et tu, Brute

[ et too-broo-tey ]

Latin.
  1. and thou, Brutus!: alleged dying words of Julius Caesar uttered as his friend Brutus stabbed him.

Words Nearby et tu, Brute

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How to use et tu, Brute in a sentence

  • If my friends read this they would say: "Et tu Brute; are you so perfect?"

    Over Here | Hector MacQuarrie
  • The head looks a sort of reproachfully at him, with an "Et tu Brute!"

    Moby Dick; or The Whale | Herman Melville

Cultural definitions for Et tu, Brute?

Et tu, Brute?

[ (et tooh brooh-tay) ]


A Latin sentence meaning “Even you, Brutus?” from the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare. Caesar utters these words as he is being stabbed to death, having recognized his friend Brutus among the assassins.

Notes for Et tu, Brute?

“Et tu, Brute?” is used to express surprise and dismay at the treachery of a supposed friend.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.