Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Latin

Etymology

From Proto-Indo-European *kʷe (“‘and’”). Cognates include Sanskrit च (ca), Ancient Greek τε (te), Proto-Germanic *-h ( > English (thou)gh).

Conjunction

-que

1. and (when used as an enclitic), a copulative particle affixed to the word it annexes
   • Catiline Orations by Cicero (Latin text and English translations may be found here)

     Nihil agis, nihil moliris, nihil cogitas quod non ego non modo audiam sed etiam videam planeque sentiam.

     There is nothing you do, nothing you plot, nothing you think about, that I do not that I do not only hear of, but actually see as well and distinctly discern.

   Senatus Populusque Romanus.

   The Senate and the People of Rome.

   Amo Julium agricolamque. Sunt pulchri.

   I love Julius and the farmer. They are handsome.

   • Virgil, Aeneid (read here), book one

     Arma virumque cano.

     I sing of arms and the man.

   Pueris virginibusque.

   For boys and girls.

2. it can introduce an explanatory clause
   • From Aeneid by Virgil (Liv. 1,2)

     Fretusque his animis.

     And so trusting to the pride of them..

3. (rare) used in an answer:
   • Plautus Amphitruo

     Ain heri nos advenisse huc? -- Aio, adveniensque ilico me salutasti.

     Do you say that we arrived here yesterday? -- I do say so, and on your arrival (lit. and arriving) you instantly greeted me.

Usage notes

• In archaic and official language, -que is preferred to et, from which it is distinguished by denoting a closer connection.
• It is singly used to effect words of cognate meaning.

  Some examples:

  Fames sitisque. (hunger and thirst)

  Augeri amplificarique. (to be increased and to be enlarged)

  Admirabilis incredibilisque. (admirable and incredible)

  Fuga pavorque. (fleeing and fear)

  Cibus victusque. (sustenance and living)

  Concilium coetusque. (a public gathering and a meeting)

  Blandimenta voluptatis otiique. (delights of pleasure and leisure)

  Extremum summumque supplicium. (the furthest and greatest punishment)

  Imperio auspicioque. (with command and divination)

  Carus acceptusque. ([he is] dear and pleasing)

  Jus fasque. (law and divine will)

  It is especially used in phrases like:

  Longe longeque. (far off and distant)

  Longe multumque. (distant and much)

  Saepe diuque. (often and for a long time)

  With the comparative:

  Plus plusque. (more and more)

  Magis magisque. (to a greater extent and more)

  Minus minusque. (less and less)

  When used with personal and possessive pronouns:

  Me meosque. (me and mine)

  Se suaque. (themself and their possession)

  Ipse meique. (himself and mine)

  Also used in archaic formulae:

  Potes pollesque. (you are able and you are strong)

  Vivunt vigentque. (they live and they flourish)

• Also words of contrast meaning:

  Jus nefasque. (law and sin)

  Longe lateque. (distant and widely)

  Cominus eminusque. (in close combat and beyond swords reach)

  Ultro citroque. (there and here) literally "beyond and to this side"

  Terrā marique. (from earth and sea)

  Ferro ignique. (with iron and [with] fire)

  Pace belloque. (with peace and [with] war)

  Tempus locusque. (time and place)

  Parvis magnisque. (with small and [with] large)

Related terms

• que
• -ne
• -ve
• atque

Derived terms

• a lacte cunisque
• SPQR