resiliens
The English word 'resilient' is translated into Latin as resiliens.
The term describes someone or something that returns quickly to a normal state after experiencing damaging events or conditions, or something that is psychologically or structurally tough. In its literal sense, durus means hard, tough or unyielding.
Meaning: returning quickly to normal after damaging events or conditions, psychologically or structurally tough (adj)
Did you know?
- While we use 'resilient' to describe a person's character, a Roman would more likely use it to describe a physical object, like a bow or a spring, that 'leaps back' after being bent.
- While resiliens describes the ability to recover, the Stoic philosophers often preferred the term apatheia to describe a resilient mind that is undisturbed by external pain.
- In classical Latin, the term 'salio' (to leap) is the hidden ancestor of the 'sil' sound in resiliens, linking resilience directly to the act of jumping.
Examples in context
- Post omnes difficultates, urbs nostra tenax manet.After all difficulties, our city remains resilient.
- Mens resiliens est.The mind is resilient.
- Civitas resiliens post casum surgit.A resilient city rises after a fall.
Example conversation
Gaius and Aurelia discuss recovering from a difficult year.
- GaiusAnnum difficilem habuimus, Aurelia.We had a difficult year, Aurelia.
- AureliaSed animus meus resiliens manet.But my spirit remains resilient.
- GaiusTua virtus me adiuvat.Your courage helps me.
- AureliaSimul convalescemus.We will recover together.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries resiliens, CC BY-SA 4.0.
