion; for a time. Tūtōrēs is the nominative plural form of tūtor, tūtōris (3m): guardian (of a person considered incapable of looking after their own interests; e. g. , a child).
EodemtemporeapudZamammagnavicertabatur. —Sallust, The War with Jugurtha 60.1
Translation
At the same time, a vigorous battle was being fought near Zama.
More literally: At the same time, it was being fought (i.e., fighting was occurring) with great vigor near Zama.
Details
Eōdem is the m/n ablative singular form of īdem/eadem/idem (adj.): the same. Tempore is the ablative singular form of tempus, temporis (3n): time, season, period, moment; circumstance(s), situation, occasion. Apud (prep.): at, near, by (denoting location); with, among; in the presence of; at the house of; in the writings of; in the eyes of (takes the accusative). Zamam is the accusative singular form of Zama, Zamae (1f): a town in Numidia. Magnā is the feminine ablative singular form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great. Vī is the ablative singular form of vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): force, power, vigor, energy; violence; strength. Certābātur is the third person singular imperfect passive form of certō, certāre, certāvī, certātum (1): to compete, contend; fight (it’s in the impersonal passive).
More literally: During the same period, Julia met death.
Details
Per (prep.): through; during, in the course of (takes the accusative). Idem is the neuter accusative singular form of īdem/eadem/idem (adj.): the same. Tempus is the accusative singular form of tempus, temporis (3n): time, season, period, moment; circumstance(s), situation, occasion. Iūlius/Iūlia/Iūlium (1/2): a family name. Mortem is the accusative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Obiit is the third person singular perfect form of obeō, obīre, obiī/obīvī, obitum (irreg.): to meet face to face; visit for inspection; take on (a task or the like); (with or without mortem as an object) meet one’s death, die.
Respiceannitempora. —Porphyrio, Commentary on Horace’s Odes 4.7.7
Translation
Look at the seasons of the year.
Details
Respice is the singular imperative form of respiciō, respicere, respexī, respectum (3, –iō): to look back (at); look round (at); look at/to; consider; have regard for. Annus, annī (2m): year. Tempora is the accusative plural form of tempus, temporis (3n): time, season, period, moment; circumstance(s), situation, occasion.
It’s time to do X or it’s timefor X to happen can be expressed by tempus est combined with a few constructions. It can go with a genitive gerund (or gerundive phrase), an infinitive, an accusative-and-infinitive clause, or sometimes an ut clause with the subjunctive. The first few of those possibilities are illustrated below.
Tacenditempusest. —Plautus, The Little Carthaginian 741
Translation
It’s time to be quiet.
More literally: . . . of being quiet.
Details
Tacendī is the genitive gerund of taceō, tacēre, tacuī, tacitum (2): to be silent, be quiet, say nothing, pass over in silence. Tempus, temporis (3n): time, season, period, moment; circumstance(s), situation, occasion. Est: it is.
Tempusestetiammaioraconari. —Livy, History of Rome 6.18.13
Translation
It is time to attempt even greater things.
Details
Tempus, temporis (3n): time, season, period, moment; circumstance(s), situation, occasion. Est: it is. Etiam (particle): still; even; also. Maiōra is the neuter accusative plural form (used substantively) of maior/maior/maius (3): bigger, larger, greater; more important—the comparative form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): big, large, great; important. Cōnor, cōnārī, cōnātus sum (1, deponent): to make efforts, exert oneself; try, attempt, endeavor.
Tempusestmeipsumameamari. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 4.5.3
Translation
It is time for me to love myself.
More literally: It is time (for) me myself to be loved by me.
Details
Tempus, temporis (3n): time, season, period, moment; circumstance(s), situation, occasion. Est: it is. Mē is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Ipsum is the m/n accusative singular form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very. Ab/ā (prep.): from; by (takes the ablative). Mē is the ablative form of ego: I (me). Amārī is the passive infinitive form of amō, amāre, amāvī, amātum (1): to love.
Sometimes tempus means a certain time with particular reference to its circumstances, and so can be translated as circumstances, situation, or the like.
Temporipareamus. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 7.18.2
Translation
Let’s obey the circumstances.
Details
Temporī is the dative singular form of tempus, temporis (3n): time, season, period, moment; circumstance(s), situation, occasion. Pāreāmus is the first person plural subjunctive form of pāreō, pārēre, pāruī, pāritum (2): to obey, comply with (takes a dative object) (subjunctive because it’s hortatory).
In a previous illustration we saw the phrase ad tempus meaning on time. We can also mention the adverb temperī, also written temporī (looking the same as the dative singular form of tempus) meaning on time or punctually, at the right time, seasonably, etc. It’s an old locative form of tempus.
AdcenamtemporivenitCanius. —Cicero, On Duties 3.58
Translation
Canius came to the dinner on time.
Details
Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Cēnam is the accusative singular form of cēnā, cēnae (1f): dinner. Temporī (adv. —also temperī): on time, punctually, at the right time, seasonably. Vēnit is the third person singular perfect form (or it could be venit, the present tense, used as a historical present) of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. Canius/Cania/Canium (1/2): a family name.
The same meaning can also be conveyed by tempore, the ablative singular form of tempus; and some editions read tempore instead of temporī in the Cicero quote above. One also finds in tempore and per tempus with a similar meaning.
The adverb temperī appears mostly in Plautus, except in its comparative form (always temperius, never temporius), which is used by a few other authors (though not Plautus). Temperī/temporī doesn’t have a superlative form. Overall, it isn’t a very common word.
Note: The idea of ntimes (in expressions such as I told you four times) isn’t typically expressed in Latin with the word tempus, but with special adverbs—like the English adverbs once, twice and thrice, but for higher numbers as well. Here are the first ten, along with a few other important ones.
Semel: once.
Bis: twice.
Ter: thrice, three times.
Quater: four times.
Quīnquiē(n)s: five times.
Sexiē(n)s: six times.
Septiē(n)s: seven times.
Octiē(n)s: eight times.
Noviē(n)s: nine times.
Deciē(n)s: ten times.
Centiē(n)s: a hundred times.
Mīl(l)iē(n)s: a thousand times.
Totiēns: so many times, so often; as many times, as often.
Quotiēns: how many times; (as many time) as, (as often) as, whenever (this one has its own entry).
For the first/second/third/etc. time is also typically expressed with adverbs: prīmum (for the first time; also meaning first—it has its own entry), iterum (for the second time; also meaning again—it has its own entry), tertium (for the third time), quartum (for the fourth time), quīntum (for the fifth time), and so on. Apart from iterum, these adverbs are the neuter accusative singular forms of ordinal numeral adjectives (meaning first, third, fourth, fifth, etc.). For the last time can be said postrēmum (also meaning last of all and finally, in the end; this too is originally the neuter accusative singular form of an adjective).
We’ll end this entry with an illustration of a less common and very different meaning of tempus: temple of the head (often in the plural). It has been theorized that this meaning developed by analogy with a Greek word for temples (of the head): τὰ καίρια, literally the vital spots, a substantive use of an adjective based on a word for time and which can mean timely, at the right time, at the right place, vital or (of a wound) mortal.
Cingitetemporaramis. —Virgil, Aeneid 5.71
Translation
Wreathe your brows with leaves.
More literally: Surround the temples (of your heads) with twigs.
Details
Cingite is the plural imperative form of cingō, cingere, cīnxī, cīnctum (3): to surround, encircle; gird. Tempora is the accusative plural form of tempus, temporis (3n): time, season, period, moment; circumstance(s), situation, occasion; temple of the head. Rāmīs is the ablative plural form of rāmus, rāmī (2m): branch, twig.