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INTI DOMNNI

English translation: most serene Lord's

10:15 Dec 28, 2012
Latin to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Other / inscription in a sword
Latin term or phrase: INTI DOMNNI
Is there anybody who can help me translate and understand the meaning of the words "INTI DOMNNI" in a blade. I found similar inscriptions in other swords ("IN TE DOMINE SPERAVI", for example), but I do not understand this one. The sword is a Venetian schiavonna from the 18th century.

You can see these words in this link (3rd picture)

http://www.icollector.com/Venetian-Schiavona-Basket-Hilt-Swo...

Thanks in advance for your help.
MPTierno
Local time: 14:43
English translation:most serene Lord's
Explanation:
If I am right that INTI is an abbreviation, which are frequent on inscribed objects from antiquity to modern times, it may well stand for 'intimi', 'inmost, nearest', and so 'dearest, most high, most serene' Cf. Lewis & Short s.v. 'intimus'. DOMNNI is almost certainly a misspelling for DOMINI. To judge from the description of the sword, used by a mercenary bodyguard of the Venetian Doge, on the webpage referenced by the asker as being of Eastern European, apparently Byzantine, origin this inscription seems to mean, more colloquially put, '(My) Serenere Lord's (Property, Gift, etc.)'.
Selected response from:

Joseph Brazauskas
United States
Local time: 08:43
Grading comment
Thanks for the great explanation
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3most serene Lord's
Joseph Brazauskas


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
most serene Lord's


Explanation:
If I am right that INTI is an abbreviation, which are frequent on inscribed objects from antiquity to modern times, it may well stand for 'intimi', 'inmost, nearest', and so 'dearest, most high, most serene' Cf. Lewis & Short s.v. 'intimus'. DOMNNI is almost certainly a misspelling for DOMINI. To judge from the description of the sword, used by a mercenary bodyguard of the Venetian Doge, on the webpage referenced by the asker as being of Eastern European, apparently Byzantine, origin this inscription seems to mean, more colloquially put, '(My) Serenere Lord's (Property, Gift, etc.)'.

Joseph Brazauskas
United States
Local time: 08:43
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 31
Grading comment
Thanks for the great explanation

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Péter Jutai: Why is the word "intimus" in plural? Or is it in genitive?
4 days
  -> I construe it as genitive. I do not say that I'm certain of my interpretation.
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