I. Want of knowledge, ignorance, inexperience (cf. inscitia init.): “in tantis tenebris erroris et inscientiae,” Cic. Sull. 14, 40: “mea,” id. de Or. 1, 46, 203: “alicujus,” id. ib. 3, 35, 142; id. Ac. 2, 47, 146.—With gen.
(α).
Subj.: “vulgi,” Caes. B. G. 7, 43, 3: “hostium,” id. ib. 3, 19, 3: “temeritas et inscientia ducum,” Liv. 22, 25, 12.—
(β).
Obj.: “locorum,” Caes. B. G. 3, 9, 3: “belli,” Nep. Epam. 7: “dicendi,” Cic. de Or. 1, 54, 233.—
II. Ignorance, philosophically speaking; “opp. fundamental knowledge: de qua (natura Deorum) tam variae sunt doctissimorum hominum tamque discrepantes sententiae, ut magno argumento esse debeat, causam, i. e. principium philosophiae esse inscientiam,” Cic. N. D. 1, 1, 1; id. Ac. 1, 11, 41.—
III. Blameworthy ignorance, neglect (only in Tac.; cf. “inscitia): praecipientium,” Tac. Or. 28: “desidia ac inscientia,” id. ib. 33.