non possumus

[ non pos-uh-muhs; Latin nohn poh-soo-moos ]

noun

1. a statement that something cannot be done:

   The Pope would not accept a non possumus from the king.

Word History and Origins

Origin of non possumus¹

From Latin: literally, “we cannot”

Example Sentences

The Story of My Purityby Francesco Pacifico Pacifico's protagonist works at a far‑right Catholic publishing house in Rome, Non Possumus, and he's not a happy bunny.

From The Guardian

Non Possumus’s current project is a book purporting John Paul II was secretly Jewish, aptly titled The Jewish Pope.

From Slate

He works at Non Possumus, a “far-right Catholic publishing house” that plays a “distinct role in the internal debates of the Church … Who else talks about the cultural power of the Jewish lobbies in Europe and America, their dechristianizing efforts?”

From Slate

Non Possumus refuses to publish novels, an ungodly genre.

From Slate

Nor was he surprised when Brereton met his appeal with a flat non possumus.

From Project Gutenberg