Useful Latin phrases and word
Many common phrases and words used in English today are taken directly from the Latin language. You’ve probably seen or used much of this Latin at one point or another yourself. Here are a few Latin phrases you may already use, but do you know their true meaning?
- Ad infinitum
- without end or limit.
- Ad nauseam
- to a sickening or excessive degree.
- Carpe diem
- the enjoyment of the pleasures of the moment without concern for the future.
- Caveat
- a warning enjoining one from certain acts or practices;
- an explanation to prevent misinterpretation;
- a legal warning to a judicial officer to suspend a proceeding until the opposition has a hearing.
- De facto
- in reality;
- actually.
- Dictum
- a noteworthy statement: as
- a: a formal pronouncement of a principle, proposition, or opinion
- b: an observation intended or regarded as authoritative;
- a judicial opinion on a point other than the precise issue involved in determining a case.
- Et cetera
- and others esp. of the same kind: and so forth; abbreviated as etc.
- Ipso facto
- by that very fact or act;
- as an inevitable result.
- Magnum opus
- a great work, the greatest achievement of an artist or writer.
- Memento
- something that serves to warn or remind.
- Non sequitur
- statement (as a response) that does not follow logically from anything previously said.
- Nota bene
- used to call attention to something important.
- Per capita
- equally to each individual;
- per unit of population: by or for each person per capita of any state in the union.
- Persona non grata
- personally unacceptable or unwelcome.
- Post mortem
- occurring or done after death;
- pertaining to a post-mortem examination;
- n. a post-mortem examination, esp. an autopsy.
- Prima facie
- at first view: on the first appearance;
- adj. true, valid, or sufficient at first impression: apparent; self-evident;
- legally sufficient to establish a fact or a case unless disproved.
- Pro forma
- made or carried out in a perfunctory manner or as a formality;
- provided in advance to prescribe form or describe items.
- Quod erat demonstrandum
- which was to be proved.
- RIP
- abbreviation, may he rest in peace