diū

1. Dies (from ἔνδιος) denotes time in its pure abstract nature, as mere extension and progression; whereas tempus and tempestas, with a qualifying and physical reference, as the weather and different states of time; tempus denotes rather a mere point of time, an instant, an epoch; tempestas, an entire space of time, a period. Hence dies docebit refers to a long space of time, after the lapse of which information will come, like χρόνος; whereas tempus docebit refers to a particular point of time which shall bring information, like καιρός. (iv. 267.) 2. Die means by the day, in opp. to by the hour or the year; whereas interdiu and diu, by day, in opp. to noctu; but interdiu stands in any connection; diu only in direct connection with noctu. (iv. 288.)

1. Pridem (πρὶν δή) denotes a point of time, as long before; diu and dudum, a space of time as long since; diu denotes many days, months, years ago; dudum (δαρόν?) several minutes or hours since. Jam pridem mortuus est means, he died long ago, as an aorist; jam diu mortuus est, he has already long been in his grave as a perfect. Cic. Cat. i. 1. Ad mortem te duci jam pridem oportebat; in te conferri pestem illam quam tu in nos omnes jamdiu machinaris. Tac. Ann. xv. 64. Seneca Annæum diu sibi amicitiæ fide et arte medicinæ probatum orat, proviram pridem venenum promeret. 2. Diutunus denotes long duration indifferently, as something long in a general sense, or with praise, as something lasting and possessing durability, in opp. to that which quickly passes away, like χρόνιος; whereas diutinus, with blame, something protracted and wearisome, like αἰανός. Cic. Senect. 19. Nihil mihi diuturnum videtur, in quo est aliquid extremum: comp. with Fam. xi. 8: Libertatis desiderio et odio diutinæ servitutis.