Ad astra (phrase)

For other uses, see Ad astra (disambiguation).
"Per aspera ad astra" redirects here. For other uses, see Per aspera ad astra (disambiguation).

Ad astra is a Latin phrase meaning "to the stars". The phrase has origins with Virgil, who wrote in his Aeneid: "sic itur ad astra" ('thus one journeys to the stars')[1] and "opta ardua pennis astra sequi" ('desire to pursue the high[/hard to reach] stars on wings').[2] Another origin is Seneca the Younger, who wrote in Hercules: "non est ad astra mollis e terris via" ('there is no easy way from the earth to the stars').[3]

Etymology

Ad is a Latin preposition expressing direction toward in space or time (e.g. ad nauseam, ad infinitum, ad hoc, ad libidem, ad valorem, ad hominem). It is also used as a prefix in Latin word formation.[4]

Astra is the accusative plural form of the Latin word astrum 'star' (from Ancient Greek ἄστρον astron 'star', from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ster-).[5]

References

  1. ^ Virgil, Aeneid IX 641. Spoken by Apollo to Aeneas's young son Iulus.
  2. ^ Virgil, Aenied XII 892–93. Spoken by Aeneas to his foe, Turnus, in their combat.
  3. ^ Seneca the Younger, Hercules Furens 437. Spoken by Megara, Hercules' wife.
  4. ^ Harper, Douglas. "ad". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  5. ^ Harper, Douglas. "astra". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 24 July 2019.

External links