What is the Latin for "to separate the essential nature of the
problem"? "Separate" is intended here to mean "break down into its
component parts," or "subdivide into the smallest elements." Our stab
is "quidditas secare problematica," but we need confirmation and a
reliable citation.

Scindo substantia problema

Definitions

Scindo: to cut, tear, rend, or break asunder; to split, cleave,
divide, or separate by force, etc
(http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059&layout=&query=entry%3D%2342968&loc=scindo)

Substantia : “that of which a thing consists, the being, essence,
contents, material, substance”
(http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059%3Aentry%3D%2346078)

Problema: “a question proposed for solution, a problem, enigma,
riddle, puzzle”
(http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059%3Aentry%3D%2338413)

If that is not what you are looking for, you can refer to one of these
Latin to English dictionaries:

- Latin = English Dictionary: http://www.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/Latin/
- Perseus Lookup Tool:
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/vor?lookup=&collection=

Additionally, this Latin conjugation tool may be of use:
http://www.angelfire.com/pa/mmclar/Latin.html

And don't forget Google's Latin Directory:
http://directory.google.com/Top/Reference/Dictionaries/World_Languages/L/Latin/

I hope this was what you were looking for. Best of luck with your
searches and thanks for using Google Answers!

---

Request for Answer Clarification by dgc-ga on 17 May 2002 09:03 PDT

Given the nature of the comment from grimace-ga, and my own conclusion
that to "tear apart," the essential meaning of "scind--" is not what I
mean, I guess I need a clarification. When I say "break down into its
component parts," that is what I mean. The solution to a problem may
consist of many parts. How do I prove the Earth is round, for
instance. That proof could involve many steps. I want a Latin phrase
that will mean, "break the problem down into its parts" (for the
purpose of distribution the solution among many solvers, eventually).

Thank you.

Forgive me, but meowcat's grammar is up the spout.

For the infinitive, the translation (given that these words are
appropriate, which they seem to be) should be:

substantiam problemae scindare

I'm not convinced by the use of 'scindo' here, though - 'dissoluo'
might be more appropriate.

It might be useful if you could provide more of a context - what,
exactly, are you breaking down - an argument?

As for a citation - are you looking for a quote from a classical
author? Or just a citation from a dictionary?

Good Day, dgc-ga.

If you search on www.google.com with the phrase "Latin translation" or
something similar, you'll find plenty of shareware Latin translators
and Latin to English or English to Latin dictionaries.  Note that the
shareware listed below allows 30 free days which gives you sufficient
time to do some translating. In my schooldays, I enjoyed translating
Caesar's Gallic Wars, but I did not continue my Latin studies as they
could not assure me of finding some Romans that I could socialize
with!

http://www.quicklatin.com/


Best,
Brad-ga

It's scindere (third conjugation), not scindare (first conjugation).
Your "experts" don't seem to know much!

Dubliner is correct.  The infinitive form is "scindere."  For what
it's worth, the English word "scissors" is derived from it.

You might be looking for the word Sententiam:  to divide the question

I'm not a Latin expert, but this seems to be the word you are looking
for, or one of its inflections.

webadept-ga

Hi dgc,

I've only taken first year Latin (and go to Mass occasionally), but it
doesn't seem like you need all those extraneous words.  Wouldn't a
verb conjugation of "dissect" work for you in your sentence?

http://onlinedictionary.datasegment.com/word/Dissect

This question has bugged me now for a while and sorry we haven't been
more definitive on this one for you.
V