nitor

Latin

Etymology 1

From Proto-Indo-European *kneygʷʰ- (“to bend, to droop”). Cognate with nicō, connīveō, nictō, Proto-Germanic *hnīwaną.

Pronunciation
  • (Classical) IPA(key): /ˈniː.tor/, [ˈniː.tɔr]

Verb

nītor (present infinitive nītī, perfect active nīxus sum); third conjugation, deponent

  1. I bear or rest upon something, lean on; I am supported by; I am based on.
  2. I press forward, advance.
  3. I mount, climb, ascend; fly.
  4. I strain in giving birth; bring forth.
  5. (figuratively) I strive, struggle, exert myself, make an effort, labor, endeavor.
    • 86 BCE – c. 35 BCE, Sallust, Bellum Catilinae :
      Omnīs hominēs quī sēsē student praestāre cēterīs animālibus summā ope nītī decet nē vītam silentiō trānseant veluti pecora
      It is suitable for all who wish to be better than animals to struggle with their best effort in order not to go through life in silence like cattle.
  6. (figuratively) I try to prove, contend in argument, argue.
  7. (figuratively) I rest, rely, depend upon.
Inflection
   Conjugation of nitor (third conjugation, deponent)
indicative singular plural
first second third first second third
active present nītor nīteris, nītere nītitur nītimur nītiminī nītuntur
imperfect nītēbar nītēbāris, nītēbāre nītēbātur nītēbāmur nītēbāminī nītēbantur
future nītar nītēris, nītēre nītētur nītēmur nītēminī nītentur
perfect nīxus + present active indicative of sum
pluperfect nīxus + imperfect active indicative of sum
future perfect nīxus + future active indicative of sum
subjunctive singular plural
first second third first second third
active present nītar nītāris, nītāre nītātur nītāmur nītāminī nītantur
imperfect nīterer nīterēris, nīterēre nīterētur nīterēmur nīterēminī nīterentur
perfect nīxus + present active subjunctive of sum
pluperfect nīxus + imperfect active subjunctive of sum
imperative singular plural
first second third first second third
active present — nītere — — nītiminī —
future — nītitor nītitor — — nītuntor
non-finite forms active passive
present perfect future present perfect future
infinitives nītī nīxus esse nīxūrus esse — — —
participles nītēns nīxus nīxūrus — — nītendus
verbal nouns gerund supine
nominative genitive dative/ablative accusative accusative ablative
nītī nītendī nītendō nītendum nīxum nīxū
Derived terms

Etymology 2

From niteō (“shine”).

Pronunciation

Noun

nitor m (genitive nitōris); third declension

  1. brightness, splendor, lustre, sheen
  2. sleekness, good looks, beauty
  3. neatness, smartness, elegance, brilliancy
  4. (of speech) splendor, elegance, polish, grace
  5. (of character) dignity, excellence
Inflection

Third declension.

Case Singular Plural
Nominative nitor nitōrēs
Genitive nitōris nitōrum
Dative nitōrī nitōribus
Accusative nitōrem nitōrēs
Ablative nitōre nitōribus
Vocative nitor nitōrēs

References
  • nitor in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  • nitor in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
  • nitor in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Hachette
  • Carl Meissner; Henry William Auden (1894) Latin Phrase-Book‎, London: Macmillan and Co.
    • it is a matter of conjecture, supposition: aliquid coniectura nititur, continetur (Div. 1. 14. 24)
    • to cherish a hope: spe duci, niti, teneri
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