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These phrases will assist in all student’s ability to write well and impress their instructors. Thus, here is a list of Latin phrases that student should try to use and commit to memory during the summer for their fall terms (if they are not in summer school/session). Latin is more than a dead language; it is access to a better understanding to terms that are used in daily academics.
A generated meme created at Philosoraptor
1. Carpe diem: This well-known phrase comes from a poem by Horace. While there have been arguments about the exact translation, it is most commonly held to mean “seize the day” encouraging individuals to live life to the fullest today without expectation of a tomorrow.
2. Cogito ergo sum: Translated from the Latin, the quote means “I think, therefore I am” and comes from the writing of philosopher Rene Descartes. 6
3. Veni, vidi, vici: These famous words were purported uttered by Roman emperor Julius Caesar after a short war with Pharnaces II of Pontus. Translated, it means “I came, I saw, I conquered” an adage you can hopefully keep in mind come finals time.
4. In vino veritas: If you’re old enough to drink or have been around others who have imbibed, you’re more than likely already familiar with the wisdom behind this quote from Pliny the Elder meaning, “in wine there is the truth.” It is often followed up with “in aqua sanitas” or “in water there is health”– something all college students should remember.
5. E pluribus unum: Simply take a look at American currency to see this Latin phrase in use. It means “out of many, one” and is found on anything bearing the seal of the United States.
6. Et tu, Brute?: These are the famous last words of Julius Caesar after he is murdered by his friend Marcus Brutus in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. They mean “Even you, Brutus?” and are used poetically today to designate any form of the utmost betrayal.
7. Ad infinitum: You might be able to guess what this phrase means simply through its similarity to the word we use in English. It means “to infinity” and can be used to describe something that goes on, seemingly or actually endlessly, as some students might feel about certain classes.
8. De facto: In Latin, de facto means “from the fact” and in use in English it is often used to distinguish was is supposed to be the case from what is actually the reality. For example, legally, employers are not allowed to discriminate in hiring because of age, but many still practice de facto (in reality, in fact) discrimination.
9. In toto: No, this phrase doesn’t mean that the cute little dog from The Wizard of Oz ate something, it means in all or entirely. Think of it as saying “in total” in a really weird voice.
10. Ipso facto: Meaning “by the fact itself” this commonly used and misused term is denotes when something is true by its very nature. For example, if you don’t feed your dog you are ipso facto a bad owner.
11. Tabula rasa: When you were a child, your mind might have been more of a tabula rasa than it is today. This Latin phrase means “clean slate” and denotes something or someone not affected by experiences and impressions.
12. Terra firma: Those who hate to fly or get seriously seasick will be able to put this term to good use. It means firm ground, and you might be thanking your lucky stars to be back on it after a trip through the air or rough waters.
13. Mea culpa: If you want to admit your own guilt or wrongdoing in a situation, use this Latin phrase that translates literally to “my fault.” It’s a bit like a fancier, less outdated way of saying “my bad.”
14. Persona non grata: From the Latin meaning an “unacceptable person” this term designates someone who’s no longer welcome in a social or business situation.
15. In situ: If something happens in situ it happens in place or on site, though the term often designates something that exists in an original or natural state. Like a rare species sighted in situ or an invaluable artifact found on an archeological site.
16. In vitro: Most students will be familiar with this term because of modern fertility treatments, but have you ever considered what the term actually means? In Latin, in vitro means “in glass” and any biological process that occurs in the laboratory rather than in the body or a natural setting can be called in vitro.
17. In vivo: While an experiment taking place in a glass test tube might not cause a stir, many are up in arms about this kind of experimentation. In vivo means “within the living” and the two most common examples of this kind of experimentation are animal testing and clinical trials.
18. Ante bellum: During your history courses, you’re bound to encounter this term. It means in the most basic sense “before the war” and while it can be applied to any 4 war it is most commonly used to refer to the American Civil War and the Antebellum Era the preceded it.
19. Sic: Found in writing, this Latin word most commonly finds a home in brackets (like this: [sic]) when quoting a statement or writing. It indicates that there is a spelling or grammar error (or just something out of the ordinary) in the original quotation and that the publication has only reproduced it faithfully, not made an error of their own.
20. Id est: You’ve likely seen this term in writing before, even if you weren’t aware as it is commonly abbreviated to i.e. In Latin, it means “that is” and is used in English when the speaker or writer wants to give an example or explanation that specifies a statement.
21. Deus ex machina: In direct translation, this term means, “God out of a machine” and it harkens back ancient Greek and Roman plays. When the plot would become too tangled or confusing, the writers would simply bring in God, lowered in via a pulley system (the machine) and he would wrap it all up. Today, it’s still used in literature to describe a plot where an artificial or improbable means of resolving a conflict is used.
22. Exempli gratia: You’ll often see this term abbreviated to e.g. in writing. It means “for the sake of example” and when it see it in a sentence you can expect that is will be followed by some examples.
23. Et cetera: Few out there aren’t familiar with this term but may not know it as well when it’s spelled out like this and not abbreviated as etc. Meaning “and the others” it is used to denote that a list of things could continue ad infinitum (see below for definition) and that for the sake of brevity it’s better to just wrap things up with a simple etc.
24. Ex libris: Back in the days when books were rarer and more expensive commodities than they were today, it was common to mark your books with a label bearing your own name and this phrase which means “from the library of.” While not as common today, some true bibliophiles still use the labels.
25. Ibidem: Another abbreviated term, this word is more commonly seen in research writing in the form of “ibid.” From the Latin for “in the same place” it is found in footnotes and bibliographies to designate that the same source has been cited twice in succession.
26. Et alii: You’re unlikely to encounter this Latin phrase in its unabbreviated form, and will most likely only ever see it as et al when included. This is also a term that is found in footnotes and bibliographies which allows writers to refer to a large 3 number of authors without having to write each name out (for example, you could say that your source is Dr. Henry Jones et al.)
Information courtesy of www.oedb.org
Continue Learning about Other Arts
What is ‘after the fact’ in Latin?
Post facto is the Latin equivalent of ‘after the fact’. In the word by word translation, the preposition ‘post’ means ‘after’. The noun ‘factum’ in the ablative case ‘facto’ means ‘fact’.
What is the Latin word for autotroph?
The English term «autotroph» means self-feeding and actually
comes from Greek roots, not Latin. In fact, there is no unique
Latin equivalent for this word.
What is the Latin word for ego?
Ego IS a Latin word. It is the Latin for I.
What is the latin word for siblings?
The Latin word for siblings is fratribus. The Latin word for
sister is soror, while the Latin word for brother is frater.
After Latin word?
The Latin word for «after» is post.
Latin words and phrases are widely used in English as scientific terms in medicine, biology, law, logic, philosophy, and other sciences. But many Latin expressions are familiar and understandable to the general reader.
The list below provides some common Latin expressions, abbreviations, and sayings. Note: Some Latin abbreviations are given with description and examples of use in the material Abbreviations in the section Miscellany.
Латинские слова и выражения широко употребляются в английском языке как научные термины в медицине, биологии, юриспруденции, логике, философии и других науках. Но многие латинские выражения знакомы и понятны широкому читателю.
Список ниже приводит некоторые общеизвестные латинские выражения, сокращения и изречения. Примечание: Некоторые латинские сокращения даны с описанием и примерами употребления в материале Abbreviations в разделе Miscellany.
Note: There were no commas in the original Latin expressions. In many sources, commas are used in Latin expressions for easier reading.
Примечание: В латинских выражениях не было запятых в оригинале. Во многих источниках запятые ставятся в латинских выражениях для более легкого прочтения.
Many English speakers may not realize how often English words are actually taken, verbatim, from both ancient and modern languages. Latin, in particular, has been extremely influential not only on the romance languages, such as French, Spanish, and Italian, but also on today’s English. It may come as a surprise to learn that English speakers use common Latin phrases every day, most recognizably in the sciences.
Below are 24 of the most common Latin phrases we use in the English language.
1. Ad hoc: To this
In Latin, ad hoc literally means to this, which has been adapted by English speakers as a saying that denotes that something is created or done for a particular purpose, as necessary. Usually, one does something on an ad hoc basis (e.g., she answered questions on an ad hoc basis).
2. Alibi: Elsewhere
The word alibi is a Latin phrase that simply means elsewhere, which will make sense to all you crime drama addicts out there who are familiar with the term as used by police, investigators, and other law enforcement professionals. Nowadays, alibi commonly refers to evidence that someone did not commit a (usually) criminal act because he or she was elsewhere at the time the act was committed.
3. Bona fide: With good faith
Another common Latin phrase, bona fide literally means with good faith. The meaning has changed somewhat in English usage to mean something that is real or genuine (e.g., she was a bona fide expert in the social structures of humpback whales).
4. Bonus: Good
Bonus, from the Latin adjective bonus, which means good, refers to any number of good things in its current English usage. Most often, bonus refers to an extra sum of money or reward from one’s employer for good performance, which of course is always a good thing.
5. Carpe diem: Seize the day
A common phrase with motivational speakers and go-getters, carpe diem is a Latin phrase that means seize the day, made popular by the Roman poet Horace. It is usually used to motivate others to make the most of the present and stop worrying about the future.
6. De Facto: In fact
De facto is a Latin phrase that, literally translated, means of fact. Nowadays, it is used to highlight something that is simply a fact or someone who holds a position, with or without the right to do so (e.g., she was the de facto leader of the book club).
7. E.g.: For example
Commonly confused with the similar Latin term i.e., e.g. stands for the Latin phrase exempli gratia, meaning for the sake of example. In English, it is used to introduce a list of examples in place of the phrase such as.
8. Ego: I
A popular term in psychology, ego in fact began as the Latin equivalent of the first person pronoun, I, which makes sense when considering its modern meaning, which refers to an individual’s sense of self-worth or self-esteem.
9. Ergo: Therefore
Ergo, an adverb meaning therefore, is one Latin phrase that has maintained its meaning exactly in English usage.
10. Et cetera: And so on
Used at the end of a list to indicate that further items could be included, et cetera (or etc.) literally translates to and the rest.
11. Extra: In addition to
A common English adjective and prefix, extra is a Latin preposition that means outside or in addition. In English, extra is an adjective, adverb, or prefix that means additional, in addition, or to a greater extent.
12. I.e.: That is
Sometimes mistaken for the similar abbreviation e.g., i.e. stands for the Latin phrase id est, which literally translates to that is. It is most often used to add information that states something in different words or to give a more specific example: Most of the puppies (i.e., four of the six) found homes over the weekend.
13. Impromptu: Spontaneous
From the Latin phrase in promptu, meaning in readiness, impromptu is a common English adjective or adverb that describes something spontaneous (e.g., she threw an impromptu birthday party for her best friend).
14. Intro: Within
Originally the first-person present indicative form of the Latin verb intro, meaning to enter, intro in English usage has become a prefix or informal noun that describes the beginning of something (i.e., an introduction).
15. Multi: Many
Multi is the plural form of the Latin adjective multus, meaning many. In English, it is used as a prefix to describe something that contains more than one of something else (e.g., multicolored, multifaceted, multicultural, etc.).
16. Per se: In itself
Meaning by, of, for, or in itself in Latin, per se is a common phrase used to emphasize the importance or connection of something (e.g., it was not the book per se that was important, but the message the author tried to get across).
17. Pro bono (publico): For the good (of the public)
Pro bono indicates that something is being done without payment or reimbursement. The phrase is often applied when lawyers provide legal services for little or no money, though its use is not exclusive to the legal profession.
18. Quid pro quo: Something for something
A contrasting philosophy to pro bono is quid pro quo. It is an “eye-for-an-eye” type of saying that is used in English to signify a favor or advantage given in return for something of equal value. A popular saying with vindictive villains, quid pro quo literally means something for something.
19. Re: About
You probably use this Latin preposition every day without really understanding its meaning. Re simply means about, and in modern times, we see it used most often in responses to emails and in other correspondence to refer to an earlier topic of discussion.
20. Semi: Half
A prefix borrowed from Latin, semi translates to half. When used in English, it indicates that something is incomplete or partially finished (e.g., semidetached, semiautomatic, semi-final, etc.).
21. Status quo: Existing state of affairs
This straight-up Latin phrase literally translates to the state in which and is used in English to describe an existing state of affairs, usually related to political or social issues.
22. Verbatim: In exactly the same words
Derived from the Latin verbum, which simply means word, verbatim refers to repeating something word-for-word from the original.
23. Versus: Against
This common Latin phrase was originally a preposition meaning against or toward. In English, versus is used to signify opposing forces or oppositions and contrasts.
24. Vice versa: The other way around
Vice versa is a Latin phrase that literally means in a turned position. In English, it is commonly used to indicate that two things are interchangeable.
На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать грубую лексику.
На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать разговорную лексику.
Britney, if I could — Britney is, in fact, Latin meaning «from Britain.»
In fact, Latin America is the only region of the world where income inequality has decreased in the last decade.
Фактически, Латинская Америка является единственным в мире регионом, где за последнее десятилетие уменьшился разрыв в доходах.
In fact, Latin America is a good example of how digital assets can, by some measures, be highly beneficial to lower economic classes.
На самом деле, Латинская Америка является хорошим примером того, как цифровые активы могут быть очень полезными для низких экономических классов.
In fact, Latin America and the Caribbean basin are second-to-last among Russia’s regional priorities (ahead of sub-Saharan Africa) in the Russian government’s official foreign policy concept, which presents a single paragraph with anodyne calls for improved relationships.
На самом деле Латинская Америка и Карибский бассейн занимают предпоследнее место в списке региональных приоритетов (опережая только Африку к югу от Сахары) в официальной Концепции внешней политики российского государства, где этим странам посвящен всего один абзац, в котором содержатся нейтральные призывы к налаживанию отношений.
Другие результаты
In fact, in Latin, «doctor» means teacher.
In fact, in Latin America and the Caribbean as a whole, and in the more developed regions, rural population is expected to decrease.
Ожидается, что в регионе Латинской Америки и Карибского бассейна, а также в более развитых регионах доля сельского населения уменьшится.
In fact, the Latin word for hope is at the heart of theword prosperity.
In fact, its Latin name means «most useful».
Его латинское название переводится как «наиболее полезный».
In fact, the Latin inscription of the crest of Pixar University says, Alienus Non Diutius, Alone No Longer.
Как гласит надпись на латыни над Университетом Пиксар: Alienus non diutius — «Никогда в одиночку».
In fact, its Latin name, Citrus paradisi, translates to citrus paradise.
In fact, the Latin name ‘Uva Ursi’ literally translates as ‘bear’s grape’.
С латинского языка название «uva ursi» переводится как «медвежий виноград».
In fact, he despises Latin America and the world.
In fact, Victus in Latin means «way of life».
In fact, the Latin root of laurel, «laurus,» means «award, or prize winner,» representing these characteristics of power and virtue.
На самом деле, с латыни «лавр» означает «награду или приз победителю», что наделяет его силой и добродетелями.
In fact, immigrants from Latin America already define themselves as «Americano.»
городских жителей Индонезии сейчас определяют себя как «индонезийцы».
In fact, virus is the Latin word for poison.
In fact, North America and Latin America are the only two regions expected to see profit improvements in 2012, compared with 2011.
Северная и Латинская Америка стали единственными регионами, где ожидается рост прибыльности по сравнению с 2011 годом.
In fact, the Latin name for the moon, Luna, is the root of the word «lunatic.»
The word cancer, in fact, comes from the Latin word for crab used to describe the crablike invasion of cancers into nearby tissues.
Слово рак, по сути, происходит от латинского слова «краб»и используется для описания крабов, как инвазия рака в близлежащие ткани.Источник энергии.
Результатов: 203347. Точных совпадений: 4. Затраченное время: 889 мс
Documents
Корпоративные решения
Спряжение
Синонимы
Корректор
Справка и о нас
Индекс слова: 1-300, 301-600, 601-900
Индекс выражения: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200
Индекс фразы: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200
Who says Latin is a dead language? It’s true that no country speaks Latin anymore, but thousands of English words have Latin roots, prefixes and suffixes. More than that, Latin words, expressions, and abbreviations are part of everyday English, particularly in the areas of law and business. Below I’ve listed 77 examples of Latin terms every English speaker should become familiar with.
|
Latin Word/Phrase |
Literal Translation |
Definition |
Sample Sentence |
| a priori | from the former | Supposed to be true without proof; occurring or being known beforehand. | We know a priori that matter exists; the question is–how did it come into being? |
| ad hoc | to this | Improvised on the spot or for a specific, immediate purpose. | The committee was formed ad hoc to address increasing crime in the neighborhood. |
| ad hominem | to/at the man | A logical fallacy in which the person rather than his argument is attacked. | Ad hominem attack ads are all too common during campaign season. |
| ad infinitum | to infinity | Going on forever. | Because pi is an irrational number, the digits after the decimal continue ad infinitum. |
| ad nauseam | to the point of disgust | Alternative to ad infinitum; repeating until it makes one sick. | Tom complained ad nauseam about his new job. |
| alibi | elsewhere | A legal defense where a defendant seeks to show that he was elsewhere when the crime was committed. | The defendant had clear motive, but his alibi was airtight, so the jury declared him not guilty. |
| alma mater | nourishing mother | The school or university from which one graduates. | Dad returns to his alma mater every few years for his class reunion. |
| alter ego | another I | Another self; secret identity. | Spiderman’s famous alter ego is wimpy news photographer Peter Parker. |
| antebellum | before the war | Usually refers to the period before the American Civil War. | Even in northern states racism was common during the antebellum period. |
| aurora borealis | northern lights | A natural light display visible in the night time sky in Arctic regions; the same phenomena in the south is known as the aurora australis. | Even after twenty years of living in northern Alaska, Carol never ceased to be astonished by the sudden beauty of the aurora borealis. |
| Ave Maria | Hail, Mary | Catholic prayer to Mary, the mother of Jesus. | My devout sister prays the Ave Maria every night before bed. |
| bona fide | good faith | Coming from sincere intentions; genuine, true. | The painting is a bona fide Renoir. |
| caveat emptor | let the buyer beware | The purchaser is responsible for evaluating the quality and utility of the goods he purchases. | The sign over the entrance of the used car dealership – caveat emptor – did not give me confidence. |
| coram deo | in the presence of god | The theological idea that we live ever in the presence of, under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God. | We are never really alone, because all of life is lived coram deo. |
| corpus | body | Contents; or collection of works by an author or artist; a particular collection of artistic works. | The corpus of William Shakespeare includes dramatic tragedies, comedies, and histories. |
| cum laude | with honor | A title applied to academic graduates who attain to a level of excellence. Students can also graduate magna cum laude (with great honor) or summa cum laude (with highest honor). | Sarah is naturally smart, but it was her dedication to academic study that caused her to graduate summa cum laude. |
| curriculum vitae | course of life | A comprehensive resume listing educational and employment history and qualifications for job seekers. | It’s a good idea to present your prospective employer with a copy of your curriculum vitae at the start of a job interview. |
| de facto | in fact | Actually; in reality. | The intention of the new law is good, but de facto, it just doesn’t work. |
| de jure | by law | According to law; by right. | De jure, adultery is illegal in many states, but the laws are never enforced. |
| deus ex machina | God from the machine | An unexpected, artificial, or improbable resolution to a plot situation in a work of fiction. | The action movie was entertaining, but the ending was an unconvincing deus ex machina. |
| emeritus | having served one’s time | An adjective used to denote a retired professor, president, bishop, or other professional; post-retirement status. | Today’s speaker is Dr. Ruth Fisher, professor emeritus at Stanford University. |
| ex libris | from the books | A phrase often stamped or printed on books to denote ownership; “from the library of.” | I am happy to lend my books, but I stamp them “ex libris Tony Danza” so I can get them back. |
| ex nihilo | out of nothing | Usually refers to divine creation and the idea that God made the world out of nothing, with no preexisting tools or materials. | All men are by nature creative, but only God creates ex nihilo. |
| ex post facto | from a thing done afterward | Usually used in a legal context, ex post facto refers to a law that is retroactive, that applies to actions taken prior to the existence of the law. | The new law will not apply to previous violators because it cannot be applied ex post facto. |
| habeas corpus | have the body | A writ ordering a person to appear before a judge, or the right to obtain such a writ as protection against imprisonment without trial. | Terrorism suspects often have no right to habeas corpus and can be held indefinitely without trial. |
| homo sapien | wise man | Human; the scientific name for the human species. | There is some question about whether or not the fossilized skeleton is homo sapien. |
| in loco parentis | in place of a parent | In legal terms, assuming the authority and responsibilities of a parent. | While at school, your teachers serve in loco parentis. |
| in medias res | in the middle of things | A literary technique where the telling of the story begins in the middle rather than at the beginning. | Epic poems often begin in medias res and explain the earlier parts of the story via dialogue. |
| in toto | in total | Completely; totally, all together. | Even though lots of things went wrong, in toto, the event was a success. |
| in vitro | in glass | Refers to studies done on organisms isolated from their normal biological surroundings; commonly called test tube studies or experiments. | |
| ipso facto | by the fact itself | As a direct consequence or effect of the action in question; in and of itself. | Steve was swerving and driving too slow; ipso facto, he was pulled over and tested for driving under the influence. |
| magnum opus | great work | The largest, best, or greatest achievement of an artist. | His ninth symphony is considered Beethoven’s magnum opus. |
| mea culpa | my fault | My mistake; my fault; an admission of guilt or responsibility. | The football player made a televised mea culpa after his disgraceful public behavior. |
| non sequiter | it does not follow | A logical fallacy where the conclusion does not reasonably follow from the premise; or, in literature, an irrelevant, often humorous response to a comment. | Overall, your argument is convincing, but your point about public education was a non-sequiter. |
| Pax Romana | roman peace | A period in history, during the dominance of the Roman empire in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, when relative peace reigned and little expansion of the Empire took place. | Christianity spread rapidly during the Pax Romana. |
| per capita | by heads | Per person; a ratio by the number of persons. | Each year, Americans eat about 135 pounds of sugar per capita. |
| per diem | per day | A daily allowance for expenses. | On my trip to Philadelphia, the company gave me a $100 per diem. |
| per se | through itself | In itself; by itself; without reference to anything else. | Eating salt isn’t bad per se, but consuming too much carries various health risks. |
| persona non grata | not-pleasing person | An unwelcome, unwanted, or undesirable person. | After I broke Aunt Wilma’s antique vase, I was persona non-grata at the Thomas home. |
| postmortem | after death | After death. | Officials determined the death was accidental after a postmortem examination. |
| prima facie | at first sight | Often refers to evidence in a trial that suggests but does not prove guilt. | Even though the prima facie evidence was strong, the defendant’s innocence became clear as the trial wore on. |
| pro bono | for good | Work undertaken voluntarily without compensation. | The lawyer was so moved by the plight of the workers, he defended their case pro bono. |
| pro rata | for the rate | Proportionately or proportional. | Extra nights at the hotel are charged pro rata of the weekly rental. |
| quid pro quo | what for what | This for that; a thing for a thing; a favor exchanged for favor. | After I picked him up at the airport, Larry took me to lunch as a quid pro quo. |
| quorum | of whom | The number of members whose presence is required. | Only ten board members showed up, leaving them two short of a quorum. |
| re | by the thing | In the matter of; referring to; regarding. | Is this phone call re the recent estate auction? |
| rigor mortis | stiffness of death | The rigidity that sets in on corpses about three to four hours after death. | The police had a hard time removing the briefcase from the victim’s grasp, rigor mortis having set in. |
| semper fideles | always faithful | The motto of the U.S. Marine Corps; sometimes abbreviated semper fi. | My uncle, the retired Marine sergeant, has “semper fideles” tattooed on his arm. |
| sic | thus | Just so; used to indicate that a preceding quotation is copied exactly, despite any errors of spelling, grammar, or fact. | The student wrote “the communists were probly right about some things [sic].” |
| sola fide | faith alone | One of the “Five Solas” of the Protestant Reformation that summarize the theology of the reformers. The others are sola scriptura (by Scripture alone), sola gratia (by grace alone), solo Christo (Christ alone), and soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone). | An important tenet of Protestantism is the idea of sola fide – that salvation is attained by faith, not works. |
| status quo | the situation in which | The current condition or situation; the way things are. | The protestors were unhappy about the status quo. |
| subpoena | under penalty | A request, usually by a court, that must be complied with on pain of punishment. | The officer issued me a subpoena to appear in court in June. |
| tabula rasa | scraped tablet | A blank slate; a clean slate; used figuratively to describe the human mind prior to influential experience. | The idea of original sin is at odds with the notion that babies are born with a moral tabula rasa. |
| terra firma | solid land | Solid ground. | After eight days at sea, I couldn’t wait to set foot on terra firma. |
| verbatim | word for word | Perfect transcription or quotation. | I’m sorry it offends you, but that’s what he said verbatim. |
| veto | I forbid | The political power to single-handedly stop or make void a law. | The bill passed by a slim margin, but the President is likely to veto it. |
| vice versa | the other way around | The other way around. | Tom is in love with Lorraine and vice versa. |
| vox populi | voice of the people | In broadcasting, an unscripted interview with ordinary members of the public. | After the controversial trial, networks broadcast numerous vox populi interviews. |
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Common Abbreviations |
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| A.D. (Anno Domini) | in the Year of the Lord | The predominantly used system for dating, indicating years since the birth of Jesus Christ. Years prior to the birth of Christ are normally indicated by BC, an English abbreviation for Before Christ. | The Battle of Hastings took place in A.D. 1066. |
| AM (ante meridiem) | before midday | Indicates the time from midnight to noon. | Normally, I awake at 6 AM. |
| e.g.(exempli gratia) | for the sake of example | For example. | My favorite movies are Westerns (e.g., High Noon, True Grit, Unforgiven) |
| et al. (et alii) | and others | Similar to et cetera, to stand for a list of names, particularly in APA and MLA style papers. | Defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy – David Beckham, Landon Donovan et al. – in the 2009 MLS Cup final proved possible. |
| etc. (et cetera) | and the rest | And so on; and more. | Sylvia purchased pots, pans, utensils, etc. for her new kitchen. |
| i.e. (id est) | that is | That is to say; which means; in other words. | Jim encountered Victor, (i.e, his new boss) in the elevator that morning. |
| ibid. (ibidem) | in the same place | Used in formal citations to refer to the last referenced source. |
Ibid. |
| m.o. (modus operandi) | method of operating | Usually associated with criminals and their methods of committing crimes. | The police suspected Harry Harrison because the crime fit his m.o. perfectly. |
| PM (post meridiem) | after midday | The time between noon and midnight. | I will meet you for coffee at 2 PM. |
| p.s. (post scriptum) | after text | After writing; used to indicated addendums to otherwise completed personal letters. | Sincerely,George
p.s., Don’t forget to feed the parrot. |
| Q.E.D. (quod erat demonstrandum) | what was to be demonstrated | Often written at the bottom of a mathematical or logical proof, indicating that the proof is complete. | “No snakes have legs. That creature has legs. Therefore, the creature is not a snake. Q.E.D.” |
| R.I.P. (requiescat in pace) | rest in peace | A benediction for the dead often appearing on gravestones. | Inscribed on his tombstone were the simple words, “Henry Humble, R.I.P.” |
| vs. or v. (versus) | towards; in the direction | Mistakenly used in English to mean “against,” particularly to indicate opposing parties in legal disputes or athletic events. | Today’s main event is Wally Wilson vs. Tony “The Tiger” Thomson. |
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Quotes and Sayings |
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| carpe diem | seize the day | A phrase from a poem by Horace, now an aphorism meaning, “take advantage of life while you can.” | The closer I get to old age, the more I realize how important it is to live life with a carpe diem approach. |
| Cogito ergo sum. | I think, therefore, I am | The famous philosophical proposition by René Descartes. It implies that doubting one’s own existence proves one’s existence. | Cogito ergo sum is the foundation of Cartesian thought. |
| Veni, vidi, vici. | I came, I saw, I conquered | A sentence attributed to Julius Caesar upon his conquest of Britain. Quoted by Plutarch. | When asked about his recent victory at the U.S. Open, Johns replied, “Veni, vidi, vici!” |
| e pluribus unum | out of many, one | A phrase on the Seal of the United States. | Many U.S. coins pay tribute to the melting pot history of the country with the phrase e pluribus unum. |
| et tu, Brute? | and you also, Brutus? | Legendarily the last words of Julius Caesar as he realizes that his friend Marcus Brutus was among his murderers. | After I joined in the teasing, my brother looked at me with a mock-tragic grin and said, “Et tu, Brute?” |
| sic semper tyrannis | thus always to tyrants | Sometimes attributed to Brutus as he participated in the assassination of Julius Caesar. John Wilkes Booth claimed to have shouted this phrase after shooting Abraham Lincoln. The motto of the Commonwealth of Virginia. | The historic American resistance to dictatorship is expressed in the common phrase, sic semper tyrannis. |
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