Questions tagged [negation]
For questions regarding negative statements, i.e. statements involving an opposite, denial or the likes.
14
questions
15
votes
2
answers
184
views
What is the difference in meaning or nuance between 'premō' and 'imprimō' in the sense of 'I press'?
Wiktionary shows that both premō and imprimō can mean (among other things) "I press."
Looking at the formation of the latter word, the prefix im-, can negate the root word. How this applies to this ...
- 378
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
If arm is 'arma', why is unarmed 'inermis' and not 'inarmis'?
I came across the Spanish word 'inerme', which comes from Latin inermis and means unarmed.
Since the Latin word for arm is 'arma' and the preffix 'in' indicates negation, it is clear that the form '...
- 225
11
votes
1
answer
221
views
Scope of negation with absolute constructions
In Latin and Greek, when a negator appears in an absolute construction (ablative absolute, genitive absolute), it is generally taken to negate the predicate within that construction:
hostibus ...
- 30.4k
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Latin translation of "don't get caught"
I am looking for a translation of "don't get caught".
This phrase is the slogan of World Chase Tag (a tag competition), and it seems like they tried to put a Latin translation on their ...
- 91
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What would this pun mean?
In a conversation with a fellow Ancient Greek enthusiast, the name "Medusa" (Μέδουσα, "ruling") came up. I made a rather tortured pun by switching the epsilon to an eta, creating μὴ δοῦσα.
Now, μή is ...
- 59.9k
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How to say "Don't even..."?
The following constructions feel simple enough:
"You don't even move." — Ne moveris quidem.
"Don't move!" — Noli moveri! or "Ne motus sis."
But what if I want to give a negative ...
- 109k
6
votes
1
answer
460
views
Expressing English modalities of advice in Latin
English has expresses advice in the present and past through the use of the following modal constructions:
present: You should [...]
present negated: You shouldn't [...]
past: You should have [...]
...
- 2,511
6
votes
2
answers
317
views
Can 'non' with gerundive mean both lack of obligation and negative obligation?
If a gerundive is used with non, can it mean both lack of obligation and negative obligation?
For example, can non loquendum est mean both "it is not necessary to speak" and "it is necessary not to ...
- 109k
6
votes
1
answer
146
views
How do I negate an ut clause of result?
Ut clauses of result are excellent for saying "so ___ that". But what if I wanted to reverse this and say "not ___ enough to"?
For example, tam strenue laborābam ut epistolās centum scripserim means "...
- 59.9k
5
votes
2
answers
789
views
How can you tell whether prefixed ‘in-’ is the preposition ‘in’ or Indo-European ‘in-’?
Background
The verb īnsum has the prefix in-. Prefixing in/in- to words, changes their meaning to ‘in’, ‘on’ et sim., or ‘un-’, ‘non’ et sim. (ɔ:¹ negation).² However, according to Wiktionary, the ...
- 3,353
5
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How do I say "this must not happen"?
I'm used to translating English auxiliary "must" with a Latin gerundive: hic necandus est "this man must be killed".
But what if I want to say "this man must not be killed"? I would read non necandus ...
- 59.9k
5
votes
3
answers
253
views
Equivalent of "-less"
Given a Latin noun, how does one transform it into an adjective meaning "lacking [noun]" (the equivalent of English "-less")? I know that "having (a lot of) [noun]" would be formed with the ending "-...
- 528
5
votes
2
answers
247
views
What is the correct etymology of ignōscō "pardon"?
The verb ignōscō, with the meaning "pardon, forgive", is explained in some sources as coming from the negative prefix in- and (g)nōscō. For example, Lewis and Short says "lit., not to wish to know, ...
- 25.3k
5
votes
0
answers
105
views
How to say "Double negation affirms by accident"?
I want to know how to say, "Double negation affirms by accident" or "Double negation affirms accidentally." Would it be duplex negatio affirmat per accidens? This is in reference to the idea from ...
- 873