re infecta

English

Etymology

From Latin rē, ablative singular of rēs (“matter, affair”) + infectā, ablative singular feminine of infectus (“incomplete”).

Adverb

re infecta (not comparable)

1. With the matter unfinished or incomplete. [from 16th c.]
   • 1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter CCXXVII”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson;  […], →OCLC:

     Had Caesar been such a fool, he had never passed the Rubicon. But, after he had passed it, had he retreated, re infecta, intimidated by a senatorial edict, what a pretty figure would he have made in history!

   • 1811, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, letter, June:

     Having hasten'd to the Bankers lo! to my confusion I am come from thence Re infectâ.

Anagrams

• interface