Latin translation in math

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Mongoose42
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Latin translation in math

Post by Mongoose42 »

In a calculus course I came across a latin phrase that puzzelled me.
The phrase was "omnia linae" and was translated as all lines. The context of the phrase fits well for the translation of the feminine noun linea (geometric line, perpendicular) and I know that omnis is a third declension adjective. Shouldn't the phrase be either "omnia lina" or "omnes linae"? :?

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benissimus
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Post by benissimus »

I would think it should be omnia lina
flebile nescio quid queritur lyra, flebile lingua murmurat exanimis, respondent flebile ripae

Kerastes
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Post by Kerastes »

The normal word for line in mathematics is linea, -ae, f. and omnia can only be neuter plural. So if it's any consolation, I'm puzzled too. "All lines" should be either omnes lineae or linea omnis.

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Mongoose42
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Post by Mongoose42 »

just a note:
in the dictionary it has nom. linea gen. linae.

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benissimus
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Post by benissimus »

My dictionary does not have that. It is almost definitely a typo in yours or you are mistaken.
flebile nescio quid queritur lyra, flebile lingua murmurat exanimis, respondent flebile ripae

Mongoose42
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Post by Mongoose42 »

benissimus wrote:My dictionary does not have that. It is almost definitely a typo in yours or you are mistaken.
Mea Culpa :oops:
I misunderstood what it actually said:
"linea -ae f."

Has anyone else come across this phrase in math or anything similar?

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