I.adj. indecl. [for ne-aequam, from aequus], worthless, good for nothing, wretched, vile, etc. (syn.: inutilis, pravus, vilis).
I. In gen.: “nequam esse oportet quoi, etc.,” Plaut. Bacch. 4, 2, 20; id. Trin. 4, 4, 29: “piscis nequam est nisi recens,” id. As. 1, 3, 26; id. Trin. 2, 4, 38: enthymema nequam et vitiosum, faulty, defective, Tiro ap. Gell. 6 ($3), 3, 27; Paul. ex Fest. p. 165 Müll.—
II. In partic., of character, worthless, vile, bad; opp. frugi (cf. nebulo), Plaut. Ps. 1, 5, 53: “malus et nequam es,” id. As. 2, 2, 39: “nequam homo et indiligens,” id. Most. 1, 2, 23: “liberti nequam et improbi,” Cic. Rosc. Am. 45, 130: “nihil nequius est,” id. Pis. 27, 66: “quid est nequius aut turpius?” id. Tusc. 3, 17, 36: “nequior factus, jamst usus aedium,” Plaut. Most. 1, 2, 32: “homo nequissimus,” Cic. Verr. 2, 2, 78, § 192; id. Att. 1, 16, 3.—So of licentious, dissolute persons: “juvenes nequam facilesque puellae,” Mart. 3, 69, 5.—Comp.: “nequior omnibus libellis,” id. 11, 15, 4.—As subst.: nē-quam , an injury, mischief, harm: “vin' tu illi nequam dare?” an injury, a mischief, Plaut. Poen. 1, 1, 31: “facere,” id. ib. 3, 3, 44: “nos nequam abs te habemus,” id. Truc. 1, 2, 60.—Hence, adv.: nēquĭter , worthlessly, wretchedly, badly, miserably, etc. (class.): “nequiter fricare genua,” Plaut. As. 3, 3, 88; id. Am. 1, 3, 23: “turpiter et nequiter facere,” Cic. Tusc. 3, 17, 36: “ille porro prave, nequiter, turpiter cenabat,” id. Fin. 2, 8, 25: si quā per voluptatem nequiter feceritis, voluptas cito abibit: nequiter factum illud apud vos semper manebit, Cato ap. Gell. 16, 1, 4.— Comp.: “utrum bellum susceptum sit nequius, an inconsultius gestum, dici non potest,” Liv. 41, 7; Mart. 10, 77, 1.—Sup.: “nequissime,” Plin. 12, 25, 54, § 121.
