I.a being new, newness, novelty.
I. In gen.: “rei novitas,” Cic. Div. 2, 28, 60: “gratiam novitati similem parant,” Quint. 1, 6, 39: “novitatis gratiā,” id. 9, 3, 58: “plus novitatis,” id. 8, 3, 74: “(figura) ipsā novitate ac varietate magis delectat,” id. 9, 2. 66.—In plur., new acquaintances, friendships: “novitates, si spem afferunt, non sunt illae quidem repudiandae, vetustas tamen loco suo conservanda,” Cic. Lael. 19, 68.—Poet.: “anni,” i. e. the spring, Ov. F. 1, 160.—Adverb.: “AD NOVITATEM,” anew, newly, Inscr. Orell. 3278.—
II. In partic.
A. Rareness, strangeness, unusualness: “sceleris atque periculi novitas,” Sall. C. 4, 4: “perturbatis nostris novitate pugnae,” Caes. B. G. 4, 34: rerum, Ov. M. 2, 31: “adjuta est novitas numine nostra dei,” this novel attempt, id. P. 4, 13, 24; so in plur., Inscr. Grut. 337.—
B. The condition of a homo novus, newness of rank: “novitas mea,” Cic. Fam. 1, 7, 8: “contemnunt novitatem meam, ego illorum ignaviam,” Sall. J. 85, 14 (shortly before: “comparate hunc cum illorum superbiā me hominem novum): quibus novitas familiae haud obstitit,” Vell. 2, 127, 1.—
III. Trop., newness, reformation. In eccl. Lat.: “in novitate vitae,” Vulg. Rom. 6, 4.
