non possumus

American  

[non pos-uh-muhs, nohn poh-soo-moos] / nɒn ˈpɒs ə məs, noʊn ˈpoʊ sʊˌmʊs /

noun

1. a statement that something cannot be done.

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

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Etymology

Origin of non possumus

From Latin: literally, “we cannot”

Example Sentences

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

From Project Gutenberg

I fear I have just closed one of them rather ungraciously indeed, in pleading a "non possumus" to a most genial invitation from John Hay to accompany him and his family, shortly after the new year, upon a run to Egypt and a month up the Nile; he having a boat for that same—I mean for the Nile part—in which he offers me the said month's entertainment.

From Project Gutenberg

Non possumus, non pos′ū-mus, we are not able: we cannot, a plea of inability.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a curt and uncompromising non possumus, and Jefferson sighed.

From Project Gutenberg

The curt non possumus is usually the last resource of the diplomatist when argument has failed, and it very seldom makes for peace, as everybody knows.

From Project Gutenberg