adverb
nempe
nempe (not comparable)
Classical[ˈnɛm.pɛ]Ecclesiastical[ˈnɛm.pe]
Meaning
- not comparableindeed, truly
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.c. 102 CE, Tacitus, Dialogus de oratoribus 35 - not comparableno doubt, certainly, of course
Meminī. Nempe illum dīcis cum armīs aureīs
I remember; certainly, you mean the one with the golden armourc. 206 BCE, Plautus, Miles Gloriosus 1.1.16 - not comparablenamely
- figurativelynot comparableforsooth, to be sure
nempe (often nĕmpĕ in Plaut., e. g. Mil. 906, 922; Trin. 328, 427, etc.; cf. Ter. Phorm. 2, 1, 77),
I. conj. [nam and enclitic pe; cf.: prope, quippe, quis-p-iam, etc.].
I. Prop., in strengthening or confirming an assertion, as that which cannot be disputed, indeed, certainly, without doubt, to be sure, assuredly (cf.: nimirum, scilicet).
1. In laying down a premise or conclusion: non istam dicit voluptatem. Dicat quamlubet: nempe eam dicit, in quā virtutis nulla pars insit, he certainly does speak of that, etc., Cic. Tusc. 3, 20, 49:
nempe incomposito dixi pede currere versus Lucili, Hor. S. 1, 10, 1: nempe enim duo genera materiarum apud rhetores tractantur, Tac. Dial. 35; Lucr. 1, 385; Cic. Fl. 37, 91; id. Fin. 4, 15, 41: si ... necesse est, nempe sequitur ut, etc., Quint. 3, 8, 23.—2. (Esp. in colloq. lang.) In summing up or explaining another's meaning, no doubt, certainly, I am sure: nempe illum dicis cum armis aureis, you doubtless mean, etc., Plaut. Mil. 1, 1, 16: nempe huic dimidium dicis, dimidium domi? St. Nempe sicut dicis, id. Aul. 2, 4, 14; id. Curc. 1, 1, 41.—
3. In stating a notorious or obvious fact or truth, certainly, of course, beyond question:
nempe ego mille meo protexi pectore puppes, i. e. as everybody knows, Ov. M. 13, 93: nempe tulit fastus (Medea), ausa rogare prior, Prop. 5, 5, 42; Hor. Ep. 1, 10, 22: pater est mihi nempe biformis, Ov. M. 2, 663; Cic. Phil. 12, 11, 26.—II. Transf.
1. In questions, to ask a more precise or emphatic statement of something already said (cf. I. 2. supra):
Quid ais? Nempe tu illius servos es? Plaut. Ps. 4, 7, 73: nempe hic tuus est? really? id. Rud. 4, 4, 13: St. Vivunt, valent. Ch. Nempe uterque? do you mean? id. Trin. 4, 3, 67: nempe negas ad beate vivendum satis posse virtutem? Cic. Tusc. 5, 5, 12; id. Brut. 3, 14.—2. In replies, certainly, obviously, of course, Plaut. Mil. 4, 4, 26:
Pompeii tertius consulatus in quibus actis constitit? Nempe in legibus, Cic. Phil. 1, 7, 18: in quā (urbe) tandem hoc disputant? Nempe in eā, etc., id. Mil. 3, 7; Quint. 10, 2, 4; 12, 2, 16; Pers. 2, 70.—3. Ironically, forsooth, namely, to be sure: respice oh mi lepos! Cl. Nempe ita uti tu mihi es, Plaut. Cas. 2, 3, 18:
at avus nobilis. Tuditanus nempe ille, etc., Cic. Phil. 3, 6, 16: dat mihi filiam suam; nempe quam alicui servorum ejus nupturam, Curt. 4, 11, 20; Tib. 2, 3, 28.Charlton Lewis's shorter dictionary for students: the same scholarship in plain, modern definitions.
nempe conj.
nam+-pe.—In an assertion offered as indisputable, certainly, without doubt, assuredly, of course, as everybody knows : quos ego orno? Nempe eos, qui, etc.: Nempe incomposito dixi pede currere versūs Lucili, H.: Nempe omnia haec nunc verba huc redeunt denique, T.: pater est mihi nempe biformis, O.—In a question as to the meaning of something already said, I suppose, you mean, I am to understand: Da . Davus sum, non Oedipus. Si . Nempe ergo aperte vis me loqui? T.: nempe negas ad beate vivendum satis posse virtutem?—In a reply, certainly, obviously, of course: Ch . Nostin hanc? An novi, nempe opinor, T.: Pompei tertius consulatus in quibus actis constitit? Nempe in legibus.—In a concession, certainly, indeed, no doubt : nempe Vir bonus et prudens dici delector, H.: scimus nempe; haeremus nihilo minus.—Ironically, forsooth, to be sure, I suppose : at avus nobilis. Tuditanus nempe ille, etc.: nempe ruberes, Viveret si quis, etc., H.
Origins
From nam + -pe. Same corroborating particle seen in quippe.