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Michael M asked in Society & CultureLanguages · 1 decade ago

Latin: What does "Annuit Coeptis" mean?

This phrase is on the back side of a US one-dollar bill, above the pyramid. "Coeptis" could be the ablative or dative plural of "coeptum", meaning "beginning" (or a declined participle of the verb "to begin") but "annuit" looks to me like a perfect verb form and I can't figure out what verb.

I wouldn't be surprised if the general sense was "new beginnings" or "begun anew", but I am having trouble with a precise parsing of this.

(I have been teaching myself Latin, without the benefit of a course.)

Update:

The Roman numerals for "1776" appear on the pyramid below this phrase, so perhaps "annuit" is a reference related to "year?"

Update 2:

Thanks Christina. That site was helpful. Apparantly the phrase is an allusion to a line of Virgil's.

9 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Translating ANNUIT COEPTIS

    Annuit means to nod assent, to favor, to smile upon.

    Coeptis means undertakings, endeavors, beginnings.

    Annuit coeptis means "favors (lit., gives the nod to) undertakings." The subject must be supplied. Who favors? The Eye (Providence) does.

    The verb annuit can be either present tense or perfect tense, therefore an accurate translation of the motto is: "Providence favors our undertakings" or "Providence has favored our undertakings." (The word "our" is supplied.)

    (It has also been translated as: "He favors our undertakings" or "He has prospered our endeavors.")

    The meaning of this motto is better understood when seen in its original classical context.

    I hope it helped! Thats what I found on the internet! ^.^

  • 5 years ago

    Annuit Coeptis Meaning

  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/09Xt6

    The eye and the pyramid shown on the reverse side of the one-dollar bill are in the Great Seal of the United States. The Great Seal was first used on the reverse of the one-dollar Federal Reserve note in 1935. The Department of State is the official keeper of the Seal. They believe that the most accurate explanation of a pyramid on the Great Seal is that it symbolizes strength and durability. The unfinished pyramid means that the United States will always grow, improve and build. In addition, the "All-Seeing Eye" located above the pyramid suggests the importance of divine guidance in favor of the American cause. The inscription ANNUIT COEPTIS translates as "He (God) has favored our undertakings," and refers to the many instances of Divine Providence during our Government's formation. In addition, the inscription NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM translates as "A new order of the ages," and signifies a new American era.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    This is one translation:

    Providence Has Favored Our Undertakings."

    Another is:

    "He approves (or has approved) [our] undertaking(s)".

    Basically they are the same. This is on the Great Seal of the United States in Washington. Since the government's beginnings were in 1776, I believe you need to look further. Wikipedia has a very good article on this, as do others that describe and explain the Great Seal.

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  • 7 years ago

    New World Order

  • 1 decade ago

    Annuit-comes from Annuo in in this verb the III pesron singular is the same for present and perfect. It is a dialectal from from Adnuo --> I say yes, I agree, I promise.

    Coeptis- could come from coeptum too, It means: work, plan, design...

    Actually I don't know the right context of the quote so I can't make a specific translation, I hope those informations could help you! ^_^

    Source(s): Girl from Rome
  • Anonymous
    6 years ago

    This Site Might Help You.

    RE:

    Latin: What does "Annuit Coeptis" mean?

    This phrase is on the back side of a US one-dollar bill, above the pyramid. "Coeptis" could be the ablative or dative plural of "coeptum", meaning "beginning" (or a declined participle of the verb "to begin") but "annuit" looks to me like a perfect...

    Source(s): latin quot annuit coeptis quot mean: https://shortly.im/Edxmn
  • JJ
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    [He] has favoured/approved our undertaking.

    http://www.greatseal.com/mottoes/coeptis.html gives more detail.

    Source(s): .
  • 5 years ago

    idk

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