English → Latin
“whim” in Latin
impulsiōinfluence (external pressure); impulse, incitement, instigationcomminīscorto devise, contrive, inventlibīdōdesire, fancy, inclination, longing, pleasure, caprice, passion, wantonness; lust, sensualityineptusunsuitable; impertinent, improper, tasteless; senseless, silly
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
whim
celer motus ingenii: impulsio: commentum (an invention): libido. As one’s whim is, ad libidinem alicujus: a foolish whim, ineptum; absurdum consilium: according to one’s whim and fancy, ad animi sui arbitrium ac libidinem (after Cic.).
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for whim?
- The usual Latin words for “whim” are impulsiō, comminīscor, libīdō; also ineptus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.