quidem

Forms

quidem (not comparable)^[1]

Etymology

The OLD calls the origin doubtful.^[2] Wiktionary takes it as the neuter quid of quis with an emphatic ending ⟨*-em⟩, the same as in īdem beside is.^[1] Köbler connects the second part with the PIE particle Proto-Indo-European *de- (“here, then”).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is found from Naevius on.^[3]

Semantic evolution

Quidem stresses the word it follows: “indeed, at any rate, at least”.^[2][4] It confirms a whole statement (“in fact”), contrasts two terms, makes a concession (quidem … sed “admittedly … but”), and adds an afterthought (et quidem “and at that”).^[2]

Nē … quidem “not even” encloses the stressed word, and equidem is a strengthened form.^[1][2]

Timeline

• c. 235–200 BC – First found in Naevius.^[3]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero: verbīs nōn ille quidem ōrnātīs ūtēbātur sed tamen nōn abiectīs “his words were not ornate, but not mean either”.^[2][3]
• c. 50 BC – Caesar uses sibi quidem persuādērī.^[4][3]

Meanings

Adverb

1. indeed, certainly, at any rate, at least.^[2][4]
2. In fact, assuredly (stressing a whole statement).^[2]
3. Admittedly, it is true (in concessions).^[2]
4. et quidem, and what is more, and at that.^[2][4]
5. nē … quidem, not even.^[1]

Word family

• equidem

Related words

• quis
• īdem

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b c d Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press