The -dam suffix, which is indeclinable, indicates “a certain”
As a reminder …
[i] Like the other
indefinites, it can stand alone as a pronoun:
quīdam [m],
quaedam [f], quiddam [n]: a certain (person); a certain (thing);
there are certain people who think … i.e. it is not specific as to who
or what it’s referring to
[ii] It can also
function as an adjective with a slight difference in the neuter:
quīdam [m],
quaedam [f], quoddam [n]: a certain king once said; in a
certain kingdom there lived a certain soldier:
I have given the
declension of both [i] and [ii] in the same image; 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!
What’s the
difference between [1] quīdam and [2] aliquis (discussed in the
previous posts)?
[1] Et dīcit
Jēsus: Tetigit mē aliquis (Vulgate) │ And Jesus
says: somebody touched me
English can make a
similar distinction although it isn’t consistent in translation: somebody
touched Jesus, but Jesus has no idea who it was
[2] habitant
hīc quaedam mulierēs pauperculae (Terence) │
certain poor women live here
The speaker knows
/ is aware of a certain group of women but provides no further details.
At times, quīdam
has little more ‘force’ than the English indefinite article a/an as in the
following two examples:
“There lived a
king, as I’ve been told, in the wonder-working days of old” (W.S. Gilbert)
There was a
soldier, a Scottish
soldier, / Who wandered far away / And soldiered far away (Stewart)
If those lyrics
were in Latin, quīdam would convey the idea: quīdam rēx │
a (certain) king; quīdam mīles │
a (certain) soldier i.e. they are not referring to ‘some king /
soldier or other’, but to specific ones in the speaker’s minds but with no
names.
[1] aliquī
philosophī ita putant │ some philosophers think so [but
I have no idea who they are]
[2] quīdam
philosophī ita putant │ certain philosophers think so [and
I have certain ones in mind but no further information about them is being
given]
Look out for: quondam;
from quom (older spelling of cum: when) > quon + dam:
at one time; formerly; once (in the past); at times; some day (in the future)
Examples and
practice in the next posts
LINKS
26.07.24: Level 2;
Dē crocodīlō [1]
https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/06/260724-level-2-de-crocodilo-1.html
30.11.24:
Comenius; in a 17th century school [5]; quīdam
https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/09/301124-comenius-in-17th-century-school_29.html
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