verb frequentative intransitive

nūto

2nd PP nūtāre · 3rd PP nūtāvi · 4th PP nūtātum · conj. 1st

[nuo (of re-nuo, ab-nuo); Gr.

to nod

νεύω; cf. numen, nutus], to nod with the head.

neque illa ulli homini nutet, nictet, annuat, Plaut. As. 4, 1, 39; id. Merc. 2,… literal •

Lit.: neque illa ulli homini nutet, nictet, annuat, Plaut. As. 4, 1, 39; id. Merc. 2, 3, 72: capite nutat, id. Mil. 2, 2, 52: crebro capitis motu nutans. Suet. Calig. 38: nutans. Distorquens oculos, Hor. S. 1, 9, 64.—

to command by a nod; sign especially •

Esp., to command by a nod or sign: nutat ne loquar, Plaut. Men. 4, 2, 48.—

to sway to and fro, to totter, shake, stagger in general

In gen., to sway to and fro, to totter, shake, stagger.

nutant circumspectantibus galeae, et incerti trepidant, Liv. 4, 37: ornus,… literal ••

Lit.: nutant circumspectantibus galeae, et incerti trepidant, Liv. 4, 37: ornus, Verg. A. 2, 629; 9, 682: percutiens nutanti pectora mento, Ov. M. 11, 620: nutans machinamentum, Tac. H. 4, 30: nutantem vulnere civem, Juv. 15, 156: rami pondere, Ov. A. A. 2, 263: cristae, Sil. 1, 501: turres, Luc. 6, 136: plaustra, Juv. 3, 256.—

figuratively

To waver in one's opinion; judgment; to doubt, hesitate •

To waver in one's opinion or judgment; to doubt, hesitate: etiam Democritus nutare videtur in naturā Deorum, Cic. N. D. 1, 43, 120: sic animus vario labefactus vulnere nutat, Ov. M. 10, 375; cf. Stat. Th. 8, 614; 4, 197.—

To falter in one's fidelity, to be faithless •

To falter in one's fidelity, to be faithless: ac primo Festūs nutabat, palam Vitellium, occultis nuntiis Vespasianum fovens, Tac. H. 2, 98; Suet. Caes. 4.—

To be ready to fall; give way; to totter, to waver, fail, be weak, falter ••

To be ready to fall or give way; to totter, to waver, fail, be weak, falter: fortuna nutabit, Liv. 21, 44: tanto discrimine urbs nutabat, ut, etc., Tac. H. 4, 52: nutantem aciem victor equitatus incursat, id. ib. 3, 18; 4, 49: rempublicam, Suet. Vesp. 8; cf.: moenia nutantia Romae, Sil. 10, 590: nutantem hostem praevenire, Tac. H. 3, 40; cf. Flor. 3, 10, 4: mundi nutante ruinā, Luc. 4, 493.

Perseus ID: n31501 Key: nuto