nī adv. and conj. 2 NA-. I. Adv, not.

—Only in the phrase, quid ni? (often quidni? always with subj. or ellipt.), why not? of course: Ch. hem, Clinia haec fieri videbat? Me. quid ni? T.: quid ni iste neget?

—II. Conj., in clauses of prohibition or negative purpose, not, that not: monent . . . ni teneant cursūs, V.

—As a conditional negative, if not, unless, but that, but: mirum ni domist, T.: moriar ni puto, etc.: Ni frustra augurium vani docuere parentes, V.: ni fallor (parenthet.), O.: quid ploras, pater? Mirum ni cantem

— condemnatus sum, strange I don't sing, Nov. ap. C.: ni festinem, were I not in haste, V.: nec Boi detrectassent pugnam, ni fama . . . animos fregisset, L.

—Esp., in covenants, stipulations, and threats: cum is sponsionem fecisset ni vir bonus esset, gave bonds to prove his good character: tum illud quod dicitur sive, nive, inrident, i. e. the forms of pleading.