CLAS224 Word Elements. Monmouth College Monmouth, Illinois
Instructor: Thomas J. Sienkewicz (toms@monm.edu)
SOME LATIN PHRASES IN USE IN STANDARD ENGLISH
a posteriori = from effect to cause
a priori = from cause to effect
a vinculis matrimonii = from the bonds of matrimony
a priori = from cause to effect
ab initio (ab origine or ab ovo) = from the beginning
ab ovo usque ad mala = from the beginning to the end
ad calendas Graecas = never!
ad captandum vulgus = to appeal to the crowd
ad extremum = to the extreme; finally
ad finem = to the end
ad hoc = for this one purpose only
ad nauseam = to the point of nausea, on and on
ad patres = dead
ad rem = to the point
ad (in) utrumque paratus = ready for either outcome
ad vitam = for life
aequam servare mentem = to keep a level head
alma mater = school from which one has graduated
alter ego = one's other self, very close friend
animo et fide = by courage and faith
ante bellum = before the war
arbiter bibendi = toastmaster
arbiter elegantiarum = one who sets standards of elegance
ars amandi = the art of loving
ars gratia artis = art for art's sake
ars moriendi = the art of dying with dignity
audi alteram partem = listen to the other side
aurora borealis = northern lights
aut Caesar aut nullus = all or nothing
aut disce aut discede = learn or leave
aut vincere aut mori = victory or death
ave atque vale = hail and farewell
carpe diem = make the most of today
caveat emptor = let the buyer beware
ceteris paribus = other things being equal
cum grano salis = with a grain of salt
cum laude (magna cum laude, summa cum laude) = with praise, great praise, or greatest praise
curriculum vitae = personal resume
de bono et malo = for better or worse
de (ex) nihilo nihil = nothing comes from nothing
docendo discimus = we learn by teaching
et nunc et semper = both now and forever
et sic de ceteris = the same goes for the rest
et uxor = and wife
facta, non verba = deeds, not words
fortiter in re, sed suaviter in modo = strong in action, but gentle in manner
fugaces labuntur anni = the years glide swiftly by
haud ignota loquor = I speak of things well known
hic jacet = here lies...
horribile dictu (visu) = horrible to relate or (to see)
mirabile dictu (visu) = wonderful to relate (or see)
miserabile dictu (visu) = pitiful to relate (or see)
ignis fatuus = a delusion
in loco parentis = in the role of the parent
in ovo = undeveloped, immature
in saecula saeculorum = forever and ever
in situ = in its original place
integer vitae scelerique purus = upright in life and free from all guilt
inter nos = just between us
inter pares = among peers
in toto = completely
ipse dixit = the master has spoken
ipsissima verba = exactly quoted
lucri causa = for monetary gain
magnum opus = greatest achievement
malo animo = with evil intent
mare clausum = territorial sea of a country
mea culpa = I am to blame
mens sana in corpore sano = a sound mind in a sound body
mobile vulgus = the fickle crowd
modus operandi = method of working
modus vivendi = manner of living
mortis causa = because of death
multum in parvo = much in little
ne plus ultra = the ultimate; nothing can be added
non compos mentis = not in one's right mind
non constat = it is not an established fact
non placet = nay -- a negative vote
non sequitur = it does not follow; ideas are unconnected
nunc aut numquam = now or never
O terque quaterque beati = Oh, three and four times blessed
per capita = per person
per diem (mensem, annum) = per day (month, year)
per se = in itself, by nature
persona non grata = a person not welcome
post mortem = autopsy
pro et contra (or pro and con) = for and against
pro forma = in the proper manner
pro rata = proportionately
pro tempore = for the time being
quid pro quo = something in return for something
rara avis = an unusual person or thing
reductio ad absurdum = brought down to the point of absurdity
sanctum sanctorum = the holy of holies, most private place
sensu bono (malo) = in a good (or bad) sense or meaning
sine die = tabled until an unspecified date
sine qua non = an essential element
status quo = present condition
sub rosa = confidentially, secretly
sub sigillo = in confidence
sub verbo = under oath
sui generis = one of a kind, unique
suum cuique = to each his own
tabula rasa = a clean slate
talis qualis = such as it is
terra firma = solid ground
tertium quid = a compromise
tu quoque = you are guilty of the same thing of which you accuse me
una voce (or uno animo) = unanimously
vade mecum = a manual, book of ready reference
vae victis = woe to the conquered!
verbum sapienti = a word to the wise is sufficient
via media = middle way, moderate course
volventibus annis = as the years go by\