truth Copy link Outline 1. vērĭtas (in abstr. sense2. neut. of vērus (concrete, that which is true; esp. in pl.)3. sometimes, fĭdes (that which may be believed) • truth: 1. vērĭtas (in abstr. sense: as a principle or quality): t. begets hatred, v. odium parit, Ter. Andr. 1, 1, 41: opp. fraus, Cic. Off. 1, 30, 109: in accordance with t., ex veritate, id. R. Com. 10, 29: ad veritatem (as a standard to which things may be referred), id. Am. 25, 91: such a lover of truth, adeo diligens veritatis, Nep. Epam. 3: to depart from the t. (ever so little), a v. deflectere, Cic. R. Com. 16, 46: egredi veritatem, Plin. Ep. 7, 33, 10 (of historical narrative, which overstates things): plain, homely t., rustica v., Mart. 10, 72, 11. 2. neut. of vērus (concrete, that which is true; esp. in pl.): if you wish to know the t., si verum [not veritatem] scire vis, Cic. Att. 12, 41: to distinguish t. and falsehood, vera ac falsa dijudicare, id.: I may speak the t. (without reserve), licet verum dicere, id. Fam. 9, 24; also, quod verum est (dicere), id. Att. 3, 9: and if more than one fact be referred to, or if the practice of speaking the truth be meant, vera dicere or loqui: Pl. Cap. 5, 2, 7. [N.B.--Never veritatem dicere or loqui: which would have no meaning.] 3. sometimes, fĭdes (that which may be believed): not to aim at producing a charming narrative but t., non speciem expositionis sed f. quaerere, Quint. 10, 1, 32: mere words without any t., verba sine f. rerum, Liv. 33, 34, init.