Latin Phrases
Here's a list of Latin phrases and sayings that are used in English often enough to have become part of the language.
From what comes before. |
|
Ad absurdum |
To the point of absurdity. |
Ad hoc |
For this purpose. |
Ad infinitum |
Without limit - endlessly. |
Ad nauseam |
To a sickening extent. |
Alma Mater |
One's old school (literally 'bounteous mother'). |
Alter ego |
Other (alternative) self. |
A horrible year. |
|
Agnus Dei |
Lamb of God. |
Aqua pura |
Pure water. |
Aqua vitae |
Alcoholic spirit, e.g. brandy/whisky. Literally 'water of life'. |
| Ars longa, vita brevis | Skill takes time to acquire, but life is short. |
Ave Maria |
Hail Mary. |
Seize the day (More literally translated as 'enjoy the day, pluck it when it is ripe'). |
|
Caveat emptor |
Let the buyer beware. |
Cogito ergo sum |
I think, therefore I am. |
Corpus Christi |
The body of Christ. |
De facto |
In fact - in reality. |
Dei Gratia |
By the grace of God. |
E Pluribus Unum |
One from many. |
Et cetera (etc.) |
And the rest. |
Et tu, Brute |
And you, Brutus. |
Ex libris |
'Out of the books', i.e. from the library. |
Gloria in excelsis deo |
Glory to God in the highest. |
Habeas corpus |
You must have the body (in court). |
In absentia |
In one's absence. |
In camera |
In private chamber. |
In flagrante delicto |
In the act of committing an offence. |
In loco parentis |
In the place of a parent. |
In vitro |
In a test tube (literally 'in glass'). |
Ipso facto |
By that very fact. |
Magnum opus |
A great work. |
My fault. |
|
Modus operandi (m.o.) |
Mode of operating. |
Nolens volens |
Willingly or unwillingly (see also, willy-nilly). |
| Persona non grata | An unacceptable or unwelcome person, especially a foreign diplomat. |
Post partum |
After childbirth. |
| Praemonitus, praemunitus | Forewarned is forearmed. |
Prima facie |
At first sight; on the face of it. |
Pro bono |
Without charge - for the public good. |
Opus Dei |
The work of God. |
Something for something, i.e. a favour for a favour. |
|
Quo vadis? |
Where are you going? |
Rigor mortis |
The rigidity of death. |
Semper fidelis |
Always faithful. |
Sine qua non |
Indispensable. |
The current state of affairs. |
|
Sub judice |
Before a court. |
Tempus fugit |
Time flees. |
Terra firma |
Solid ground. |
Urbi et orbi |
To the city and to the globe. |
Veni vidi vici |
I came, I saw, I conquered. |
The other way around. |
|
Vivat Regina |
Long live the queen. |
Vox populi |
The voice of the people. |
See also - French phrases in English.
