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