Latin Phrases In English
Here is a quick list of Latin expressions used in English. Note that the English meanings are not necessarily literal translations.
ab extra – from without
ab initio – from the beginning
absit omen – may there be no ill omen
ad absurdum– to the point of absurdity
ad finem – to the end, towards the end
ad hoc – for this purpose
ad infinitum – to infinity
ad nauseam – to the point where one becomes disgusted
ad valorem – according to the value
alma mater – benign mother- applied by old students to their university
alter ego – one’s second half
amor vincit omnia – love conquers all
Anno Domini – in the year of our Lord
annus mirabilis – year of wonders
ante bellum – before the war
a priori – based on theory rather than observation
aqua vitae – water of life
ars longa, vita brevis – art is long, life is short
bona fides – in good faith, genuine
carpe diem – seize the day, enjoy the present day
casus belli – an act justifying war
caveat emptor – let the buyer beware
de facto – from the fact, actual or possibility
de jure – in law, by right
dramatis personae – characters of the play
errare est humanum – to err is human
et tu, Brute! – And you, too, Brutus! (said to be Julius Caesar’s last words)
exempli gratia – by way of example
ex cathedra – with authority; used especially of those pronouncements of the Pope that are considered infallible.
ex gratia – as an act of grace
ex officio – by virtue of his office
favete linguis – favour me with your tongues, i.e. be silent
fiat justitia, ruat coelum – let justice be done, though the heavens fall
fiat lux – let there be light
honoris causa – for the sake of honour, honorary
in loco parentis – in the place of a parent
in memoriam – in memory, to the memory of
in situ – situated in the original or natural position
ipse dixit – he himself said it
in vino veritas – in wine there is truth
lapsus linguae – a slip of the tongue
magnum opus – a great work
male fide – with bad faith, treacherously
memento mori – remember that you must die
modus operandi – plan of working
persona non grata – unacceptable or unwelcome person
post mortem – after death
prima facie – on the first view
sic transit gloria mundi – so passes away earthly glory
sine die – without a day being appointed
sine qua non – without which not, an indispensable condition
status quo – the state in which things as they are now
sub judice – under consideration
ubique – everywhere
ultra vires – beyond one’s powers
veni, vidi, vici – I came, I saw, I conquered
vice versa – the terms being reversed
viva voce – by the living voice, orally
vox populi, vox Dei – the voice of the people is the voice of God
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