This page includes Englishtranslations of several Latin phrases and abbreviations such as i.e.. Some of these are themselves translations from Greek.
For a list of more formal proverbs, see: List of Latin proverbs (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Latin_proverbs). Note that the difference between phrases and proverbs is often subjective. Please use this test to see whether a Latin sentence is a phrase or proverb: If the sentence is an old yet common saying that expresses some practical truth, then it is probably a proverb. If it is in the form of an incomplete sentence or does not contain some practical truth, then it is probably a phrase.
"From the stronger" — loosely, "even more so" or "with even stronger reason." Often used to lead from a less certain proposition to a more evident corollary. e.g. "It is unwise to invest in pyramid schemes, and, a fortiori, in e-mail pyramid schemes."
"From the latter" — based on observation, the reverse of a priori. Used in mathematics and logic to denote something that is known after a proof has been carried out.
"From the former" — presupposed, the reverse of a posteriori. Used in mathematics and logic to denote something that is known before a proof has been carried out.
A priori assumptione
"An assumption that something is true without proof."
Ab hinc
"From here on."
Ab imo pectore
"From the depths of (my) chest" — i.e. "from my heart". Attributed to Julius Caesar.
"From the founding of the city (of Rome)" — i.e. from 753 B.C., according to Livy's count; used as a reference point by the Romans for establishing dates, as we use A.D. today.
Absit omen
"May the presentiment not be realized."
Acta est fabula, plaudite!
"The play is over (literally, story is done), applaud!" common ending phrase of ancient Roman comedies
"To appeal to the crowd (literally, to the "taking" of the common folk" — often used of politicians who make false or insincere promises appealing to popular interest.
"To the man" — usually, an argument criticizing the opponent's person rather than his ideas; or also an argument designed to appeal to personal interest rather than objective fact.
"In the meantime" — as in the term "chargé d'affaires ad interim" for a diplomatic officer who acts in place of an ambassador.
Ad kalendas graecas
"To the Greek Kalends" — said by Emperor Augustus, in Suetonius, with the sense of "never". Kalends were part of the Roman calendar, not of the Greek, so the "Greek kalends" are "a date that will never happen".
"At the foot of the letter" — i.e. "exactly as it is written".
Ad perpetuam memoriam
"To the eternal memory [of]"
Ad usum Delphini
"For usage of the Dauphin" — said of a work that has been expurgated of offensive or improper parts. The phrase originates from editions of Greek and Roman classics which Louis XIV had printed for his heir apparent, the Dauphin.
Ad usum proprium (ad us. propr.)
"For own usage"
Ad valorem
"By the value" — e.g.ad valorem tax.
Advocatus Diaboli
"The Devil's Advocate" — said about someone who defends an unpopular view for the sake of discussion (and implying a lack of person belief in the validity of the argument).
Aegri somnia
"Troubled dreams."
Alea iacta est
"The die is cast" — said by Julius Caesar, in Suetonius, after his decision to defy Roman law by crossing the Rubicon with his troops. (Suetonius actually uses it in the future imperative "Alea iacta esto": "Be sure to cast the dice").
Alis volat propiis
"She flies with her own wings" - the Oregon state motto.
Alma mater
"Nourishing mother" — term used for the university one attends/has attended. The word "matriculation" is derived from "mater". The term suggests that the students are "fed" knowledge and taken care of by the university. The term is also used for a university's traditional school anthem.
"Friend of the court" — an adviser, or a person who can obtain or grant access to the favour of powerful people (like Romana curia). In current U.S. legal usage, a third party allowed to submit a brief (an amicus brief) to the court.
"In the year of the lord" — indicates a year counted from the traditional date of birth of Jesus; also called the Common Era (C.E.) to remove religious implications.
"A horrible year" — used memorably by Queen Elizabeth II to describe what a bad year 1992 had been for her.
Ante cibum (a.c.)
"Before meals" (medical shorthand)
Ante litteram
"Before the letter" — said after an expression that described something that existed before the expression itself was introduced or became common. For example, one could say that Alan Turing was a computer scientist ante litteram, since the profession of "computer scientist" was not recognised in Turing's day.
Ante meridiem (a.m.)
"Before noon" — in the period from midnight to noon.
Ante prandium (a.p.)
"Before lunch" — i.e. before a meal. Used on pharmaceutical prescriptions.
Asinus asinorum in saecula saeculorum.
"The jackass of jackasses in the centuries of centuries", or "The greatest jackass in eternity."
Audentes Fortunas Juvat
"Fortune favors the bold"—allegedly the last words of Pliny the Elder before he left the docks at Pompeii to rescue people from the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE
"Accursed hunger for gold" — from Vergil, Aeneis 3,57; later quoted by Seneca: quod non mortalia pectora coges, auri sacra fames ("What aren't you able to bring men to do, miserable hunger for gold!")
Aut Caesar aut nihil
"Caesar or nothing" — i.e., all or nothing. (Caesar is here used in the meaning emperor.)
Aut vincere aut mori
"Either conquer or die".
Ave atque vale
"Hail and farewell!"
B
Beati possidentes
"The happy who possess", translation of a quote from Euripides
"Good services", a nation's offer to mediate in disputes between two other nations
Bonum commune communitatis
"General welfare." Literally, "common good of the community."
Bonum commune hominis
"Common good of man."
Busillis
Pseudo-Latin meaning "baffling puzzle" or "difficult point". John of Cornwall (ca. 1170) was once asked by a scribe what the word meant. It turns out that the original text said in diebus illis magnis plenæ ("in those days plenty of great things"), which the scribe misread as indie busillis magnis plenæ ("in India there were plenty of large busillis")... [1] (http://digilander.libero.it/summagallicana/Volume1/A.VIIII.8.01.htm).
C
Cacoethes scribendi
"Bad habit of writing" — i.e. an insatiable urge to write. From Juvenal.
"Carthage should be destroyed." A common ending phrase used by the Roman senator Cato the Elder in his speeches, asking the Senate to destroy the weakened state of Carthage after the Second Punic War.
"Beware of the dog" — found written on a floor mosaic depicting a dog, at the entrance of a Roman house excavated at Pompei[2] (http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/pompeii/imagesHTM/Canem.html).
"In conclusion, I think that..." — Cato the Elder used to conclude his speeches, on any topic whatsoever, with Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam ("In conclusion, I think that Carthage must be destroyed").
"I think therefore I am" — (French philosopher Rene Descartes) Through this ultimate rationalistic view, Descartes attempts to prove the existence of one's self not through one's sense experience but through reasoning.
"In fact" — Said of something that actually is the case. Often the implication is that it isn't the case of necessity (de jure) or that it is supposed not to be the case; e.g. "The Shogun was the de facto ruler of Japan."
"A god from a machine" — a contrived or artificial solution, usually to a literary plot. Refers to the practice in Greek drama of lowering by machine an actor playing Zeus onto the stage — as though he were descending from Olympus — to resolve an awkward plot.
Deus vult!
"God wills it" — this slogan was the principal one of the Crusades.
"Members of a dismembered poet" i.e. "the scattered remnants of the poet" (Horace, Satires, I, 4, 62), battered poetry.
Dominus Vobiscum
"God be with you" — phrase used during and at the end of catholic sermons; greeting form among and towards members of catholic organizations (i.e. priests, nuns etc.)
Dramatis personae
"People of the play" — the characters represented in a dramatic work; cast.
"It is sweet and right" — the beginning of a phrase from an ode by Horace: "dulce et decorum est, pro patria mori", "it is sweet and right to die for one's country." Used by Wilfred Owen as the title of a poem about World War I; see Dulce Et Decorum Est.
"From many, one" - one of the national mottoes [[United States of America].
Ecce homo
"Behold the man!" — in the Latin translation of the Gospel of John these words are spoken by Pilate as he presents Jesus crowned with thorns to the crowd.
Editio princeps
"First edition."
Emeritus
"From merit" — often used to refer to a retired professor.
"Let it be everlasting" — used by the historian Fra Paolo Sarpi of his native Venice.
Et alii (et al.)
"And others" — used to abbreviate a list of names (Alii is actually masculine, so it can be used for men, or groups of men and women; the feminineet aliae is appropriate when the "others" are all female.)
"And thou, Brutus?" — literal quotation from William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. He renders as Latin in an English play what was originally quoted as Greek supposedly spoken by a Roman. But Plutarch quotes Caesar as saying, και συ τεκνον Kai su, teknon? — Greek for "You too, my child?" (Greek would have been the language of Rome's elite at the time.) However it is unlikely that Caesar actually said these words.
Ex animo
"From the heart" — i.e. "sincerely".
Ex ante
"From before" — "beforehand", "before the event", i.e. based on prior assumptions.
"From the Chair" — a phrase applied to the Pope when he is speaking infallibly and, by extension, to others who speak with supreme authority or arrogance.
"You must have the body" — i.e. you must justify an imprisonment. First two words of the Writ to bring a prisoner to court (Charles II of England, Habeas Corpus Act - 1679) and commonly used as the general term for a prisoner's legal right to have the charge against specifically identified.
Habemus papam
"We have a pope" — used in a Catholic Church conclave to announce a successful ballot to elect a new pope.
Haec olim meminisse juvabit
"Perhaps, we'll look back at this and smile." Virgil's Aeneid
"For the sake of honor" — said of an honorary title, e.g., Doctor of Science honoris causa.
Horas non numero nisi serenas
"I only count the sunny hours" — common inscription on sundials.
Hora somni (h.s.)
"At bedtime", literally "at the hour of sleep" (medical shorthand)
Horribile dictu
"Horrible to say" — i.e. "a horrible thing to relate."
I
Ibidem (ibid.)
"In the same place" — usually in bibliographic citations.
Id est (i.e.)
"That is (to say)", abbreviated as "i.e." — sometimes "in this case," depending on the context. When celebrating this holiday (i.e. Christmas), hang a wreath on your door. It is never equivalent to "e.g.".
Igni ferroque
"By fire and iron" — a phrase describing scorched earth tactics. Also seen as igne atque ferro, ferro ignique, and other variations.
"In imitation of God" — a principle, held by several religions, that believers should strive to resemble their god(s).
Imperium in imperio
"An empire within an empire" — i.e. a group of people within an nation's territory who are beginning to look as if they most of the members owe primary allegiance to the upper member(s) of the group, so that the allegiance of the group depends more than it should on the relationship of the leader(s) with the larger empire.
Imperium sine fine
"Empire without end". In Virgil's Aeneid, Jupiter ordered Aeneas to found a city (Rome) from which would come an everlasting, neverending empire, the empire-without-end.
"In (the form of) an image" — as opposed to "in the flesh" or "in person".
In extenso
"In long (form)" — i.e. "in full", "completely", "unabridged."
In fidem
"To faith" — to the verification of
In fine (i.f.)
"Finally."
In flagrante delicto
"In flaming crime" — i.e. "caught red-handed."
In flore
"In bloom."
In foro
"In forum" — in court.
In illo tempore
"At that time", found often in the Gospel lecture during the Mass. It is used to mark a time in an indetermined past.
In loco
"At the place" — as e.g., "the water samples were analyzed in loco."
In loco parentis
"In place of the parents" — Legal term, "assuming custodial/parental responsibility and authority".
In manus tuas commendo spiritum meum
"In your hands I commend (i.e., entrust) my spirit", according to Luke 23:46 the last words of Jesus on the Cross.
In media res
"In the middle things" or " — by Horace, refers to the literary technique of beginning a narrative in them middle of, or at a late point in, the story, after much action has already taken place. Examples include the Iliad, the Odyssey, and Paradise Lost. Compare ab initio.
In memoriam
"In memory of" — i.e. to remember or honor a deceased person.
In nuce
"In a nutshell."
In partibus infidelium
"The land of the infidels" — infidels here refers to non-Christians. After Islam conquered a big part of the Roman Empire, the corresponding bishoprics didn't disappear, but remained as honorific titles.
"In silicon", an experiment or process performed as a computer simulation. Compare with in vitro and in vivo. This is pseudo-latin, though clever. The "on" ending of silicon matches no latin noun declension, though there are Greek neuter nouns that end in "-on"; the ablative case ending is simply taken by analogy from in vivo and in vitro.
In statu nascendi
"In the state of being born" — just as something is about to begin.
"In place" — in the original place, position, or arrangement. In medical contexts it implies that the condition is "still" in its orignal place and has not spread.
"Thus (it is) true" — i.e. "thus indeed". A useful phrase, as the Romans had no word for "yes".
Ite, missa est
"Leave, the mass is finished" — the final words of the Roman Missal (literally "go, it is dismissed", i.e. the congregation is dismissed, or "go, this is the mass", i.e. there is no more mass to be said)
A mangled fragment from Cicero's De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum ("On the Ends (Limits) of Good and Evil," 45 BC), used as typographer's filler to show fonts (a.k.a greeked text).
"Prohibited wrong" — something that society decided to forbid, but is not inherently evil.
Manu propria (m.p.)
"Done with one's own hand"
Me vexat pede
"Kick me" (literally, "annoy me by means of a foot")
Mea (maxima) culpa
"By my own (very great) fault" — used in Christian prayers and confession.
Melita, domi adsum.
"Honey, I'm home." (from the joke phrasebook, Latin Language for All Occasions; gramatically correct, but the phrase would be anachronistic in ancient Rome)
"Method of subtracting" — loosely "method of denying", a logicalrule of inference, saying that from propositions not Q and if P then Q one can conclude not P.
Modus morons
Not actually Latin, but a wordplay on the above two, referring to the oft-made logical fallacy that from if P then Q and not P, one would conclude not Q.
Modus vivendi
"Way of living" — i.e. an accommodation between disagreeing parties to allow life to go on.
Multum in parvo
"Much in little" — e.g. "Latin phrases are often multum in parvo, because they convey much in few words."
Mutatis mutandis
"Changing what is to be changed" — i.e., "with the appropriate changes".
N
Nemine contradicente (nem. con.)
"Without contestation" — literally, "with no one speaking against;" used especially in committees, where a matter may be passed nem. con..
"No one can pass better title than they have;" literally, "no one gives what he doesn't possess."
Nihil obstat
"Nothing prevents" — a notation, usually on a title page, indicating that a Catholiccensor has reviewed the book and found nothing objectionable to faith or morals in its content. See also imprimatur.
Nihil per os (n.p.o.)
"Nothing by mouth" (medical shorthand)
Nolens (aut) volens
"Willing or not," corrupted to "willy-nilly" of similar meaning.
"Notwithstanding the verdict" — a legal motion asking the court to reverse the jury's verdict on the grounds that the jury could not reasonably have reached such a verdict.
"No thing born" — i.e. "nothing". It has been claimed that this expression is the origin of Italiannulla, Frenchrien, and Spanish/Portuguesenada, all with the same meaning.
"Theological hatred" — a name for the special hatred generated in theological disputes.
Opera omnia
"All works" — the collected works of some author.
Opera posthuma
"Posthumous works" — i.e. published after the author's death.
Opere citato (op. cit.)
"In work (already) cited" — used in academic works when referring again to the last source mentioned or used.
Ophidia in herba
"A snake in the grass" — any hidden danger or unknown risk.
P
Pace
"With peace" — used to indicate that the speaker contradicts someone else: "...but acquired characteristics are not inherited, paceLamarck..."
Pace tua
"With your permission."
Panem et circenses
"Bread and circus plays" — Juvenal, Satires 10, 81, describing all that was needed for the emperors to placate the Roman mob, and today used to describe any public entertainment used to distract public attention from more important matters.
"Throughout", "here and there", "frequently" — of a word that occurs several times in a cited texts; also, in proof reading, of a change that is to be repeated everywhere needed.
Through the agency (of) — used to indicate that a person is signing a document on behalf of another person (correctly placed before the name of the person signing, but often placed before the name of the person on whose behalf the document is signed, sometimes through incorrect translation of the alternative abbreviation "per pro." as "for and on behalf of").
Per se
"By itself" or "in itself" — i.e. without referring to anything else, intrinsically, taken without qualifications, etc.; for instance, negligence per se.
A county treasurer exofficio collector subject to the provisions of this section shall not receive an annual compensation less than the total compensation being received by the county treasurer exofficio collector in that county for services rendered or performed for the period beginning March 1, 1987, and ending February 29, 1988.
In addition, the exofficio collector shall be allowed to retain a commission for the collection of all back taxes and all delinquent taxes of two percent on all sums collected to be added to the face of the tax bill, and collected from the party paying the tax.
The treasurer exofficio collector in each of the third and fourth classification counties which have adopted the township form of county government is entitled to employ deputies and assistants, and for the deputies and assistants is allowed not less than the amount allowed in 1992 or 1993, whichever is greater.
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