summa
[ˈsʊm.ma]feminine
The English word 'sum' is translated into Latin as summa.
summa refers to a quantity obtained through addition or aggregation.
Meaning: quantity obtained by addition or aggregation (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word summa is a feminine noun. To indicate possession or a relationship (of the sum), use the genitive singular form summae. If the word is used as a direct object of a verb, use the accusative plural form summas. Note that while summa is a noun, it is distinct from the verb forms sim (present subjunctive) and eram (imperfect indicative).
Did you know?
- In the Middle Ages, a summa became a specific literary genre: a comprehensive treatise that summarized all known knowledge on a subject, such as Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica.
- The word summa originally described the 'highest point' of something rather than a numerical total. This reflects a conceptual link between the top of a list and the final total calculated at the bottom.
- In many academic contexts, the term 'summa cum laude' uses 'summa' to mean 'with highest honor', referencing the 'highest' level of achievement.
Examples in context
- "Imperium Dido Tyria regit urbe profecta, / germanum fugiens. Longa est injuria, longæ / ambages, sed summa sequar fastigia rerum".Queen Dido rules the land, who came from Tyre afar, / flying her brother. Dark the tale of crime, / and long, but briefly be the sum supplied.This sentence shows how summa can refer to a brief summary or the final result of a complex tale.Tatoeba #6553426 by carlosalberto, translation #6787175 by carlosalberto
- Nonne habe res alcumistam pro deo, qui posset adjicere decem annos summae vitae, et revocare provectiorem aetatem ad vigorem adolescentiae?Would not you reckon the alchymist for a god, that could add ten years to the sum of your life, and call back advanced age to the vigour of youth?This sentence uses summae to describe the sum of a person's life.Tatoeba #7337522 by jimkillock, translation #7337527 by jimkillock
- Discipulus sum.I am a student.
- Ut sis felix, labora.In order to be happy, work.
- Ego sum magnus.I am great.
- Quomodo sumus hodie?How are we today?
- Summa pecuniae est decem denarii.The total sum of money is ten denarii.
Example conversation
Julia and Gaius are discussing the costs of a merchant's shipment.
- JuliaQuanta est summa omnium rerum?What is the total sum of all the things?
- GaiusSumma est centum sestertia.The sum is one hundred sestertii.
- JuliaHic sumptus est gravis.This expense is heavy.
- GaiusIta vero, Julia.It is indeed so, Julia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sum” translations and entries summa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries summa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
