What does ipsissima verba mean?

"Ipsissima verba" is a Latin phrase that literally means "the very words" or "the exact words." It's used to emphasize that something is being quoted precisely as it was originally said, without any changes or paraphrasing.

Think of it like a strict, direct quotation where you don't even change the punctuation or capitalization, even if it's a little odd.

Here's an example:

* "The lawyer argued, 'ipsissima verba,' that the witness's statement was false."

This means the lawyer quoted the witness's exact words, word for word, to emphasize the falsehood of the statement.

It's often used in legal contexts, historical research, or literary analysis, where accurate and precise language is essential.