Latin Word of the Week 001 in animo habere, to have in mind (Patreon)

Word of the Week series index

Latin WotW 001

in animō habēre “to have in mind”

Salvē! and welcome to the new series Latin Word of the Week, in which I tell you, dear Patreon, about useful and interesting expressions, figures of speech, and turns of phrase in our favorite ancient language of the Romans.

Today’s phrase is in animō habēre which means to “have in mind,” or “to intend.” Rather than use the Romance cognate for mind, mēns, this idiomatic expression uses animus, which is a way of expressing the mind or the soul, and is cognate with the Greek word ἄνεμος meaning “wind,” such as in the English term anemometer, a tool that measures the wind. Indeed this animus word is the vital breath of animated beings, and the etymological connexion is revealed in the fact that animal, Latin for animal, is an animated living thing that has breath.

Here is an example from Cicero in Verrem:

(Marcus Tullius Cicero, In Verrem 2.4.66.1)

Multi reges, multae liberae civitates, multi privati opulenti ac potentes habent profecto in animo Capitolium sic ornare ut templi dignitas imperique nostri nomen desiderat.

So the key words there are habent...in animō...ōrnāre, they have in mind to decorate.

And here is my sentence using the phrase:

In animō habeō singulīs hebdomadīs vōbīs facere haec acroāmata dē vocabulīs locūtiōnibusque lepidīs.

I have in mind, or I intend, to make these audio recordings for you about interesting words and expressions every week.

And I will do my best to keep to that schedule, dear Patron. Now it’s your turn! Come up with an original Latin sentence of your own using in animō habēre, and feel free to share it under this post on Patreon. And try to use it in your daily life somehow (even if you’re just thinking about things on your own) if you can.

Thanks so much for your support. Summās grātiās tibi agō. Valē!