damnatus
The English phrase 'cursed' can be translated into Latin as damnatus.
The term is used as an adjective to describe someone or something that is experiencing some sort of divine harm.
Meaning: having some sort of divine harm (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a perfect passive participle, meaning 'one who has been condemned or damned'.
Which one should you use?
While damnatus is the default form, other terms may be used depending on the context. maledictus also translates to 'cursed', while Anathema refers to a 'curse' or 'condemnation' and Execrabilis translates to 'execrable'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective damnatus must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. Use damnata for feminine nouns and damnati for masculine or feminine plural nouns.
Did you know?
- In Roman law, a person who was damnatus could be condemned to 'damnatio memoriai'. This was a curse of erasure where the state destroyed all statues and records of the person's existence.
- Latin has a distinct way of handling curses called 'defixiones'. These were 'curse tablets' where words like damnatus were scratched into lead and nailed into the ground to bind a victim.
- The term anathema was not originally a curse but referred to a 'votive offering' set aside for a god. Over time, the meaning shifted from something dedicated to a deity to something cursed and cast out.
Examples in context
- Hic locus damnatus est.This place is cursed.
- Damnatus rex finem habet.The cursed king has an end.
Example conversation
Two people discover an ancient ruin.
- LuciusVide hoc templum antiquum, Iulia.Look at this ancient temple, Julia.
- JuliaTimeo, Luci. Hic locus damnatus videtur.I am afraid, Lucius. This place seems cursed.
- LuciusNon timebo divina maledicta.I will not fear divine curses.
- JuliaEamus iam, ne simus damnati.Let us go now, lest we be cursed.
