Latin words and phrases

About 350 Latin words and phrases with their meanings, from ab initio to vulgo. This was a fun project that started with a few words and then got out of hand :-)

Also available as a PDF and as LaTeX source.

ab initio – from the beginning

ab origine – from the origin

ab ovo – from the egg/beginning

addenda – things to be added, list of additions

ad finem – to the end

ad hoc – to or with respect to this (object); said of a body elected or appointed for a definite work

ad libitum – at pleasure, as much as one pleases

ad nauseam – to the point of disgust or satiety

ad rem – to the purpose; to the point

adsum – I am present; here!

ad valorem – according to the value

advocatus diaboli – devil’s advocate; a person chosen to dispute before the papal court the claims of a candidate for canonization

æquo animo – with an equable mind; with equanimity

ære perennius – more enduring than brass or bronze

a fortiori – with stronger reason

alter ego – other self

anguis in herba – a snake in the grass; an unsuspected danger

anno urbis conditæ – in the year (or from the time) of the founded city (Rome).

ante/post meridiem – a.m. and p.m. (before/after noon)

a posteriori – from effect to cause; empirical

a priori – from cause to effect; presumptive

arbiter elegantiarum – a judge or supreme authority in matters of taste

arcanum imperii – state secrets

argumentum ad hominem – an argument to the individual man, i.e., to his interest and prejudices

ars est celare artem – it is true art to conceal art

ars longa, vita brevis – art is long, life is short

bis dat qui cito dat – he gives twice who gives quickly

bona fide(s) – good faith (in good faith)

carpe diem – enjoy the present day; improve the time

casus belli – that which causes or justifies war

caveat emptor – let the purchaser beware (he buys at his own risk)

ceteris paribus – other things being equal

circa – about

cogito, ergo sum – I think, therefore I am

coram populo – publicly; in public

corpus delicti – the body of the crime

corrigenda – things to be corrected; a list of errors

credat Judæus Apella – let Apella, the superstitious Jew, believe it; I won’t

credo quia absurdum – I believe because it is absurd, or contrary to reason

cum grano salis – with a grain of salt; with some allowance

de facto – in point of fact; actual or actually

de gustibus non est disputandum – there is no disputing about tastes

Dei gratia – by the grace of God

de jure – from the law; by right

delenda est Carthago – Carthage must be destroyed

de mortuis nil nisi bonum – (say) nothing but the good of the dead

de novo – anew

Deo gratias – thanks to God

de profundis – out of the depths

deus ex machina – a god from a machine; used in reference to forced or unlikely events introduced in a drama, novel, etc., to resolve a difficult or awkward situation; derived from the use of deities in the ancient drama

dies iræ – day of wrath

Dominus vobiscum – God be with you

dramatis personæ – characters of the drama or play

dulce et decorum est pro patria mori – it is sweet and glorious to die for one’s country

dum spiro, spero – while I breathe, I hope

dum vivimus, vivamus – while we live, let us live

ecce homo – behold the man!

editio princeps – the first printed edition of a book

ego et rex meus – I and my king

emeritus – retired or superannuated after long service

e pluribus unum – one out of many; one composed of many (motto of the U.S.)

errata – errors; list of errors

est modus in rebus – there is a medium in all things

et alia (et al.) – and others; and elsewhere

et cætera or et cetera – and the rest

et id genus omne – and everything of the sort

et tu, Brute! – and you also, Brutus!

ex cathedra – from the chair; with high authority

excelsior – higher, taller, loftier

exempli gratia (e.g.) – for example; such as

exeunt omnes – all go out (or retire)

exit – he goes out

ex nihilo nihil fit – out of nothing, nothing comes

ex officio – in virtue of (his) office

ex parte – from one party or side

ex pede Herculem – from the foot we recognize Hercules; we judge the whole from the part

experto crede – trust one who has experience

ex post facto – after the deed is done; retrospective

ex situ – opposite of in situ

ex uno disce omnes – from one judge of the rest

facile princeps – easily preeminent; indisputably the first

facilis est descensus Averni – the descent to Avernus (hell) is easy

festina lente – hasten slowly

fiat justitia, ruat cœlum – let justice be done though the heavens should fall

fiat lux – let there be light

fides Punica – Punic (or Carthaginian) faith; treachery

fidus Achates – faithful Achates (a true friend)

finis coronat opus – the end crowns the work

flagrante delicto – in the commission of the crime; red-handed

fons et origo – the source and origin

fortiter in re – with firmness in acting

fortuna favet fortibus – fortune favors the bold

furor loquendi – a rage for speaking

furor scribendi – a rage for writing

gaudeamus igitur – so let us be joyful

genius loci – the genius (or guarding spirit) of the place

hic et ubique – here and everywhere

hic jacet – here lies

hinc illæ lacrimæ – hence these tears

hodie mihi, cras tibi – mine today, yours tomorrow

homo sum; humani nihil a me alienum puto – I am a man, I count nothing human indifferent to me

horribile dictu – horrible to relate

humanum est errare – to err is human

idem – same as previously given

ibidem – at the same place (in a book)

id est (i.e.) – that is

ignotum per ignotius – the unknown (explained) by the still more unknown

impedimenta – encumbrances, luggage, baggage

in æternum – forever

in articulo mortis – at the point of death; in the last struggle

index expurgatorius – a list of prohibited works

in esse – in being, in actuality

in extenso – at full length

in extremis – at the point of death

infra dignitatem – below one’s dignity

in loco – in the place; in the natural (or proper) place

in loco parentis – in place of the parent

in medias res – into the midst of things

in memoriam – to the memory of, in memory

in nomine – in the name of

in omnia paratus – prepared for all things

in perpetuum – forever

in posse – in possible existence; in possibility

in præsenti – at the present moment

in propria persona – in one’s own person

in puris naturalibus – quite naked

in re – in the matter of

in rerum natura – in the nature of things

in sæcula sæculorum – for ages on ages

in situ – in its original position, undisturbed; in a localized state or condition

in statu quo – in the former state

inter alia – among other things

inter nos – between ourselves

in terrorem – as a warning

in toto – in the whole; entirely

intra muros – within the walls

in transitu – in the course of transit

in vacuo – in the empty space; in a vacuum

in vino veritas – there is truth in wine

invita Minerva – against the will of Minerva (Athena); without genius or natural abilities

ipse dixit – he himself said it; a dogmatic saying or assertion

ipsissima verba – the very words

ipso facto – by that very fact

ipso jure – by the law itself

jure divino – by divine law

jure humano – by human law

laborare est orare – to labor is to pray; work is worship

labor omnia vincit – labor conquers everything

lapsus calami – slip of the pen

lapsus linguæ – slip of the tongue

lapsus memoriæ – slip of the memory

lares et penates – household gods

laudator temporis acti – a praiser of past times

laus Deo – praise to God

lex non scripta – unwritten law; common law

lex scripta – statute law

littera scripta manet – the written word remains

locum tenens – one occupying the place of another; substitute

longo intervallo – by or at a long interval

lucus a non lucendo – used as typical of an absurd derivation: lucus, a grove, having been derived by an old grammarian from luceo, to shine; “from not shining”

lusus naturæ – a sport or freak of nature

magna est veritas, et prævalebit – truth is mighty, and will prevail

magnum opus – a great work

mala fides – with bad faith; treacherously

mare clausum – a closed sea; a sea belonging to a single nation

materfamilias – mother of a family

mea culpa – my fault; by my fault

me judice – I being judge; in my opinion

memento mori – remember that you must die; a reminder of death

mens sana in corpore sano – a sound mind in a sound body

mens sibi conscia recti – a mind conscious of rectitude

meo periculo – at my own risk

meum et tuum – mine and yours

mirabile dictu – wonderful to relate

mirabile visu – wonderful to see

modus operandi – manner of working

modus vivendi – manner of living; used of a temporary working agreement or compromise

monumentum ære perennius – a monument more lasting than brass

more majorum – after the manner of our ancestors

morituri te salutamus – we about to die salute you; said by the Roman gladiators to the emperor

motu proprio – of his own accord

multum in parvo – much in little

mutatis mutandis – with the necessary changes

natura non facit saltum – nature does not make a leap

nemine contradicente – no one speaking in opposition; unopposed

nemine dissentiente – no one dissenting

nemo me impune lacessit – no one assails me with impunity (motto of Scotland)

ne plus ultra – nothing further; the uttermost point; perfection

ne quid nimis – avoid excess

nil admirari – to be astonished at nothing

nil desperandum – there is no reason for despair

nolens volens – unwilling or willing

noli me tangere – touch me not

non compos mentis – not of sound mind

non est – he or it is not

non est inventus – he has not been found

non libet – it does not please (me)

non liquet – the case is not clear

non multa, sed multum – not many things, but much

non nobis solum – not for ourselves alone

non omnis moriar – I shall not wholly die

non sequitur – it does not follow

nosce te ipsum – know thyself

nota bene – note well; take notice

novus homo – a new man; one who has raised himself from obscurity

nulla dies sine linea – not a day without a line; no day without something done

nunc aut nunquam – now or never

obiit – he or she died

obiter dictum – a thing said by the way

odi profanum vulgus – I loathe the profane rabble

odium theologicum – the hatred of theologians

omnia vincit amor – love conquers all things

onus probandi – the burden of proof

operæ pretium est – it is worth while

opere citato (op. cit.) – in the work cited (means you don’t know the page number!)

ora et labora – pray and work

ora pro nobis – pray for us

ore rotundo – with round full voice; well-turned speech

O! si sic omnia – O, if all things (were) so; O, if he had always so spoken or acted

O tempora! O mores! – Alas for the times! Alas for the manners (or morals)!

otium cum dignitate – ease with dignity

pace – by leave of; not to give offense to

palmam qui meruit ferat – let him who has won the palm wear it

pari passu – with equal pace; side by side

par nobile fratrum – a noble pair of brothers; two just alike

particeps criminis – an accomplice in a crime

passim – everywhere; throughout; in all parts of the book, chapter, etc.

paterfamilias – father of a family; head of a household

pater patriæ – father of his country

pax vobiscum – peace be with you

peccavi – I have sinned (or been to blame)

per – for; through; by

per annum – by the year; annually

per capita – by heads; for each individual

per centum – by the hundred

per contra – on the contrary

per diem – by the day; daily

per fas et nefas – through right and wrong

per se – by itself

persona non grata – an unacceptable person

plebs – the common people

pons asinorum – the asses’ bridge; a name for the fifth proposition of the first book of Euclid

post hoc ergo propter hoc – after this, therefore, on account of this; subsequent to, therefore due to this: an illogical way of reasoning; believing that temporal succession implies a causal relation

prima facie – at first view or consideration

primum mobile – the source of motion; the mainspring

principia, non homines – principles, not men

pro bono publico – for the good of the public

pro et contra – for and against

profanum vulgus – the profane herd

pro forma – for the sake of form

pro patria – for our country

pro rata – according to rate or proportion

pro tanto – for so much; as far as it goes

Punica fides – Punic or Carthaginian faith; treachery

qualis rex, talis grex – like king, like people

quantum libet – as much as you please

quantum sufficit – as much as suffices

quid pro quo – something in return; an equivalent

quis custodiet ipsos custodes? – who shall guard the guards themselves?

quoad hoc – to this extent

quoad sacra – as far as sacred things are concerned; for ecclesiastical purposes only

quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat – those whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad

quod erat demonstrandum – which was to be proved or demonstrated

quod vide – which see

quorum pars magna fui – of which things, I was an important part

quot homines, tot sententiæ – many men, many minds

rara avis – a rare bird, a paragon

reductio ad absurdum – a reducing to the absurd; a method of proof where a proposition is shown to be true by demonstrating the absurdity of its contradiction

requiescat in pace – may he rest in peace

res angusta domi – narrow circumstances at home; poverty

res gestæ – things done; exploits; history

respice finem – look to the end

resurgam – I shall rise again

rus in urbe – the country in town

sanctum sanctorum – holy of holies

sartor resartus – the patcher repatched; the tailor patched or mended

satis superque – enough, and more than enough

satis verborum – enough of words; no more need to be said

scripsit – wrote (it)

sculpsit – engraved (it)

secundum artem – according to the art or rule

semper fidelis – always faithful

semper idem – always the same

seriatim – in a series; one by one

sic – thus, so

sic itur ad astra – such is the way to the stars or immortality

sic passim – so here and there throughout; so everywhere

sic transit gloria mundi – thus passes away the glory of this world

sicut ante – as before

similia similibus curantur – like things are cured by like

simplex munditiis – elegant in simplicity

sine cura – without charge or care

sine die – without a day being appointed

sine qua non – without which; something indispensable

siste, viator – stop, traveler

sit tibi terra levis – light lie the earth upon thee

spero meliora – I hope for better things

splendide mendax – nobly untruthful; untrue for a good object

sponte sua – of one’s (or its) own accord

status quo – the state in which; the existing condition

stet – let it stand; do not delete

suaviter in modo, fortiter in re – gentle in manner, resolute in execution

sub judice – under consideration

sub rosa – under the rose; confidentially

sui generis – of its own peculiar kind; in a class by itself

summum bonum – the chief good

sunt lacrimæ rerum – there are tears for things; misfortunes call for tears

suppressio veri – a suppression of the truth

sursum corda – lift up your hearts

suum cuique – let every one have his own

tabula rasa – a smooth or blank tablet

te judice – you being the judge

tempus fugit – time flies

terminus ad quem – the term (or limit) to which

terminus a quo – the term (or limit) from which

terra firma – solid earth; a secure foothold

terra incognita – an unknown country

tertium quid – a third something; a nondescript

timeo Danaos et dona ferentes – I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts

tot homines, quot sententiæ – so many men, so many minds

toto cælo – by the whole heavens; diametrically opposite

tu quoque – you also

ubi supra – where above mentioned

ultima Thule – most distant Thule; utmost limit

urbi et orbi – to the city and to the world

utile dulci – the useful with the agreeable

ut infra – as below

ut supra – as above

væ victis – woe to the vanquished

vale – farewell

varium et mutabile semper femina – woman is ever a changeful and capricious thing

veni, vidi, vici – I came, I saw, I conquered (Cæsar’s message to the Senate when he conquered Pharnaces, king of Pontus)

verbatim et literatim – word for word and letter for letter

verbum sat sapienti – a word is enough for a wise man

via, veritas, vita – the way, the truth, the life

vice versa – the terms of the case being interchanged or reversed; conversely

videlicet (viz.) – that is to say, namely (literally: one may see)

vide – see

vide ante/infra/post/supra – see before/below/after/above

vide ut supra – see what is stated above

vi et armis – by force and arms; by main force

vincit qui se vincit – he conquers who conquers himself

virginibus puerisque – for maidens and boys

vis a tergo – a force from behind

vis inertiæ – the power of inertia; resistance to force applied

vis medicatrix naturæ – the healing power of nature

vis vitæ – living force; energy

vivat regina (rex)! – long live the queen (king)!

viva voce – by the living voice; orally

vox et præterea nihil – a voice and nothing more; sound but no sense

vox populi, vox Dei – the voice of the people is the voice of God

vulgo – commonly