igitur

Igitur is a Latin adverb meaning “therefore” or “consequently.” It functions as a connective to introduce a conclusion or result in a sentence or sequence of reasoning. In classical Latin prose and rhetoric, igitur often appears at the beginning of a clause or after a preceding clause, signaling that what follows follows logically from what has been said.

In usage, igitur is comparable to other conjunctive adverbs such as ergo and sic, but it carries a stronger inferential sense, marking a culminating inference rather than a mere consequence. It is common in philosophical, rhetorical, and argumentative texts, including works by authors like Cicero and other late Republic and Imperial writers. The placement can vary, but it frequently starts a new clause to foreground the conclusion.

Morphologically, igitur is an adverb formed in traditional Latin usage and remains a standard feature in Latin grammars and dictionaries. In modern scholarly editions of Latin texts, igitur is retained to preserve the original argument structure, and translators may render it as “therefore,” “hence,” or “thus.”

Beyond its linguistic function, igitur occasionally appears as a stylistic device in Latin titles, headings, or scholarly commentary, reflecting its recognized role in signaling deductive progression. Its use in contemporary writing about Latin is primarily educational, helping readers track argumentative flow in classical passages.

See also: ergo, igitur and similar Latin conjunctives; thus, hence, consequently in English translations.