Ducentesimum Quintum Decimum Latinum Verbum Diei: July 5, 2010

[Christina Wallin]

Theme for this month: Dilecta verba

So, I've been accumulating a body of words which I quite like and
desire to feature for the LVD. The problem is, they don't really fit
into any determinable theme. Thus, the theme is these words which I
like! (For those of you who do not know Latin, “dilecta verba” means
“beloved/dear words.” Most everything sounds/looks/is better in
Latin!)

discrimen, discriminis n.

Definition: a separating line, dividing point; a difference,
distinction; (mus) difference of pitch; act or power of
distinguishing; a decisive stage, critical point; a dangerous or
critical situation

Sententia: Livy's Ab Urbe Condita, 3.28.6

itaque arma suos capere et se subsequi iubet. Nocte initum proelium
est; legionibus dictatoris clamore significant ab ea quoque parte rem
in discrimine esse.

And so he [the dictator, Cincinnatus] orders that his own troops take
up arms and follow him. The battle was begun at night; with a shout
they indicate to the legions of the dictator that the situation from
that side also is in a decisive stage.

Titus Livius was a historian of the Golden Age of Latin literature, a
contemporary of Vergil. He wrote a massive, 142-book history of Rome,
Ab Urbe Condita, of which only books 1-10 and 21-45 survive today, in
addition to fragments of other books. This selection from the 3rd
book of Ab Urbe Condita describes how Cincinnatus, having been
summoned from his plow to be dictator, defeated the Aequi and other
clans. Notably, immediately after he defeated the Aequi and other
clans, he gave up the power of dictatorship. This passage comes at
the beginning of the battle with the Aequi, which he and his troops
ultimately will win.

Etymologically, “discrimen” is the noun form of the verb “discernere,”
“to separate.” An interesting related word is “discriminalia:”
ornaments worn in the hair to preserve the parting.