E PLU RIBUS UNUM

English translation: One of many

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Latin term or phrase:E PLURIBUS UNUM
English translation:One of many
Entered by: Maya Jurt

18:41 Nov 27, 2001
Latin to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Government / Politics
Latin term or phrase: E PLU RIBUS UNUM
FOUND ON A U.S. DIME (10CENT)
COIN
J. BENJAMIN, JR.
Out of Many, One
Explanation:
"Great Seal Mottoes
E Pluribus Unum

Out of Many, One


"E pluribus unum" was chosen by the first Great Seal committee in 1776. Consultant and artist Pierre Du Simitière recommended this Latin motto, and his design is essentially an expression of this theme.

The phrase's English translation – Out of many, one – is a clear reference to the thirteen colonies united into one nation, and symbolized by the shield on the eagle's breast. As explained in the official description of the Great Seal:

The shield is composed of thirteen vertical stripes that "represent the several states all joined in one solid compact entire, supporting a Chief, which unites the whole & represents Congress. The Motto alludes to this union."

Two other symbolic elements also suggest E pluribus unum:
The thirteen stars that form a single constellation
The thirteen arrows in a bundle of great strength.

This motto was well known to literate Americans of the 18th century. It appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine, published monthly in London from 1731 to 1922. The legend "E pluribus unum" was used on the title pages of the annual volumes that contained a collection of the year's twelve editions of the magazine. The motto also had been associated with the image of a hand holding a bouquet of flowers.



Symbols of unity were abundant during the 1770s and '80s, especially on continental currency. One bill depicted a golden candlestick with thirteen candles giving "one and the same light." An eight-dollar note had a harp with thirteen strings and a Latin motto meaning, "The larger are in harmony with the smaller."

The legendary Fugio coins and currency designed by Benjamin Franklin (in 1776) depict a circle of thirteen interlocking rings surrounding the motto, "WE ARE ONE." On the other side was a sundial and the word FUGIO ("I fly") – plus the phrase "Mind your business." "
I found the above at the site listed below.
Good luck!


Selected response from:

Kateabc
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2Out of Many, One
Kateabc


  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Out of Many, One


Explanation:
"Great Seal Mottoes
E Pluribus Unum

Out of Many, One


"E pluribus unum" was chosen by the first Great Seal committee in 1776. Consultant and artist Pierre Du Simitière recommended this Latin motto, and his design is essentially an expression of this theme.

The phrase's English translation – Out of many, one – is a clear reference to the thirteen colonies united into one nation, and symbolized by the shield on the eagle's breast. As explained in the official description of the Great Seal:

The shield is composed of thirteen vertical stripes that "represent the several states all joined in one solid compact entire, supporting a Chief, which unites the whole & represents Congress. The Motto alludes to this union."

Two other symbolic elements also suggest E pluribus unum:
The thirteen stars that form a single constellation
The thirteen arrows in a bundle of great strength.

This motto was well known to literate Americans of the 18th century. It appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine, published monthly in London from 1731 to 1922. The legend "E pluribus unum" was used on the title pages of the annual volumes that contained a collection of the year's twelve editions of the magazine. The motto also had been associated with the image of a hand holding a bouquet of flowers.



Symbols of unity were abundant during the 1770s and '80s, especially on continental currency. One bill depicted a golden candlestick with thirteen candles giving "one and the same light." An eight-dollar note had a harp with thirteen strings and a Latin motto meaning, "The larger are in harmony with the smaller."

The legendary Fugio coins and currency designed by Benjamin Franklin (in 1776) depict a circle of thirteen interlocking rings surrounding the motto, "WE ARE ONE." On the other side was a sundial and the word FUGIO ("I fly") – plus the phrase "Mind your business." "
I found the above at the site listed below.
Good luck!





    Reference: http://www.greatseal.com/symbols/unum.html
Kateabc
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Fuad Yahya: It looks like we were on the same page at the same time -- almost.
8 mins
  -> Thank you Fuad - Great minds think alike (or search alike, as the case may be here!)

agree  athena22: Lovely explanation.
20 mins
  -> Thank you athena22!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search