ipsissima verba

plural noun

ip·​sis·​si·​ma ver·​ba ip-ˈsi-sə-mə-ˈvər-bə How to pronounce ipsissima verba (audio)
: the exact language used by someone quoted

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, the selfsame words

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ipsissima verba was in 1807

Browse Nearby Words

ipsilateral
ipsissima verba
ipso facto
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ipsissima verba.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ipsissima%20verba. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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