English

Noun

anceps

1. (poetry, Greek and Latin meter) A syllable that can be either short or long.

Latin

Etymology

From ambo ‎(“both”) +‎ -ceps ‎(“headed”), from caput ‎(“head”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈan.keps/, [ˈaŋ.kɛps]

Adjective

anceps m, f, n ‎(genitive ancipitis); third declension

1. double-headed, having two heads
2. (of mountains) having two summits or peaks
3. (of swords) double-edged
4. divided into two parts
5. wavering, doubtful, uncertain
6. dangerous, hazardous

Inflection

Third declension.

Synonyms

• (double-headed): biceps

Descendants

• English: syllaba anceps
• Portuguese: ancípite

References

• anceps in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• anceps in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• ANCEPS in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)
• Félix Gaffiot (1934), “anceps”, in Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Paris: Hachette.
• Meissner, Carl; Auden, Henry William (1894) Latin Phrase-Book, London: Macmillan and Co.
  • the changes and chances of this life: ancipites et varii casus
    
  • the issue of the battle is undecided: proelium anceps est
    
  • the issue of the battle is undecided: ancipiti Marte pugnatur
    
  • the issue of the day was for a long time uncertain: diu anceps stetit pugna