Lemma 1ĕnĭm
conjunction
namely (postpos.); indeed; in fact; for; I mean, for instance, that is to sayMorphology
inv.enim · regular
Lewis & Short
ĕnim [ of ĕ for pronom. stem i, and nam], a demonstrative corroborative particle. (Its position is regularly after the first word, or the first two or more closely connected words in the sentence — Sometimes it divides an apparent compound: )
To corroborate a preceding assertion, like equidem, certe, vero; hence connected with these particles, with vero ( under B.), truly, certainly, to be sure, indeed, in fact: Ch. Te uxor aiebat tua Me vocare. St. Ego enim vocari jussi, certainly, I did order you to be called; Th. Quid tute tecum? Tr. Nihil enim, nothing truly; Pa. Quid metuis? Se. Enim ne nosmet perdiderimus uspiam. — too in ironical or indignant discourse: Goer.; Ca. Faxo haut tantillum dederis verborum mihi. Me. Nempe enim tu, credo, me imprudentem obrepseris, yes, indeed, I believe you are trying to take me in.
Strengthened by vero, and combined with it into one word, ĕnimvēro (unlike enim, usually beginning the sentence), yes indeed, yes truly, of a truth, to be sure, certainly, indeed — In corroborating replies ( certe, I. A. 2.): Me. Ain vero? So. Aio enimvero; Sy. Eho, quaeso, an tu is es? Ch. Is enim vero sum: Al. Tun' te abisse hodie hinc negas? Am. Nego enimvero: Pa. Incommode hercle. Ch. Immo enimvero infeliciter. — And in ironical or indignant discourse: Da. Ubi voles, arcesse. Si. Bene sane.
To prove or show the grounds of a preceding assertion, for: haec sunt non nugae — In parenthetical sentences.
Sometimes the assertion, the reason for which is given, is to be mentally supplied; Am. Qui istuc potis est fieri, quaeso, ut dicis, jam dudum, modo? Al. Quid enim censes? te ut deludam contra? , what then do you think? — the expression: quid enim dicam? commonly ellipt.: quid enim? qs. for what can be objected to the assertion just made? quid enim de T. Tatio Sabino dicam.
To explain a preceding assertion, for instance, namely: Sy. Si futurum est, do tibi operam hanc. Mi. Quomodo? Ut enim, ubi mihi vapulandumst, tu corium sufferas; Metuo maxime. Pa. Quid metuis? Sc. Enim ne nos nosmet perdiderimus: Lu. Di me perdant, si bibi, Si bibere potui. Pa. Qui jam? Lu. Quia enim obsorbui, why because: non igitur videtur nec frumentarius ille Rhodios nec hic aedium venditor celare emptores debuisse. Neque enim id est celare, quicquid reticeas.