Lewis & Short

nempe (often nĕmpĕ in Plaut., e. g. Mil. 906, 922; Trin. 328, 427, etc.; cf. Ter. Phorm. 2, 1, 77), conj. [nam and enclitic pe; cf.: prope, quippe, quis-p-iam, etc.].

  1. I. Prop., in strengthening or confirming an assertion, as that which cannot be disputed, indeed, certainly, without doubt, to be sure, assuredly (cf.: nimirum, scilicet).
      1. 1. In laying down a premise or conclusion: non istam dicit voluptatem. Dicat quamlubet: nempe eam dicit, in quā virtutis nulla pars insit, he certainly does speak of that, etc., Cic. Tusc. 3, 20, 49: nempe incomposito dixi pede currere versus Lucili, Hor. S. 1, 10, 1: nempe enim duo genera materiarum apud rhetores tractantur, Tac. Dial. 35; Lucr. 1, 385; Cic. Fl. 37, 91; id. Fin. 4, 15, 41: si … necesse est, nempe sequitur ut, etc., Quint. 3, 8, 23.
      2. 2. (Esp. in colloq. lang.) In summing up or explaining another’s meaning, no doubt, certainly, I am sure: nempe illum dicis cum armis aureis, you doubtless mean, etc., Plaut. Mil. 1, 1, 16: nempe huic dimidium dicis, dimidium domi? St. Nempe sicut dicis, id. Aul. 2, 4, 14; id. Curc. 1, 1, 41.
      3. 3. In stating a notorious or obvious fact or truth, certainly, of course, beyond question: nempe ego mille meo protexi pectore puppes, i. e. as everybody knows, Ov. M. 13, 93: nempe tulit fastus (Medea), ausa rogare prior, Prop. 5, 5, 42; Hor. Ep. 1, 10, 22: pater est mihi nempe biformis, Ov. M. 2, 663; Cic. Phil. 12, 11, 26.
  2. II. Transf.
      1. 1. In questions, to ask a more precise or emphatic statement of something already said (cf. I. 2. supra): Quid ais? Nempe tu illius servos es? Plaut. Ps. 4, 7, 73: nempe hic tuus est? really? id. Rud. 4, 4, 13: St. Vivunt, valent. Ch. Nempe uterque? do you mean? id. Trin. 4, 3, 67: nempe negas ad beate vivendum satis posse virtutem? Cic. Tusc. 5, 5, 12; id. Brut. 3, 14.
      2. 2. In replies, certainly, obviously, of course, Plaut. Mil. 4, 4, 26: Pompeii tertius consulatus in quibus actis constitit? Nempe in legibus, Cic. Phil. 1, 7, 18: in quā (urbe) tandem hoc disputant? Nempe in eā, etc., id. Mil. 3, 7; Quint. 10, 2, 4; 12, 2, 16; Pers. 2, 70.
      3. 3. Ironically, forsooth, namely, to be sure: respice oh mi lepos! Cl. Nempe ita uti tu mihi es, Plaut. Cas. 2, 3, 18: at avus nobilis. Tuditanus nempe ille, etc., Cic. Phil. 3, 6, 16: dat mihi filiam suam; nempe quam alicui servorum ejus nupturam, Curt. 4, 11, 20; Tib. 2, 3, 28.