The -dam suffix, which is indeclinable, indicates “a certain”
As a reminder …
[i] Like the other indefinites, it can stand alone as a pronoun:
quīdam [m], quaedam [f], quiddam [n]: a certain (person); a certain (thing); there are certain people who think … i.e. it is not specific as to who or what it’s referring to
[ii] It can also function as an adjective with a slight difference in the neuter:
quīdam [m], quaedam [f], quoddam [n]: a certain king once said; in a certain kingdom there lived a certain soldier:
I have given the declension of both [i] and [ii] in the same image; this is for reference only and, apart from the neuter singular nominative and accusative there is no difference between them. Note, however, the use of /n/ in the accusatives and the genitive plurals; as long as you can recognise that “dam” ending, then you’ll be fine!
What’s the difference between [1] quīdam and [2] aliquis (discussed in the previous posts)?
[1] Et dīcit Jēsus: Tetigit mē aliquis (Vulgate) │ And Jesus says: somebody touched me
English can make a similar distinction although it isn’t consistent in translation: somebody touched Jesus, but Jesus has no idea who it was
[2] habitant hīc quaedam mulierēs pauperculae (Terence) │ certain poor women live here
The speaker knows / is aware of a certain group of women but provides no further details.
At times, quīdam has little more ‘force’ than the English indefinite article a/an as in the following two examples:
“There lived a king, as I’ve been told, in the wonder-working days of old” (W.S. Gilbert)
There was a soldier, a Scottish soldier, / Who wandered far away / And soldiered far away (Stewart)
If those lyrics were in Latin, quīdam would convey the idea: quīdam rēx │ a (certain) king; quīdam mīles │ a (certain) soldier i.e. they are not referring to ‘some king / soldier or other’, but to specific ones in the speaker’s minds but with no names.
[1] aliquī philosophī ita putant │ some philosophers think so [but I have no idea who they are]
[2] quīdam philosophī ita putant │ certain philosophers think so [and I have certain ones in mind but no further information about them is being given]
Look out for: quondam; from quom (older spelling of cum: when) > quon + dam: at one time; formerly; once (in the past); at times; some day (in the future)
Examples and practice in the next posts
LINKS
26.07.24: Level 2; Dē crocodīlō [1]
https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/06/260724-level-2-de-crocodilo-1.html
30.11.24: Comenius; in a 17th century school [5]; quīdam
https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/09/301124-comenius-in-17th-century-school_29.html
