timemus

Timemus is the first-person plural present indicative form of the Latin verb timeo, timere, meaning “we fear” or “we are afraid.” It is used to express concern about danger, harm, or undesired outcomes, and it can take a direct object or introduce a fear clause.

Etymology and related forms: Timeo belongs to the Latin verb family derived from a root meaning fear. It is connected to the noun timor (fear) and to the adjective timidus (fearful). English derivatives include timid and timidity, which reflect the same root concept of fear or hesitation.

Conjugation and usage: The verb timeo is a second-conjugation verb with principal parts timeo, timere, timui. In the present indicative it forms timeo, times, timet, timemus, timetis, timent. The imperfect is timebam, timebas, timebat, timebamus, timebatis, timebant. Timemus can take a direct object, as in Nos timemus hostes (We fear the enemies), or be used with fear clauses such as Timemus ne quid mali accidat (We fear that something bad may happen). Latin fear clauses are often introduced by ne or ut, depending on the desired nuance.

Usage notes: In classical Latin, timeo is used to express fear of both persons and events, including future possibilities. It frequently appears in prose and poetry and can govern nouns in the accusative or clause structures with ne or ut to convey various shades of worry or dread.

See also: timeo (the base verb), timor (fear), timidus (fearful), timid (English cognate).