alaeque

Alaeque is a Latin term formed by the feminine plural noun alae, meaning wings, combined with the enclitic conjunction -que, which means "and." The result, alaeque, translates roughly to "and the wings" and functions as a single word in Latin sentences. This construction is a standard example of the enclitic -que, which attaches to the preceding word to coordinate it with the following element.

Etymology and grammar: Alae is a first-declension plural noun, whose case is determined by context. The suffix -que is not a separate word in the surface text; it attaches to alae to form a fused form. The presence of -que does not alter the case or declension of alae; rather, it indicates a coordination with the next element in the sentence. Latin writers use alaeque to link two items efficiently, often for metrical or stylistic reasons in poetry and narrative.

Usage and style: Alaeque appears in classical Latin prose and poetry as part of the broader use of enclitic conjunctions to avoid repeating et or to streamline rhythm. It is typically found when a writer wants to connect two features or noun phrases in a tight, compact clause. Because -que can join disparate elements, the following noun usually shares the same grammatical case as alae.

See also: Latin grammar; enclitic words; -que conjunction; coordination in Latin rhetoric.