Expert: Michael - 6/18/2006

Question
I would really like some help with a text I am trying to understand. My Latin is very, very basic.
What is the difference between 'inter' and 'intra'?
I thought they both meant BETWEEN.
I thought 'inter pueros' only meant BETWEEN BOYS. Could it also mean AMONG THE BOYS or AMONGST SOME BOYS?
What does 'eius' mean? I have tried dictionaries on the internet and they come with word unknown.

Answer
"Inter" denotes "among" or "between," so "between boys" or "among the boys" is a reasonable meaning.  Since Latin does not have a specific definite article ("the"), this can be supplied for the purposes of English as needed.

"Intra" denotes "within," as "intra muros," meaning "within the walls."

"Eius" is the genitive singular (all genders) of the demonstrative adjective whose nominative singular form is "is" (denoting "this" or "that").  Since dictionary listings are made according to the nominative, not the genitive, form, you would have to look the word up under "is."