It is on my stepsons myspace "Umbram Suam Metuit". I know it has something to do with being afraid of a shadow, but I have forgotten my declinsions, so I can't figure out what the endings indicate.
Thank you
2006-09-23 02:58:39 · 5 answers · asked by Sunny And '74 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Metuit is one of those ambiguous verb forms that can be taken as present tense (metuo, -is, -it) or perfect. (metui, -isti, -it) So it can mean either "He is afraid of/ he fears" or "He was afraid of/ he feared".
However the present would seem more appropriate to match the similar phrasing we have in English. "He's afraid of his own shadow".
The suggestion that the verb is imperfect is itself imperfect! That verb form would be metuebat.
2006-09-23 07:32:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"metuo" means "I am afraid of", the same English as "timeo" but used for fear of abstract things (e.g. heights, loneliness, being wrong) whereas timeo is used of physical things (enemies, swords, horses). "metuit" is 3rd person imperfect.
So it is simply "He was afraid of his own shadow" with the choice of verb emphasising how insubstantial a thing it was to be afraid of.
2006-09-23 03:41:18 · answer #2 · answered by bh8153 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cover or Hide your shadow
2006-09-23 03:07:22 · answer #3 · answered by Martin M 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe that it describes a style of painting 'the colour of slate' where the predominant colour would be grey.
2006-09-23 03:04:52 · answer #4 · answered by quatt47 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
e/mail the pope
2006-09-23 03:01:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋