Latin "ad minus"?

Question

What is the meaning of "ad minus"?

Ergo in irascibili ad minus non potest esse virtus.

Here the translation is ok with "there is no virtue in irascibility", so I feel "ad minus" is not an important part of the sentence. (Whether there is virtue in irascibility and concupiscibility is the question around this part of this book "On virtue". The auther thinks there is, and opponents think there isn't, and this part is from an opponent's saying.)

But I want to know its meaning. Please tell me the meaning. And give me the meaning of "ad" here too.

With Vendetta's hint, I try translating as
"there can be almost no virtue in irascibility"

Answer 1

It seems to mean 'at least'. There is a phrase in the Magna Carta in the original Latin:

"scilicet ad terminum quadraginta dierum ad minus"

Which is translated to:

"namely, after the expiry of at least forty days"


I've not seen the term used before in Latin, but the construction is straightfoward:

Ad = preposition with a lot of possible meanings - to, up to, towards; near, at; until, on, by. It takes the accusative for its object, and 'minus' is neuter accusative singular for minus as the comparative of 'parvus'.


That makes it:

Therefore, in irascibility at least, there can be no virtue.

Answer 2

Minus Latin

Answer 3

Is minus an adverb here? Ad can mean a whole bunch of things. Well, if it's used with minus, I guess minus must be accusative. Ad with an accusative can mean to, up to, near, for, at, at the house of, in order to, or till. I think you got it right. "Ad minus" probably isn't important. Wow, I suck at translating Latin. I should know this!

Answer 4

It means :to little
http://www.translation-guide.com/free_online_translators.php?from=English&to=Latin