quingenti

Quingenti is a Latin cardinal numeral meaning five hundred. It functions as an adjective or, less commonly, as a substantive to denote a quantity, typically agreeing with the noun it modifies. In classical Latin it is most often used with masculine or common-gender nouns, as in quingenti milites, “five hundred soldiers.”

Etymology and related forms: Quingenti is formed from quin- (five) and a centi-based stem used in hundreds compounds. It belongs to a family of “hundreds” adjectives that includes ducenti (200), trecenti (300), quadringenti (400), quingenti (500), sescenti or sexcenti (600), septingenti (700), octingenti (800), and nongenti (900). Spelling and exact forms vary by author and period, and medieval texts may show variant readings.

Usage notes: As with other adjectival numerals, quingenti agrees with the noun in gender and number. The standard form quingenti is used with masculine or common-gender nouns; feminine and neuter forms follow regular agreement patterns in longer phrases. In inscriptions or more concise prose, the number may also be conveyed by Roman D (for 500) or by spelling out the complete numeral in context.

Examples: Quingenti milites castra oppugnabant. Five hundred soldiers were attacking the camp. Quingenti homines convenere in civitate. Five hundred people gathered in the city.

See also: Latin numerals, Roman numerals, Quadringenti.