non est
/noːn ɛst/
phrase
Origin
Latin
non + sum — not + to be
Overview
Meaning Now
- it is not; there is not.
Literal older meaning
non (not) + est (is)
Language path
Latin
Earliest form
non est
Earliest period
Classical Latin
Journey
The phrase is a fundamental negation in Latin, derived from the particle 'non' (a contraction of 'ne oenum', literally 'not one thing') and the third-person singular present indicative of 'esse' (to be). It appears frequently in logical propositions and philosophical arguments.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*ne + *h₁ésti
“not + he/she/it is”
- Old Latin
noin est
“it is not”
- Classical Latin
non est
“it is not”
Connections
Word parts
non
root
not
est
root
is
Related across languages
Ancient Greek
οὐκ ἔστι
it is not
Sanskrit
na asti
it is not
Explore next
Related to non est
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.