totus

Totus is a Latin adjective meaning "entire" or "whole." In classical Latin it agrees with gender and number (masculine totus, feminine tota, neuter totum) and appears in a variety of constructions to express totality or completeness. The term serves as the root for related forms in the Romance languages, including Italian tutto, Spanish todo, and French tout.

In scholarly contexts, totus is encountered in phrases and sentences describing totality or completeness. Because Latin adjectives typically modify nouns, totus functions as a descriptor for things conceived as a whole, rather than as a standalone concept. Its usage is primarily of interest in the study of Latin grammar, literature, and philology, as well as in translations and glossaries that explain Latin texts.

Totus Tuus is one of the most well-known uses of the phrase in modern times. Translated as "Totally Yours," it was the personal motto of Pope John Paul II and has become associated with his devotion to the Virgin Mary. The expression has also been adopted in Catholic devotional contexts and has given its name to Catholic youth ministry programs in the United States and other countries.

Beyond Latin and religious usage, totus appears primarily as a linguistic term or as part of names and phrases that evoke classical heritage. It is not widely used as a common noun in contemporary English, but it remains a recognizable Latin morpheme that informs related words in the Romance languages and in academic discussions of Latin grammar.