The word quīdam – and its declined forms – is easy to recognise since they all end in -dam
[i] It can stand alone as a pronoun:
quīdam [m], quaedam [f], quiddam [n]: a certain (person);
a certain (thing) i.e. it is not specific as to who or what it’s
referring to
quīdam stant │ Some / certain ones stand
quaedam praescrībuntur illīs │ Some / certain
things are put in writing for them
As a pronoun it’s used in my favourite Mediaeval song in taberna
quando sumus. Here are the lines with my translation:
[ii] It can also function as an adjective with a slight
difference in the neuter:
quīdam [m], quaedam [f], quoddam [n]
In the Mediaeval text Gesta Romanorum it is used
frequently to introduce stories and is employed to keep names and places vague:
Imperātrīx quaedam erat, in cuius imperiō erat quīdam
mīles │ There was a certain empress in whose empire was a certain
soldier
Perrēxit ad quendam philosophum │ He went to a
certain philosopher [some philosopher i.e. it doesn’t matter which
philosopher]
tibi habeō sēcrētum pandere quoddam │ I have a
certain secret to reveal to you
Accidit quōdam diē, ut, cum fīlius piscātōris cum pilā
quādam lūderet … │ It happened on a certain day, when the
fisherman’s son was playing with a certain ball … [or: some ball or
other might sound less “secretive”]
I have given the declension of both [i] and [ii]; this is for
reference only and, apart from the neuter singular nominative and
accusative there is no difference between them. Note, however, the use of /n/
in the accusatives and the genitive plurals; as long as you can recognise that “dam”
ending, then you’ll be fine!
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/quidam#Pronoun
[i]: pronoun i.e. a certain person / thing
[ii]: adjective i.e. a certain + noun; the only difference is in the neuter singular nominative and accusative
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