aliquus

Aliquus is a Latin adjective used in classical and medieval Latin to convey indefiniteness, roughly translating as some, a certain, or particular. It can function both attributively and pronominally, agreeing with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case. In surviving texts, aliquus is comparatively rare and often appears in phrases that emphasize a non-specified amount or identity, such as aliqua res (some thing) or quis vir (a certain man). The exact usage and form can vary by author and period; many Latin grammars treat aliquus as a less common alternative to more standard indefinites like aliqui, aliqua, or aliquid.

Etymology and related terms: Aliquus is related to other indefinite Latin forms built with the suffix -us/-a/-um and to the broader family of words expressing non-specificity, such as aliquot or aliquis. The English term aliquot, used in science to denote a portion of a sample, is derived from Latin and shares a root with aliquus, though aliquot has a more specialized sense in modern usage.

Modern notes: In scientific contexts, the similar-looking word aliquot appears with a distinct technical meaning: a portion of a sample that is itself representative of the whole. This usage is unrelated to everyday Latin, but its etymology reflects the same Latin root.

See also: aliquot, Latin grammar, indefinite pronouns in Latin.