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This is a list of Misplaced Pages articles of Latin phrases and their translation into English.
This page includes ] ]s of several ] phrases and abbreviations such as ''i.e.''. Some of these are themselves translations from ].


<div class="noprint"><div style="clear:right; float:right">{{Search box|root=List of Latin phrases|noslash=yes|search-button-label=Search lists of Latin phrases}}</div></div>
For a list of more formal proverbs, see: ]. Note that the difference between ]s and ]s is often subjective. Please use this test to see whether a Latin sentence is a ] or ]: 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 ] or does not contain some practical truth, then it is probably a phrase.
''To view all phrases on a single, lengthy document, see: ]''


The list is also divided alphabetically into twenty pages:
For Latin abbreviations in medical prescriptions, see ] (]) or ].
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==See also==
For help with Latin and Greek words used in the ] of biological species, see ].
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===Lists===
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*{{Section link|List of sundial mottos|Latin mottos}}
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==A== ===Categories===
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;A bene placito
*]
:"At your pleasure."
*]
;A fortiori
*]
:"From the stronger" &mdash; 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 ], and, ''a fortiori'', in e-mail pyramid schemes."
*]
;A pedibus usque ad caput
*]
:"From feet to head."
*]
;]
*{{c|Latin medical words and phrases}}
:"From the latter" &mdash; 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" &mdash; presupposed, the reverse of ''a posteriori''. Used in mathematics and logic to denote something that is known before a proof has been carried out.
*{{c|Latin political words and phrases}}
;A priori assumption
*{{c|Latin religious words and phrases}}
:"An assumption that something is true without proof."
{{colend}}
;Ab hinc
:"From here on."
;Ab imo pectore
:"From the depths of (my) chest" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "from my heart". Attributed to ].
;]
:"From the beginning" or "from the start" &mdash; compare ''in media res''; see also ]
;Ab origine
:"From the origin."
;Ab ovo usque ad mala
:"From the eggs to the apples," i.e., from beginning to end (the Roman main meal traditionally began with an egg dish and ended with fruit)
;] (A.U.C.)
:"From ] of the city (of ])" &mdash; ''i.e.'' from ], according to ] 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" &mdash; often used of politicians who make false or insincere promises appealing to popular interest.
;Ad fontes
:"To the sources" &mdash; a motto of ].
;Ad fundum
:"To the bottom" or "To the end" &mdash; said during a generic toast, like "bottoms up!"
;]
:"For this" &mdash; ''i.e.'' improvised, made up on the spot.
;]
:"To the man" &mdash; 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.
;Ad infinitum
:"To infinity" &mdash; going on forever.
;Ad interim
:"In the meantime" &mdash; 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" &mdash; said by Emperor ], in ], with the sense of "never". ] were part of the ], not of the Greek, so the "Greek kalends" are "a date that will never happen".
;] (ad lib)
:"At ease" &mdash; means "do as you please", "improvise", "just ramble on"; esp. in music partitures, theatrical scripts, etc..
;Ad lucem
:"Towards the light" &mdash; the motto of the ].
;] (A.M.D.G.)
:"To the greater glory of God" &mdash; motto of the ]s.
;Ad multos annos
:"To many years!" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "Many happy returns!"
;Ad nauseam
:"To the point of ]".
;Ad pedem litterae
:"At the foot of the letter" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "exactly as it is written".
;Ad perpetuam memoriam
:"To the eternal memory "
;Ad usum Delphini
:"For usage of the '']''" &mdash; said of a work that has been expurgated of offensive or improper parts. The phrase originates from editions of Greek and Roman classics which ] had printed for his heir apparent, the ''Dauphin''.
;Ad usum proprium (ad us. propr.)
:"For own usage"
;Ad valorem
:"By the value" &mdash; ''e.g.'' ''ad valorem'' tax.
;Advocatus Diaboli
:"The ]" &mdash; 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" &mdash; said by ], in ], after his decision to defy ] law by crossing the ] 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 ] state motto.
;Alma mater
:"Nourishing mother" &mdash; term used for the ] 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.
;]
:"Another I" &mdash; a ] or a close associate who always acts on one's behalf.
;]
:"Friend of the court" &mdash; an adviser, or a person who can obtain or grant access to the favour of powerful people (like ]). In current U.S. legal usage, a third party allowed to submit a brief (an amicus brief) to the court.
;Amor vincit omnia
:"love conquers all"
;] (A.D.)
:"In the year of the lord" &mdash; indicates a year counted from the traditional date of birth of ]; also called the '']'' (''C.E.'') to remove religious implications.
;] (A.U.C.)
:"In the year from ] of the city (])" &mdash; see ''Ab urbe condita''.
;Annuit C&oelig;ptis
:"He has approved our undertaking" - motto of the reverse of the ] and on the back of the US one dollar bill
;]
:"A horrible year" &mdash; used memorably by ] to describe what a bad year ] had been for her.
;Ante cibum (a.c.)
:"Before meals" (])
;Ante litteram
:"Before the letter" &mdash; said after an expression that described something that existed before the expression itself was introduced or became common. For example, one could say that ] 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" &mdash; in the period from midnight to noon.
;Ante prandium (a.p.)
:"Before lunch" &mdash; ''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."
;Audietur et altera pars
:"Let's hear also the other party"
;Audio, video, disco
:"I hear, I see, I learn"
;Aurea mediocritas
:"Golden Mean" &mdash; in ], an ethical goal.
;Auri sacra fames
:"Accursed hunger for gold" &mdash; from ], ] 3,57; later quoted by ]: ''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" &mdash; i.e., all or nothing. (] is here used in the meaning ].)
;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 ]
;Bis in die (bid)
:"Twice a day" (])
;Bona fide
:"In ]."
;Bona officia
:"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". ] (ca. ]) 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''")... .

== C ==
;Cacoethes scribendi
:"Bad habit of writing" &mdash; ''i.e.'' an insatiable urge to write. From ].
<!--Carpe diem is not a phrase, it's a proverb, so don't add it here-->
;]
:"Carthage should be destroyed." A common ending phrase used by the Roman senator ] in his speeches, asking the Senate to destroy the weakened state of ] after the First Punic War.
;]
:"Event (that is cause or justification) of war."
;Cave canem
:"Beware of the dog" &mdash; found written on a floor mosaic depicting a dog, at the entrance of a Roman house excavated at ]&nbsp;.
;]
:"Let the buyer beware" &mdash; ''i.e.'' the purchaser of the goods is responsible for checking whether they suit his need.
;]
:"Let the reader beware" &mdash; ''i.e.'' the writer does not vouch for the accuracy of a text. Probably a recent calque on ''caveat emptor''.
;Caveat venditor
:"Let the seller beware" &mdash; the seller of goods is responsible for providing information about the goods to the purchaser.
;Cetera desunt
:"The rest is missing."
;]
:"All other things being equal."
;Ceterum censeo
:"In conclusion, I think that..." &mdash; ] used to conclude his speeches, on any topic whatsoever, with ''Ceterum censeo ]'' ("In conclusion, I think that ] must be destroyed").
;Christus Rex
:"] the King."
;Citius altius fortius
:"Faster, higher, stronger" &mdash; Motto of the modern ].
;Circa (ca.)
:"Around" &mdash; in the sense of "approximately, about"; usually of a date, ''e.g.'' "] was actually born ''circa'' ]"
;Claves Sancti Petri
:"The keys of ]" &mdash; symbol of the ].
;Cogito ergo sum
:"I think therefore I am" &mdash; (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.
;]
:"Of sound mind" &mdash; sometimes used rather humorously.
;Concordia cum veritate
:"In harmony with truth" &mdash; Motto of the ]
;Conditio sine qua non
:"Condition without which not" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "indispensable".
;Confer (cf.)
:"Compare" &mdash; used as an abbreviation in text to recommend a comparison with another thing. Literally, "bring together."
;Confoederatio Helvetica (C.H.)
:"Helvetian Confederation" &mdash; the official name of ], which explains the use of "ch" for its ] and ].
;Consummatum est
:"It is completed" &mdash; In the Latin translation of ] 19:30, the last words of ] on the Cross.
;Contemptus saeculi
:"Contempt of the secular (world)" &mdash; the ]'s or ]'s rejection of mundane life and values.
;]
:"Body of Christ."
;]
:"Body of the crime" &mdash; the body of facts that prove a crime.
;Corpus vile
:"Vile body" &mdash; a person or thing fit only to be the object of an experiment.
;Cui bono
:"Good for whom?" &mdash; a maxim which suggests that considering who will benefit is likely to reveal who is responsible for an unwelcome happening.
;Cui prodest
:"Whom does it benefit?" &mdash; short form for ''cui prodest scelus, is fecit'' in ]'s ''Medea''; the murderer is the one who gains by the murder.
;Cum gladius et fustibus ''or'' cum gladiis et fustibus
:"With sword and staff" &mdash; from the Bible.
;Cum gladio et sale.
:"With sword and salt." Motto of a well-paid soldier.
;Cum grano salis
:"With a grain of salt" &mdash; ''i.e.'' not to be taken too seriously.
;]
:"With this, therefore because of this" &mdash; a logical ].
;]
:"With honors."
;]
:"Heal thyself," often implying "physician, heal thyself."
;Curæ pii Diis sunt
:"The pious are the care of the gods."
;]
:"Course of life" &mdash; a résumé.

== D ==
;]
:"In fact" &mdash; Said of something that actually is the case. Often the implication is that it isn't the case ''of necessity'' ('']'') or that it is supposed ''not'' to be the case; ''e.g.'' "The ] was the ''de facto'' ruler of ]."
;]
:"By law."
;]
:"About minimal things."
;]
:"Anew."
;]
:"A god from a machine" &mdash; a contrived or artificial solution, usually to a literary plot. Refers to the practice in Greek drama of lowering by machine an actor playing ] onto the stage &mdash; as though he were descending from ] &mdash; to resolve an awkward plot.
;Dictum sapienti sat est
:"The said is enough for the wise" &mdash; understandable for a wise one without the need for explanations (]), also as: ''sat sapienti'' and ''sapienti sat''.
;Dis aliter visum
:"The gods decided differently."
;]
:"Day of wrath."
;Disjecti membra poetae
:"Members of a dismembered poet" ''i.e.'' "the scattered remnants of the poet" (], Satires, I, 4, 62), battered poetry.
;Dominus Vobiscum
:"God be with you" &mdash; 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" &mdash; the characters represented in a dramatic work; cast.
;]
:"Bring with You" &mdash; see ].
;Dulce et decorum est
:"It is sweet and right" &mdash; the beginning of a phrase from an ] by ]: "dulce et decorum est, pro patria mori", "it is sweet and right to die for one's country." Used by ] as the title of a poem about ]; see ].
;Dulce et Utile
:"Sweet and useful."

== E ==
;]
:"From many, one" - the original motto of the ].
;Ecce homo
:"Behold the man!" &mdash; in the Latin translation of the ] these words are spoken by ] as he presents ] crowned with thorns to the crowd.
;Editio princeps
:"First edition."
;Emeritus
:"From merit" &mdash; often used to refer to a retired professor.
;Esse quam videri
:"To be, rather than to seem" &mdash; motto of the ] of ].
;Esto perpetua
:"Let it be everlasting" &mdash; used by the historian Fra ] of his native ].
;Et alii (et al.)
:"And others" &mdash; used to abbreviate a list of names (''Alii'' is actually ], so it can be used for men, or groups of men and women; the ] ''et aliae'' is appropriate when the "others" are all female.)
;] (etc. or &amp;c.)
:"And the rest" &mdash; nowadays also "and others", "and so on", "and more".
;]
:"I, also, am in Arcadia" &mdash; see '']''.
;Et tu, Brute
:"And thou, Brutus?" &mdash; literal quotation from ]'s '']''. He renders as ] in an ] play what was originally quoted as ] supposedly spoken by a ]. But ] quotes ] as saying, &kappa;&alpha;&iota; &sigma;&upsilon; &tau;&epsilon;&kappa;&nu;&omicron;&nu; ''Kai su, teknon?'' &mdash; ] 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" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "sincerely".
;Ex ante
:"From before" &mdash; "beforehand", "before the event", ''i.e.'' based on prior assumptions.
;]
:"From the Chair" &mdash; a phrase applied to the ] when he is speaking infallibly and, by extension, to others who speak with supreme authority or arrogance.
;Ex Deo
:"From God."
;]
:"From kindness" or "from grace" &mdash; referring to someone performing an act out of kindness as opposed to being forced to do it.
;Ex hypothesi
:"From the hypothesis" &mdash; ''i.e.'' ''by'' hypothesis.
;]...
:"From the books (library) of..."
;Ex nihilo
:"From nothing" &mdash; Some ]ish, ], and ] traditions hold that ] ] the ] from ].
;Ex officio
:"From the office" &mdash; when someone holds one position by virtue of holding another, ''e.g.'' the ] ] is ''ex officio'' president of the ].
;]
:"By (or for) one party" &mdash; a ].
;]
:"From after the fact" &mdash; of a law with retroactive effect.
;Ex tempore
:"This instance" or "Right away" or "Immediately"
;Ex vi termini
:"By definition."
;Excelsior
:"Higher" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "ever upward!"
;Exempli gratia (e.g.)
:"For the sake of example", "for example."
;Exeunt
:"They leave" &mdash; see ''exit''.
;Exeunt omnes
:"They all leave" &mdash; see ''exit''.
;Exit
:"He/she leaves" &mdash; used ''e.g.'' in theatrical stage directions.
;Exitus acta probat
:"The results justify the deed", or "The ends justify the means".
;]
:"Critical experiment" &mdash; a decisive test of a scientific theory.

== F ==
;] (et facta est lux)
:"Let there be light (and there was light)" &mdash; from ], also motto of UC Berkeley.
;] (Fid Def or ])
:"Defender of the Faith" &mdash; a title given to ] by ] on ], ] before Henry became an ]. Appears on all British coins, usually abbreviated.
;Fons et origo
:"The wellspring and origin."

== G ==
;Genius loci
:"The spirit of the place."
;]
:"Glory to God in the highest."

== H ==
;]
:"You must have the body" &mdash; ''i.e.'' you must justify an imprisonment. First two words of the Writ to bring a prisoner to court (], ]) 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" &mdash; used in a Catholic Church ] to announce a successful ballot to elect a new pope.
;Haec olim meminisse juvabit
: "Perhaps, we'll look back at this and smile." ]'s ]
;Hic jacet...
:"Here lies..." &mdash; written on ]s or tombs.
;Hic sepultus...
:"Here is buried..."
;]
:"For the sake of honor" &mdash; said of an honorary title, e.g., Doctor of Science ''honoris causa''.
;Horas non numero nisi serenas
:"I only count the sunny hours" &mdash; common inscription on ]s.
;Hora somni (h.s.)
:"At bedtime", literally "at the hour of sleep" (])
;Horribile dictu
:"Horrible to say" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "a horrible thing to relate."

== I ==
;Ibidem (ibid.)
:"In the same place" &mdash; usually in ] citations.
;Id est (i.e.)
:"That is (to say)", abbreviated as "i.e." &mdash; sometimes "in this case," depending on the context. ''When celebrating this ] (i.e. ]), hang a ] on your door.'' It is never equivalent to "e.g.".
;Igni ferroque
:"By fire and iron" &mdash; a phrase describing ] tactics. Also seen as ''igne atque ferro'', ''ferro ignique'', and other variations.
;Imago dei
:"In the image of God" &mdash; a religious concept.
;]
:"In imitation of God" &mdash; a principle, held by several religions, that believers should strive to resemble their god(s).
;Imperium in imperio
:"An empire within an empire" &mdash; ''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.
;]
:"(It) may be printed" &mdash; an authorization to publish, granted by some censoring authority (originally a ] Bishop).
;In absentia
:"In the absence" &mdash; ''e.g.'' of a trial carried out in the absence of the accused.
;]
:"In secret" (literally "in the chamber")
;In duplo
:"In two (copies)"
;In effigie
:"In (the form of) an image" &mdash; as opposed to "in the flesh" or "in person".
;In extenso
:"In long (form)" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "in full", "completely", "unabridged."
;In fidem
:"To faith" &mdash; to the verification of
;In fine (i.f.)
:"Finally."
;In flagrante delicto
:"In flaming crime" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "caught red-handed."
;In flore
:"In bloom."
;In foro
:"In forum" &mdash; 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" &mdash; as e.g., "the water samples were analyzed ''in loco''."
;In loco parentis
:"In place of the parents" &mdash; ], "assuming custodial/parental responsibility and authority".
;In manus tuas commendo spiritum meum
:"In your hands I commend (i.e., entrust) my spirit", according to ] 23:46 the last words of ] on the Cross.
;In media res
:"In the middle things" or " &mdash; by ], 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 ], the ], and ]. Compare ''ab initio''.
;In memoriam
:"In memory of" &mdash; ''i.e.'' to remember or honor a deceased person.
;In nuce
:"In a nutshell."
;]
:"The land of the infidels" &mdash; 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 rerum natura
:"In the nature of things."
;In saeculo
:"In eternity", without end, forever
;In salvo
:"In safety."
;]
:"In ]", 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" &mdash; just as something is about to begin.
;]
:"In place" &mdash; 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.
;In toto
:"In all" &mdash; "totally", "completely".
;In triplo
:"In three (copies)."
<!--In vino veritas is not a phrase, it's a proverb, please stop adding it :)-->
;]
:"In glass" &mdash; an experiment or process performed in a non-natural laboratory setting, for example in a test tube.
;]
:"In life" &mdash; an experiment or process performed in a living specimen, as opposed to ''in vitro''.
;Incredibile dictu
:"Incredible to say."
;]
:"List of prohibited books" &mdash; a list of books considered heretical by the Catholic Church.
;Inter alia
:"Among other things."
;Inter caetera
:"Among others". Title of a ].
;Inter spem et metum
:"Between hope and fear."
;Inter vivos
:"Between the living" &mdash; said of property transfers between living persons, as opposed to inheritance; often relevant to tax laws.
;Integer vitae scelerisque purus
:"Untouched by life and free of wickedness" &mdash; by ], used as a funeral hymn.
;]
:"Within the walls" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "not public"; intramural.
;Intra Vires
:"Within the authority," literally, the "strengths" or powers.
;In usum Delphini
:"In the manner of the '']''" &mdash; rare variant of ''ad usum Delphini''.
;Ipse dixit
:"He, himself, said it" &mdash; emphasizes that some assertion comes from some authority. See ].
;Ipsissima verba
:"The very words themselves" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "strictly word by word."
;]
:"By the fact itself."
;Ita vero
:"Thus (it is) true" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "thus indeed". A useful phrase, as the Romans had no word for "yes".
;Ite, missa est
:"Leave, the mass is finished" &mdash; the final words of the ].
;Iunctis viribus
:"By united efforts."
;Ius primae noctis
:"Right of the first night" &mdash; the ].

== L ==
;Labor omnia vincit
:"Labor overcomes all things."
;Lapsus calami
:"A slip of the pen."
;Lapsus linguae
:"A slip of the tongue."
;Lapsus memoriae
:"Memory lapse."
;Laus deo
:"Praise be to God."
;]
:"Forced share" &mdash; a legal term describing the portion of a deceased person's ] from which the immediate family cannot be ]ed.
;Lex talionis
:"Law of retaliation" &mdash; cf. ], ].
;Locus classicus
:"A classic place" &mdash; a quote from a classical text used as an example of something.
;]
:A mangled fragment from ]'s ''De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum'' ("On the Ends (Limits) of Good and Evil," ]), used as ]'s filler to show ] (a.k.a ]).
;]
:"The word for 'grove' is ''lucus'' (=light) because it is '''not''' light in a grove" — ] by opposites.

== M ==
;]
:"With great honor."
;Magno cum gaudio
:"With great joy."
;]
:"Great work" &mdash; said (sometimes ironically) of someone's masterpiece.
;Mala fide
:"In bad faith" &mdash; said of an act done with knowledge of its illegality, or with intention to defraud or mislead someone.
;Malum discordiae
:"Apple of discord"
;]
:"Wrong in itself" &mdash; a crime that is inherently wrong; cf. ''malum prohibitum''.
;]
:"Prohibited wrong" &mdash; something that society decided to forbid, but is not inherently evil.
;Manu propria (m.p.)
:"Done with one's own hand"
;Mea (maxima) culpa
:"By my own (very great) fault" &mdash; used in Christian prayers and confession.
;Melita, domi adsum.
:"Honey, I'm home."
;]
:"Remember that you will die!"
;Mirabile dictu
:"Wonderful to tell."
;] (M. O.)
:"Way of working" &mdash; usually used to describe a criminal's methods.
;]
:"Method of adding" &mdash; loosely "method of affirming", a ] ], saying that from proposition ''P'' and ''if P then Q'' one can conclude ''Q''.
;]
:"Method of subtracting" &mdash; loosely "method of denying", a ] ], saying that from propositions ''not Q'' and ''if P then Q'' one can conclude ''not P''.
;Modus vivendi
:"Way of living" &mdash; ''i.e.'' an accommodation between disagreeing parties to allow life to go on.
;Multum in parvo
:"Much in little" &mdash; ''e.g.'' "Latin phrases are often ''multum in parvo'', because they convey much in few words."
;Mutatis mutandis
:"Changing what is to be changed" &mdash; i.e., "with the appropriate changes".

== N ==
;Ne nuntium necare
:"Don't kill the messenger"
;Nemine contradicente (nem. con.)
:"Without contestation" &mdash; 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" &mdash; a notation, usually on a title page, indicating that a ] ] 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" (])
;Nolens (aut) volens
:"Willing or not," corrupted to "willy-nilly" of similar meaning.
;]
:"Touch me not" &mdash; according to the ], this was said by Christ to ] after his ].
;Nolle prosequi
:"Not willing to prosecute" &mdash; a ] by a ] or other ] to drop ]s, usually in exchange for a ] or ].
;Nomen nescio (N. N.)
:"Name unknown" &mdash; literally, "I do not know the name", implying an unknown person.
;]
:""Non-cause for cause" &mdash; a logical ].
;] or Non compos sui
:"Of unsound mind."
;Non mihi solum
:"Not for myself alone"
;Non obstante veredicto
:"Notwithstanding the ]" &mdash; a legal motion asking the ] to reverse the ]'s verdict on the grounds that the jury could not reasonably have reached such a verdict.
;]
:"It does not follow" &mdash; a statement that is the result of faulty logic.
;]
:"I will not serve."
;Nota bene (n.b.)
:"Note it well" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "please note", "important note."
;]
:"New Order of the Ages" &mdash; motto on the ]; from ].
;Nullam rem natam
:"No thing born" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "nothing". It has been claimed that this expression is the origin of ] ''nulla'', ] ''rien'', and ]/] ''nada'', all with the same meaning.
;]
:"Closed number."

== O ==
;O tempora, O mores!
:"Oh the times! Oh the morals!" (Marcus Tullius ], ] I, 1, 2) also translated "Oh the times! Oh the customs!".
;Oculus dexter (O.D.)
:"Right ]" (] shorthand)
;Oculus sinister (O.S.)
:"Left eye" (] shorthand)
;Oderint dum metuant
:"Let them hate, so long as they fear" &mdash; attributed by ] to the ] ], and said to be a favourite saying of ].
;Odi et amo
:"I hate (her), and I love (her)" &mdash; from ].
;]
:"Theological hatred" &mdash; a name for the special hatred generated in ] disputes.
;Opera omnia
:"All works" &mdash; the collected works of some author.
;Opera posthuma
:"Posthumous works" &mdash; ''i.e.'' published after the author's death.
;Opere citato (op. cit.)
:"In work (already) cited" &mdash; used in academic works when referring again to the last source mentioned or used.
;Ophidia in herba
:"A snake in the grass" &mdash; any hidden danger or unknown risk.

== P ==
;Pace
:"With peace" &mdash; used to indicate that the speaker contradicts someone else: "...but acquired characteristics are not inherited, ''pace'' ]..."
;Pace tua
:"With your permission."
;Panem et circenses
:"Bread and circus plays" &mdash; ], 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.
;Parens patriae
:"Parent of the country."
;Pari passu
:"With equal step" &mdash; moving together, simultaneously, etc..
;Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus
:"The mountains are in labour, and a ridiculous mouse shall be born" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "much ado about nothing"; from ].
;Passim
:"Throughout", "here and there", "frequently" &mdash; of a word that occurs several times in a cited texts; also, in ], of a change that is to be repeated everywhere needed.
;]
:"Father of the family."
;Pater peccavi
:"Father, I have sinned" &mdash; the traditional beginning of a ] ].
;]
:"The Peace of America" &mdash; a euphemism for the ] and its sphere of influence, adapted from ''Pax Romana'' (q.v.)
;]
:"The Peace of Britain" &mdash; a euphemism for the ], adapted from ''Pax Romana'' (q.v.)
;]
:"Peace of God", ] movement, 10th Century, France.
;]
:"The Peace of Rome" &mdash; the peace forcefully imposed by the ].
;]
:"The Peace of China" &mdash; a euphemism for periods of peace in ] during times of a strong ], adapted from ''Pax Romana'' (q.v.)
;Pax tecum
:"Peace be with you (singular)."
;Pax vobiscum
:"Peace be with you (plural)."
;Pendent opera interrupta
:"The work hangs interrupted" &mdash; from the ] of ], Book IV
;Per annum
:"Per year."
; Per aspera ad astra
:"The hard way towards the stars," or "through hardship to the heavens."
;Per capsulam
:"By letter."
;Per caput or ]
:"Per head" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "per person".
;per curiam
:"by court."
;Per os (p.o.)
:"By mouth" (])
;Per procurationem (p.p.)
:Through the agency (of) &mdash; 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" &mdash; ''i.e.'' without referring to anything else, intrinsically, taken without qualifications, etc.; for instance, ].
;]
:"Per branch" &mdash; used in ]s to indicate that each ''branch'' of the testator's family should inherit equally; contrast ].
;Perpetuum mobile
:"Thing in ]."
;]
:"Person not wanted" &mdash; an unwanted or undesirable person. In diplomatic contexts, a person rejected by the host government. (Unwelcome, banned)
;]
:"Begging the principle" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "begging the question"; a logical ].
;Pia desideria
:"Pious desires."
;Pia fraus
:"Pious betrayal" &mdash; expression from ] used to describe betrayal which serves Church purposes.
;]
:"The greatest high priest" &mdash; a traditional epithet of the ].
;]
:"Power of the county".
;Post cibum (p.c.)
:"After meals" (])
;Post facto
:"After the fact." (see ])
;]
:"After this, therefore because of this" &mdash; a logical ].
;Post meridiem (p.m.)
:"After noon" &mdash; in the period from noon to midnight.
;Post mortem
:"After death."
;Post scriptum (p.s.)
:"Post script" used to mark additions to a letter, after the signature.
;]
:"At first sight" &mdash; used to designate ] in a ] which is suggestive, but not conclusive, of something (e.g. a person's guilt).
;]
:"First, do no harm." &mdash; A medical precept, attributed to ].
;]
:"First among equals" &mdash; a title of the ].
;] (publico)
:"For the (public) good" &mdash; said of a ]'s work that is not charged for.
;Pro hac vice
:"for this occasion" &mdash; request of a state court to allow an out-of-state lawyer to represent a client. (see ])
;Pro studio et labore
:"For hard work and labor."
;Pro rata
:"For the rate" &mdash; ''e.g.'' per hour.
;Pro re nata (prn)
:"As needed" (])
;Pro tempore
:"For the time (being)" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "temporary."
;Profanum vulgus
:"The uninitiated masses" &mdash; from ].
;Propria manu (p.m.)
:"By own hand."
;Punctum saliens
:"The outstanding point" &mdash; ''i.e.'' the essential or most notable point.

== Q ==
;Quære
:"(You might) ask..." &mdash; used to introduce questions, usually rhetorical or tangential questions.
;Qualis artifex pereo!
:"What a great artist dies with me!" &mdash; attributed to ] by ].
;Quaque die (qd)
:"Every day" (])
;Quaque hora (qh)
:"Every hour" (])
;Quarter in die (qid)
:"Four times a day" (])
;Quid novi ex Africa?
:"What's new out of Africa?" &mdash; derived from an ] quote.
;]
:"A thing for a thing" &mdash; ''i.e.'' a favor for a favor.
;Quidnunc? ''or'' Quid nunc?
:"What now?" &mdash; as a noun, a ''quidnunc'' is a busybody or a gossip.
;Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes
:"Who watches the watchmen?" -- ], circa ]
;]
:"Where are you going?" &mdash; according to ] legend, asked by ] meeting ] on the ] in ].
;Quo vide (q.v.)
:"Which see" &mdash; used after a term or phrase that should be looked up elsewhere in the current document or book.
;Quae vide (qq.v.)
:"Which things see" &mdash; plural of "quo vide".
;Quod erat demonstrandum (])
:"That which was to be demonstrated" &mdash; often written (abbreviated) at the bottom of a mathematical proof.
;Quo errat demonstrator
:"Where the prover errs" &mdash; a pun on ''Quod erat demonstrandum''.
;Quo usque tandem?
:"For how much longer?" &mdash; from ]'s speech to the ] regarding the conspiracy of ]: ''Quousque tandem abutere, Catilina, patientia nostra?'' ''i.e.'' "For how much longer, Catilina, will you abuse our patience?".

== R ==
;Rara avis
:"A rare bird" &mdash; ''i.e.'' an extraodinary or unusual thing (from ]'s ''Satires'': ''rara avis in terris nigroque simillima cycno'', "a rare bird on the earth, and very like a black swan").
;Ratio legis
:"Legal foundation."
;]
:"Reduction to absurdity" &mdash; a technique of argument that proves the thesis by showing that its opposite is absurd or logically untenable. This is an oft-used method of proof in mathematics and philosophy.
;Regnat populus
:"Let the People rule."
;]
:"Repetition is the mother of study"
;Requiescat in pace (R.I.P.)
:"May he rest in peace" &mdash; a benediction for the dead. Often inscribed on tombstones or other grave markers.
;]
:"The thing speaks for itself" &mdash; a phrase from the ] of ]s that means negligence can be inferred from the fact that such an accident happened, without proof of exactly how.
;Res ipsa loquitur, sed quid in infernos dicet?
:"The thing speaks for itself, but what the hell did it say?" &mdash; a sarcastic pseudo-Latin commentary on ''res ipsa loquitur'', reminding the listener that we must still interpret the significance of events that "speak for themselves."
;]
:Literally, "Judged thing" &mdash; ''i.e.'' matter which has been decided by a court. Commonly, the legal concept that once a matter has been finally decided by the courts it cannot be litigated again. See also ]
;Res nullius
:"Nobody's thing" &mdash; ''i.e.'' goods without owner.
;Romani ite domum
:"Romans go home" &mdash; as written one hundred times over the palace walls by Brian of ]. See ]'s "]"
;Rosa rubicundior, lilio candidior, omnibus formosior, semper in te glorior
:"Redder than the rose, whiter than the lilies, fairer than everything, I will always glory in thee."

== S ==
;Saltus in demonstrando
:"Leap in demonstration."
;Salva veritate
:"With truth preserved," or "saved by the truth."
;Salvo errore et omissione (s.e.e.o.)
:"Except for errors and omissions" &mdash; appears on statements of "account currents".
;Salvo honoris titulo (SHT)
:"Excluding the title" &mdash; used in writings to unfamiliar persons, as an excuse for not using the correct title.<!--guess...-->
;Sancta sedes
:"the Holy Chair" &mdash; ''i.e.'' the ] or the ].
;]
:"dare to be wise" &mdash; motto of the ].
;Sedes apostolica
:"the Apostolic Chair" &mdash; ''i.e.'' the ] or the ].
;Servus servorum Dei
:"Servant of the servants of God" &mdash; a title for the ].
;]
:"Always faithful" &mdash; motto of the ], often abbreviated ''Semper Fi''.
;Semper paratus
:"Always prepared" &mdash; the motto of the United States Coast Guard.
;Semper ubi sub ubi
:"Always where under where" &mdash; a Latin translation joke. Nonsensical, but the English translation is a pun of "Always wear underwear"
;Senatus Populusque Romanus (])
:"The ] and the People of Rome" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "The Aristocrats and the Commoners", the official name of the ]. "SPQR" was carried on battle standards by the Roman ]s.
;Sesquipedalia verba
:"Words a foot and a half long" &mdash; long and complicated words that are used without necessity.
;Sic
:"Thus", "just so" &mdash; states that the preceding quoted material appears exactly that way in the source, usually despite errors of spelling, grammar, usage, or fact.
;Sic itur ad astra
:"Thus to the stars" &mdash; that's how to achieve fame.
;Sic passim
:"thus in various places" &mdash; used when referencing books; see '']''.
;]
:"Thus always to tyrants." &mdash; state motto of ].
;Signetur (sig)
:"Let it be labeled" (])
;Sine anno (s.a.)
:"Without year" &mdash; used in bibliographies to indicate that the date of publication of a document is unknown.
;Sine die
:"Without a (set) day" &mdash; originally from old ] texts, where it indicates that a final, dispositive order has been made in the case: there is nothing left for the court to do, so no date for further proceedings is set.
;Sine ira et studio
:"Without anger or bias" &mdash; impartially. From ], Annals 1,1.
;Sine loco (s.l.)
:"Without place" &mdash; used in bibliographies to indicate that the place of publication of a document is unknown.
;Sine nomine (s.n.)
:"Without name" &mdash; used in bibliographies to indicate that the publisher of a document is unknown.
;Sine qua non
:"Without which not" &mdash; used to denote something that is an essential part of the whole.
;Sit tibi terra levitas (S.T.T.L.)
:"May the earth rest lightly on you" &mdash; a benediction for the dead, often inscribed on tombstones or other ]s.
;Sit venia verbo
:"With apologies for the word" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "pardon my French."
;Stanta pede
:"On standing foot" &mdash; immediately.
;Statim (stat)
:"Immediately" (])
;] (])
:"The state that was (before)" &mdash; the status of affairs or situation prior to some upsetting event.
;Stet
:"Let it stand" &mdash; marginal mark in ] to indicate that something previously deleted or marked for deletion should be retained.
;Stricto sensu
:"In the strict sense."
;Stupor mundi
:"Wonder of the world", the title by which ], was known.
;Sua sponte
:"Of own accord." &mdash; motto of the ]. Also a ]
;Sub iudice ''or'' sub judice
:"Under a judge" &mdash; said of a case that cannot be publicly discussed until it is finished.
;]
:"Bring with you under penalty" &mdash; legal writ requiring appearance with documents, etc..
;] (subpoena)
:"Under penalty" &mdash; of a request (usually by a court) that must be complied to on pain of punishment.
;Sub rosa
:"Under the rose" &mdash; secretly (<!--WHEN? WHERE?-->a rose was placed above a door to indicate that what was said in the room beyond was not to be repeated outside).
;Sub specie æternitatis
:"From eternity's point of view." (], ''Ethics'')
;]
:''Of its (own) kind'' &mdash; in a class of its own.
;]
:''Of one's own right'' &mdash; capable of (legal) responsiblity; legal and ecclesiastical use.
;Sum quod eris / Fui quod sis<!--Epitaph-->
:"I am what you will be / I was what you are" &mdash; ] incriptions that remind the reader of the inevitability of death. Also see ''Tu fui, ego eris''.
;Summa cum laude
:"With the highest honor."
;Summum bonum
:"The supreme good."
;Summum malum
:"The supreme evil."
;Sunt omnes uno
:"They are all one."

== T ==
;]
:"Scraped tablet" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "a blank slate". Romans used to write on ]-covered wooden ]s, which were erased by scraping with the flat end of the ]. ] used the term to describe the ] at birth before it had acquired any knowledge.
;Tabula gratulatoria
:"List of congratulations."
;Talis qualis
:"As such"
;Taliter qualiter
:"Somewhat"
;]
:"The Heroic Age."
;Ter in die (tid)
:"Thrice a day" (])
;Terra firma
:"Solid ground."
;Terra incognita
:"Unknown land."
;]
:"Empty land."
;Tertium non datur
:"No third is given" &mdash; logical axiom that a claim is either true or false, with no third option.
;]
:"Truce of God" &mdash; a decree by the medieval Church that all feuds should be cancelled during the Sabbath (effectively from Wednesday or Thursday night until Monday).
;Tu autem<!--Epitaph-->
:"You, also" &mdash; see '']''.
;Tu fui, ego eris<!--Epitaph-->
:"I was you, you will be me" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "What you are, I was; what I am, you will be."; a ] inscription to remind the reader that death is unavoidable.
;Tu quoque fili
:"You too, son" &mdash; attributed to ]; see '']''.

== U ==
;Ubi re vera ... ''or'' ubi revera ...
:"Where(as), in reality ..."
;Ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant
:"Where they make a wasteland, they call it peace" &mdash; ], '']'', ch. 30.
;Ultima ratio
:"Last argument" &mdash; the last resort. ], King of France, had ''Ultima Ratio Regum'' ("The last resort of kings") engraved on the cannons of his armies.
;Ultra vires
:"Without authority"
;Unus multorum
:"One of many" &mdash; an average person.
;Urbi et orbi
:"To the city (of ]) and to the globe" &mdash; standard opening of Roman proclamations; also a traditional blessing by the ].
;Ut biberent, quando (''or'' quoniam) esse nollent
:"So that they might drink, since they refused to eat" &mdash; from a story by ] (''Vit. Tib.'' 2.2) and ] (''De Natura Deorum'', 2.3). The phrase was said by Roman admiral ], right before the ], as he threw overboard the sacred chickens which had refused to eat the grain offered them &mdash; an unwelcome omen of bad luck. So the sense is "if they do not perform as expected, they must suffer the consequences".
;Ut infra
:"As below."
;Ut retro
:"As backwards" or "as on the back side" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "as above" or "as on the previous page".
;Ut supra
:"As above."

== V ==
;]
:"Go with me" &mdash; a ''vade-mecum'' or ''vademecum'' is an item one carries around, especially a handbook.
;Vade retro!
:"Go back!" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "step back!", "begone!" ], Formio I, 4, 203.
;Vade retro Satana!
:"Go back, Satan!" or "Go back, Lucifer!"&mdash; implied meaning "go away, do not dare to tempt me!". From a popular Medieval Catholic ] formula, apparently based on a rebuke by ] to ] in the ], ] 8:33: ''vade retro me, Satana.'' ("step back from me, Satan!").
;]
:"Woe to the conquered"
;Vanitas vanitatum, omnia vanitas
:"Vanity, vanity, all is vanity" (], ], 1:2)
;]
:"Prophecy from the event" - prophecy made to look as written before the events it describes, while in fact being written afterwards.
;]
:"I came, I saw, I conquered" &mdash; the full text of a message sent by ] to the ], to describe his battle against King Pharnakles of ] near ] in ].
;Vera causa
:"The true cause (of)"
;Verba ita sunt intelligenda, ut res magis valeat quam pereat
:Legal phrase meaning "Words are to be so understood that the subject-matter may be preserved rather than destroyed."
;Verbatim et litteratim
:"Word by word and letter by letter."
;Verbi divini minister
:"Servant of the word of God" &mdash; ''i.e.'' a priest.
;Versus (vs.)
:"Against" &mdash; as in "Good ''versus'' Evil."
;]
:"I forbid" &mdash; a right to unilaterally stop a certain piece of ].
;Via
:"By way (of)."
;Via media
:"Middle path" &mdash; the ] was said to be a ''via media'' between the errors of ] and the extremes of ].
;Vice versa
:"With places exchanged" &mdash; ''i.e.'' "in reverse order", "conversely".
;Vide infra (v.i.)
:"See below."
;Vide supra (v.s.)
:"See above."
;Videre licet (videlicet, viz.)
:"one may see" &mdash; used to introduce examples or a listing of something just named. (''Videlicet'' is not Latin, it is an English contraction.)
;Vis legis
:"Force of the law"
;Visio dei
:"God's vision."
;Vite ante acta
:"Life before the events" &mdash; ''i.e.'' a previous life
;Vivat, crescat, floreat!
:"May he/she/it live, grow, and flourish!"
;Vivat Regina!
:"Long live the Queen!"
;Vivat Rex!
:"Long live the King!"
;Votum separatum
:An independent, minority voice <!-- this line is a stub... -->
;Vox clamantis in deserto
:"The voice of one shouting in the desert" &mdash; thus "unheeded", "in vain."
;Vox populi vox dei
:"The voice of the people is the voice of God."

==See also==
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


==External links== == External links ==
{{wikiquote|Latin proverbs}}
* (1856)
{{Commons category|Latin-language words and phrases}}
* in Latin
*
*
* (archived 20 November 2018)


{{list of lists|language|listcat=Lists of Latin phrases}}
* - An alphabetical list.


{{DEFAULTSORT:Latin phrases}}
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Latest revision as of 11:12, 15 October 2023

This is a list of Misplaced Pages articles of Latin phrases and their translation into English.

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