This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Latin to English
  3. Government / Politics

ipse dixit!

English translation: an unsupported assertion

05:30 Apr 8, 2004
Latin to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Government / Politics
Latin term or phrase: ipse dixit!
ipse dixit! the chater overrules the parliament.
chubba
English translation:an unsupported assertion
Explanation:
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

ipse dixit

SYLLABICATION: ip·se dix·it

NOUN: An unsupported assertion, usually by a person of standing; a dictum.
ETYMOLOGY: From Latin ipse dixit, he himself said (it) : ipse, he himself + dixit, third person sing. perfect tense of dcere, to say.


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 mins (2004-04-08 05:39:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Literally: \"he himself said\" (it), or \"He himself has spoken\", or more literary: \"Just because he/I say this is true\"
Selected response from:

Kirill Semenov
Ukraine
Local time: 13:44
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +6an unsupported assertion
Kirill Semenov
3viz
danya


  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +6
an unsupported assertion


Explanation:
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

ipse dixit

SYLLABICATION: ip·se dix·it

NOUN: An unsupported assertion, usually by a person of standing; a dictum.
ETYMOLOGY: From Latin ipse dixit, he himself said (it) : ipse, he himself + dixit, third person sing. perfect tense of dcere, to say.


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 mins (2004-04-08 05:39:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Literally: \"he himself said\" (it), or \"He himself has spoken\", or more literary: \"Just because he/I say this is true\"


    Reference: http://www.bartleby.com/61/61/I0226100.html
Kirill Semenov
Ukraine
Local time: 13:44
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Valentini Mellas: :)
10 mins
  -> thank you :)
agree  Cristina Moldovan do Amaral
17 mins
  -> thank you :)
agree  Giusi Pasi
54 mins
  -> thank you :)
agree  Eva Blanar
1 hr
  -> thank you :)
agree  giogi: yes, typical before the first Scientific Revolution (XVI cent.) to keep safe Aristotle's principles, unfortunately misreading them!
1 hr
  -> very true, the rediscovery of Greek philosophy through Arabic translations led the Westerners to rely on Aristotle's views with an indiscriminate enthusiasm :)
agree  Vicky Papaprodromou
2 hrs
  -> thank you :)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
viz


Explanation:
i agree with Kirill as regards the translation
but i would argue that it means an unsupported assertion
i think it rather means that someone asserts smth referring the listener to some authoruty for confirmation of one's words;
this used to be a principle in religious discussions, when in argument it was enough to say that the teacher/prophet/whoever of authority himself had said this or that; Greek "autos épha"


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs 12 mins (2004-04-08 07:43:20 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

to Giovanna: does not unsupported mean groundless? which is not quite the case with this principle, i think. when you say ipse dixit, it is not an allegation, you indicate that you trust \"him\" that much that his words constitute the ultimate confirmation of veracity

danya
Local time: 13:44
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  giogi: You're right, but where's the difference? Unsupported assertion means "not justified" not developed, not sustained by evidences..
4 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search