Opinio

Opinio is a Latin word meaning "opinion," "belief," "judgment," or "reputation." It is derived from the verb opinari, meaning "to think," "to suppose," or "to believe."

In classical Latin, opinio could refer to a wide range of mental states, from a tentative guess to a firmly held conviction. It often implied a degree of uncertainty or lack of definitive proof. Philosophically, opinio was contrasted with scientia (knowledge) and veritas (truth). While scientia represented justified true belief, opinio represented belief that might or might not be true and lacked sufficient justification.

The word carries connotations of subjectivity and individual perspective. The strength or weight of an opinio could vary greatly depending on the individual and the context. It could also refer to public opinion or common belief, particularly when the factual basis for that belief was questionable.

In legal contexts, opinio could relate to the judgment or ruling of a judge or legal body, often carrying significant weight even if it was not universally accepted as absolute truth.