prīdem

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.