I.conj. [nam and enclitic pe; cf.: prope, quippe, quis-p-iam, etc.].
I. Prop., in strengthening or confirming an assertion, as that which cannot be disputed, indeed, certainly, without doubt, to be sure, assuredly (cf.: nimirum, scilicet).
1. In laying down a premise or conclusion: non istam dicit voluptatem. Dicat quamlubet: nempe eam dicit, in quā virtutis nulla pars insit, he certainly does speak of that, etc., Cic. Tusc. 3, 20, 49: “nempe incomposito dixi pede currere versus Lucili,” Hor. S. 1, 10, 1: “nempe enim duo genera materiarum apud rhetores tractantur,” Tac. Dial. 35; Lucr. 1, 385; Cic. Fl. 37, 91; id. Fin. 4, 15, 41: “si ... necesse est, nempe sequitur ut, etc.,” Quint. 3, 8, 23.—
2. (Esp. in colloq. lang.) In summing up or explaining another's meaning, no doubt, certainly, I am sure: nempe illum dicis cum armis aureis, you doubtless mean, etc., Plaut. Mil. 1, 1, 16: nempe huic dimidium dicis, dimidium domi? St. Nempe sicut dicis, id. Aul. 2, 4, 14; id. Curc. 1, 1, 41.—
3. In stating a notorious or obvious fact or truth, certainly, of course, beyond question: “nempe ego mille meo protexi pectore puppes, i. e. as everybody knows,” Ov. M. 13, 93: “nempe tulit fastus (Medea), ausa rogare prior,” Prop. 5, 5, 42; Hor. Ep. 1, 10, 22: “pater est mihi nempe biformis,” Ov. M. 2, 663; Cic. Phil. 12, 11, 26.—
II. Transf.
1. In questions, to ask a more precise or emphatic statement of something already said (cf. I. 2. supra): “Quid ais? Nempe tu illius servos es?” Plaut. Ps. 4, 7, 73: “nempe hic tuus est?” really? id. Rud. 4, 4, 13: St. Vivunt, valent. Ch. Nempe uterque? do you mean? id. Trin. 4, 3, 67: “nempe negas ad beate vivendum satis posse virtutem?” Cic. Tusc. 5, 5, 12; id. Brut. 3, 14.—
2. In replies, certainly, obviously, of course, Plaut. Mil. 4, 4, 26: “Pompeii tertius consulatus in quibus actis constitit? Nempe in legibus,” Cic. Phil. 1, 7, 18: “in quā (urbe) tandem hoc disputant? Nempe in eā, etc.,” id. Mil. 3, 7; Quint. 10, 2, 4; 12, 2, 16; Pers. 2, 70.—
