denuo

Denuo is a Latin adverb meaning “anew” or “again,” used to indicate repetition or a restart of an action. It appears in classical and medieval Latin texts and is typically placed before the verb it modifies.

Etymology and form: Denuo is often treated as a single word expressing the sense of the phrase de novo, literally “from the new.” Some scholars view denuo as a contracted or simplified form of de novo, while others treat it as a fully established Latin adverb in its own right. In Latin writing, it functions as an ordinary adverb and can tip the meaning toward repetition or renewal without altering the surrounding syntax.

Usage and examples: In Latin prose, denuo can accompany verbs to signal repetition. Examples include denuo incipit (he begins again) and denuo laborat (he works anew/again). As with many Latin adverbs, denuo can be placed for emphasis or near the verb it modifies, depending on stylistic choice.

Modern usage: Outside scholarly Latin, denuo is rarely used in English. The more common modern equivalent is the two-word phrase de novo, which appears in scientific, legal, philosophical, and formal contexts to mean “from the beginning” or “anew.” Denuo is therefore mostly of interest to scholars studying Latin texts or to readers seeking historical language forms.

See also: De novo.