Useful Latin phrases and word
Many common phrases and words used in English today are taken
directly from the Latin language. You've probably seen or used much
of this Latin at one point or another yourself. Here are a few
Latin phrases you may already use, but do you know their true
meaning?
| Latin Phrase |
English Translation |
| actus reus |
guilty act |
| ad hoc |
to this |
| ad infinitum |
without end or limit |
| ad nauseam |
to a sickening or excessive degree |
| agenda |
things to be done |
| alter ego |
other I |
| carpe diem |
the enjoyment of the pleasures of the moment without concern
for the future. |
| caveat |
a warning enjoining one from certain acts or practices;
an explanation to prevent misinterpretation;
a legal warning to a judicial officer to suspend a proceeding
until the opposition has a hearing |
| de facto |
in reality;
actually |
| dictum |
a noteworthy statement as:
a) a formal pronouncement of a principle, proposition, or
opinion
b) an observation intended or regarded as authoritative;
c) a judicial opinion on a point other than the precise issue
involved in determining a case. |
| emeritus |
veteran |
| et cetera |
and others esp. of the same kind: and so forth; abbreviated as
etc. |
| inter alia |
among other things |
| in vitro |
in glass |
| ipso facto |
by that very fact or act;
as an inevitable result. |
| magnum opus |
a great work, the greatest achievement of an artist or
writer |
| mea culpa |
my fault |
| memento |
something that serves to warn or remind |
| non sequitur |
statement (as a response) that does not follow logically from
anything previously said |
| nota bene |
used to call attention to something important |
| per capita |
equally to each individual;
per unit of population: by or for each person per capita of any
state in the union. |
| persona non grata |
personally unacceptable or unwelcome |
| post mortem |
occourring or done after death |
| prima facie |
at first view: on the first appearance;
adj. true, valid, or sufficient at first impression: apparent;
self-evident;
legally sufficient to establish a fact or a case unless
disproved |
| pro forma |
made or carried out in a perfunctory manner or as a
formality;
provided in advance to prescribe form or describe items. |
| quod erat demonstrandum |
which was to be proved |
| RIP |
abbreviation, may he rest in peace |
| status quo |
the current condition or situation |
| terra firma |
solid land |
| terra nova |
new land |
| verbatim |
word for word |
| vice versa |
the other way round |