Infidelibus is a Latin form that can mean “to the unbelievers,” “for the unbelievers,” or “with the unbelievers,” depending on the sentence. It comes from infidelis, an adjective meaning “unfaithful” or “not believing,” and is used in the plural. The spelling “incfidelibus” is simply a typo, not a Latin word.
This guide looks at the term’s meaning, its grammatical form, and its historical use.
Key Takeaways
- Infidelibus is the dative and ablative plural of the Latin adjective infidelis.
- Infidelis is built from in- (not) and fidelis (faithful).
- Depending on the sentence, infidelibus means “to the unbelievers,” “for the unbelievers,” or “with the unbelievers.”
- “Incfidelibus” is a misspelling. We found no dictionary entry or source for it.
- The English word “infidel” comes from the same Latin root and entered English around 1460.
- Older Latin theology books use the word in questions about how Christians should deal with non-Christians.
- Today the English word “infidel” is usually considered offensive, so context matters.
What Does Infidelibus Mean?
The base word is infidelis. It is composed of the prefix in-, meaning “not” and fidelis, meaning “faithful” or “trustworthy.” Therefore, the literal meaning is “not faithful.”
In religious texts, infidelis generally referred to someone who did not believe in the Christian religion. In other Latin texts, the word may be used to mean “disloyal” or “untrustworthy,” depending on the circumstances.
Infidelibus is an inflected form of that word. In Latin, word endings are modified to indicate the function of the word in the sentence, and the meaning changes slightly according to its usage.
The Grammar Behind Infidelibus
Infidelis is a third declension adjective. For the plural of dative and ablative cases, -ibus is the ending and it is the formal to be same for masculine, feminine and neuter.
Here is how the main plural forms look:
- Nominative: infideles (the unbelievers, as the subject)
- Genitive: infidelium (of the unbelievers)
- Dative: infidelibus (to or for the unbelievers)
- Accusative: infideles (the unbelievers, as the object)
- Ablative: infidelibus (with, by, or from the unbelievers)
Since this form serves for two cases, you have to look at the other words around it. After the preposition cum (“with”), for instance, cum infidelibus translates as “with unbelievers.”
Rough Pronunciation
In classical Latin, it is pronounced approximately “in-fi-DAY-li-bus.” In the Italianate ecclesiastical pronunciation it is approximately “in-fee-DEH-lee-boos.” Each place the stress on the third syllable from the end.
Where Infidelibus Appears in History
The word recurs in older scholar andpap theological Latin. A case in point is a 1663 Antwerp edition by Wilhelm Herincx, a study in several parts concerning the Christian virtues. Its exodus from infidelity contains chapter questions that employ the term in various cases.
Three of those questions, in plain English:
- Whether it is right to debate matters of faith with unbelievers.
- Whether unbelievers can hold authority over believers.
- What kinds of contact between Christians and unbelievers are permitted.
These are historical theological questions, posed in the language and presuppositions of the 17th century. They reflect the usage of the word then, not how it ought to be now.
How Infidelibus Connects to the Word “Infidel”
English borrowed the word “infidel” from Middle French infidèle, which in turn was derived from the Latin infidelis. The word was first recorded in English in about 1460.
The root of the word “infidel” is the same as the word “fidelity” and the name “Fidelis,” which is also found in the Latin motto “Semper Fidelis.” The Roman legions were also honored with the title Pia Fidelis, meaning “loyal and faithful.”
The meaning of the word “infidel” has changed over the years. Originally, it referred to anyone who was not a member of a particular religion. Modern dictionaries describe the term as usually derogatory.
Common Mistakes About Infidelibus
A lot of brevity on Instagram obscure Latin words gets the details wrong. Here are the errors to avoid.
“Incfidelibus” Is Not a Real Word
The extra “c” is almost certainly a typo. We have searched for the word “incfidelibus” in vain on the net and in all our dictionaries and books but to no avail. Seen somewhere? check if it was meant as a user-name, brand, or a typo.
Infidelibus Does Not Mean “Infidelity” in the Romantic Sense
Some people think the word comes from the fact that the word “infidelity” is used of cheating in a relationship, but this is a modern meaning of the English word. In the Latin religious context, an infidel was someone who did not believe or have faith. Latin did have some related words for disloyalty in general, but infidelibus as a plural dative or ablative is not a modern word for romantic disloyalty.
It Is Not a Single Fixed Meaning
Some sites give a single translation and are done. Since infidelibus may be dative or ablative, both “to the unbelievers” and “with the unbelievers” are valid. The sentence rules.
The Word Is Not a Name or Title
The word Infidelibus is a grammatical form, not a person, organization, or office. If someone says it is, ask for proof – a verifiable source.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does infidelibus mean in English?
It means “to or for the unbelievers” or “with, by, or from the unbelievers,” depending on the sentence.
Is incfidelibus the same as infidelibus?
“Incfidelibus” appears to be a misspelling of infidelibus. No reliable source for the “inc” spelling was found.
Is infidelibus Latin?
Yes. It is a plural form of the Latin adjective infidelis.
What is the root of infidelibus?
It comes from in- (not) and fidelis (faithful), so the root idea is “not faithful.”
How is infidelibus different from infideles?
Infideles is the nominative or accusative plural, used when the unbelievers are the subject or object. Infidelibus is used for “to,” “for,” “with,” or “by” the unbelievers.
Is the word “infidel” offensive today?
It is now often considered derogatory, especially when aimed at people of another religion or none. Using it in historical or linguistic discussion is different from using it as a label for people.
Conclusion
Infidelibus is a genuine Latin form meaning “to, for, or with the unbelievers,” derived from the same root as the English term “infidel.” The spelling “incfidelibus” is a typo. When you come across this word in a text, look at the case and the words around it to help you find the right translation.
