opus

From Proto-Italic *opos, from a Proto-Indo-European *h₃ép-os (“work”), from the verbal root *h₃ep- (“to work”), whence also ops and omnis. Cognates include Sanskrit अपस् (ápas, “work, action”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈo.pus/, [ˈɔpʊs̠]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈo.pus/, [ˈɔːpus]

Noun

opus n (genitive operis); third declension

1. work, labor, accomplishment [ synonyms ▲][ quotations ▼]

   Synonyms: cōnātus, studium, opera, labor, cūra, intēnsiō, mōlēs, pulvis

2. workmanship, artwork, work (of art, literature, etc.) [ synonym ▲]

   Synonym: cūra

3. need, necessity [ synonyms ▲][ quotations ▼]

   Synonyms: egestās, pēnūria, paupertās, dēsīderium, necessitās, inopia, indigentia, ūsus

   opus esse +nom. or +abl. of the thing needed ― to have need of, there is need of

   alicui opus est aliquo ― someone needs something

   opus est ― it is necessary

   mihi frumentum non opus est ― I do not need the grain

4. art, skill (when in the ablative) [ synonyms ▲]

   Synonyms: opera, ars, artificium

5. (Ecclesiastical Latin) work (of God), deed, (miraculous) work
6. (in adverbial phrases) extent

Usage notes

The sense of "need" is used only in the nominative and accusative singulars.

Declension

Third-declension noun (neuter, imparisyllabic non-i-stem).

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	opus	opera
Genitive	operis	operum
Dative	operī	operibus
Accusative	opus	opera
Ablative	opere	operibus
Vocative	opus	opera