quidem
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Pronunciation
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
- indeed, certainly, at any rate, at least.[2][4]
- In fact, assuredly (stressing a whole statement).[2]
- Admittedly, it is true (in concessions).[2]
- et quidem, and what is more, and at that.[2][4]
- nē … quidem, not even.[1]
Word family
Related words
References
- ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
- ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
- ^ a b c d Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press