OR Copy link • ORaut; vel; ve (enclitic): sive (or seu; rare in Cic.; common in poets and later prose writers). ☞ Aut stands in disjunctive sentences when one clause is entirely opposed to the other; vel when the opposition is only partial; ve is usually connected with single words, not with clauses, denoting reciprocal exclusion; sive, seu, or si, with vel, implies a condition, and sometimes denotes a difference merely in name or in the form of expression; e.g., audendum est aliquid universis, aut omnia singulis patienda (Liv., 6, 18); de nostris rebus satis, vel etiam nimium multa (Cic., Fam., 4, 14, 3); non sentiunt viri fortes in acie vulnera; vel, si sentiunt, se mori malunt (Cic., Tusc. 2, 24, 58); esse dico ea quae cerni tangive possunt (Cic.); Minerva sive Tritonia. We may say that aut distinguishes, vel co-ordinates, sive denotes synonymes, ve is a milder vel. Aut distinguishes things and expressions which are diametrically opposed to each other, or, at least are considered as widely different; vel implies that it is indifferent which of several things takes place, or which of several propositions is affirmed; it matters not whether they be different or alike; vel, for the most part, distinguishes only single words, more rarely whole clauses; and when it does so, it implies only a slight or nominal distinction: sive is used, (1) when, with reference to one and the same subject, a choice is given between several names and predicates; or (2) when a speaker or writer, himself in doubt or suspense, leaves the choice with the hearer or reader. In interrogative sentences (whether)... or; utrum... an (or anne or ne): num... an: ne (enclitic)... an (seldom ne... ne, as Caes., B.G., 7, 14); e.g., utrum ignorant dii, quae res maximae sint, an vim non habent qua tantas res sustineant et gerant? (Cic., N.D., 2, 30, 77): quaeritur unusne mundus sit, an plures? (Cic., Div., 2, 4, 11). Or not? necne; an non; e.g., dii utrum sint, necne sint, quaeritur? (Cic., N.D., 3, 7, 17): fiat necne fiat id quaeritur? (Cic., Div., 1, 39, 86): roga velitne uxorem an non? (Ter., Hec., 4, 1, 43). ☞ Necne is used mostly in indirect questions, and generally without a verb; annon, for the most part, in direct questions, with or without a verb. Either - or, aut - aut; vel - vel; sive - sive; or seu - seu: ☞ sive - sive usually with the indicative, unless the sense requires a subjunctive. More under WHETHER.