quisquiliae
The Latin word for "trash" is quisquiliae.
quisquiliae refers to things that are to be discarded.
Meaning: things to be discarded (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from quisquillus, which means a scrap or a trifle.
How does it change in a sentence?
quisquiliae is a plural noun and does not have a singular form.
Did you know?
- In ancient Rome, the word quisquiliae was often used metaphorically to describe worthless or low-quality people in a social hierarchy.
- Ancient Romans often dumped their quisquiliae into the Tiber river or in open pits called puticuli, which were often located outside the city walls.
Examples in context
- Ne sordes in foro relinquas.Do not leave trash in the marketplace.
- Hae quisquiliae in via sunt.This trash is in the street.
Example conversation
Gaius and Lucia are cleaning their home.
- GaiusUbi sunt quisquiliae?Where is the trash?
- LuciaPrope portam sunt, Gai.It is near the gate, Gaius.
- GaiusPortabo eas nunc.I will carry it now.
- LuciaGratias tibi ago.Thank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry quisquiliae, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
