adjectivefirst/second-declension adjective
nefandus
nefandus (feminine nefanda, neuter nefandum)
Classical[nɛˈfan.dʊs]Ecclesiastical[neˈfan.dus]
Meaning
- adjectiveimpious
- adjectiveheinous, execrable, abominable
Choosing the right word Döderlein's Latin Synonyms
Scelestus · Sceleratus · Nefarius · Nefandus · Impius
Scelestus (from scelus, σκληρός) has reference to the mind, like ad scelera pronus and promptus; whereas sceleratus, to actions, like sceleribus pollutus atque opertus. Hence the epithet sceleratus is applied to things, to porta, campus, vicus; and, in general, things can be called scelesta only by personification. In the like manner nefarius and impius as applied to the impiety of the person who acts, only with this distinction, that the impius is impious only in mind, the nefarius in his actions also; whereas nefandus refers to the horrible enormity of an action. (ii. 149.)
Declension
| form | masculine | feminine | neuter |
|---|---|---|---|
| nominative | nefandus | nefanda | nefandum |
| genitive | nefandī | nefandae | nefandī |
| dative | nefandō | nefandae | nefandō |
| accusative | nefandum | nefandam | nefandum |
| ablative | nefandō | nefandā | nefandō |
| vocative | nefande | nefanda | nefandum |
| form | masculine | feminine | neuter |
|---|---|---|---|
| nominative | nefandī | nefandae | nefanda |
| genitive | nefandōrum | nefandārum | nefandōrum |
| dative | nefandīs | nefandīs | nefandīs |
| accusative | nefandōs | nefandās | nefanda |
| ablative | nefandīs | nefandīs | nefandīs |
| vocative | nefandī | nefandae | nefanda |
nĕfandus, a, um, adj. ne-fari, lit. not to be mentioned, unmentionable; hence,
I. impious, heinous, execrable, abominable (mostly post-Aug.;
syn. infandus): sperate deos memores fandi atque nefandi, i. e. wrong, impiety, Verg. A. 1, 543: nefandum adulterium, Cic. Fragm. ap. Quint. 5, 11, 12 (al. nefarium): nefandum vehiculum, Liv. 1, 59: nefandissima quaeque tyrannicae crudelitatis exercuit, Just. 16, 4, 11: fraus, Juv. 13, 174: sacri, id. 15, 116.—Of persons: homo nefandus, Plin. 28, 1, 2, § 9: nefandi homines, Quint. 1, 3, 17.—Sup.: aususne es, nefandissimum caput? etc., Just. 18, 7, 10.—Hence, adv.: nĕfandē, impiously: multa nefande ausi, Sall. Fragm. ap. Prisc. p. 993 P. (dub: Dietsch. H. 1, 62, nefanda).—Sup.: nefandissime, Cassiod. Hist. Eccl. 10, 28.Charlton Lewis's shorter dictionary for students: the same scholarship in plain, modern definitions.
ne-fandus adj.,
unmentionable, impious, heinous, execrable, abominable: scelus: gens, V.: vehiculum, L.: fraus, Iu.—As subst n.: memores fandi atque nefandi, i. e. impiety, V.: omnia fanda nefanda, Ct.
Origins
From ne- + fandus. See also infandus.
Descendants
- Catalannefand
- Englishnefandous
- Italiannefando
- Portuguesenefando
- Spanishnefando
- Galiciannefando
In English words that came into English from nefandus
- nefandousnefandus