nempe

Latin

Etymology

From nam +‎ -pe. Same corroborating particle seen in quippe.

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /ˈnem.pe/, [ˈnɛmpɛ]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈnem.pe/, [ˈnɛmpe]

Adverb

nempe (not comparable)

1. indeed, truly
   • c. 102 CE, Tacitus, Dialogus de oratoribus 35:

     Nempe enim duo genera māteriārum apud rhētorās tractantur, suāsōriae et contrōversiae.

     Yes, indeed, two kinds of subjects are discussed by rhetoricians: persuasive, and disputing declamations.

2. no doubt, certainly, of course
   • c. 206 BCE, Plautus, Miles Gloriosus 1.1.16:

     Meminī. Nempe illum dīcis cum armīs aureīs

     I remember; certainly, you mean the one with the golden armour

3. namely
4. (figuratively, with irony) forsooth, to be sure

Usage notes

In addition to being used in statements and text, nempe is used in both questions and replies to clarify understanding.

References

• “nempe”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• “nempe”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• nempe in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette.