or Copy link Outline I. In sentences not interrogative1. aut, usu. following another aut; = either ... or2. vĕl, freq. following another vel; = whether ... or3. sīve (seu)II. In interrogative sentences1. ăn, following utrum or -ne in the former part of the double question2. -nĕ (infreq.)3. pleonastically, annĕ (infreq.) to ask whether there are few or many, interrogare pauca sint anne multa, Cic. Ac. 2, 29, 93.4. expr. or not, or no, by (1). annon (or as two words) • or: I. In sentences not interrogative: 1. aut, usu. following another aut; = either ... or: a preceding aut is not found when what follows is rather an afterthought than an alternative primarily entertained: cf. Cels. 1, 2, exercitationis plerumque finis esse debet sudor, aut certe lassitudo, a perspiration; or, at least, fatigue: add Cic. Div. 2, 26, init. Sometimes aut = or else; when a sudden turn is given to the discourse: cf. Cic. de Or. 2, 2, 5, omnia ... bene ei sunt dicenda, qui hoc se posse profitetur, aut eloquentiae nomen relinquendum est, or else he must abandon, etc. 2. vĕl, freq. following another vel; = whether ... or: denoting not, as aut usually does, a distinct alternative, but rather one which is compatible with the former one: L. G. § 570. -ve is simply an abbreviated form of vel, being used enclitically: L. G. § 570, Obs. 2. 3. sīve (seu): both with and without an antecedent sive (seu): usually indicating an indifference between two alternatives: v. whether. [Kr. thus sums up the uses of the above:--The particle aut distinguishes objects or sentences, which are either actually opposed, or at least regarded as quite different: vel indicates that it is, in the given case, indifferent which of the objects or predications is accepted; whether they differ or not in themselves being another question: -ve distinguishes mostly single words, less frequently sentences; and denotes a less important verbal or real difference: sive is used (1) when an option is given between two or more names or predicates of the same thing; and (2) when the writer, himself hesitating between two or more causes, conditions, etc., leaves the reader to accept which alternative he chooses.] II. In interrogative sentences: 1. ăn, following utrum or -ne in the former part of the double question: is it money that makes you prouder, or (the fact) that the commander consults you? utrum te superbiorem pecunia facit, an quod te imperator consulit? Cic. Fam. 7, 13: am I to go to Rome, or stay here? Romamne venio, an hic maneo? id. Att. 16, 8: sometimes, esp. in dependent questions, the antecedent whether is not expressed: shall I speak out or hold my peace? eloquar an sileam? Virg. Aen. 3, 39: to doubt whether anything be right or wrong, dubitare aequum sit quicquam an iniquum, Cic. Off. 1, 9, fin. 2. -nĕ (infreq.): it was uncertain whether they had conquered or been conquered, incertum fuit vicerint, victine essent, Liv. 5, 28, med.: Nep. Esp. in the expr., or no, necne: v. infr. (4, 2). 3. pleonastically, annĕ (infreq.) to ask whether there are few or many, interrogare pauca sint anne multa, Cic. Ac. 2, 29, 93. 4. expr. or not, or no, by (1). annon (or as two words): is it the person I am in search of or not? isne est quem quaero annon? Ter. Ph. 5, 6, 12: Cic. (2). less freq. necnĕ (in questions expressed by whether ... or no): the question arises, whether or no there are gods, quaeritur sintne dii necne sint. Cic. N. D. 1, 22, 61: also without the verb being repeated: whether battle could be advantageously joined or no, utrum proelium committi ex usu esset, necne, Caes. B. G. 1, 50. (N.B.--Never aut in questions.)