§329. Negative Particles

The particle immo, nay, is used to contradict some part of a preceding statement or question, or its form; in the latter case, the same statement is often repeated in a stronger form, so that immo becomes nearly equivalent to yes (nay but, nay rather):—

• causa igitur nōn bona est? immo optima (Att. 9.7.4), is the cause then not a good one? on the contrary, the best.

a. Minus, less (especially with sī, if, quō, in order that), and minimē, least, often have a negative force:—

• sī minus possunt, if they cannot. [For quō minus, see § 558. b.]
• audācissimus ego ex omnibus? minimē (Rosc. Am. 2), am I the boldest of them all? by no means (not at all).

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