ratiuncula
Δελφῖνα νήχεσθαι διδάσκεις: ἐπὶ τῶν ἐν ἐκείνοις τινὰ παιδοτριβούντων, ἐν οἷς ἤσκηται → Teaching dolphins to swim: is applied to those who are teaching something among people who are already well versed in it
Latin > English (Lewis & Short)
rătĭuncula: ae, f.
dim. ratio.
I A small reckoning, a little account: subduxi ratiunculam, Quantum aeris mihi sit, quantumque alieni siet, Plaut. Curc. 3, 1; id. Capt. 1, 2, 89; Ter. Phorm. 1, 1, 2.—
II A slight ground or reason: leves, Cic. Tusc. 4, 19, 43: huic incredibili sententiae ratiunculas suggerit, id. N. D. 3, 29, 73.—
2 In dialectics, a petty syllogism: concludunt ratiunculas Stoici, Cic. Tusc. 2, 12, 29: humanis ratiunculis falsis contravenire conantur, Aug. Civ. Dei, 20, 1, 1.
Latin > French (Gaffiot 2016)
rătĭuncŭla,¹⁵ æ, f., (ratio),
1 petit compte : Pl. Capt. 192
2 faible raisonnement : Cic. Tusc. 4, 43 ; Nat. 3, 73 || pl., petits arguments, subtilités : Cic. Tusc. 2, 29.
Latin > German (Georges)
ratiuncula, ae, f. (Demin. v. ratio), I) die kleine Rechnung, subducere (abschließen) ratiunculam, Plaut. capt. 192; Curc. 371: erat ei de ratiuncula apud me reliquum pauxillulum nummorum, Ter. Phorm. 36. – II) übtr.: A) der schwache Grund, -Vernunftgrund, leves ratiunculae, Cic. Tusc. 4, 43: huic incredibili sententiae ratiunculas suggerit, unterstützt mit gar feinem V. (ironisch), Cic. de nat. deor. 3, 73. – B) als dialekt. t. t., der kleinliche Vernunftschluß, concludunt ratiunculas Stoici, Cic. Tusc. 2, 29: humanis ratiunculis falsis atque fallacibus contravenire conantur, Augustin. de civ. dei 20, 1. no. 1.
Latin > English
ratiuncula ratiunculae N F :: little reckoning, account; a poor reason; a petty syllogism
