list of latin terms, phrases, and expressions

Latin terms in the English language - technical, legal, popular, fascinating

Latin term literal meaning in use

translation

abacus tray/counting table ancient calculator

abdomen belly/gluttony belly

ab extra / intra from beyond/inside (legal terms) 'ab extra' refers to information from external sources
(instead of self or mind) - 'ab intra' refers to information from the
self or mind

ab origine / aborigine from the first original inhabitants, from the source, origin, etc - (derivation of the
modern word 'aborigine')

ab irato from an angry man actions/words by an angry person - (a legal term, similar to 'in the
heat of the moment')

ab ovo from the egg from the beginning

absente reo (abs. re.) (with) the defendant being (legal term) - in the absence of the accused
absent

a capite ad calcem from head to heel thoroughly/completely/from top to bottom - more loosely expressed
'from head to toe'

Achilles (Achilles ancient Greek hero weakness - (a Greek word used in Latin - the metaphor refers to the
heel) legend of the hero Achilles, as a baby held by the heel and dipped
into the river Styx by his mother Thetis to make him immortal,
leaving his heel vulnerable, such that when shot there by an arrow
he died, hence the 'Achilles heel' or simply 'Achilles' is a person's
 main weakness)

acta est fabula the drama has been acted it's all over/it's finished/the end
out

A.D. (anno domini) in the year of the Lord denotes that the year is since Christ's birth in the Julian and
Gregorian calendars - contrasting with B.C. (Before Christ), which
signifies years 'Before Christ', which are counted backwards - there
is no zero year

ad hoc to/for this improvised/devised/applied spontaneously or purely for the purpose

('just for this')

a fortiori with strength all the more so, with greater reason

ad hominem to the man personally directed - (as when criticizing someone)

ad infinitum to infinity endlessly/for ever/without limit

ad interim (ad int) for the meantime in the interim/meantime/temporary/stand-in/

ad lib (ad libitum) with freedom freely, improvised, spontaneously created - now most commonly an
instruction or freedom to 'improvise' in performance,
communication

ad litteram to the letter precisely/according to the 'letter of the law'

ad nauseam to (produce) sea-sickness to the point of causing nausea/unbearably tedious

a priori / a posteriori from what comes before/ (these terms mainly refer to philosophical or mathematical
after assertions) - an 'a priori' fact is self-evident, known without need of
direct specific experience/evidence (for example 'snow is cold') - an
'a posteriori' fact is based on observed evidence or experience, etc
(for example snow fell in Ireland on [a particular date])
ad referendum (ad ref) to/for referring for further consideration (elsewhere)

ad rem to the thing to the matter in hand/directly relevant

adsum I am here present (formal answer to a rollcall)

aegrotat he is ill doctor's note - medical excuse/qualification awarded when exams

are missed due to sickness

Aesop writer of fables (see Aesop's Fables)

aetatis (aetat or aet) aged (number of years) aged... or 'of the age...' (precedes the age of someone/something)

affidavit he/she has declared under a sworn statement made voluntarily by a person, recorded by a
oath qualified person, usually for legal purposes, such as admission in a
court case

agenda (agenda sunt things that must be moved list of items for a meeting, order of discussion, set of aims,
or agendum est) forward motivational factors - agenda now has a wide range of meanings,
after initially referring to a meeting schedule

Aiax/Ajax hero of Trojan War a metaphor for size and stength

Albion Britain the ancient Greek word for Britain

alia iacta est / iacta the die is cast the die is cast - beyond the point of possible return, fully committed
alia est come what may - see the die is cast and cross the Rubicon in cliches
origins - the phrase is attributed to Julius Casear, 49BC, on his
invasion of Rome from Gaul - as with many other Latin phrases the
'i' of iacta is alternatively a 'j', so that the word was/is jiacta
(although some say Caesar spoke this phrase in Greek anyway..)

alias dictus (alias) at another time called otherwise known as/also known as/aka

alibi elsewhere a submission or claim, typically supported by proof/evidence, that

 an accused person was at a different place from the scene and time
of a crime

alieni generis of a different kind of a different kind/of another type

alpha A (the letter) denotes the first of something, for example alpha-male (dominant
male), or alpha-test (the initial release of technology/software
among developers, prior to finalizing specification/features and
beta-test, being final testing among users)

alma mater nourishing mother one's college or university

alter ego other self/other I secondary personality/other self/trusted friend

alumnus nursling/foster child graduate or student of educational institution (alumna, alumni,

alumnae are respectively female, plural and female plural)

a mensa et toro from table to bed legal separation (divorce)

amicus curiae friend of court an objective or neutral advisor in legal process

amor love love

amore carens love without loveless

amor vincit omnia love conquers all love conquers all

amor proximi love one's neighbour love thy neighbour/love your neighbour (US neighbor)

anno Domini year of our Lord (AD)/since BC (before Christ)

annus horrible/terrible/ (different dramatic ways to refer to good/bad years)

horribilis/terribilis/ wonderful year
mirabilis

ante bellum before war pre-war (which war depends on context/situation)

ante meridiem (a.m.) before midday before noon/morning/AM/am

apex summit, crown peak, top, pinnacle

appendix supplement supplement (extra document/body of text/information) - separately

in anatomy an obsolete sac in humans connecting to large intestine -
from appendere, 'hang upon'

aqua vitae water of life (metaphorical reference to) a local/national/special drink - (used
variously to refer to different drinks, typically local or national or
particularly enjoyed from the speaker's view, commonly for
example: wine, whisky/whiskey, brandy, ale, etc

arbiter judge, witness judge, controller, arbitrator, umpire

ars gratia artis art for art's sake art for art's sake - art that is free from non-artistic pressures/aims
(e.g., profit, politics, etc)

Artium Baccalaureus Arts Bachelor Bachelor of Arts/AB/BA/(university degree)

Artium Magister Arts Master Master of Arts/MA/AM/(higher university degree)

aureo hamo piscari to fish with a golden hook 'money talks'/money gets results

Aurora Borealis goddess of the northern the 'Northern Lights' atmospheric display, at certain times in the
dawn night sky far north - Aurora is the Roman goddess of the dawn -
Borealis meaning northen in Latin is taken from the Greek Boreas,
god of the north wind - Aurora Australis is literally 'goddess of the
southern dawn', and refers to the 'Southern Lights' (being the
equivalent phenomenon in the southern hemisphere) - australis
means southern in Latin

australis southern the origin of the name Australia - from 'terra australis', southern land

ave Maria hail Mary hail Mary

a vinculo matrimonii (free) from the bond of complete divorce (sometimes abbreviated to 'a vinculo')
marriage

beta B (the letter) notably 'beta-test', referring to the external release (to users) of
machinery/technology/software (of completed
specification/features) in the final stage of testing - compared with
'alpha-test' which is controlled release among developers aimed at
fixing the features/specification prior to beta release

bis in die (b.i.d.) twice in a day medical abbreviations - (for example instructions for taking tablets)

bona fide good faith in good faith/honestly/genuine/real

Britannia Britain Britain

cadit quaestio the question falls argument collapses/the central legal argument has collapsed (so
move on)

caeteris (ceteris other things being equal all things equal/other things being equal
paribus)

campus plain (grassland) university and its grounds

carpe diem seize the day enjoy the opportunity/make the most of the chance - (the full quote
is 'carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero' = 'enjoy today,
trusting little in tomorrow' - from Horace's Odes)

casus foederis fall (action) (due to) situation causing action under a treaty
league/alliance

causa sine qua non a cause without which not a necessary condition

cave/cave canem beware/beware of the dog beware, caution, take care, attention/beware of the dog

caveat let one beware a stipulation, condition, warning, exclusion, limit, etc - typically in
 formal contracts, also in verbal agreements

caveat emptor let the buyer beware buyer beware/responsibility is with buyer

caveat venditor let the seller beware seller beware/responsibility is with seller

cerebrum brain front part of brain - considered advanced compared with early
human brains and additional to animal brains - hence cerebral refers
to intellectual rather than emotional or physical
thought/behaviour/effect

certiorari to be made certain a writ issued by a higher court for documents from a lower court for
the purpose of reviewing the lower court process/decision

cetara desunt the rest are missing parts of the (written/created) work have not been found (despite
research)

ceteris (caeteris all other things being assuming that no external factors alter the central question/point,
paribus) equal conditional on there being no effect from variable external elements
- (a qualifying statement establishing fixed conditions around a
proposition, to enable a firm argument to be made)

citius altius fortius faster higher stronger motto of the modern Olympic games

confer (cf.) compare compare (with)/see also (as appears widely in dictionaries, etc)

circa (ca. or c.) around about/approximately/roughly (referring to a quantity, date, time, etc)

codex treetrunk/wooden block manuscript/code of laws

cogito ergo sum I think therefore I exist I think therefore I exist, or I think therefore I am - (originally
recorded by French philosopher Ren Descartes, 1596-1650 - in
Discourse on the Method, part IV, 1637-44, written mostly in
French but with parts in Latin)
coitus interruptus going together interruption withdrawal before ejaculation (for contraception or other reason)

coitus more ferarum sex in the way of wild (medical/humorous reference to) 'doggy style' sexual intercourse -
beasts historians assert that the expression in its Latin form was used in
ancient Rome

compos mentis of sound mind in full possession of mental powers, sane (cf. non compos mentis)

con (contra) against against

coniunctis / conjunctis with united powers (acting) with united powers (towards a commonly agreed aim)
viribus

consensus agreement agreement (among a number of people) - (note that this word is
related to the English word consent, not to census, which
misunderstanding often produces the misspelling 'concensus')

consensus adacium agreement of a conspiracy

audacious/rash men

consensus facit legem consent makes law (a principle that) any agreement between parties may be legally
binding provided it does not violate law

consensus gentium agreement wide/general wide agreement/generally accepted belief or views

consensus omnium agreement of all agreement of all/general agreement

cornu copiae horn of plenty cornucopia/abundance (from various Greek legends, most popularly:
The baby Zeus, hiding from his baby-eating father Cronus, was
suckled as an infant by a goat/nursemaid, Amalthea. Zeus, having
the strength of a god, accidentally broke off one of Amalthea's
horns, which he then endowed with the power to produce unending
nourishment (and anything else desired) for its owner

corrigenda items to be corrected (draws attention to) corrections required in a manuscript before
 publishing

cui bono/malo? who will gain/lose? who stands to benefit/lose (from a particular action/situation)? -
expressions in criminal investigation or other speculation - in
attempting to reveal motive/responsibility

cum grano salis with a grain of salt take (a comment) with a grain of salt/add a note of caution to a
comment (in Roman times and more recent history too, salt was
very valuable and symbolic of something not to regard lightly -
Roman soldiers were paid in salt - salarium - hence the expression
'worth his salt' (someone is worthy of his/her wage)

(summa/magna) cum with (greatest/great) praise traditionally highest/2nd, and 3rd grades in a US university degree
laude

curriculum vitae the course of (one's) life a resume or job/personal history/(commonly abbreviated to CV)

cursor runner, courier positional marker on an electronic display

de bonis asportatis carrying goods away old legal term for larceny, which has largely been superseded by the
term theft

de bono et malo of good and bad (of a decision) come what may/for good or bad/'whatever'

decimus a tenth from which 'decimate' originates - strictly

de dicto / de re of (the) word / of (the) (technical clarification of the nature of a statement so as to

thing differentiate) - the wording of the statement/(as distinct from) the
thing that the statement refers to - these are two contrasting terms
used in philosophical discussion/works differentiating between the
form of the statement and what the statement refers to - (while quite
subtle and technical, these two terms are useful in highlighting the
difference between the qualities of a statement as distinct from the
truth or otherwise of what the statement seeks to convey) - for
example many children's statements can be criticized 'de dicto',
 while being brilliant 'de re' - (note that there are more complex
applications of these terms)

de die in diem (diem from day to day continuously/day in, day out/without a break
ex die)

de facto of fact in reality/in practice (especially contrasted with something which

exists in in a lesser way theory or in law, see de jure/iure)

dei gratia by the grace of god by the grace of god (traditionally implying a divine right, such as a
monarch's title/status)

de jure (de iure) according to law existing legally/legally sanctioned/legally approved

delineavit drawn by (of a work of art) created by (followed by the artist's name)

delerium tremens trembling delirium the DTs/bodily shaking caused by nervous disorder from alcohol
abuse

denarius/denari/denarii small common Roman in English money history 'D' or 'd' for denarius came to denote pence
silver coin in pre-decimalisation pounds shillings pence (LSD) - (the denari
equated loosely to a labourer's daily pay) - the L and S in LSD also
originated from ancient Latin, 'libra' and 'solidus nummus'

deo volente (d.v.) god willing god willing - if possible

deus ex machina god out of a machine person/thing/event which suddenly unexpectedly resolves a problem
- also a contrived resolution of a plot in a dramatic work such as a
play or film

de nihilo nihil from nothing comes nothing comes from nothing/don't expect something to come from
nothing nothing

de novo anew anew, refreshed

deperire / depereo hopelessly in love (to be) utterly/helplessly/hopelessly in love (with
someone/something)

divide et impera divide and rule divide your opponents to defeat them (a maxim adopted and
popularized by Machiavelli)

doce ut discas learn by teaching teach in order to learn

docendo discimus learning by teaching we learn something by teaching it to others

doctus cum libro learned with a book having knowledge without practical experience

Domine, dirige nos Lord, direct us Lord/God, direct us (God is our guide) - traditional official motto of
London

Dominus God be with you God be with you (all)/God be with you (to an individual) - a
vobsicum/Dominus (plural)/God be with you traditional way to say farewell or goodbye
tecum (singular)

dramatis personae the persons of the drama cast of characters (in a play or film, or situation, etc)

dum spiro spero while I breathe, I hope while there is life in me I can still hope

dum tacent clamant though they are silent they their silence speaks volumes (usually referring to silence being an
cry aloud effective admission or indication of guilt or fault)

dum vita est spes est while there is life there is while there's life there's hope
hope

dura mater tough mother (medical/biological term for) the outer membrane of the brain and
spinal cord - the Latin term is itself derived from an earlier fuller
Arabic term, loosely 'thick mother of the brain'

ecce homo behold the man considered by advocates, and represented by artists, of biblical
history, as the words of Pontias Pilate in presenting Jesus Christ to
 the crowd after flagellation prior to crucifixion

ecce signum behold the sign look at the proof - examine the evidence - the proof is in front of
you, so look at it

e contrario on the contrary on the contrary - actually, the opposite is true

editio cum notis edition with various notes a technical academic/scholar term referring to a version of text
variorum which contains different interpretations and notes and comments
from experts

editio princeps first edition the first printed edition (of a book especially)

e.g. (exempli gratia) for the sake of example for example, or for instance

emeritus a soldier who has served denoting the title holder (for example a professor) has retired and
his time retains the title (plus the word 'emeritus') as a mark of having served
honourably/honorably and with distinction - the original meaning derives from soldiers in the
earned his discharge Roman army, from the verb 'mereri', to earn

emerita (female form of emeritus) (a relatively modern adaptation of the conventional emeritus
male/general form above)

e pluribus unum one out of (from) many one (big thing) made from many smaller parts - motto of the USA

ergo therefore therefore - and so it follows that.. (linking a cause or situation with a
result or conclusion)

errare humanum est to err is human people occasionally naturally make mistakes - popularized by
Alexander Pope's 'An Essay on Criticism' which stated 'To err is
human; to forgive, divine' - this is an acceptance of human weakness

et al (et alii/et aliae/et and others (abbreviation - and other men/women/factors (et al is the abbreviation - et alii is
alia) male/female/neuter full 'and other men'; et aliae is 'and other women'; et alia is 'and other
versions) things' - traditionally speech etiquette suggested that "...educated
 people do not ever actually say 'et al', instead they say 'and
others'...")

etc (et cetera) and the rest and so on - typically replacing potentially additional items in a
listing of similar factors

et nunc et semper now and for ever from now on

et seq (et and the following... usually abbreviated 'et seq' - (or seqq, sqq)
sequentes/sequentia)

et tu, Brute you also, Brutus realization, acknowledgment, and accusation that an apparent
trusted friend or ally is actually an enemy - the expression was
popularized by Plutarch's and Shakespeare's telling of the killing of
Julius Caesar by conspirators including his previous friend Brutus

et ux (et uxor) / et vir and wife / and husband (legal terms meaning) and wife / and husband

ex animo from the heart sincerely

ex astris scientia from the stars, knowledge 'From the Stars, Knowledge' - a contrived retrospective Latin
expression created as the maxim of the Starfleet Academy in the
film/TV franchise Star Trek.

ex cathedra from the chair with authority - refers to statements made by experts, or claimed to
be (cathedra referred to a teacher's chair before it more famously
meant the Pope's chair)

excud (excudit) he/she who struck this made by... a traditional printer's or engraver's term preceding the
(made by) name of the creator/maker/writer

ex dolo malo (ex dolo an action (in court) does a Latin legal term equating to 'fraud' - deriving distortedly from the
malo non oritur actio) not arise from fraud full original sense that a court action cannot be viable if based on a
fraud
excelsior ever upward ever upward

exeat let him/her go forth permission to be absent - traditionally an exeat granted permission
for a priest to leave a monastery - the term also extended to absence
from a university

exempli gratia (e.g.) for the sake of example for example, or for instance

ex facie from the face a legal term used typically when referring to an obviously unreliable
document - the term in this context equates to 'obviously' or 'needing
no further examination'

ex gratia out of goodness payment or reward given freely without obligation

exit he/she goes out a single actor leaves the stage

ex libris from the books from the library of... (owner's name)

ex mero motu out of pure simple impulse spontaneously - (implication being no external influence)

ex nihilo nihil fit nothing comes from nought comes from nought -
nothing

ex parte from a party from one side only - only one side is represented at a legal hearing
(the other side is absent)

ex pede Herculem from the foot, a Hercules from a small sample the whole thing can be estimated - an early
principle of extrapolation or projection, said to derive from
Pythagoras' calculations in estimating the size of Hercules from his
foot size, in turn inferred from the scale of the Olympia stadium

experto credite experience gives trust one who has the experience - from experience a person has
credibility credibility

ex post facto from what happens knowledge or law after an event applied retrospectively to the event
 afterwards - similar to 'with the benefit of hindsight', or the sense of 'knowing
now what we did not know then'

exuent / exuent omnes they go out / they all go they leave the stage - stage direction terminology
out

ex ungue leonem from a claw, the lion from a small sample the whole thing can be estimated - equating to
ex pede Herculem

ex uno disce omnes from one deduce all from a small sample the whole thing can be estimated - equating to
ex pede Herculem

facta non verba actions speak louder than actions speak louder than words - judge by deed not what is said
words

fecit (F.) he/she made (it) made by... (creator's name) - traditional term used by artists/makers
- separately F may stand for 'filius', meaning 'son'

felo de se felon of himself suicide

festina lente hasten slowly more haste less speed

fiat lux let there be light let there be light - (alternatively represented by the rarer Latin 'lux
sit')

Fidei Defensor (Fid Defender of the Faith Title first given to Henry VIII of England by Pope Leo X in 1521.
Def or fd) Removed by Rome c.1530 after Henry divorced catholic Catherine
of Arragon, and reinistated later in his reign as defender of the
protestant faith. The title endures to modern times, shown in official
references and on British coins, usually abbreviated FD.

fide et amore by faith and love by faith and love

Fidei Defensor (FD) Defender of the Faith traditional additional title of English/British monarchs, given by the
Vatican - often abbreviated to FD
floruit (fl) he/she flourished when a historical character was most productive/active - used in
biographical information, especially if birth/death dates are
unknown, the 'fl' symbol appears with the year(s) of his/her
prominence

fons et origo source and origin the source and origin (of something)

fronti nulla fides appearance is not reliable appearances can be deceptive - or 'don't judge a book by its cover'

fugit hora flies the hour time flies - time passes quickly

genius loci spirit of the place the atmosphere of somewhere including its influence on visitors

grammatici certant grammarians dispute (are experts are discussing (a case/matter/dispute) - this refers to
disputing) situations that are subject to official review before a decision or
resolution is made

gratias tibi ago thank you thank you

habeas corpus (you) shall have the a legal order for an arrested person to attend court, especially from
(arrested person's) body in the accused standpoint, so that unless lawful grounds are offered for
court detention then the person must be released

hic et nunc here and now here and now - immediately, forthwith -for example when
demanding immediate payment

hic jacet / iacet here lies here lies (the body of..) - a tombstone term

hic situs est this is the place this is the place

hic sunt dracones / here be dragons/lions unchartered territory - these are very old references to unchartered
leones territories, used on maps, and since then popularized in dramatic
works

hoc anno in this year in this year

hoc loco in this place here

honoris causa for the sake of denotes an academic or other qualification given on merit, rather
honour/honor than by official examination

hora fugit the hour flies time passes quickly - time is pressing

hora somni (h.s.) at the hour of sleep at bedtime - (medical term)

horribile dictu horrible to say a warning before telling an awful or upsetting description/report

iacta / jacta alea est the die is cast the die is cast - the decision/commitment is made and irreversible
(see the die is cast in cliches origins)

ianuis / januis clausis with closed doors behind closed doors (referring to a legal hearing or court or meeting)

ibid. (ibidem) in the same place in the same source referenced in the previous entry - (an academic
referencing mechanism to save space and unnecessary repeating of
the same detail when citing sources)

id. (idem) the same the same author (as previously referenced) - an academic space-
saving device used in citing authors

(i.e.) id est that is (to say more in other words, in more detail, or to say more clearly and fully.. (this
clearly...) very common term is often misused in place of 'e.g.' (for example),
whereas 'i.e.' means that clarification of a previous point is to follow

in medias res into the middle of things the way a dramatic work such as a play or story begins

INRI (Iesus [Jesus] Jesus of Nazareth, King of Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews -
Nazarenus Rex the Jews
Iudaeoreum
[Juaeoreum])

ignorantia legis ignorance of the law does ignorance of the law is no defence/defense for breaking the law
neminem excusat not excuse

ignorantia non excusat ignorance does not excuse ignorance is not an excuse (for wrong-doing) - the implication is
that a person's moral code should not have to rely on specific
instruction to avoid wrong deeds

in absentia in (one's) absence denotes action against or award to someone in their absence, for
whatever reason - for example criminal convictions and academic
awards

in aertenum for ever for ever, in perpetuity

in articulo mortis in the grasp of death (a statement made) at the point of death - traditionally statements
made 'in articulo mortis' have at times been considered additionally
believable because the person had nothing to gain at that stage from
lying - alternative to 'in extremis'

in camera in a chamber in private - typically court/legal proceedings which exclude public

and press

incipit here begins denoting the start of old/ancient texts

(bis/ter/quater) in die (twice/three times/four medical abbreviations - (for example instructions for taking tablets)
(b.i.d./t.i.d./q.i.d.) times) in a day

in dubio (in dubio pro in doubt, for the accused the defendant has the benefit of the doubt - innocent until proven
reo ) guilty

in esse in being actually existing - contrasting with 'in posse'

in extenso in full word for word, fully and entirely - referring to a text or paper of
some sort, emphasize there has been no edit/removal

in extremis in end at death - at the point of (a person's) death - alternative to 'in articulo
mortis' - mostly significant in assessing reliability of statements
 made by the deceased in relation to a case

in fine (i.f.) in the end at the end of (a stated reference or page, etc)

in flagrante (in in flaming crime (caught) in the act (of wrong-doing) - often referring to the
flagrante delicto) discovery of sexual liaisons and adulterous relationships

in foro in forum in court (legal term)

infra below (see note) below - directs readers to explanatory detail below the
item concerned, often preceded with 'vide' (see) - infra is also
a prefix meaning below, under, beneath, 'sub', lower than, etc
(infrastructure, infrared, etc) - broadly contrasting with 'ultra'
(beyond/to extreme degree)

infra dignitatem/infra below dignity beneath (a person's) dignity or normally expected standards,
dig referring to actions or behaviour/behavior

in futuro in future in the future

in illo ordine (i.o.) in that order respectively

in limine on the threshold about to happen

in loco parentis in place of a parent guardianship or responsibility for a minor

in media res into the middle of things introductory statement before telling a story, or a the start of a play

in memoriam in memory in the memory of - (typically an inscription on a memorial stone or

other material)

in ovo in the egg immature, undeveloped

in pectore in the breast in secret

in perpetuum for ever forever

in pleno in full in full, complete (typically referring to a payment)

in posse potentially potentially - contrasting with 'in esse'

in propria persona in person in person, personally

in re (re) in the matter of regarding - alternatively and more technically in legal matters (the
full form 'in re') means that a case is uncontested

in saecula saeculorum for ages of ages for ever and ever

in se in itself in itself (an alternative to 'per se' - by itself)

in situ in place in its natural location (contrasting with 'in vitro' - in glass [a glass
test-tube])

instante mense (inst.) in the present month (substitute term for whatever the current month is - (for example
"...your letter of 5th inst. refers...) - ult = last (month); prox = next
(month)

in statu quo in the state in which (slightly different to 'status quo' - in statu quo refers to a situation at
a specified time, relative to a subsequent or prior different situation,
rather like saying 'in statu quo [the situation/condition/state] in the
1970s...' or 'in statu quo [the situation/condition/state] before the
business was floated...' )

inter alia among other things among other things, included in other considerations

inter alios among other people among other people, included within a wider groups of people

inter nos between us between us, among ourselves, between ourselves

inter pares between equals between our peer group (of a discussion or circulated notes)

inter se between themselves between them, among themselves

inter vivos between the living (for example referring to transfer of property) between two living
people, (as distinct from a transfer following someone's death)

in toto in total completely, wholly, fully, altogether

in vino veritas in wine the truth people speak freely when under the influence of alcohol,
alcohol/wine loosens the tongue

in vitro in glass in a test-tube, (developed) in a laboratory or artificial environment -

contrasting with 'in situ'

in vivo in life (developed/experimented) in a living thing/organism - contrasting

with 'in vitro'

ipsissima verba the exact words verbatim - word for word - (referring to quoted remarks)

ipso facto by that fact as a direct immediate consequence of that fact/act

justitia omnibus justice for all justice to all, be fair to everyone

lapsus linguae error of tongue slip of the tongue, verbal mistake

lapsus memoriae error of memory mistaken memory, faulty recollection, remembered wrong

lex loci law of the place law of the land, local jurisdiction

lex non scripta law not written unwritten law, common law

lex scripta law written formal written statute

libra (lb and ) balance, set of scales, the origin of the pound sterling symbol and pound weight (lb)
pound symbol - libra, meaning a set of weighing scales, (which separately
became a sign of the Zodiac) meant a pound in weight, and (via late
Middle Ages English) a pound in money (weight and money were
directly related), being the origin of the traditional pre-
decimalisation 'L' denoting the pound-sign in LSD (pounds
 shillings pence) - the S and D symbols were also derived from
ancient Latin money terms - 'solidus nummus' and 'denarius' -
separately libra means book (hence 'library')

licet it is allowed it is allowed/permitted/licensed

lis sub judice/iudice lawsuit before the judge case not yet decided
(sub judice)

loco citato (loc. cit.) place cited (work) in the work/place/source previously referenced - (a referencing note
used by scholars/writers/academics, to avoid repeating entire
sources)

locum tenens (locum) place holding (person) deputy, substitute, temporary replacement (for example of a doctor)

locus classicus place classic (work) authoritative work/source/extract/text, the generally most highly
regarded source (a referencing note referring to a work considered
highly authoritative)

locus delecti place (of) crime scene of the crime, crime scene

locus in quo place in which place in question (where the incident in question happened)

loquitur (loq.) he/she speaks (script note that) a person speaks - (a dramatic/stage direction)

lucri causa gain cause for the sake of (monetary) reward/gain/enrichment - in hope of
financial reward - 'profit driven' - motivated by money

magister artium master of arts Master of Arts - university degree - also abbreviated reversed, AM
(M.A.)

magna cum laude with great praise second honors/honours university degree (see cum laude)

magnum opus great work the/a major work of a creative (writer, composer, etc)

major great great, significant - major/maior is the Latin comparative of magnus,

 great

mala fide bad faith in bad faith - fraudulent - (contrasting with 'bona fide')

male captus, bene wrongly captured, (controversial legal principle asserting that) improper arrest should
detentus properly detained not prevent proper detention and trial - (the principle is not
universally enforceable)

malesuada fames persuaded to evil by crime (that is) produced by hunger - (see Maslow's Hierarchy of
hunger Needs)

malo animo with evil intent equating and evolving to the legal phrase 'with malice aforethought'

malum in se / malum wrong in itself / wrong (legal terms differentiating that something is) inherently wrong /
prohibitum according to law wrong in law - (for example an ambulance which jumps a red light
en route to an accident is committing an offence which is 'malum
prohibitum', but not 'malum in se')

mandamus we command (a legal writ) instruction from a higher court to a lower court

manu propria (m.p.) (signed) by own hand (old rare term indicating that a signature was made) by the
signatory's own hand - (where a signature is missing, or a printed
document contains a copy of a signature)

mea culpa by my fault I am responsible for the problem - acknowledgment of guilt or

blame

media middle (plural) media now means various things in English, notably the news and
information industries ('mass media'), and ways or materials for
communicating in the broadest sense - the origin is Latin, from the
singular word medium, meaning middle, which caused the word to
evolve in English to refer to an agency or means of doing something
(the sense of a body or mechanism between two parties, acting as a
tool, enabler, conduit, translator, communicator)
medicinae doctor doctor of medicine designation of a university degree and doctor of medicine, a general
(M.D.) practitioner (GP)

membrum virile member male polite term for penis

(reproductive organ)

memo (memorandum it must be remembered a written/audio or other note - (to self or more commonly others in a
est) (that..) work group) - a 'memo' was the pre-internet age standard quick
recorded paper communication between work people, typically from
a manager to subordinates, or fellow-managers or superior staff -
before desktop computers, memos were typically hand-written or
dictated by managers and typed and copied using carbon paper (pre-
1970s), later photocopiers (pre-1990s), by typists/secretaries - these
intensive production methods ensured that old-style paper memos
were generated and circulated in relatively tiny volumes compared
to the billions of modern emails

mens sana in corpore sound mind, sound body sound in mind and body
sano

mirabile dictu/visu wonderful to relate/see amazingly (to tell/see)

mobile vulgus movable public fickle group/people/crowd (referring to the whimsical changing
nature and opinions/reactions of the general public or an audience -
this is the derivation of the word 'mob')

modus operandi way of working method or process for a task or activity/service

modus vivendi way of living arrangement between people of differing needs, notably when living
or working together, a compromise enabling cooperation

mox nox in rem soon night (so), to do it, get it done, act now, 'JFDI'
business/work

multum in parvo much in little many good things in something small - (a general term for
 something compact or small which has extensive great qualities)

M M (mutatis changed as had to be altered accordingly - (for example referring to changes having been
mutandis) changed made that were required to meet new circumstances or law)

nemine contradicente no one contradicting unanimously - 'nem con' is a commonly used term in meetings
('nem con') containing votes, where the motion or decision is agreed/passed with
no objection (a less common term is 'nemine dissentiente', no one
dissenting)

ne plus ultra no more beyond perfection, (at/to) the limit

ne quid mimis nothing in excess nothing to excess

nihil obstat nothing is an obstacle no obstacle, no objection, nothing wrong (so proceed, permit,
licence, etc)

nil carborundum This is false Latin, originating in the British army as a comment on authority/commanders, taken
to mean 'Don't let the bastards grind you down', however it is not real Latin. The expression is
structured on the basis of the famous quote from Horace's 'Odes', I:vii:27 'Nil desperandum
Teucro duce' - 'Do not despair with Teucer as your leader' - there are variations of the expression;
all are false Latin)

nil per os / non per os nothing by mouth (medical term) - 'nil by mouth' - no food/drink/anything for this
(n.p.o.) patient to be consumed by mouth

nolens volens unwilling willing whether willing or not

non compos mentis not of sound mind not in possession of full mental powers, mentally
unstable/unreliable, (less formally) not thinking straight, contrasting
logically with 'compos mentis'

non liquet (it is) not proven legal term meaning that a judgment is not possible due to legal
ambiguity or inadequacy - also interpreted to mean 'not clear' and
'not evident'
non obstante notwithstanding notwithstanding, nevertheless, in spite of

non prosequitur he does not proceed judgment in favour/favor of a defendant when the plaintiff fails to
act within a legal time limit

non sequitur it does not follow a statement/conclusion which is not actually proven or demonstrated
by the preceding evidence/argument/justification - an inadequately
supported claim

nota bene (N.B.) note well note well, take note, attention - (introducing and emphasizing what
follows)

nudum pactum a nude pact invalid agreement - (legal term for a contract made with insufficient
financial or other consideration, so making it non-binding and
unenforceable)

nunc pro tunc now for then retrospective, back-dated, retroactive (referring to the effective date
or application of an agreement or contract or award, etc)

obiter dictum/dicta incidental remark/remarks an incidental/aside remark by a judge having no effect on the matter
in hand, but which may influence future related issues

oculus dexter (O.D.) / right eye / left eye abbreviations used by Ophthalmology (medical attention for eyes)
oculus sinister (O.S.)

olet lucernam (it) smells of the lamp a negative assessment of a creative work for having taken too long
to produce, or being over-worked (the metaphor referring to
working late through the night and 'burning the midnight lamp')

omnia vincit amor love conquers all love conquers everything

onus probandi the burden of proving the burden of proof

opere citato (op. cit.) in the work cited referencing term used where a work has previously been referenced,
so avoiding the need for repeating the entire reference source
opus magnum a great work reverse version of 'magnum opus'

pace tua (pace) by your leave with respect to (... other[s] with an opinion that the speaker is about
to criticize/contradict) - with your permission

pari passu (at) equal pace referring to two or more tasks conducted in the same timescales

pari ratione for like reason (and so for) the previous/same reason given... (some sort of action or
decision is taken)

particeps criminis partner (in) crime accomplice (in a criminal act)

pass. (passim) throughout throughout

paucis verbis (in) few words briefly

pax vobiscum peace be with you peace be with you

pendente lite (while the) legal case is the case is undecided (so comment is not possible)
pending

per annum by the year annually, (rate) for a year

per capita by the head for each person, individually

per centum (percent) by the hundred rate for a hundred

per contra for the opposite on the other hand, conversely,

per diem by each day daily, day-rate

per mensem by each month monthly

per procurationem to take care of P.P. denotes that a signature in a document, usually at the end of a
(P.P. or per pro) letter, is that of an assistant or secretary, on behalf of the
writer/sender of the letter - (precise position of usage varies, either
 before the assistant's signature, or before the name of the official
signatory/writer)

per se by itself intrinsically, exclusively, specifically

persona grata person pleasing welcome guest, approved individual

persona non grata person not pleasing unwelcome guest, barred/banned individual

placet (it) pleases yes, approved, agreed

plebeius (plebs) the common people (insulting term for) the lower classes (implying a lack of taste,
intelligence, breeding, refinement, etc)

posse comitatus power of a county a posse, group of volunteers - (this is the derivation of the word
(posse) 'posse' - originally a group of men, over age fifteen, assembled from
a county, for a lawful purpose - 'posse' was literally 'be able';
comitatus was county)

post cibum (p.c.) after food (medical term/instruction) - after eating

post hoc, ergo propter after this, therefore (it is (acknowledgment of) the potentially flawed logic in assuming a
hoc assumed) because of this causal link between a situation/event and one which follows it
(usually in the absence of any better information)

post meridiem (pm) after noon afternoon, evening (see 'ante meridiem', [am])

post mortem after death autopsy, examination of corpse to determine case of death

post mortem auctoris after the death of the legal term typically used in connection with intellectual property
(p.m.a.) author rights - (for example copyright generally expires a given period after
the creator's death)

post script (PS) after writing a footnote written after the preceding message but before sending,
PS
prima facie at first sight at first appearing, on initial evidence - (a legal term referring to
initial yet potentially or arguably sufficient evidence)

pro bono publico (pro for the public good for the public good
bono)

pro forma for form (formality) as a matter of formality, a standard document - (originally in law a
formal process which did not necessarily serve practical purpose,
and this sense evolved top extend to documents, and then to
standard documentation)

pro parte in part (typically referring to) part of (a group)

pro rata/rate by rate proportionately, in proportion - (in the same ratio, whether less or
more)

pro se for oneself to defend oneself in court without formal legal representation -
alternatively 'pro per'

pro tempore (pro tem) (for) temporarily temporarily, for the while, a temporary situation, replacement, etc

punctatim in points point by point

QED (quod erat which was to be proof/evidence has been provided as intended - this is the proof -
demonstrandum) demonstrated (traditionally appended to a mathematical solution)

quantum amount a required or allowed quantity - (for example a debt payable) - also
used in various latin phrases to mean 'as much as' - more
scientifically quantum in physics means: 'a discrete quantity of
energy proportional in magnitude to the frequency of the radiation it
represents'

quid nunc? what now? what now? - also the derivation of the traditional English word
'quidnunc', meaning a gossip or overly inquisitive person
qui docet discit who teaches learns a good way to learn something is to teach it to someone else

quid pro quo something for something something which is given in return for another thing - (loosely refers
(else) to an exchange, a reciprocal arrangement, an agreed deal or swap, in
the same spirit as 'you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours'

quieta non movere don't move the settled leave settled things to be - let sleeping dogs lie

qui scribit bis legit who writes, twice reads writing something is more memorable than merely reading it - i.e. if
you write something you will will remember it better than simply
reading it - (a learning/teaching method and maxim)

qui tacet consentit who is silent consents remaining silent or failing to respond may be taken as agreement -
the concept has real practical effect, and also to a degree influence in
legal situations too

quod erat which was to be proof/evidence has been provided as intended - this is the proof -
demonstrandum demonstrated (traditionally appended to a mathematical solution)
(QED)

qoud est (q.e.) which is which is

quod vide (q.v.) which see see (for explanation, clarification, comparison, or interest a relevant
cross-referenced point - (most commonly abbreviated, 'q.v.', in
scholarly/academic works - the term essentially directs a reader to
more detail elsewhere in the same work about the word/phrase given
with 'q.v.')

quorum of whom a specified minimum number of members, directors or delegates,

etc., required for an official assembly (such as a parliament or
council or board of directors or committee member, etc) to be able
to conduct its affairs, for example take votes and make decisions -
the term entered English in the 15th/16th century, from the full Latin
phrase used at the start of commissions for committee members,
"quorum vos ... unum esse volumus," loosely meaning, "of whom
 we specify that ... be one"

rara avis rare bird an unusual thing of person - the derivation of the metaphor 'rare
bird' - (first recorded and popularized in Latin by Juvenal, in Satires,
vi:165 - "rara avis in terris nigroque simillima cygno" - "a rare bird
in the lands, and very like a black swan")

ratum et confirmed and completed (in church law) a consummated marriage - a marriage that has not
consummatum yet been consummated is merely 'ratum tantum' (confirmed only,
and can be dissolved, 'super rato'

re thing regarding, concerning, relating to... (the term precedes the name of a
subject which is to be discussed or described, etc - from the full
Latin form 'res', 'thing')

rebus sic stantibus things thus standing as things/matters stand, in the current situation - (normally a legal
statement prefacing the fact or assertion that a point of law remains
effective or in force

recto / verso right / left right/left pages of a book - from the full forms 'recto folio' and 'verso
folio' 'on the right leaf' and 'on the left leaf'

regnat populus ruling people the people rule

regina/rex queen/rex denoting the queen/king or crown, notably in legal cases equating to
the state versus another party, e.g., Regina v. Smith

requiescat in pace (may he/she) rest in peace rest in peace (singular) - the plural (may they rest in peace) is
(R.I.P.) 'requiescant in pace'

res ipsa loquitur the thing itself speaks self-evidently, obviously, the facts/circumstances speak for
themselves - (a legal term referring to self-evident proof of
something)

salus populi suprema the good of the people is people's welfare must come first (in governance and business, etc) -
lex esto the supreme law the expression is translated in various similar ways, and used as a
maxim/motto by many civil/state/services authorities to mean that
the priority of governance is the health/needs of ordinary people
('the greater good') - the expression origin is usually attributed to
Roman philosopher and politician Cicero's work De Legibus (bk III:
III; viii), as 'Ollis salus populi suprema lex esto'.

salvo errore et save for error and traditional caveat (as would be inserted by a bookkeeper or auditor)
omissione (s.e.e.o.) omission featuring in formal statements of financial accounts

scientia est potentia knowledge is power knowledge is power

scilicet (scire licet) one is permitted to know namely, that is to say, i.e. - prefaces an explanation or clarification -
scilicet is the Latin abbreviated form of scire licet

scripsit/sculpsit he/she wrote it/carved it denoting author/sculptor - the term appears after the writer's name
on the work

semper fidelis/idem always faithful/the same always faithful/always the same or unchanging
(thing)

sensu lato / sensu meaning wide / tight in the wide sense / in the strict sense
stricto

seq. (sequens, the following the following - to introduce a remark or list, like the words: 'as
sequentes, or sequitur) follows' - the word sequitur has the additional alternative meaning:
'it follows logically', or 'therefore'

seriatim in (a) series one of a series, part of/in a series - a scholarly or technical academic
term referring to a published work which is part of a series

sic thus, so as used/written originally - denotes that the word or phrase which
precedes 'sic' is quoted exactly as originally used/written/spelled by
the quoted source - typically used within a quoted passage or extract
to indicate that a misspelling or poor grammar or wrong word was in
 the source material

sine die without a day until an unspecified time/date/day, no date has been set (for another
meeting or resumption) - typically referring to the status of
discussions/meetings, that there is no date agreed for further action

sine loco (s.l.) / sine without place / date / without place / date /author or publisher - normally referring to a
anno (s.a.) / sine without a name referenced book or paper for which place / date of publication /
nomine (s.n.) author or publisher are unknown - (these terms may becombined
with the word 'et', and, for example 'sine loco et anno', without place
and date

sine mora without delay without delay

sine prole without children childless, no children, or the legal term 'without issue' - often
referring to a deceased person who had no offspring

sine qua non without which not an absolutely necessary requirement or condition, an indispensable
factor

solidus nummus (Roman) solid coin in English money history the S in LSD (pounds shillings pence)
derived from the Roman coin 'Solidus' (prior to 1387 in English
translations shown as 'Solidy', and also shown more recently in
English as 'Solidi' and 'Solidii', being Latin plural versions) - the
Solidus was originally an Imperial Roman coin introduced by
Constantine (c.274-337AD), so called from the full Latin 'solidus
nummus', meaning solid coin - the L and D in LSD also derived
from Latin terms 'libra' and 'denarius'

socius criminis partner criminal partner in crime, accomplice

sponte sua/sua sponte of own accord self-determining, voluntarily

stare decisis stand by decided things uphold previous ruling/decision - apply precedent
status quo situation in which current situation, normality, conditions unchanged

status quo ante situation in which was situation as was/before (an event)

stereo solid hi-fi system or reproduced sound of at least two speakers/channels -

initially adopted into English referring to a surround-sound effect,
evolving to mean two different channels combining to produce a
double-sided sound effect

stet let it stand a proof reading/editing term which instructs the printer or designer
to ignore the edit in question - (equating to an instruction to reinstate
the original part, i.e., before the edit - for example to reverse the
crossing out or alteration of a word) - stet is from the Latin word
stare, stand

sub judice/sub iudice under a judge under consideration by a judge/court (and therefore not to be
discussed or published - this refers to a legal case or facts within a
case, and seeks to avoid any influence or prejudice on the process

sub nomine under the name (of) refers to the name of the person/party taking action - 'in the name of'

sub poena under penalty a writ requiring a person to appear in court - originally fully under
penalty of a fine/imprisonment/etc., so that the potential punishment
would appear after the words sub poena, which is nowadays usually
rendered as a single word, subpoena

sub rosa under the rose in secret, behind closed doors, privately - (referring to proceedings
of some sort - the legal term is an old metaphor based on the rose
being once a symbol of secrecy)

sub verbo (s.v.) under the word under the word/heading, a referencing term directing the reader to
information contained beneath the word entry or heading in question
elsewhere in the publication, for example as in a dictionary - used as
's.v. [word/heading]' = see the information under [word/heading]'
sui generis of its own kind unique, in a class/classification of its own, utterly distinctive and
original

sui juris/iuris of his/her own volition able to take responsibility - equating to asserting that a person was
legally responsible for his/her action

summa summary traditional term for the summary of a subject in a printed/text work

summa cum laude with highest highest distinction (referring to a university degree qualification
distinction/praise award) - see 'cum laude' and 'magna cum laude', respectively the 3rd
and 2nd highest grades

suo jure/iure in (one's/its) own right independently, in one's/its own right

suo moto/tempore by own motion/in own spontaneously/in one's or its own time
time

supra/vide supra above/see above see above - scholarly technical term simply directing the reader to
the text above

terra firma firm land solid earth, dry land (as different to the sea or waters or air) -
typically referring to being safely or surely on land, for example
'back on terra firma' (after a plane or sea journey, or parachute leap)

usus est magister practice is the best teacher practice makes perfect
optimus

ultra vires beyond the powers beyond (one's/its) legal powers - typically legally referring to a court
or official body which acts outside of its limits/authority

ut infra/supra as below/above as below/above - citing/referencing terms

varia lectio/lectiones variant reading/readings an alternative way(s) of reading/interpreting a document or work

variorum of various people denoting comments/interpretations by various people, or denoting a

 publication which contains different interpretations/readings of the
original work - consequently a variorum or variorum edition refers
to a publication which provides variant readings/interpretations of,
and comments by different scholars on, a work of some sort

veni, vidi, vici I came, I saw, I conquered victory was easy - a confident claim of a supposedly simple speedy
triumph, attributed to Julius Caesar telling of his defeating
Pharnaces, King of Pontus, 47BC (not his invasion of Britain as
some believe) - according to Seutonius this motto was carried ahead
of Caesar's advancing forces in subsequent campaigns, mainly to
emphasize the speed of victory - in modern renderings the claim
may also imply nonchalance, casualness, ease, arrogance, etc

verbi gratia (v.gr. or for the sake of a word for example

VG)

versus (vs., V) against against, between - usually when matching or comparing two
competing things, enemies, arguments, etc

veto I forbid to disallow or prevent something - (or noun form) the act of
forbidding something or refusing permission

via a way by way of, a way, a path/road, passing through, connecting

via media middle way the middle path - (compromise, moderation)

vice versa in-turned position conversely, the other way around, reversed, exchanged

victor ludorum/victrix winner of the games male/female sport champion - the term is also used as a name of a
ludorum trophy awarded to a winner or an event

vide see see.. (something/somewhere) - used in referencing and elsewhere

videlicet (viz.) permitted to see namely, to wit

vis inertiae power of inaction power of inertia - a much under-rated strategic concept by which the
impulse to react to provocation/threat is resisted - and instead a
positive decision is made to take no action - which can produce
surprisingly better results than reacting aggressively and quickly
without much thought for the consequences - the notion of 'vis
inertiae' recognizes the fact that often provocative/threatening
situations tend to subside or implode, as history commonly tells

viva voce with living voice orally - typically refers to an oral/spoken examination

vixit he/she lived... he/she lived (for a number of years) - common gravestone term

vox pop (vox populi) voice of the people comments from the general public, public opinion - 'vox pops' is
now a common media term referring to impromptu interviews with
members of the public

ultra beyond to extreme degree - broadly contrasting with 'infra', below/lower

than