Latin quote · Fate

Hic terminus haeret

“This boundary stands fixed.”

Virgil, Aeneid 4.614

Translation

What does “Hic terminus haeret” mean?

Hic terminus haeret translates as “This boundary stands fixed.”

It expresses a limit set by fate that cannot be moved. Today it can describe an endpoint or decision that must simply be accepted.

Word by word

“Hic terminus haeret” word by word

Latin	English	Grammar
Hic	this	nominative singular masculine of the demonstrative hic, “this”; agrees with terminus
terminus	the boundary stone, the limit	nominative singular masculine (subject) of terminus, “boundary marker”
haeret	is fixed, sticks fast	third person singular present indicative active of haereo, “to cling, to stick”

Pronunciation

How to pronounce “Hic terminus haeret”

Classical Latinhik TEHR-mee-noos HYE-ret

Church Latineek TEHR-mee-noos EH-ret

In Church Latin the h is silent and ae is said as eh; in Classical Latin the h is sounded and ae is said as eye. Terminus and haeret are both stressed on the first syllable.

Origin & context

The story behind it

Word for word the line says “this boundary stone sticks fast”. A terminus was a stone that marked the edge of a field, and the Romans treated such stones as sacred and immovable; the god Terminus protected them.

The words come from Virgil’s Aeneid, Book 4, line 614. In this book Aeneas has been living at Carthage with its queen Dido, until the gods order him to sail on to Italy.

As the Trojans prepare to leave, Dido curses Aeneas. She says that if he must reach harbour and land, and if Jupiter’s fate demands it, hic terminus haeret, “this end is fixed”; then she prays that he may be harassed in war, driven from his lands and denied peace.

Because the speaker is bitter, the line is best read as a statement about the force of fate rather than as a calm motto. Modern users often take it more neutrally, as a way of saying that something has reached its fixed end.

When to use it

How to use “Hic terminus haeret”

Suited to an essay on fate, destiny or acceptance in the Aeneid, or to a caption that marks a final limit or the close of a long chapter. As a tattoo or motto it carries Dido’s bitterness, so it suits someone who wants a stark, fate-minded tone.

Latin: Hic terminus haeret
English: This boundary stands fixed.
Source: Virgil, Aeneid 4.614
Era: Classical
Theme: Fate

Good to know

Common mistakes

The line is not a cheerful message about reaching a goal. In Virgil it belongs to Dido’s bitter reflection on a destiny that takes Aeneas away from her.
Terminus here means a boundary stone or limit, not a modern “terminal” or “terminus” in the sense of a station.
The verb haeret is singular, agreeing with terminus. If you change the subject to a plural noun, the verb must become haerent.
Hic here is the word “this”, describing terminus. “This limit is fixed” is closer to Virgil than “here the limit is fixed”.

FAQ

Questions about “Hic terminus haeret”

What does “Hic terminus haeret” mean literally?

“This boundary stone sticks fast”, that is, this limit is fixed. The verb haeret means “sticks” or “clings”.

Who said “Hic terminus haeret”?

Dido, in Virgil’s Aeneid 4.614, as part of her curse on the departing Aeneas.

How do you pronounce “Hic terminus haeret”?

In Classical Latin it is roughly hik TEHR-mee-noos HYE-ret. In Church Latin it is closer to eek TEHR-mee-noos EH-ret.

Is “Hic terminus haeret” good for a tattoo?

It is correct Latin and has a strong, fate-minded sense. Keep in mind that in the Aeneid it is part of a bitter speech, so the tone is stern rather than hopeful.

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