Meditations — Page 8

Vocabulary

Ma

Conjunction meaning 'but', introducing contrast.

dal

Contraction of 'da' and 'il', meaning 'from the'.

tono

Tone or manner of speaking or writing.

con

Preposition meaning 'with'.

cui

Relative pronoun meaning 'whom', 'which', or 'whose'.

parlava

Third person singular imperfect of 'parlare': was speaking.

dei

Contraction of 'di' and 'i', meaning 'of the'; also 'gods'.

Cristiani

Christians; followers of the Christian religion.

è

Third person singular present of 'essere': is.

chiaro

Clear, evident, or obvious.

che

Conjunction or pronoun meaning 'that', 'which', or 'who'.

li

Third person masculine plural object pronoun: them.

conosceva

Imperfect of 'conoscere': knew or was acquainted with.

solo

Only, merely, or alone.

attraverso

Preposition meaning 'through' or 'by means of'.

calunnia

Slander or false accusation against someone.

non

Negation adverb meaning 'not'.

sentiamo

First person plural present of 'sentire': we hear or feel.

parlare

Infinitive meaning 'to speak' or 'to talk'.

alcuna

Feminine form of 'alcuno': any, some (often in negation).

misura

Measure, step, or action taken toward a goal.

adottata

Adopted or implemented, past participle of 'adottare'.

nemmeno

Not even; used for emphatic negation.

garantire

To guarantee or ensure something for someone.

avessero

Third person plural imperfect subjunctive of 'avere': had.

udienza

Audience or hearing, especially in a formal or legal context.

equa

Fair or just; feminine form of 'equo'.

Sotto

Preposition meaning 'under' or 'beneath'.

questo

Demonstrative adjective or pronoun meaning 'this'.

aspetto

Aspect, regard, or appearance of something.

era

Third person singular imperfect of 'essere': was.

migliore

Better or superior; comparative of 'buono'.

lui

Third person singular masculine pronoun: he or him.

mente

Mind or intellect; the thinking faculty.

riflessiva

Reflective or thoughtful; given to contemplation.

religione

Religion; a system of belief and worship.

come

Conjunction or adverb meaning 'as', 'like', or 'how'.

quella

Demonstrative pronoun or adjective meaning 'that' (feminine).

avrebbe

Third person singular conditional of 'avere': would have.

dato

Given; past participle of 'dare'.

scarsa

Scarce, little, or insufficient; feminine of 'scarso'.

soddisfazione

Satisfaction; a feeling of fulfillment or contentment.

sue

Feminine plural possessive pronoun: her, his, its, their.

leggende

Legends or myths; traditional stories passed down.

erano

Third person plural imperfect of 'essere': were.

spesso

Often; frequently occurring.

puerili

Childish or immature; lacking adult seriousness.

inverosimili

Implausible or unlikely; hard to believe.

suo

Masculine singular possessive: his, her, its.

insegnamento

Teaching or instruction; the content of what is taught.

aveva

Third person singular imperfect of 'avere': had.

poco

Little, few; a small amount of something.

fare

Infinitive meaning 'to do' or 'to make'.

moralità

Morality; principles concerning right and wrong conduct.

romana

Roman; relating to Rome, feminine form.

effetti

Effects; in 'in effetti' means 'in fact' or 'indeed'.

natura

Nature; the natural world or essential character of something.

patto

Pact or agreement between two or more parties.

gli

Masculine plural definite article or indirect pronoun: the, him.

uomini

Men or humans; plural of 'uomo'.

pagavano

Imperfect of 'pagare': were paying or used to pay.

certi

Certain or specific; plural of 'certo'.

sacrifici

Sacrifices; offerings made to gods or for a cause.

riti

Rites or rituals; ceremonial religious practices.

dèi

Gods; plural of 'dio', divine beings.

concedevano

Imperfect of 'concedere': were granting or allowing.

loro

Pronoun or possessive meaning 'their', 'them', or 'they'.

favore

Favor or goodwill; support or approval given by someone.

indipendentemente

Independently; regardless of other circumstances or factors.

giusto

Right, just, or correct; morally proper.

sbagliato

Wrong or mistaken; past participle of 'sbagliare'.

caso

Case, situation, or instance; 'in caso' means 'in case'.

tutte

All; feminine plural form of 'tutto'.

anime

Souls or spirits; plural of 'anima'.

devote

Devout or devoted; deeply committed to religion or cause.

ricacciate

Driven back or repelled; past participle of 'ricacciare'.

verso

Toward; preposition indicating direction.

filosofia

Philosophy; the study of fundamental questions about existence.

accaduto

Happened or occurred; past participle of 'accadere'.

sebbene

Although or even though; concessive conjunction.

minore

Lesser, smaller, or minor; comparative of 'piccolo'.

primo

First; earliest in order or time.

impero

Empire; a large state ruled by an emperor.

vi

Adverb or pronoun meaning 'there' or 'you' (indirect).

due

Two; the cardinal number 2.

scuole

Schools; plural of 'scuola', here meaning philosophical schools.

rivali

Rivals; competing or opposing parties or groups.

si

Reflexive or impersonal pronoun: oneself, each other, one.

dividevano

Imperfect of 'dividere': were dividing or splitting.

praticamente

Practically or virtually; almost entirely.

campo

Field or domain; area of activity or influence.

tra

Preposition meaning 'between', 'among', or 'within'.

Stoicismo

Stoicism; ancient philosophy emphasizing reason and endurance.

Epicureismo

Epicureanism; philosophy valuing pleasure and tranquility.

ideale

Ideal; a standard of perfection or principle aimed for.

proposto

Proposed or put forward; past participle of 'proporre'.

ciascuna

Each one; feminine singular of 'ciascuno'.

nominalmente

Nominally; in name only, not necessarily in reality.

molto

Very or much; a large degree or quantity.

simile

Similar or alike; resembling something else closely.

Stoici

Stoics; followers of the philosophical school of Stoicism.

aspiravano

Imperfect of 'aspirare': were aspiring or striving toward.

ἁπάθεια

apatheia — Greek: apatheia; suppression of passions, emotional detachment.

repressione

Repression or suppression; restraining emotions or impulses.

ogni

Every or each; referring to all members of a group.

emozione

Emotion; a feeling or affective state experienced internally.

Epicurei

Epicureans; followers of Epicurus and his philosophy.

ἀταραξία

ataraxia — Greek: ataraxia; tranquility, freedom from mental disturbance.

libertà

Freedom or liberty; the state of being free.

da

Preposition meaning 'from', 'by', or 'since'.

turbamento

Disturbance or agitation; mental or emotional unrest.

eppure

Yet or nevertheless; introducing a surprising contrast.

fine

End or conclusion; also means 'fine' or 'thin'.

uno

One; masculine indefinite article or numeral.

diventato

Become; past participle of 'diventare'.

sinonimo

Synonym; a word having the same or similar meaning.

tenace

Tenacious; persistent and determined in enduring hardship.

sopportazione

Endurance or tolerance; the ability to bear difficulties.

altro

Other or another; a different person or thing.

licenza

License or license; here meaning unrestrained freedom or excess.

sfrenata

Unbridled or unrestrained; without limits or control.

abbiamo

First person plural present of 'avere': we have.

nulla

Nothing; not anything at all.

ora

Now; at the current time, or also 'hour'.

ma

Conjunction meaning 'but', introducing contrast.

varrà

Future of 'valere': will be worth or worthwhile.

pena

Worth or penalty; 'vale la pena' means 'it is worthwhile'.

tracciare

To trace or outline; to sketch the history of something.

storia

History or story; an account of past events.

principi

Principles or princes; fundamental truths or rules.

setta

Sect; a group with distinct beliefs within a larger movement.

Stoica

Stoic; feminine adjective relating to the Stoic school.

fondatore

Founder; the person who establishes an organization or movement.

nacque

Third person singular past historic of 'nascere': was born.

data

Date; a specific point in time.

ignota

Unknown; not known or unidentified, feminine form.

può

Third person singular present of 'potere': can or is able to.

dire

Infinitive meaning 'to say' or 'to tell'.

approssimativamente

Approximately; roughly, without precise accuracy.

sua

Feminine singular possessive: his, her, its.

vita

Life; the existence and experiences of a living being.

collochi

Present subjunctive of 'collocare': may place or situate.

anni

Years; plural of 'anno'.