Latin Phrases from a Translation Notes Document

Latin
Translation
Notes
Or "at will", "at one's pleasure". This phrase, and

its Italian (beneplacito)
a bene placito
from one well pleased
and Spanish (beneplcito) derivatives, are

synonymous with the more common ad
libitum (at pleasure).
Or "from heaven all the way to the center of the

earth". In law, can refer to the obsolete cuius est
a caelo usque ad
from the sky to the
solum eius est usque ad coelum et ad
centrum
center
inferosmaxim of property ownership ("for

whoever owns the soil, it is theirs up to the sky
and down to the depths").
From top to bottom; all the way through

a capite ad calcem from head to heel
(colloquially "from head to toe"). Equally a

pedibus usque ad caput.
Equivalent to "on the contrary" or "au contraire".

a contrario
from the opposite
An argumentum a contrario is an "argument from

the contrary", an argument or proof by contrast
or direct opposite.
a Deucalione
from or sinceDeucalion
a falsis principiis
to set forth from false
proficisci
principles
A long time ago. From Gaius Lucilius (Satires, 6,

284)
Legal term from Cicero's De Finibus 4.53.
Loosely, "even more so" or "with even stronger

a fortiori
from the stronger
reason". Often used to lead from a less certain

proposition to a more evident corollary.
From Psalm 72:8, "Et dominabitur a mari usque

a mari usque ad
mare
ad mare, et a flumine usque ad terminos terrae"

from sea to sea
(KJV: "He shall have dominion also from sea to

sea, and from the river unto the ends of the
earth"). National motto of Canada.
Completely. Similar to the English expressions

a pedibus usque
ad caput
from feet to head
"from tip to toe" or "from head to toe". Equally a

capite ad calcem. See also ab ovo usque ad
mala.
a posse ad esse
from being able to being
"From possibility to actuality" or "from being

possible to being actual"
Based on observation
(i.e., empirical knowledge), the reverse of a
a posteriori
from the latter
priori. Used in mathematics and logic to denote

something that is known after a proof has been
carried out. In philosophy, used to denote
something known from experience.
Presupposed independent of experience, the

reverse of a posteriori. Used in mathematics and
logic to denote something that is known or
a priori
from the former
postulated before a proof has been carried out.

In philosophy, used to denote something is
supposed without empirical evidence. In
everyday speech, it denotes something
occurring or being known before the event.
ab absurdo
from the absurd
Said of an argument that seeks to prove a

statement's validity by pointing out the absurdity
of an opponent's position (cf. appeal to ridicule)
or that an assertion is false because of its
absurdity. Not to be confused with a reductio ad
absurdum, which is usually a valid logical
argument.
ab abusu ad usum an inference from an

non valet
abuse to a use is not
consequentia
valid
Rights abused are still rights (cf. abusus non

tollit usum).
Literally, "from the everlasting" or "from eternity".

Thus, "from time immemorial", "since the
ab aeterno
from the eternal
beginning of time" or "from an infinitely remote

time in the past". In theology, often indicates
something, such as the universe, that was
created outside of time.
ab antiquo
from the ancient
From ancient times.
ab epistulis
from the letters
Or, having to do with correspondence.
A legal term meaning "from without". From

ab extra
from beyond
external sources, rather than from the self or the

mind (ab intra).
ab hinc orabhinc
from here on
Or "from the bottom of my heart", "with deepest

ab imo pectore
from the deepest chest
affection", "sincerely".. Attributed to Julius

Caesar.
ab inconvenienti
from an inconvenient
New Latin for "based on unsuitability", "from
thing
inconvenience" or "from hardship".

An argumentum ab inconvenienti is one based
on the difficulties involved in pursuing a line of
reasoning, and is thus a form of appeal to
consequences; it refers to a rule in law that an
argument from inconvenience has great weight.
Thus, "from the beginning" or "from

infancy". Incunabula is commonly used in
ab incunabulis
from the cradle
English to refer to the earliest stage or origin of

something, and especially to copies of books
that predate the spread of the printing
press around AD 1500.
"At the outset", referring to an inquiry or

investigation. In literature, refers to a story told
from the beginning rather than in medias
res (from the middle). In law, refers to something
being the case from the start or from the instant
ab initio
from the beginning
of the act, rather than from when the court

declared it so. A judicial declaration of the
invalidity of a marriage ab initio is a nullity. In
science, refers to the first principles. In other
contexts, often refers to beginner or training
courses. Ab initio mundi means "from the
beginning of the world".
ab intestato
from anintestate
ab intra
from within
From someone who dies with no legal will (cf. ex

testamento).
From the inside. The opposite of ab extra.
By a person who is angry. Used in law to

describe a decision or action that is detrimental
to those it affects and was made based on
ab irato
from an angry man
hatred or anger, rather than on reason. The

form irato is masculine; however, this does not
mean it applies only to men, rather 'person' is
meant, as the phrase probably elides "homo,"
not "vir."
From the origin, beginning, source, or

ab origine
from the source
commencementi.e., "originally". The source of

the word aboriginal.
From Horace, Satire 1.3. Means "from beginning

to end", based on the Roman main meal typically
ab ovo usque ad
from the egg to the
beginning with an egg dish and ending with fruit
mala
apples
(cf. the English phrase soup to nuts). Thus, ab

ovo means "from the beginning", and can also
connote thoroughness.
From Virgil's Aeneid. Refers to situations where

ab uno disce
omnes
from one, learn all
a single example or observation indicates a

general or universal truth. Visible in the court of
King Silas in the TV series Kings.
Or "from the founding of Rome", which occurred

in 753 BC according to Livy's count. Used as a
ab urbe
from the city having
reference point in ancient Rome for establishing
condita (a.u.c.)
been founded
dates, before being supplanted by other

systems. Also anno urbis conditae (a.u.c.) (literally
"in the year of the founded city").
ab utili
from utility
Used of an argument.
absens haeres
an absent person will
In law, refers to the principle that someone who
non erit
not be an heir
is not present is unlikely to inherit.
absente reo(abs. re.)
[with] the defendant

being absent
absit iniuria
let injury be absent from
verbis (orinjuria)
[these] words
In the absence of the accused.
Expresses the wish that no insult or wrong be

conveyed by the speaker's words, i.e., "no
offence". See also absit invidia.
Although similar to the English expression "no

offence", absit invidia is not a mere social
gesture to avoid causing offense, but also a way
absit invidia
let ill will be absent
to ward off the harm that some people

superstitiously believe animosity can cause
others. Also extended to absit invidia verbo,
meaning "may ill will be absent from the word"
(cf. absit iniuria verbis).
Or "let this not be a bad omen". Expresses the

absit omen
let an omen be absent
wish that something seemingly ill-boding does

not turn out to be an omen for future events, and
calls on divine protection against evil.
absolutum
dominium
absolute dominion
Total power or sovereignty.
A legal term said by a judge acquitting a

defendant following a trial. Te absolvo or absolvo
te, translated, "I forgive you," said by Roman
absolvo
I acquit
Catholic priests during

the Sacrament of Confession, in Latin prior to
the Second Vatican Council and in vernacular
thereafter.
abundans cautela
abundant caution does
Frequently phrased as "one can never be too
non nocet
no harm
careful".
abusus non tollit
misuse does not
Just because something is misused doesn't
usum
remove use
mean it can't be used correctly.
abyssus abyssum
invocat
accipe hoc
deep calleth unto deep
Take this
From Psalms 42:7; some translations have 'Sea

calls to sea'.
Motto of 848 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Navy.
A legal maxim denoting that any accused person

is entitled to make a plea of not guilty, and also
accusare nemo se no one ought to accuse that a witness is not obliged to give a response
debet nisi coram
himself except in the
or submit a document that will incriminate
Deo
Presence of God
himself. A very similar phrase is nemo tenetur se

ipsum accusare "no one is bound to accuse
himself". See right to silence.
Ovid's Tristia 1.2.97: si tamen acta deos

acta deos
numquam mortalia
fallunt
mortal actions never

deceive the gods
numquam mortalia fallunt, / a culpa facinus scitis

abesse mea. "Yet if mortal actions never deceive
the gods, / you know that crime was absent from
my fault."
A common ending to ancient Roman comedies,

also claimed by Suetonius in The Twelve
acta est fabula
The play has been
plaudite
performed; applaud!
Caesars to have been Augustus' last words.

Applied by Sibelius to the third movement of his
String Quartet no. 2 so that his audience would
realize it was the last one, as a fourth would
normally be expected.
acta non verba
Deeds, not Words
Motto of the United States Merchant Marine

Academy.
Also used in the singular, Acta Sancti (Deeds of

acta sanctorum
Deeds of theSaints
the Saint), preceding a specific Saint's name. A

common title of works in hagiography.
actus me invito
the act done by me
factus non est
against my will is not my
meus actus
act
actus non facit

reum nisi mens sit
rea
The act does not make

[a person] guilty unless
A legal term outlining the presumption of mens
the mind should be
rea in a crime.
guilty.
The actual crime that is committed, rather than

actus reus
guilty act
the intent or thought process leading up to the

crime. Thus, the external elements of a crime, as
contrasted with mens rea, the internal elements.
In logic, to the point of being silly or nonsensical.

ad absurdum
to the absurd
See also reductio ad absurdum. Not to be

confused with ab absurdo (from the absurd).
In legal language, used when providing

ad abundantiam
to abundance
additional evidence to an already sufficient

collection. Also used commonly, as an equivalent
of "as if this wasn't enough".
ad altiora tendo
ad arbitrium
ad acta
I strive towards higher

things
at will, at pleasure
to the archives, no
longer relevant
Name or motto (in full or part) of many
ad astra
to the stars
ad astra per
to the stars through
Motto of Kansas, and other organisations. The
aspera
difficulties
phrase is also translated as "A rough road leads
organizations, publications, etc.
to the stars", as on the Launch Complex 34
memorial plaque for the astronauts of Apollo 1.
ad augusta per
to rise to a high position
angusta
overcoming hardships.
ad
in order to capture the
captandumvulgus crowd
To appeal to the masses. Often used of

politicians. An argumentum ad captandum is an
argument designed to please the crowd.
A formal letter or communication (in the Christian

tradition) from a Bishop to the clergy under his
ad clerum
to the clergy
direction. An "ad clerum" may be a letter of

encouragement at a time of celebration, or a
technical explanation of new regulations
or canons.
An ad eundem degree, from the Latin ad

eundem gradum (to the same step" or "to the
same degree), is a courtesy degree awarded by
ad eundem
to the same
one university or college to an alumnus of

another. It is not an honorary degree, but a
recognition of the formal learning that earned the
degree at another college.
ad fontes
to the sources
A motto of Renaissance humanism. Also used in

the Protestant Reformation.
Said during a generic toast, equivalent to

ad fundum
to the bottom
"bottoms up!" In other contexts, generally means

"back to the basics".
Generally means "for this", in the sense of

ad hoc
to this
improvised on the spot or designed for only a

specific, immediate purpose.
Or "at the man". Typically used in argumentum

ad hominem, a logical fallacy consisting of
ad hominem
to the man
criticizing a person when the subject of debate is

the person's ideas or argument, on the mistaken
assumption that the soundness of an argument
is dependent on the qualities of the proponent.
ad honorem
to the honour
ad infinitum
to infinity
Generally means "for the honour", not seeking

any material reward.
Going on forever. Used to designate a property

which repeats in all cases in mathematical proof.
As in the term "charg d'affaires ad interim" for a

ad interim (ad int)
for the meantime
diplomatic officer who acts in place of an

ambassador.
Attributed by Suetonius in The Twelve

ad kalendas
graecas
Caesars to Augustus. The Calends were specific

at the GreekCalends
days of the Roman calendar, not of the Greek,

and so the "Greek Kalends" would never occur.
Similar to "when pigs fly".
Loosely, "according to what pleases" or "as you

wish"; libitum comes from the
past participle of libere, "to please". It typically
indicates in musicand theatrical scripts that the
ad libitum (ad lib)
toward pleasure
performer has the liberty to change or omit

something. Ad lib is specifically often used when
someone improvisesor ignores limitations. Also
used by some restaurants in favor of the
colloquial "all you can eat or drink".
ad litem
to the lawsuit
A legal term referring to a party appointed by a

court to act in a lawsuit on behalf of another
party who is deemed incapable of representing

himself. An individual who acts in this capacity is
called a guardian ad litem.
Motto of Oxford High School (Oxford),

ad lucem
to the light
the University of Lisbon, Withington Girls'

School and St. Bartholomew's School, Newbury,
UK
ad maiorem Dei
gloriam orad
to the greater glory of
majorem Dei
God
gloriam(AMDG)
Motto of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Edward

Elgar dedicated his oratorio The Dream of
Gerontius "A.M.D.G."
ad meliora
Towards better things
motto of St. Patrick's College, Cavan, Ireland
ad mortem
To death
used in medical contexts as a synonym for death
ad multos annos
to many years!
A wish for a long life. Similar to "Many happy

returns!"
Or "to the point of disgust". Sometimes used as

a humorous alternative to ad infinitum.
ad nauseam
to seasickness
An argumentum ad nauseam is a logical

fallacy involving basing one's argument on
prolonged repetition, i.e., repeating something so
much that people are "sick of it".
ad oculos
to the eyes
ad pedem litterae
to the foot of the letter
Meaning "obvious on sight" or "obvious to

anyone that sees it".
Thus, "exactly as it is written". Similar to the

phrase "to the letter", meaning "to the last detail".
ad perpetuam
memoriam
Generally precedes "of" and a person's name,

to the perpetual memory and is used to wish for someone to be
remembered long after death.
More loosely, "considering everything's weight".

ad pondus
to the weight of all
omnium (ad pond om) things
The abbreviation was historically used by

physicians and others to signify that the last
prescribed ingredient is to weigh as much as all
of the previously mentioned ones.
Meaning "according to the harm" or "in

proportion to the harm". The phrase is used
ad quod damnum
to whatever damage
in tort law as a measure of damages inflicted,

implying that a remedy, if one exists, ought to
correspond specifically and only to the damage
suffered (cf. damnum absque iniuria).
Loosely "subject to reference": provisionally
ad referendum
to be proposed [before
(ad ref)
the Senate]
ad rem
to the matter
Thus, "to the point", without digression.
ad terminum qui
for the term which has
A legal term for a writ of entry ad terminum qui
praeteriit
passed
praeteriit [for the term which has passed].[1]
ad undas
to the waves
Equivalent to "to hell".
ad unum
to one
ad usum Delphini
for the use of
Said of a work that has been expurgated of
the Dauphin
offensive or improper parts. The phrase
approved, but still needing official approval. Not

the same as a referendum.
originates from editions of Greek and Roman

classics which Louis XIV had censored for his
heir apparent, the Dauphin. Also rarely in usum

Delphini (into the use of the Dauphin).
ad usum
proprium (ad us.
for one's own use
propr.)
ad utrumque
prepared for either
paratus
[alternative]
The motto of Lund University, with the implied

alternatives being the book (study) and the
sword (defending the country in war).
Used in commerce to refer to ad valorem taxes,

ad valorem
according to value
taxes based on the assessed value of real estate

or personal property.
ad victoriam
to victory
ad vitam aeternam to eternal life
ad vitam aut
culpam
for life or until fault
More commonly translated into "for victory" this

is a battlecry of the Romans.
Also "to life everlasting". A common Biblical

phrase.
Usually used of a term of office.
An item to be added, especially a supplement to
addendum
thing to be added
adaequatio
correspondence of the
intellectus et rei
mind and reality
adaequatio
conformity of our minds A phrase used in Epistemology regarding the
intellectus nostri
a book. The plural is addenda.
One of the definitions of the truth. When the

mind has the same form as reality, we think truth.
Also found as adaequatio rei et intellectus.
cum re
to the fact
adsum
I am here
adversus solem ne don't speak against the

loquitor
sun
nature of understanding.
Equivalent to "Present!" or "Here!" The opposite

of absum "I am absent".
Or don't argue what's obviously wrong.
Someone who, given a certain argument, takes

advocatus diaboli
devil's advocate
a position he or she does not necessarily agree

with, for the sake of argument.
aegri somnia
aetat.
a sick man's dreams
"of age" / "aged" (in the

sense of: "age: ...)
From Horace, Ars Poetica, 7. Loosely, "troubled

dreams".
Abbreviation of "aetatis"; further abbreviated

(and more common): "aet." e.g.: "aetat" or "aet.
36" = "36 years old".
Thus, "at the age of". Appeared on portraits,

gravestones, etc. Sometimes extended to anno
aetatis suae (AAS), "in the year of his age".
aetatis suae
of one's own age
Sometimes shortened to
just aetatis or aetat (aet.).
The tomb reads Anno 1629 Aetatis Suae 46 because she died in
1629 at age 46.
affidavit
he asserted
age quod agis
Do what you are doing.
A legal term from Medieval Latin referring to a

sworn statement. From fides, "faith".
More often translated as "Do well whatever you

do", this phrase is used as the motto of several
Catholic schools. Literally translated, it means
"Drive, because you are driven"; figuratively it
means "keep going, because you are inspired or

dedicated to do so".
Originally comparable to a to-do list, an ordered

list of things to be done. Now generalized to
agenda
things to be done
include any planned course of action. The

singular, agendum (thing that must be done), is
rarely used.
agere sequitur
credere
agere sequitur
(esse)
action follows belief
"We act according to what we believe (ourselves

to be)".[2]
Metaphysical and moral principle that indicates

action follows being
the connection
among ontology, obligation and ethics.[2]
Latin translation from John 1:36, where John the

Baptist exclaims Ecce Agnus Dei! "Behold the
Agnus Dei
Lamb of God
Lamb of God!" upon seeing Jesus, referring both

to a lamb's connotations of innocence and to
a sacrificial lamb.
Or in Greek, anerrhphth
kbos; said by Julius Caesar upon crossing
the Rubicon in 49 BC, according to Suetonius.
The original meaning was similar to "the game is
alea iacta est
the die has been cast
afoot", but its modern meaning, like that of the

phrase "crossing the Rubicon", denotes passing
thepoint of no return on a momentous decision
and entering into a risky endeavor where the
outcome is left to chance.
alenda lux ubi orta

libertas
Light [is] to be
nourished where liberty
[has] arisen.
Or "let learning be cherished..." The motto

of Davidson College.
alias
at another time,
otherwise
An assumed name or pseudonym. Similar

to alter ego, but more specifically referring to a
name, not to a "second self".
A legal defense where a defendant attempts to

show that he was elsewhere at the time a crime
alibi
elsewhere
was committed.
His alibi is sound; he gave evidence that he was in another city on
the night of the murder.
aliquid stat pro
something stands for
aliquo
something else
A foundational definition for semiotics.
taken from the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 40. "But

those who wait for the Lord shall find their
alis aquilae
on an eagle's wings
strength renewed, they shall mount up on wings

like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary,
they shall walk and not grow faint."
alis grave nil
alis volat propriis
nothing [is] heavy with

wings
she flies with her own

wings
Or "nothing is heavy to those who have wings".

Motto of the Pontifcia Universidade Catlica do
Rio de Janeiro.
State motto of Oregon; adopted in 1987, it

replaced "The Union", which was the previous
state motto adopted in 1957.
Term used for the university one attends or has

attended. Another university term, matriculation,
alma mater
nourishing mother
is also 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.
alter ego
another I
Another self, a second persona or alias. Can be
used to describe different facets or identities of a

single character, or different characters who
seem representations of the same personality.
Often used of a fictional character's secret
identity.
Final sentence from Aesop ascribed fable (see

also Aesop's Fables) "The Frogs Who Desired a
alterius non sit qui Let no man be another's
suus esse potest
who can be his own
King" as appears in the collection commonly

known as the "Anonymus Neveleti" (fable
XXIb. De ranis a Iove querentibus
regem). Motto of Paracelsus. Usually attributed
to Cicero.
alterum non
laedere
alumnus or
alumna
to not wound another
pupil
One of Justinian I's three basic legal precepts.
graduate or former student of a school, college

or university
amicus certus in
A sure friend is seen in
by Ennius as cited by Cicero in Laelius de
re incerta
an unsure matter
Amicitia s. 64
An adviser, or a person who can obtain or grant

access to the favour of powerful group, like
amicus curiae
friend of the court
a Roman Curia. In current U.S. legal usage,

anamicus curiae is a third party allowed to
submit a legal opinion (in the form of
an amicus brief) to the court.
Amicus Plato, sed

magis amica
veritas.
amittere legem
Plato is my friend, but

truth is a better friend.
to lose the law of the
to value truth higher than friendship; attributed

to Aristotle (Ethics, 1096a15) and Roger
Bacon (Opus Majus, P. I, ch. v)
An obsolete legal term signifying the forfeiture of
terrae
land
the right of swearing in any court or cause, or to

become infamous.
Motto of Baylor
Amat victoria
curam
School - Chattanooga, Tennessee; Wellesley

Victory favors care
College Primary School - Eastbourne, New

Zealand; Victoria College- St. Helier
Parish, Jersey, the Channel Islands.
amor et melle et
felle est
fecundissimus
love is rich with both

honey and venom
Nietzscheian alternative world view to memento

amor fati
love of fate
mori ("remember you must die"). Nietzsche

believed amor fati to be more life affirming.
amor omnibus
idem
amor patriae
love is the same for all
from Virgil's Georgics III.
love of one's country
Patriotism.
amor vincit omnia love conquers all
written on bracelet worn by

the Prioress in Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales
Used before the anglicized version of a word or

anglice
in English
name. For example, "Terra Mariae, anglice,

Maryland".
Also used in such phrases as anno urbis

anno (an.)
in the year
conditae (see ab urbe condita), Anno Domini,

and anno regni.
Short for Anno Domini Nostri Iesu Christi (in the

Year of Our Lord Jesus Christ), the
predominantly used system for dating years
across the world, used with the Gregorian
calendar, and based on the perceived year of
Anno Domini(A.D.)
in the Year of the Lord
the birth of Jesus Christ. The years before Jesus'

birth were once marked with a.C.n (Ante
Christum Natum, Before Christ was Born), but
now use the English abbreviation BC (Before
Christ). Example: Augustus Caesar was born in the year 63 BC,
and died AD 14.
anno regni
In the year of the reign
Precedes "of" and the current ruler.
Or "he approves our undertakings". Motto on the

annuit cptis
He nods at things being reverse of the Great Seal of the United

begun
States and on the back of the United States onedollar bill.
A recent pun on annus mirabilis, first used by

Queen Elizabeth II to describe what a bad year
1992 had been for her, and subsequently
annus horribilis
horrible year
occasionally used to refer to many other years

perceived as "horrible". In Classical Latin, this
phrase would actually mean "terrifying year".
See also annus terribilis.
annus mirabilis
wonderful year
Used particularly to refer to the years 1665

1666, during which Isaac Newton made
revolutionary inventions and discoveries in
calculus, motion, optics and gravitation. Annus
Mirabilis is also the title of a poem by John
Dryden written in the same year. It has since
been used to refer to other years, especially to
1905, when Albert Einstein made equally
revolutionary discoveries concerning the
photoelectric effect, Brownian motion and the
special theory of relativity. (See Annus Mirabilis

papers)
annus terribilis
dreadful year
Used to describe 1348, the year the Black

Death began to afflict Europe.
As in status quo ante bellum, "as it was before

ante bellum
before the war
the war". Commonly used in the Southern United

States as antebellum to refer to the period
preceding the American Civil War.
ante cibum(a.c.)
before food
Medical shorthand for "before meals".
Said of an expression or term that describes

something which existed before the phrase itself
ante litteram
before the letter
was introduced or became common. Example: Alan

Turing was a computer scientist ante litteram, since the field of
"computer science" was not yet recognized in Turing's day.
ante meridiem(a.m.) before midday
From midnight to noon (cf. post meridiem).
ante mortem
See post mortem (after death).
ante omnia armari
before death
before all else, be

armed
Used on pharmaceutical prescriptions to denote

ante prandium(a.p.) before lunch
"before a meal". Less common is post prandium,

"after lunch".
apparatus criticus tools of a critic
Textual notes. A list of other readings relating to

a document, especially in a scholarly edition of a
text.
Used in scholarly works to cite a reference at
apud
in the writings of
aqua (aq.)
water
aqua fortis
strong water
Refers to nitric acid.
aqua pura
pure water
Or "clear water", "clean water".
second hand
refers to a mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric

aqua regia
royal water
acid, thus called because of its ability to dissolve

gold.
"Spirit of Wine" in many English texts. Used to

refer to various native distilled beverages, such
aqua vitae
water of life
as whisky (uisge beatha) in Scotland and

Ireland,gin in Holland, brandy (eau de vie) in
France, and akvavit in Scandinavia.
aquila non capit
an eagle doesn't catch
A noble or important person doesn't deal with
muscas
flies
insignificant issues.
From Gerhard Gerhards' (14661536) [better

arare litus
to plough the seashore
known as Erasmus] collection of annotated

Adagia (1508). Wasted labour.
One who prescribes, rules on, or is a recognized

arbiter
elegantiarum
judge of tastes
authority on matters of social behavior and taste.

Said of Petronius. Sometimes found in the
singular, arbiter elegantiae (judge of taste).
Arcana imperii
Invisible power
Arcanum boni
The secret behind a
tenoris animae
good mood
arcus senilis
bow of an old person
arduus ad solem
Striving towards the sun Motto of the Victoria University of Manchester.
argentum album
white silver
Motto of the Starobrno Brewery in Brno.
An opaque circle around the cornea of the eye,

often seen in elderly people.
Also "silver coin". Mentioned in the Domesday

Book, signifies bullion, or silver uncoined.
For the sake of argument. Said when something

arguendo
for arguing
is done purely in order to discuss a matter or

illustrate a point. Example: Let us assume, arguendo, that
your claim is correct.
argumentum
argument
Or "reasoning", "inference", "appeal", "proof".

The plural is argumenta. Commonly used in the
names of logical arguments and fallacies,
preceding phrases such as a silentio (by
silence), ad antiquitatem (to antiquity), ad
baculum (to the stick), ad captandum (to
capturing), ad consequentiam (to the
consequence), ad crumenam (to the purse), ad
feminam (to the woman), ad hominem (to the
person), ad ignorantiam(to ignorance), ad
judicium (to judgment), ad lazarum (to
poverty), ad logicam (to logic), ad metum (to
fear), ad misericordiam (to pity), ad nauseam (to
nausea), ad novitatem (to novelty), ad
personam (to the character), ad numerum (to the
number), ad odium (to spite), ad populum(to the
people), ad temperantiam (to moderation), ad
verecundiam (to reverence), ex silentio (from

silence), in terrorem (into terror), and e
contrario (from/to the opposite).
ars [est] celare

artem
An aesthetic ideal that good art should appear

art [is] to conceal art
natural rather than contrived. Of medieval origin,

but often incorrectly attributed to Ovid.[3]
Translated into Latin from Baudelaire's "L'art

pour l'art". Motto of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. This
ars gratia artis
art for art's sake
phrasing is a direct translation of 'art for the sake

of art.' While very symmetrical for the MGM logo,
the better Latin word order is 'Ars artis gratia.'
The Latin translation by Seneca (De Brevitate

ars longa, vita
brevis
Vitae, 1.1) of a phrase from Hippocrates, often

art is long, life is short
used out of context. The "art" referred to in the

original aphorism was the craft of medicine,
which took a lifetime to acquire.
arte et labore
by art and by labour
motto of Blackburn Rovers F.C.
motto of the Electrical and Mechanical

arte et marte
by skill and valour
Engineering (EME) Branch of the Canadian

Forces.
Artis Bohemiae
Amicis
Award of the Minister of Culture of the Czech

Friends of Czech Arts
Republic for the promotion of the positive

reputation of Czech culture abroad.
asinus ad lyram
an ass to the lyre
asinus asinum
the jackass rubs the
From Erasmus's collection of Adages. An

awkward or incompetent individual.
Used to describe two people lavishing excessive
fricat
jackass
assecuratus non
the assured does not
praise on one another.
quaerit lucrum sed seek profit but makes [it Refers to the insurance principle that the
agit ne in damno
his profit] that he not be indemnity cannot be larger than the loss.
sit
in loss
Astra inclinant,
The stars incline us,
Refers to the Free will over the astrological
sed non obligant
they do not bind us
determinism.
Used in bibliography for books, texts,

Auctores Varii
Various Authors
publications or articles that contain more than

three collaborators.
auctoritas
authority
Auctoritas non
authority, not truth,
veritas facit legem makes law
The level of prestige a person had in Roman

society.
This formula appears in the

1670 Latin translation of the Hobbes' Leviathan,
II, 26[4]
audacter
calumniare,
slander boldly,
from Francis Bacon, De Augmentis
semper aliquid
something always sticks Scientiarum (1623)
haeret
audax at fidelis
bold but faithful
Motto of Queensland.
Motto of Otago University Students' Association,

audeamus
let us dare
a direct response to the university's motto

of sapere aude "dare to be wise". Also Motto
ofChamplain College in Burlington, Vermont.
State motto of Alabama, adopted in 1923.

Translated into Latin from a paraphrase of the
audemus jura
we dare to defend our
stanza "Men who their duties know / But know
nostra defendere
rights
their rights, and knowing, dare maintain" from

the poem "What Constitutes a State?" by 18thcentury author William Jones.
From Virgil, Aeneid X, 284 (where the first word

is in the archaic form audentis). Allegedly the last
words of Pliny the Elder before he left the docks
audentes fortuna
iuvat
fortune favors the bold
at Pompeii to rescue people from the eruption

of Vesuvius in 79. Often quoted as audaces
fortuna iuvat. Also the motto of thePortuguese
Army Commandos, and the USS Montpelier
(SSN-765) in the latter form.
audere est facere
audi alteram
partem
to dare is to do
motto of Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
A legal principle of fairness. Also worded

hear the other side
as audiatur et altera pars (let the other side be

heard too).
audio hostem
I hear the enemy
audi, vide, tace
hear, see, be silent
Motto of 845 NAS Royal Navy
From Horace's Odes II, 10. Refers to the ethical

goal of reaching a virtuous middle ground
aurea mediocritas golden mean
between two sinful extremes. The golden mean

concept is common to many philosophers,
chiefly Aristotle.
auri sacra fames
accursed hunger for
From Virgil, Aeneid 3,57. Later quoted
gold
by Seneca as quod non mortalia pectora coges,

auri sacra fames "What don't you force mortal
hearts [to do], accursed hunger for gold!"
A common ancient proverb, this version

auribus teneo
lupum
from Terence. Indicates that one is in a

I hold a wolf by the ears dangerous situation where both holding on and
letting go could be deadly. A modern version is
"To have a tiger by the tail."
The Southern Lights, an aurora that appears in

the Southern Hemisphere. It is less well-known
aurora australis
southern dawn
than the Northern Lights, or aurorea borealis.

The Aurora Australis is also the name of an
Antarctic icebreaker ship.
aurora borealis
northern lights
The Northern Lights, an aurora that appears in

the Northern Hemisphere.
Title of a distich by Iohannes Christenius (1599

1672): "Conveniens studiis non est nox,
aurora musis
Dawn is a friend to the
amica
Muses
commoda lux est; / Luce labor bonus est et bona

nocte quies." (Night is not suitable for studying,
daylight is; / working by light is good, as is rest at
night.) in Nihus, Barthold (1642).Epigrammata
disticha. Johannes Kinckius.
aurum potestas
est
gold is power
Motto of the fictional Fowl family in the Artemis

Fowl series, written by Eoin Colfer
Motto of the Order of St Michael and St
auspicium
hope/token of a better
melioris aevi
age
aut Caesar aut
either Caesar or nothing Indicates that the only valid possibility is to
nihil
George and motto of Raffles Institution, a

secondary school in Singapore.
be emperor, or a similarly prominent position.

More generally, "all or nothing". Adopted
by Cesare Borgia as a personal motto.
aut consiliis aut
either by meeting or the Thus, either through reasoned discussion or
ense
sword
through war. The first motto of Chile.
"Do or die", "no retreat". A Greek expression said

by Spartan mothers to their sons as they
aut cum scuto aut either with shield or on
departed for battle. A hoplite would drop his
in scuto
cumbersome shield in order to flee the
shield
battlefield; a slain warrior would be borne home

atop his shield.
aut neca aut

necare
either kill or be killed
aut pax aut bellum either peace or war
aut viam inveniam I will either find a way or

aut faciam
make one
or neca ne neceris (kill lest you be killed)
The motto of the Gunn Clan.
Hannibal.
A general pledge of victoria aut mors "victory or

death". Motto of the Higgenbotham, and
aut vincere aut
either to conquer or to
Higginbottom families of Cheshire England;
mori
die
participants in the War of the Roses. Also the

motto for the 1st Fighter Wing, Langley Air Force
Base, Virginia.
ave atque vale
Hail and farewell!
ave Europa nostra Hail, Europe, our true

vera patria
Fatherland!
From Catullus, carmen 101, addressed to his

deceased brother.
Anthem of Imperium Europa
From Suetonius' The Twelve

Caesars, Claudius 21. A salute and plea for
mercy recorded on one occasion
Ave Imperator,
Hail, Emperor! Those
by naumachiariicaptives and criminals fated to
morituri te
who are about to die
die fighting during mock naval encounters. Later
salutant
salute you!
versions included a variant of "We who are about

to die", and this translation is sometimes aided
by changing the Latin to nos morituri te
salutamus.
Ave Maria
Latin
barba crescit
caput nescit
Catholic prayer of intercession asking Mary, the
Hail, Mary
mother of Jesus to pray for the petitioner.
Translation
Notes
beard grows,
head doesn't
grow wiser
a beard
barba non facit doesn't make
philosophum
one a
philosopher
barba tenus
wise as far as Or wise only in appearance. From Erasmus's collection
sapientes
the beard
of Adages.
A common name in the Roman Catholic Church for Mary, the

Beata Virgo
Blessed Virgin mother of Jesus. The genitive, Beatae Mariae Virginis (BMV),
Maria (BVM)
Mary
occurs often as well, appearing with such words

as horae (hours), litaniae (litanies) and officium (office).
beatae
of blessed
See in memoriam.
memoriae
beati pauperes
spiritu
beati
possidentes
memory
Blessed in
A Beatitude from Matthew 5:3 in the Vulgate: beati pauperes
spirit [are] the spiritu, quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum "Blessed in
poor.
spirit [are] the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens".
blessed [are]
those who
Translated from Euripides.
possess
beatus homo
blessed is the
qui invenit
man who finds
sapientiam
wisdom
from Proverbs 3:13; set to music in a 1577 motet of the same

name by Orlando di Lasso.
Originally from Ovid, Heroides 13.84,[5] where Laodamia is

bella gerant
alii
Others wage
war
Protesilaus should
Protesilaus amet!
love!
writing to her husband Protesilaus who is at the Trojan War.

She begs him to stay out of danger, but he was in fact the first
Greek to die at Troy. Also used of the Habsburg marriages of
1477 and 1496, written asbella gerant alii, tu felix Austria
nube (let others wage war; you, happy Austria, marry). Said
by King Matthias.
bellum
omnium contra
omnes
war of all
A phrase used by Thomas Hobbes to describe the state of
against all
nature.
bellum se
war feeds
ipsum alet
itself
Biblia
pauperum
Paupers' Bible
bibo ergo sum I drink,
Tradition of biblical pictures displaying the essential facts of

Christian salvation.
A play on "cogito ergo sum", "I think therefore I am".
therefore I am
bis dat qui cito

dat
bis in die (bid)
he gives
twice, who
A gift given without hesitation is as good as two gifts.
gives promptly
twice in a day Medical shorthand for "twice a day".
In other words, "well-intentioned", "fairly". In modern contexts,

often has connotations of "genuinely" or "sincerely". Bona
bona fide
in good faith
fides is not the plural (which would be bonis fidebus), but

the nominative, and means simply "good faith". Opposite
of mala fide.
In law, if a person dying has goods, or good debts, in another

bona notabilia
note-worthy
goods
diocese or jurisdiction within that province, besides his goods

in the diocese where he dies, amounting to a certain minimum
value, he is said to have bona notabilia; in which case, the
probat of his will belongs to the archbishop of that province.
bona officia
bona patria
good services
goods of a
country
A nation's offer to mediate in disputes between two other

nations.
A jury or assize of countrymen, or good neighbors.
United Kingdom legal term for ownerless property that passes
bona vacantia
vacant goods
boni pastoris
it is a good
Tiberius reportedly said this to his regional commanders, as a
est tondere
shepherd's
warning against taxing the populace excessively.
pecus non
[job] to shear
deglubere
his flock, not
to The Crown.
to flay them
bono malum
Overcome evil
superate
with good
Motto of Westonbirt School.
Or "general welfare". Refers to what benefits a society, as

bonum
common good
commune
of the
communitatis
community
opposed to bonum commune hominis, which refers to what is

good for an individual. In the film Hot Fuzz, this phrase is
chanted by an assembled group of people, in which context it
is deliberately similar to another phrase that is repeated
throughout the film, which is The Greater Good.
bonum
commune
hominis
common good
of a man
harmless (or
brutum fulmen inert)
thunderbolt
Refers to an individual's happiness, which is not "common" in

that it serves everyone, but in that individuals tend to be able
to find happiness in similar things.
Used to indicate either an empty threat, or a judgement at law

which has no practical effect.
Pseudo-Latin meaning "baffling puzzle" or "difficult point". John

of Cornwall (ca. 1170) was once asked by a scribe what the
busillis
word meant. It turns out that the original text said in diebus illis
magnis plenae (in those days there were plenty of great
things), which the scribe misread as indie busillis magnis
plenae (in India there were plenty of large busillis).
Latin
Translation
Notes
cacoethes
insatiable desire to
Cacothes[6] "bad habit", or medically, "malignant
scribendi
write
disease" is a borrowing of Greek kakthes.[7] The
phrase is derived from a line in

theSatires of Juvenal: Tenet insanabile multos
scribendi cacoethes, or "the incurable desire (or itch)
for writing affects many". Seehypergraphia.
cadavera vero
innumera
Caedite eos.
Novit enim
Dominus qui
sunt eius.
Caelum non
animum mutant
qui trans mare
currunt
truly countless bodies
Kill them all. For the

Lord knows those who
are his.
Those who hurry

across the sea change
the sky [upon them],
not their souls or state
of mind
Caesar non
Caesar has no
supra
authority over the
grammaticos
grammarians
caetera desunt
the rest is missing
calix meus
my cup making me
inebrians
drunk
Used by the Romans to describe the aftermath of

the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains.
Supposed statement by Abbot Arnaud

Amalric before the massacre of Bziers during
the Albigensian Crusade, recorded 30 years later,
according to Caesar of Heisterbach.
Hexameter by Horace (Epistula XI).

[8]
Seneca shortens it to Animum debes mutare,
non caelum (You must change [your] disposition,

not [your] sky) in his Letter to Lucilium XXVIII, 1.
Caetera is Medieval Latin spelling for ctera.
An optical device used in drawing, and an ancestor

camera obscura dark chamber
of modern photography. The source of the

word camera.
canes pugnaces war dogs or fighting
dogs
canis canem edit dog eats dog
Refers to a situation where nobody is safe from

anybody, each man for himself.
From Augustine, De Trinitate XIV, 8.11: Mens eo

capax Dei
capable of receiving
ipso imago Dei est quo eius capax est,[9] "The mind
God
is the image of God, in that it is capable of Him and

can be partaker of Him."
A term referring (at least) to some Christian

doctrines of the incarnation of the Son of God when
capax infiniti
holding the infinite
it asserts that humanity is capable of housing full

divinity within its finite frame. Related to
the Docetic heresy and sometimes a counterpoint to
the Reformed 'extracalvinisticum.'
So aggrandized as to be beyond practical (earthly)

caput inter
(she plunges) [her]
reach or understanding (from Virgil's Aeneid and the
nubila (condit)
head in the clouds
shorter form appears in John Locke's Two Treatises

of Government)
Originally an alchemical reference to the dead

caput mortuum
dead head
head or worthless residue left over from a reaction.

Also used to refer to a freeloader or worthless
element.
It implies a command to love as Christ loved. Motto

Caritas Christi
The love of Christ
of St. Francis Xavier High School located in West

Meadowlark Park, Edmonton.
Caritas in
Veritate
Charity in Truth
Pope Benedict XVI's third encyclical.
An exhortation to live for today.

carpe diem
seize the day
From Horace, Odes I, 11.8. Carpere refers to

plucking of flowers or fruit. The phrase collige virgo
rosas has a similar sense.
An exhortation to make good use of the night, often

used when carpe diem, q.v., would seem absurd,
carpe noctem
seize the night
e.g., when observing a deep-sky object or

conducting a Messier marathon or engaging in social
activities after sunset.
carpe vinum
seize the wine
The Roman senator Cato the Elder ended every

speech after the Second Punic War with ceterum
censeo Carthaginem esse delendam, literally "For
Carthago
Carthage must be
delenda est
destroyed
the rest, I am of the opinion that Carthage is to be

destroyed." Before the ratification of the Treaty of
Lisbon in the European Parliament, Daniel
Hannan ended all his speeches in a similar way
with Pactio Olisipiensis censenda est "The Treaty of
Lisbon must be put to a referendum".
Or, "[Comedy/Satire] criticises customs through

humour", is a phrase coined by French New
castigat ridendo One corrects customs Latin poet Jean de Santeul (fr) (16301697), but
mores
by laughing at them
sometimes wrongly attributed to his

contemporary Molire or to Roman lyric
poet Horace.
Refers to an incident that is the justification or case
casus belli
event of war
causa latet, vis
The cause is hidden,
Ovid: Metamorphoses IV, 287; motto of Alpha Sigma
est notissima
but the result is well
Phi.
for war.
known.
causa mortis
cause of death
especially used by Doctors of Medicine, when they

want to warn each other (e.g.: "cave nephrolithiases"
cave
beware!
in order to warn about side effects of an uricosuric).

Spoken aloud in some British public schools by
pupils to warn each other of impending authority.
cave canem
Beware of the dog
The purchaser is responsible for checking whether

the goods suit his need. Phrases modeled on this
caveat emptor
let the buyer beware
one
replace emptor with lector,subscriptor, venditor, utilit
or: "reader", "signer", "seller", "user".
It is a counter to caveat emptor and suggests that

sellers can also be deceived in a market transaction.
caveat venditor
let the seller beware
This forces the seller to take responsibility for the

product and discourages sellers from selling
products of unreasonable quality.
cedant arma
let arms yield to the
"Let military power yield to civilian
togae
gown
power", Cicero, De Officiis I:77. See also Toga
celerius quam
more swiftly
asparagi
thanasparagus [stem]
cocuntur
s are cooked
cepi corpus
I have taken the body In law, it is a return made by the sheriff, upon
Or simply "faster than cooking asparagus". A variant

of the Roman phrase velocius quam asparagi
coquantur, using a different adverb and an
alternative mood and spelling of coquere.
a capias, or other process to the like purpose;
signifying, that he has taken the body of the party.

See also habeas corpus.
certum est quod it is certain, whatever

certum reddi
can be rendered
potest
certain
Or "... if it can be rendered certain." Often used in

law when something is not known, but can be
ascertained (e.g. the purchase price on a sale which
is to be determined by a third-party valuer)
cessante ratione when the reason for
A rule of law becomes ineffective when the reason
legis cessat ipsa the law ceases, the
for its application has ceased to exist or does not
lex
law itself ceases
correspond to the reality anymore. By Gratian.
cetera desunt
the rest are missing
Also spelled "caetera desunt".
all other things being
That is, disregarding or eliminating extraneous
equal
factors in a situation.
a paper of pardon to
The form of a pardon for killing another man in self-
defend oneself
defence (see manslaughter).
a paper of pardon to
The form of a pardon of a man who is outlawed. Also
the outlaw
called perdonatio utlagariae.
ceteris paribus
charta
pardonationis se
defendendo
charta
pardonationis
utlagariae
Christianos ad
[Throw the] Christians
leones
to the lions!
Christo et
For Christ and
Doctrinae
Learning
The motto of Furman University.
Christus nos
liberavit
Christ has freed us
Christus Rex
Christ the King
circa (c.) or (ca.)
around
circulus in
circle made in testing
probando
[a premise]
title of volume I, book 5, chapter XI of Les

Misrables by Victor Hugo.
A Christian title for Jesus.
In the sense of "approximately" or "about". Usually

used of a date.
Circular reasoning. Similar term to circulus vitiosus.
In logic, begging the question, a fallacy involving the

presupposition of a proposition in one of the
circulus vitiosus vicious circle
premises (see petitio principii). In science, a positive

feedback loop. In economics, a counterpart to
the virtuous circle.
citius altius
fortius
faster, higher, stronger Motto of the modern Olympics.
clamea
A writ whereby the king of England could command
admittenda in
the justice to admit one's claim by an attorney, who
itinere per
being employed in the king's service, cannot come in
atturnatum
person.
clarere audere
[be] bright, daring,
gaudere
joyful
Motto of the Geal family.
A legal action for trespass to land; so called,

clausum fregit
because the writ demands the person summoned to

answer wherefore he broke the close(quare clausum
fregit), i.e., why he entered the plaintiff's land.
claves Sancti
Petri
the keys of Saint Peter A symbol of the Papacy.
The means of discovering hidden or mysterious

clavis aurea
golden key
meanings in texts, particularly applied

in theology and alchemy.
clerico
admittendo
In law, a writ directed to the bishop, for the admitting

for being made a clerk a clerk to a benefice upon a ne admittas, tried, and
found for the party who procures the writ.
clerico capto per
In law, a writ for the delivery of a clerk out of prison,
statutum
who is imprisoned upon the breach of statute
mercatorum
merchant.
clerico convicto
In law, a writ for the delivery of a clerk to his
commisso
ordinary, that was formerly convicted of felony; by
gaolae in
reason that his ordinary did not challenge him
defectu ordinarii
according to the privilege of clerks.
deliberando
clerico intra
sacros ordines
In law, a writ directed to the bailiffs, etc., that have
constituto non
thrust a bailiwick or beadleship upon one in holy
eligendo in
orders; charging them to release him.
officium
Codex Iuris
Canonici
Book of Canon Law
Cogitationis
"No one suffers
poenam nemo
punishment for mere
patitur
intent."
The official code of canon law in the Roman Catholic

Church (cf. Corpus Iuris Canonici).
A Latin legal phrase. See, State v Taylor, 47 Or 455,

84 P 82.
A rationalistic argument used by French

cogito ergo sum I think, therefore I am. philosopher Ren Descartes to attempt to prove his
own existence.
coitus
interruptus
interrupted congress
Aborting sexual intercourse prior to ejaculationthe

only permitted form of birth control in some religions.
coitus more
congress in the way of A medical euphemism for the doggy-style sexual
ferarum
beasts
position.
pick, girl, the roses
Exhortation to enjoy fully

the youth, similar
to Carpe diem, from "De
rosis nascentibus" (also
titled "Idyllium de
rosis"), attributed
to Ausonius or Virgil.[10]
collige virgo
rosas
"Gather ye
rosebuds
while ye
may", 1909,
by John
William
Waterhouse
It is frequently abbreviated comb. nov.. It is used in

combinatio nova new combination
the life sciences literature when a new name is

introduced, e.g. Klebsiella granulomatis comb. nov..
communibus
annis
One year with another; on an average. "Common"

in common years
here does not mean "ordinary", but "common to

every situation"
A term frequently used among philosophical and

communibus
locis
other writers, implying some medium, or mean

in common places
relation between several places; one place with

another; on a medium. "Common" here does not
mean "ordinary", but "common to every situation"
prevailing doctrine, generally accepted view (in an

communis
opinio
common opinion
academic field), scientific consensus;

originally communis opinio doctorum, "common
opinion of the doctors"
Describes someone of sound mind. Sometimes used

compos mentis
in control of the mind
ironically. Also a legal principle, non compos

mentis (not in control of one's faculties), used to
describe an insane person.
concordia cum
veritate
concordia salus
concordia
parvae res
crescunt
in harmony with truth
Motto of the University of Waterloo
well-being through
Motto of Montreal. It is also the Bank of
harmony
Montreal coat of arms and motto.
small things grow in

harmony
Motto of Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood
They condemn what

condemnant
quod non
intellegunt
they do not
understand or
The quod here is ambiguous: it may be the relative
They condemn
pronoun or a conjunction.
because they do not

understand
A required, indispensable condition. Commonly

condicio sine
condition without
mistakenly rendered with conditio ("seasoning" or
qua non
which not
"preserving") in place of condicio("arrangement" or

"condition").
confer (cf.[11][12])
compare
The abbreviation cf. is used in text to suggest a

comparison with something else (cf. citation signal).
The official name of Switzerland, hence the use of

Confoederatio
HelvetianConfederatio "CH" for its ISO country code, ".ch" for its Internet
Helvetica (C.H.)
domain, and "CHF" for the ISO three-letter

abbreviation of its currency, the Swiss franc.
Congregatio
Sanctissimi
Congregation of the
RedemptorisC.Ss. Most Holy Redeemer
Redemptorists
coniunctis
with connected
viribus
strength
consensu
with consent
Or "with united powers". Sometimes

rendered conjunctis viribus. Motto of Queen Mary,
University of London.
Where there are no specific laws, the matter should

be decided by custom;[13] established customs have
consuetudo pro
lege servatur
Custom is held as law.
the force of laws.[14] Alsoconsuetudo est altera

lex (custom is another law) and consuetudo vincit
communem legem (custom overrules the common
law); see also:Consuetudinary.
consummatum
est
It is completed.
contemptus
scorn for the
mundi/saeculi
world/times
contra bonos
mores
against good morals
The last words of Jesus on the cross in the Latin

translation of John 19:30.
Despising the secular world.

The monk or philosopher's rejection of a mundane
life and worldly values.
Offensive to the conscience and to a sense of

justice.
Especially in civil law jurisdictions, said of an

contra legem
against the law
understanding of a statute that directly contradicts its

wording and thus is neither valid by interpretation
nor by analogy.
contra
against the proferror
In contract law, the doctrine of contractual
interpretation which provides that an ambiguous

term will be construed against the party that imposed
proferentem
its inclusion in the contract or, more accurately,

against the interests of the party who imposed it.
contra spem
spero
Title of a poem by Lesya Ukrainka; also used in

hope against hope
the Pentateuch with reference to Abraham the

Patriarch.
contra vim
mortis non
No herb (or sage)grows
crescit
in the gardens against
herba(or salvia) in
the power of death
there is no medicine against death; from various

medieval medicinal texts
hortis
contradictio in
terminis
A thing or idea that would embody a contradiction,

contradiction in terms
corners. The fallacy of proposing such a thing.
contra principia
there can be no
negantem non
debate with those who
est disputandum deny the foundations
contraria
contrariis
curantur
for example, payment for a gift, or a circle with
Debate is fruitless when you don't agree on common

rules, facts, presuppositions.
First formulated by Hippocrates to suggest that the

the opposite is cured
diseases are cured with contrary remedies. Antonym
with the opposite
of similia similibus curantur (the diseases are

recovered with similar remedies.)
From Augustine's Confessions, referring to a

cor ad cor
loquitur
prescribed method of prayer: having a "heart to

heart speaks to heart
heart" with God. Commonly used in reference to a

later quote by Cardinal John Henry Newman. A
motto of Newman Clubs.
cor aut mors
Heart or Death
(Your choice is between) The Heart (Moral Values,
Duty, Loyalty) or Death (to no longer matter, to no

longer be respected as person of integrity.)
cor meum tibi

offero domine
prompte et
sincere
my heart I offer to you

Lord promptly and
sincerely
John Calvin's personal motto, also adopted

by Calvin College
A popular school motto. Often used as names for

cor unum
one heart
religious and other organisations such as

the Pontifical Council Cor Unum.
coram Deo
coram
nobis,coram
vobis
coram populo
coram publico
in the Presence of
God
in our presence, in
your presence
in the presence of the

people
A phrase from Christian theology which summarizes

the idea of Christians living in the Presence of, under
the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God.
Two kinds of writs of error.
Thus, openly.
in view of the public
The name of a feast in the Roman Catholic

Church commemorating the Eucharist. It is also the
Corpus Christi
Body of Christ
name of a city in Texas, Corpus Christi, Texas, the

name of Colleges
at Oxford and Cambridge universities, and a
controversial play.
corpus delicti
body of the offence
The fact that a crime has been committed, a

necessary factor in convicting someone of having
committed that crime; if there was no crime, there

can not have been a criminal.
Corpus Iuris
Canonici
Corpus Iuris
Civilis
Body of Canon Law
Body of Civil Law
The official compilation of canon law in the Roman

Catholic Church (cf. Codex Iuris Canonici).
The body of Roman or civil law.
A person or thing fit only to be the object of an

corpus vile
worthless body
experiment, as in the phrase 'Fiat experimentum in

corpore vili.'
corrigenda
things to be corrected
corruptio optimi the corruption of the

pessima
corruptissima re
publica plurimae
leges
corvus oculum
corvi non eruit
corruptus in
extremis
best is the worst
When the republic is

at its most corrupt the
laws are most
Tacitus
numerous
a raven will not pick

out an eye of another
raven
corrupt to the extreme
Motto of the fictional Springfield Mayor Office in The

Simpsons TV-Show
cras amet qui
May he love tomorrow The refrain from the 'Pervigilium Veneris', a poem
nunquam
who has never loved
which describes a three day holiday in the cult of
amavit; quique
before; And may he
Venus, located somewhere in Sicily, involving the
amavit, cras
who has loved, love
amet
tomorrow as well
Cras es Noster
The Future is Ours
whole town in religious festivities joined with a deep

sense of nature and Venus as the "procreatrix", the
life-giving force behind the natural world.
Motto of San Jacinto College.
A concept about creation, often used in a theological

creatio ex nihilo creation out of nothing
or philosophical context. Also known as the 'First

Cause' argument in Philosophy of Religion.
Contrasted with creatio ex materia.
Credo in Unum
Deum
I Believe in One God
The first words of the Nicene Creed and

the Apostles' Creed.
A very common misquote of Tertullian's et mortuus

est Dei Filius prorsus credibile quia ineptum est (and
the Son of God is dead: in short, it is credible
because it is unfitting), meaning that it is so absurd
to say that God's son has died that it would have to
credo quia
I believe it because it
absurdum est
is absurd
be a matter of belief, rather than reason. The

misquoted phrase, however, is commonly used to
mock the dogmatic beliefs of the religious
(see fideism). This phrase is commonly shortened
to credo quia absurdum, and is also sometimes
rendered credo quia impossibile est (I believe it
because it is impossible) or, as Darwin used it in his
autobiography, credo quia incredibile.
crescamus in
May we grow in Him
Illo per omnia
through all things
crescat scientia
let knowledge grow,
vita excolatur
let life be enriched
crescente luce
Light ever increasing
Motto of Cheverus High School.
Motto of the University of Chicago.
Motto of James Cook University.
crescit cum
commercio
civitas
Civilization prospers
with commerce
Motto of Claremont McKenna College.
State motto of New Mexico, adopted in 1887 as the

territory's motto, and kept in 1912 when New Mexico
crescit eundo
it grows as it goes
received statehood. Originally from Lucretius' De

rerum natura book VI, where it refers in context to
the motion of a thunderbolt across the sky, which
acquires power and momentum as it goes.
while I live, I trust in

cruci dum spiro
the cross, Whilst I
Motto of the Sisters of Loreto (IBVM) and its
fido
trust in the Cross I
associated schools.
have life
cucullus non
The hood does not
facit monachum make the monk
William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Scene I, Act V

4850
"Who benefits?" An adage in criminal investigation

which suggests that considering who would benefit
from an unwelcome event is likely to reveal who is
cui bono
Good for whom?
responsible for that event (cf. cui prodest). Also the

motto of the Crime Syndicate of America, a fictional
supervillain group. The opposite is cui malo (Bad for
whom?).
Short for cui prodest scelus is fecit (for whom the

cui prodest
for whom it advances
crime advances, he has done it) in Seneca's Medea.

Thus, the murderer is often the one who gains by the
murder (cf. cui bono).
cuique suum
to each his own
cuius est solum
Whose the land is, all
eius est usque
the way to the sky and
ad coelum et ad
to theunderworld is
inferos
his.
First coined by Accursius of Bologna in the 13th

century. A Roman legal principle of property law that
is no longer observed in most situations today. Less
literally, "For whosoever owns the soil, it is theirs up
to the sky and down to the depths."
The privilege of a ruler to choose the religion of his

cuius regio, eius whose region, his
subjects. A regional prince's ability to choose his
religio
people's religion was established at the Peace of
religion
Augsburg in 1555.
cuiusvis
hominis est
errare, nullius
nisi insipientis in
errore
Anyone can err, but

only the fool persists
Cicero, Philippica XII, 5.
in his fault
perseverare.
culpa
cum gladiis et
fustibus
cum gladio et
sale
fault
with swords and clubs
with sword and salt
cum grano salis with a grain of salt
Also "blame" or "guilt". In law, an act of neglect. In

general, guilt, sin, or a fault. See also mea culpa.
From the Bible. Occurs in Matthew 26:47 and Luke

22:52.
Motto of a well-paid soldier. See salary.
Not to be taken too seriously or as the literal truth.
cum hoc ergo
with this, therefore on Fallacy of assuming that correlation implies
propter hoc
account of this
causation.
The standard formula for academic Latin honors in

cum laude
with praise
the United States. Greater honors include magna

cum laude and summa cum laude.
cum mortuis in
with the dead in a
Movement from Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest
lingua mortua
dead language
Mussorgsky
cum privilegio
ad imprimendum
solum
cuncti adsint
meritaeque
expectent
praemia palmae
cupio dissolvi
with the exclusive right

to print
Copyright notice used in 16th-century England, used

for comic effect in The Taming of the Shrew by
William Shakespeare
let all come who by

merit deserve the
Motto of University College London.
most reward
desire to be dissolved
From the Bible, locution indicating a will to death ("I

want to die").
The question attributed to Anselm in his work of by

this name, wherein he reflects on why the Christ of
cur Deus Homo
Why the God-Man
Christianity must be both fully Divine and fully

Human. Often translated "why did God become
Man?"
cura personalis
cura te ipsum
care for the whole
Motto of Georgetown University School of
person
Medicine and University of Scranton.
take care of your own

self
curriculum vitae course of life
An exhortation to physicians, or experts in general,

to deal with their own problems before addressing
those of others.
An overview of a person's life and qualifications,
similar to a rsum.
custos morum
cygnis insignis
cygnus inter
anates
keeper of morals
distinguished by its
swans
fortunae
Motto of Western Australia.
swan among ducks
Latin
Da Deus
A censor.
Translation
Notes
God give
happiness orGod give
Traditional Czech brewers greeting.
luck
also: Da mihi facta, dabo tibi ius; legal principle

Da mihi factum,
Give me the fact(s), I'll based on Roman law; parties should present the
dabo tibi ius
give you the law
facts of a case while the judge rules on the law.

Related to iura novit curia (the court knows the law).
damnant quod
They condemn what
non intelligunt
they do not understand
damnatio ad
condemnation to [the]
bestias
beasts
damnatio
damnation of memory
memoriae
Used to describe ignorant people.
Colloquially "thrown to the lions".
A Roman custom in which disgraced Romans

(particularly former Emperors) were pretended to
have never existed.
A loss that results from no one's wrongdoing.

In Roman law, a man is not responsible for
damnum absque
injuria
damage without injury
unintended, consequential injury to another

resulting from a lawful act. This protection does not
necessarily apply to unintended damage by
negligence or folly.
dat deus
incrementumor
deus dat
God gives growth
Motto of several schools
incrementum
data venia
datum
perficiemus
munus
"with due respect" or

"given the excuse"
Used before disagreeing with someone.
We shall accomplish
Motto of Batalho de Operaes Policiais
the mission assigned
Especiais (BOPE), Rio de Janeiro.
A de bene esse deposition is used to preserve the

de bene esse
as well done
testimony of a witness who is expected not to be

available to appear at trial and be cross-examined.
de bonis
asportatis
decessit sine
prole
carrying goods away
Trespass de bonis asportatis was the traditional

name for larceny (wrongful taking of chattels).
Used in genealogical records, often in the

died without issue
abbreviated form dsp, to indicate a person who died

without having had any children
decessit sine
died without legitimate Used in genealogical records, often in the
prole legitima
issue
abbreviated form dspl, to indicate a person who
died without having had any children by a spouse.
decessit sine
prole mascula
superstite

died without surviving
abbreviated form dspm, to indicate a person who
male issue
died without having had any male children who lived

or outlived them.

decessit sine
died without surviving
abbreviated form dsps, to indicate a person who
prole superstite
issue
died without having had any children who lived or

outlived them.
decessit vita
died in the lifetime of
matris
the mother
decessit vita
died in the lifetime of
patris
the father
de dato
of the date

abbreviated form dvm, to indicate a person who
predeceased their mother.

abbreviated form dvp, to indicate a person who
predeceased their father
Used in the context of "As we agreed in the meeting

d.d. 26th Mai 2006.
Said of something that is the actual state of affairs,

in contrast to something's legal or official standing,
de facto
by deed
which is described as de jure. De factorefers to the

"way things really are" rather than what is "officially"
presented as the fact.
A clerk makes the declaration De fideli on when

de fideli
with faithfulness
appointed, promising to do his or her tasks faithfully

as a servant of the court.
de futuro
regarding the future
Usually used in the context of "at a future time"
de gustibus non there is no disputing
Less literally "there's no accounting for taste". Likely
est disputandum about tastes
of Scholastic origin (see Wiktionary).
de integro
again, a second time
"Official", in contrast with de facto. Analogous to "in

principle", whereas de facto is to "in practice". In
de jure
by law
other contexts, can mean "according to law", "by

right" or "legally". Also commonly written de iure,
the classical form.
de lege ferenda
de lege lata
de minimisnon
curat lex
from law to be passed
"from law passed" or

"by law in force"
The law does not
The court does not want to bother with small, trivial
bother with the
things. A case must have importance for the court to
smallest things.
hear it. See "de minimis non curat praetor".
Also "The chief magistrate does not concern himself

with trifles." Trivial matters are no concern of a high
de minimisnon
curat praetor
The commander does
official (cf. aquila non capit muscas, the eagle does
not bother with the
not catch flies). Sometimes rex (the king) or lex (the
smallest things.
law) is used in place of praetor, and de minimis is a

legal term referring to things unworthy of the law's
attention.
de mortuis aut
about the dead, either
Less literally, "speak well of the dead or not at all"
bene aut nihil
well or nothing
(cf. de mortuis nil nisi bonum).
From de mortuis nil nisi bonum dicendum est,

"nothing must be said about the dead except the
de mortuis nil
nisi bonum
about the dead,
good", attributed by Diogenes Lartius to Chilon. In
nothing unless a good
legal contexts, this quotation is used with the
thing
opposite meaning, as defaming a deceased person

is not a crime. In other contexts, it refers
totaboos against criticizing the recently deceased.
Thus, "their story is our story". Originally referred to

de nobis fabula
about us is the story
the end of Rome's dominance. Now often used
narratur
told
when comparing any current situation to a past

story or historical event.
"Anew" or "afresh". In law, a trial de novo is a retrial.

In biology, de novo means newly synthesized, and
a de novo mutation is a mutation that neither parent
de novo
from the new
possessed or transmitted. In economics, de

novo refers to newly founded companies, and de
novo banks are state banks that have been in
operation for five years or less.
de omni re scibili about every knowable

et quibusdam
thing, and even certain
aliis
other things
de omnibus
dubitandum
The 15th-century Italian scholar Giovanni Pico della

Mirandola wrote the De omni re scibili portion
(about every knowable thing), and a wag addedet
quibusdam aliis (and even certain other things).
be suspicious of
Attributed to Ren Descartes. Karl Marx's favorite
everything, doubt
motto and a title of one of Sren Kierkegaard's
everything
works De Omnibus Dubitandum Est
de oppresso
Free From Having
liber
Been Oppressed
de profundis
from the depths
Loosely translated as "To Liberate the Oppressed".

The motto of the United States Army Special
Forces.[15]
Out of the depths of misery or dejection. From the
Latin translation of Psalm 130.
In logic, de dicto statements (about the truth of a

de re
about the matter
proposition) are distinguished from de re statements

(about the properties of a thing itself).
Inscription on British one-pound coins. Originally on

decus et
An ornament and a
17th-century coins, it refers to the inscribed edge as
tutamen
safeguard
a protection against the clipping of precious metal.

The phrase originally comes from Virgil's Aeneid.
defendit
There is safety in
numerus
numbers
defunctus
vivente patre
("dvp") died with his
Used by genealogists to denote a son who has pre-
father (still) living. See deceased his father and not lived long enough to
alsovivente rege[16]
inherit his father's title or estate. See alsosine prole.
Also Dei Gratia Rex (By the Grace of God, King).

Dei Gratia
By the Grace of God,
Abbreviated as D G REG preceding Fidei Defensor (F
Regina
Queen
D)
on British pounds, and as D G Regina onCanadian
coins.
Dei sub numine
under God's Spirit she
viget
flourishes
Motto of Princeton University.
In Catholic theology, a pleasure taken in sinful

thought or imagination, such as brooding on sexual
delectatio
morosa
peevish delight
images. It is distinct from actual sexual desire, and

involves voluntary and complacent erotic
fantasizing, without any attempt to suppress such
thoughts.
delirant isti
They are mad, those
A translation into Latin from Ren Goscinny's
French ils sont fous, ces romains! or Italian Sono

Romani
Romans!
pazzi questi Romani (compare SPQR), frequently

issued by Obelix in the Asterix comics.
Deo ac veritati
For God and for truth
Motto of Colgate University.
Deo Confidimus In God we trust
Motto of Somerset College.
Deo domuique
for God and for home
Motto of Methodist Ladies' College, Melbourne.
Deo et patriae
for God and Country
Motto of Regis High School (New York City).
Deo gratias
thanks [be] to God
Deo juvante
with God's help
Deo Optimo
To the Best and
Maximo (DOM)
Greatest God
Deo vindice
with God as protector
Deo volente
God willing
The semi-Hispanicized form Deogracias is a

Philippine first name.
The motto of Monaco and its monarch which

appears on the royal arms.
Derived from the Pagan Iupiter Optimo Maximo (To

the best and greatest Jupiter). Printed on bottles
of Bndictine liqueur.
Motto of the Confederate States of America. An

alternate translation is "With an avenging God".
This was often used in conjunction with a signature

at the end of letters. It was used in order to signify
that "God willing" this letter will get to you safely,
"God willing" the contents of this letter come true.
As an abbreviation (simply "D.V.") it is often found in
personal letters (in English) of the early 1900s,
employed to generally and piously qualify a given
statement about a future planned action, that it will
be carried out, so long as God wills

(see James 4:13-15, which encourages this way of
speaking). The motto of Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondale. See also: Insha'Allah.
descensus in
The descent into the
Down the Rabbit Hole (see: Alice's Adventures in
cuniculi cavum
cave of the rabbit
Wonderland#Famous lines and expressions.
Deus Caritas Est God is Love
The first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI; for other

meanings, see Deus Caritas Est (disambiguation)
From the Greek (ap mchans

thes). A contrived or artificial solution, usually to a
literary plot. Refers to the practice in Greek drama
deus ex machina a god from a machine
of lowering by crane (the mechan) an actor playing

a god or goddess onto the stage to resolve an
insuperable conflict in the plot. The device is most
commonly associated with Euripides.
Deus Lux Mea

Est
Deus meumque
jus
deus otiosus
Deus spes
nostra
Deus vult
God is my Light
God and my right
The motto of The Catholic University of America.
The principal motto of Scottish Rite Freemasonry;

see also Dieu et mon droit.
God at leisure
God is our hope
God wills it!
The motto of Sir Thomas de Boteler, founder of

Boteler Grammar School Warrington in 1526
The principal slogan of the Crusades.Motto of

Bergen Catholic High School, NJ
Recent academic substitution for the spacious and

dictatum erat(dict) as previously stated
inconvenient "As previously stated, ...".

Literally, has been stated; also translated as "dicta
prius" (literally, said previously).
I.e. "From a rule without exception." Short for a

dicto simpliciter, the a often being dropped by
confusion with the English indefinite article. A dicto
simpliciter occurs when an acceptable exception is
ignored or eliminated. For instance, the
dicto simpliciter [From] a maxim, simply appropriateness of using opiates is dependent on
the presence of extreme pain. To justify the
recreational use of opiates by referring to a cancer
patient or to justify arresting said cancer patient by
comparing him to the recreational user would be
a dicto simpliciter.
dictum factum
dictum meum
pactum
what is said is done
Motto of U.S. Navy Fighter Squadron VF-194
my word [is] my bond
Motto of the London Stock Exchange
From the Roman Emperor Titus. Passed down

diem perdidi
I have lost the day
in Suetonius's biography of him in Lives of the

Twelve Caesars
Refers to the Judgment Day in Christian

Dies Irae
Day of Wrath
eschatology. The name of a famous 13th-century

Medieval Latin hymn by Tommaso da Celano, used
in the Mass for the dead.
Days under common law (traditionally Sunday) in

dies
nonjuridicum
Day withoutjudiciary
which no legal process can be served and any

judgment is void. This concept was first codified by
the English Parliament in the reign of Charles II.
In Classical Latin, "I arrange". State motto of Maine.

dirigo
I direct
Based on a comparison of the state of Maine to the

star Polaris.
dis aliter visum
it seemed otherwise to
the gods
In other words, the gods have different plans than

mortals, and so events do not always play out as
people wish them to. Virgil, Aeneid, 2:428.
Refers to the Manes, Roman spirits of the dead.

Loosely "To the memory of". A conventional
dis manibus
Sacred to the ghost-
sacrum(D.M.S.)
gods
inscription preceding the name of the deceased on

pagan grave markings, often shortened to dis
manibus (D.M.), "for the ghost-gods". Preceded in
some earlier monuments by hic situs est (H. S. E.),
"he lies here".
disce aut
discede
disce quasi
semper victurus
vive quasi cras
moriturus
Learn or Depart
Motto of Royal College Colombo.
Learn as if always
going to live; live as if
Attributed to St Edmund of Abingdon.
tomorrow going to die.
discendo
while teaching we
discimus
learn
That is, "scattered remains". Paraphrased

disiecta membra scattered limbs
from Horace, Satires, I, 4, 62, where it was written

"disiecti membra poetae" (limbs of a scattered
poet). Also written as disjecta membra.
ditat Deus
God enriches
State motto of Arizona, adopted in 1911. Probably

derived from the Vulgate's translation
of Genesis 14:23.
A Roman maxim adopted by Julius Caesar, Louis

divide et impera
divide and rule
XI and Machiavelli. Commonly rendered "divide and

conquer".
A popular eloquent expression, usually used in the

dixi
I have spoken
end of a speech. The implied meaning is: "I have

said all that I had to say and thus the argument is
settled".
["...", ...] dixit
do ut des
docendo discitur
docendo disco,
["...", ...] said
Used to attribute a statement or opinion to its

author, rather than the speaker.
I give that you may
Often said or written for sacrifices, when one "gives"
give
and expects something back from the gods.
It is learned by
Also translated "One learns by teaching." Attributed
teaching
to Seneca the Younger.
I learn by teaching,
scribendo cogito think by writing.
"The ... concept is particular to a few civil law

systems and cannot sweepingly be equated with
the notions of special or specific intent in common
dolus specialis
special intent
law systems. Of course, the same might equally be

said of the concept of specific intent, a notion used
in the common law almost exclusively within the
context of the defense of voluntary intoxication."
Genocide scholar William Schabas[17]
Domine dirige
nos
Dominica in
albis[depositis]
Dominus
Illuminatio Mea
Lord guide us
Motto of the City of London
Sunday in [Setting
Aside the] White
Latin name of the Octave of Easter.
Garments
the Lord is my light
Dominus
The Lord is our
fortitudo nostra
Strength
Motto of the University of Oxford.
Motto of the Southland College, Philippines
Phrase used during and at the end of Catholic

Dominus
vobiscum
Lord be with you
sermons, and a general greeting form among and

towards members of Catholic organizations, such
as priests and nuns. See also pax vobiscum.
dona nobis
pacem
Often set to music, either by itself or as part of

give us peace
the video game Haunting Ground.
donatio mortis
giving in expectation of
causa
death
draco dormiens
nunquam
titillandus
dramatis
person
the Agnus Dei prayer of the Mass. Also an ending in
a sleepingdragon is
never to be tickled
A legal concept where a person in imminent mortal

danger need not meet the requisite consideration to
create or modify a will.
Motto of the fictional Hogwarts school in the Harry

Potter series; translated more loosely in the books
as "never tickle a sleeping dragon".
More literally, "the masks of the drama"; more

the parts of the play
figuratively, "cast of characters". The characters

represented in a dramatic work.
duae tabulae
rasae in quibus
nihil scriptum
est
Two blank slates with

nothing written upon
them
Stan Laurel, inscription for the fanclub logo of The

Sons of the Desert.
ducimus
We lead
Motto of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps
Ducit amor
Love of country leads
Motto of the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland
patriae
me
Regiment
ducunt volentem The fates lead the

fata, nolentem
willing and drag the
trahunt
unwilling
Attributed to Lucius Annaeus Seneca.
Motto for the United States Marine Corps' Officer

ductus exemplo
leadership by example Candidates School located at Marine Corps Base

Quantico; Quantico, Virginia.
War may seem pleasant to those who have never

dulce bellum
war is sweet to the
been involved in it, though the more experienced
inexpertis
inexperienced
know better. A phrase from Erasmus in the 16th

century.
It is pleasant to relax once in a while.

Dulce est
It is sweet on occasion From Horace, Odes IV, 12, 28. Used by George
desipere in loco
to play the fool.
Knapton for Sir Bourchier Wrey, 6th Baronet 1744

portrait.
dulce et
It is sweet and
From Horace, Odes III, 2, 13. Used by Wilfred
decorum est pro honorable to die for the Owen for the title of a poem about World War
patria mori
fatherland.
I, Dulce et Decorum est.
dulce et utile
a sweet and useful
Horace wrote in his Ars Poetica that poetry must
thing
be dulce et utile (pleasant and profitable), both
enjoyable and instructive.
dulce periculum danger is sweet
dulcius ex
sweeter after
asperis
difficulties
dum Roma
while Rome
deliberat
debates,Saguntum is
Saguntum perit
in danger
Horace, Odes III, 25, 16. Motto of the Scottish

clan MacAulay.
Motto of the Scottish clan Fergusson.[18]
Used when someone has been asked for urgent

help, but responds with no immediate action.
Similar to Hannibal ante portas, but referring to a
less personal danger.
dum spiro spero while I breathe, I hope State motto of South Carolina. From Cicero.
dum vita est,
while there is life, there
spes est
is hope
dum vivimus
While we live, we
servimus
serve
dum vivimus,
While we live, let us
vivamus
live!
dura lex sed lex
dura mater
durante bene
placito
motto of Presbyterian College.
An encouragement to embrace life. Motto inscribed

on the sword of the main character in the
novel Glory Road.
[the] law [is] harsh, but

[it is the] law
tough mother
During good pleasure
outer covering of the brain
At the pleasure [of the monarch or other appointing

authority]. Mediaeval legal Latin phrase.
For example, the Governor General of

durante munere
while in office
Canada is durante munere the Chancellor and

Principal Companion of the Order of Canada.
dux bellorum
war leader
Initium
The fear of the Lord is
Sapientiae Timor the beginning of

Domini
wisdom
Latin
Translation
Notes
Former de facto motto of the United States of

America. Used on many U.S. coins and
e pluribus unum
out of many, one inscribed on the Capitol. Also used as the motto
of S.L. Benfica. Less commonly written
as ex pluribus unum.
From the Latin Vulgate Gospel of

John 19:5 (Douay-Rheims), where Pontius
Pilate speaks these words as he presents Christ,
crowned with thorns, to the crowd. It is also the
Ecce homo
Behold the man
title of Nietzsche's autobiography and of the

theme music by Howard Goodall for
the ITV comedy Mr. Bean, in which the full sung
lyric is Ecce homo qui est faba ("Behold the man
who is a bean").
A phrase occasionally inscribed near the altar in

ecce panis angelorum
behold the bread Catholic churches; it makes reference to

of angels
the Host; the Eucharist; the bread of Heaven;

theBody of Christ. See also: Panis Angelicus.
editio princeps
first edition
The first printed edition of a work.
Part of the absolution-formula spoken by

ego te absolvo
I absolve you
a priest as part of the sacrament

of Penance (cf. absolvo).
ego te provoco
I provoke you
eheu fugaces labuntur
Alas, the fleeting
anni
years slip by
eluceat omnibus lux
let the light shine

out from all
Used as a challenge, "I dare you". Can also be

written as te provoco
From Horace's Odes II, 14.
The motto of Sidwell Friends School
Also "worn-out". Retired from office. Often used

to denote a position held at the point of
emeritus
veteran
retirement, as an honor, such as professor

emeritusor provost emeritus. This does not
necessarily mean that the honoree is no longer
active.
Or "being one's own cause". Traditionally, a

ens causa sui
existing because being that owes its existence to no other being,

of oneself
hence God or a Supreme Being (cf. Primum

Mobile).
by the sword she

ense petit placidam sub
seeks a serene
libertate quietem
repose under
State motto of Massachusetts, adopted in 1775.
liberty
entia non sunt
entities must not Occam's Razor or law of parsimony; that is, that
multiplicanda praeter
be multiplied
arguments which do not introduce extraneous
necessitatem
entitas ipsa involvit

aptitudinem ad
extorquendum certum
assensum
beyond
variables are to be preferred in logical
necessity
argumentation.
reality involves a
power to compel
sure assent
A phrase used in modern Western philosophy on

the nature of truth.
Technical term used in philosophy and the law.

Similar to ipso facto. Example: "The fact that I
eo ipso
by that very (act) am does not eo ipso mean that I think." From
Latin eo ipso, ablative form of id ipsum, "that
(thing) itself".
eo nomine
equo ne credite
erga omnes
by that name
do not trust the

horse
Virgil, Aeneid, II. 4849 (Latin)
in relation to
everyone
ergo
therefore
errare humanum est
to err is human
Denotes a logical conclusion (cf. cogito ergo

sum).
From Seneca the Younger: Errare humanum est,

perseverare autem diabolicum, et tertia non
datur (To err is human; to persist [in committing
such errors] is of the devil, and the third
possibility is not given.) Several authors
contemplated the idea before
Seneca: Livy Venia dignus error is
humanus (Storie, VIII, 35) and Cicero: is
Cuiusvis errare: insipientis nullius nisi, in errore
perseverare (Anyone can err, but only the fool
persists in his fault) (Philippicae XII, ii, 5). 300

years later Augustine of Hippo recycled the idea
in his Sermones (164, 14): Humanum fuit errare,
diabolicum est per animositatem in errore
manere.[19]
Or "mistake". Lists of errors in a previous edition

erratum
error
of a work are often marked with the

plural, errata ("errors").
errantis voluntas nulla

est
eruditio et religio
the will of a
mistaken party is
void
scholarship and
religion
Roman legal principle formulated

by Pomponius in the Digest of the Corpus Juris
Civilis, stating that legal actions undertaken by
man under the influence of error are ineffective.
Motto of Duke University
George Berkeley's motto for

esse est percipi
to be is to be
his idealist philosophical position that nothing
perceived
exists independently of its perception by a mind

except minds themselves.
esse quam videri
to be, rather than Truly being something, rather than merely

to seem
seeming to be something. Motto of many

institutions. From chapter 26 of Cicero's De
amicitia ('On Friendship'). Earlier than Cicero,
the phrase had been used by Sallust in
his Bellum Catilinae (54.6), where he wrote that
Cato esse quam videri bonus malebat (he
preferred to be good, rather than to seem so).
Earlier still, Aeschylus used a similar phrase
in Seven Against Thebes, line 592, ou gar
dokein aristos, all' enai thelei (he wishes not to
seem the best, but to be the best); also motto of
North Carolina.
there is a middle ground in things, there is a

middle way; from Horace's Satires 1.1.106; see
also: Golden mean (philosophy). According to
Potempski & Galmarini (Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9,
est modus in rebus
there is measure
in things
94719489, 2009) the sentence should be

translated as: "There is an optimal condition in
all things" which in the original text is followed by
the sentence: "There are therefore precise
boundaries beyond which one cannot find the
right thing" (sunt certi denique fines quos ultra
citraque nequit consistere rectum).
Said of Venice by the Venetian historian

Fra Paolo Sarpi shortly before his death. Also
esto perpetua
may it be
the state motto of Idaho, adopted in 1867, and
perpetual
of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka.

It is also used as the open motto of Sigma Phi
Society, a collegiate Greek Letter Fraternity.
esto quod es
be what you are
et adhuc sub iudice lis
it is still before
est
the court
Motto of Wells Cathedral School.
Horace, Ars Poetica (The Art of Poetry) 1.78.
A less common variant on et cetera used at the

et alibi (et al.)
and elsewhere
end of a list of locations to denote unlisted

places.
et alii (et al.)
and others
Used similarly to et cetera ("and the rest"), to

stand for a list of names. Alii is
actually masculine, so it can be used for men, or
groups of men and women; the feminine, et
aliae (or et ali), is appropriate when the
"others" are all female. Et alia is neuter plural

and thus properly used only for inanimate,
genderless objects, but some use it as a genderneutral alternative.[20] APA style uses et al.
(normal font)[21] if the work cited was written by
more than six authors; MLA style uses et al. for
more than three authors.
et cetera (etc.)or (&c.)
And the rest
And light came

et facta est lux
to be or was
made
et hoc genus omne
et in Arcadia ego
et lux in tenebris lucet
And all that sort

of thing
In modern usage, used to mean "and so on" or

"and more".
From Genesis 1:3 "and there was light". Motto

of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.
Abbreviated to e.h.g.o. or ehgo
and
In other words, "I, too, am in Arcadia".
in Arcadia[am] I
See memento mori.
And light shines
See also Lux in Tenebris; motto for the Pontificia
in the darkness
Universidad Catlica del Per.
And now, O ye
kings,
et nunc reges intelligite
understand:
erudimini qui judicatis
receive
terram
instruction, you
that judge the
earth.
From the Book of Psalms, II.x. (Vulgate), 2.10

(Douay-Rheims).
and the following Also et sequentia ('and the following

et sequentes(et seq.)
et cum spiritu tuo
et suppositio nil ponit in

esse
(masc./fem.
things': neut.), abbreviations: et seqq., et seq..,
plural)
or sqq.
And with your

spirit
and a
supposition puts
nothing in being
More typically translated as "Sayin' it don't make

it so".
Also "Even you, Brutus?" or "You too, Brutus?"

Used to indicate a betrayal by someone close.
From Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, based on
the traditional dying words of Julius Caesar.
et tu, Brute?
And you, Brutus?
However, these were almost certainly not

Caesar's true last words; Plutarch quotes
Caesar as saying, in Greek, the language of
Rome's elite at the time, ; (Ka s
tknon?), in English "You too, (my) child?",
quoting fromMenander.
et uxor (et ux.)
and wife
A legal term.
et vir
and husband
A legal term.
Even if all
Peter to Jesus Christ
others... I will
(from Vulgate Matthew 26:33; New King James
never
Version: Matthew 26:33).
even if God did
Sentence synthesizing a famous concept
not exist
of Grotius (1625).
out of an
In law, describes someone taking precautions
Etiamsi omnes, ego non
etsi deus non daretur
ex abundanti cautela
against a very remote contingency. "One might

wear a belt in addition to braces ex abundanti
cautela".[22] In banking, a loan in which
the collateral is more than the loan itself. Also
abundance of
the basis for the term "an abundance of caution"
caution
employed by United States President Barack

Obama to explain why his oath of office had to
be re-administered by the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court John Roberts and again in
reference to terrorist threats.
For out of the

ex abundantia enim
abundance of
cordis os loquitur
the heart the

mouth speaketh.
From the Gospel according to St.

Matthew, XII.xxxiv (Vulgate), 12.34 (DouayRheims) and the Gospel according to St.
Luke, VI.xlv (Vulgate), 6.45 (Douay-Rheims).
Sometimes rendered without enim ('for').
"On equal footing", i.e., "in a tie". Used for those

ex aequo
from the equal
two (seldom more) participants of a competition,

that showed exactly the same performance.
"(There's) always Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia 8.42 (unde

ex Africa semper aliquid
something new
etiam vulgare Graeciae dictum semper aliquid
novi
(coming) out of
novi Africam adferre[23]), a translation of the
Africa"
Greek .
ex animo
from the heart
Thus, "sincerely".
ex ante
from before
"Beforehand", "before the event". Based on prior

assumptions. A forecast.
The motto of the fictional Starfleet

ex astris scientia
From the Stars,
Academy on Star Trek. Adapted from ex luna
Knowledge
scientia, which in turn was modeled after ex

scientia tridens.
A phrase applied to the declarations or

promulgations of the Pope when, in communion
with the college of cardinals, preserved from the
possibility of error by the action of the Holy Spirit
(see Papal infallibility), he solemnly declares or
promulgates ("from the chair" that was the
ex cathedra
from the chair
ancient symbol of the teacher and of the

governor, in this case of the church) a dogmatic
teaching on faith or morals as being contained in
divine revelation, or at least being intimately
connected to divine revelation. Used, by
extension, of anyone who is perceived as
speaking as though with supreme authority.
ex cultu robur
ex Deo
from culture
[comes] strength
The motto of Cranleigh School, Surrey.
from God
"From harmful deceit"; dolus malus is the Latin

legal term for "fraud". The full legal phrase is ex
dolo malo non oritur actio ("an action does not
ex dolo malo
from fraud
arise from fraud"). When an action has its origin

in fraud or deceit, it cannot be supported; thus, a
court of law will not assist a man who bases his
course of action on an immoral or illegal act.
Idiomatically rendered "on the face of it". A legal

ex facie
from the face
term typically used to note that a document's

explicit terms are defective without further
investigation.
from faith
ex fide fiducia
[comes]
confidence
A motto of St George's College, Harare.
ex fide fortis
ex glande quercus
from faith
[comes] strength
A motto of Loyola School (New York City).
from acorn to
The motto of the Municipal Borough of
oak
Southgate, London.
More literally "from grace". Refers to someone

voluntarily performing an act purely out of
ex gratia
from kindness
kindness, as opposed to for personal gain or

from being forced to do it. In law, an ex
gratia payment is one made without recognizing
any liability or legal obligation.
ex hypothesi
ex infra (e.i.) cf.ex supra
ex juvantibus
from the
hypothesis
"from below"
from that which

helps
ex lege
from the law
ex libris
from the books
Thus, "by hypothesis".
Recent academic notation for "from below in this

writing"
The medical pitfall in which response to a

therapeutic regimen substitutes proper
diagnosis.
Precedes a person's name, with the meaning of

"from the library of..."; also a bookplate.
The motto of the Apollo 13 moon mission,

ex luna scientia
from the moon,
derived from ex scientia tridens, the motto of Jim
knowledge
Lovell's Alma Mater, the United States Naval

Academy.
From St. Augustine's "Sermon LXI" where he

contradicts Seneca's dictum
ex malo bonum
good out of evil
in Epistulae 87:22: bonum ex malo non fit (good

does not come from evil). Also the alias of
the Anberlin song, "Miserabile Visu" from their
album New Surrender.
ex mea sententia
in my opinion
out of mere
ex mero motu
impulse, or of
one's own
accord.
From Lucretius, and said earlier by Empedocles.

Its original meaning is "work is required to
succeed", but its modern meaning is a more
general "everything has its origins in something"
(cf. causality). It is commonly applied to
the conservation laws in philosophy and modern
ex nihilo nihil fit
nothing comes
science. Ex nihilo often used in conjunction with
from nothing
the term creation, as in creatio ex nihilo,

meaning "creation out of nothing". It is often
used in philosophy or theology in connection
with the proposition that God created the
universe from nothing. It is also mentioned in the
final ad-lib of the Monty Python song Always
Look on the Bright Side of Life.
Said of something that has been built from
ex novo
from new
Ex Oblivione
from oblivion
The title of a short story by H. P. Lovecraft.
ex officio
from the office
By virtue of office or position; "by right of office".
scratch.
Often used when someone holds one position by

virtue of holding another: for example,
thePresident of France is an ex officio Co-Prince
of Andorra. A common misconception is that
all ex officio members of a committee or
congress may not vote this may be the case,
but it is not guaranteed by that title. In legal
terms, ex officio refers to an administrative or
judicial office taking action of its own accord, for
example to invalidate a patent or prosecute
copyright infringers.
A theological phrase contrasted with ex opere

ex opere operantis
from the work of operato, referring to the notion that the validity or
the one working
promised benefit of a sacrament depends on the

person administering it.
A theological phrase meaning that the act of

receiving a sacrament actually confers the
ex opere operato
from the work

worked
promised benefit, such as a baptism actually and

literally cleansing one's sins. The Catholic
Church affirms that the source of grace is God,
not just the actions or disposition of the minister
or the recipient of the sacrament.
ex oriente lux
ex parte
ex pede Herculem
light from the

east
from a part
Originally refers to the sun rising in the east, but

alludes to culture coming from the Eastern world.
Motto of several institutions.
A legal term meaning "by one party" or "for one

party". Thus, on behalf of one side or party only.
from Hercules'
From the measure of Hercules' foot you shall
foot
know his size; from a part, the whole.
"Afterward", "after the event". Based on

ex post
from after
knowledge of the past. Measure of past

performance.
ex post facto
from a thing
done afterward
from one
ex professo
declaring [an art

or science]
Said of a law with retroactive effect.
Or 'with due competence'. Said of the person

who perfectly knows his art or science.
The United States Naval Academy motto. Refers

ex scientia tridens
from knowledge, to knowledge bringing men power over the sea

sea power.
comparable to that of the trident-bearing Greek

god Poseidon.
ex scientia vera
from knowledge, The motto of the College of Graduate Studies

truth
at Middle Tennessee State University.
In general, the claim that the absence of

something demonstrates the proof of a
proposition. An argumentum ex
ex silentio
from silence
silentio ("argument from silence") is an argument

based on the assumption that someone's silence
on a matter suggests ("proves" when a
logical fallacy) that person's ignorance of the
matter or their inability to counterargue validly.
ex situ
out of position
ex supra (e.s.) cf. ex infra
"from above"
ex tempore
from [this
opposite of "in situ"
Recent academic notation for "from above in this

writing".
"This instant", "right away" or "immediately". Also
moment of] time written extempore.
From a
A legal doctrine which states that a claimant will
Ex turpi causa non oritur dishonorable
be unable to pursue a cause of action, if it arises
actio
cause an action
in connection with his own illegal act. Particularly
does not arise
relevant in the law of contract, tort and trusts.
ex umbra in solem
from the shadow Motto of Federico Santa Mara Technical

into the light
University.
union is strength,
ex unitate vires
or unity is
motto of South Africa.
strength
ex vi termini
ex vita discedo, tanquam

ex hospitio, non tanquam
ex domo
from the force of

the term
Thus, "by definition".
I depart from life

as from an inn,
Cicero, Cato Maior de Senectute (On Old Age)
not as from
23
home
Used in reference to the study or assay of living

ex vivo
out of or from life tissue in an artificial environment outside the

living organism.
Thus, in accordance with a promise. An ex

ex voto
from the vow
voto is also an offering made in fulfillment of a

vow.
ex vulgus scientia
from crowd,
used to describe social computing, The Wisdom
knowledge
of Crowds
"Ever upward!" The state motto of New York.

excelsior
higher
Also a catch phrase used by Marvel

Comics head Stan Lee.
A juridical principle which means that the

exceptio
firmat(or probat)regulam
in casibus non exceptis
The exception
statement of a rule's exception (e.g., "no parking
confirms the rule on Sundays") implicitly confirms the rule (i.e.,

in cases which
that parking is allowed Monday through
are not excepted Saturday). Often mistranslated as "the exception

that proves the rule".
an excuse that
excusatio non petita
accusatio manifesta
has not been
More loosely, "he who excuses himself, accuses
sought [is] an
himself"an unprovoked excuse is a sign of
obvious
guilt. In French, qui s'excuse, s'accuse.
accusation
exeat
may he/she
leave
A formal leave of absence.
I have reared a
exegi monumentum aere monument more
perennius
enduring than
Horace, Carmina III:XXX:I
bronze
Usually shortened in English to "for example"

(see citation signal). Often confused with id
exempli gratia(e.g.)
for the sake of
est (i.e.).[24]
example
Exempli gratia, "for example", is commonly

abbreviated "e.g."; in this usage it is sometimes
followed by a comma, depending on style.[25]
exercitus sine duce
an army without
On a plaque at the former military staff building
corpus est sine spiritu
a leader is a
of the Swedish Armed Forces.
body without a
spirit
Third-person plural present active indicative of

exeunt
they leave
the Latin verb exire; also extended to exeunt

omnes, "all leave"; singular: exit.
This term has been used in dermatopathology to

experientia docet
experience
teaches
express that there is no substitute for experience

in dealing with all the numerous variations that
may occur with skin conditions.[26] The term has
also been used in gastroenterology.[27]
experimentum crucis
experto crede
experiment of
Or "crucial experiment". A decisive test of a
the cross
scientific theory.
trust the expert
Literally "believe one who has had experience".

An author's aside to the reader.
"Mentioning one thing may exclude another

thing". A principle of legal statutory interpretation:
the explicit presence of a thing implies intention
the expression of to exclude others; e.g., a reference in the Poor
expressio unius est
the one is the
Relief Act 1601 to "lands, houses, tithes and coal
exclusio alterius
exclusion of the
mines" was held to exclude mines other than
other
coal mines. Sometimes expressed

as expressum facit cessare tacitum (broadly,
"the expression of one thing excludes the
implication of something else").
Refers to a possible result of Catholic

extra domum
[placed] outside
ecclesiastical legal proceedings when the culprit
of the house
is removed from being part of a group like a

monastery.
extra Ecclesiam nulla
outside the
This expression comes from the writings of Saint
Cyprian of Carthage, a bishop of the third

Church [there is] century. It is often used to summarise the
salus
no salvation
doctrine that the Catholic Church is absolutely

necessary for salvation.
It is issued by the Master of the Papal Liturgical

Celebrations before a session of the Papal
extra omnes
outside, all [of
conclave which will elect a new Pope. When
you]
spoken, all those who are not Cardinals, or those

otherwise mandated to be present at the
Conclave, must leave the Sistine Chapel.
he who
extra territorium jus
dicenti impune non
paretur
administers
justice outside of Refers to extraterritorial jurisdiction. Often cited
his territory is
in law of the sea cases on the high seas.
disobeyed with
impunity
Latin
faber est suae quisque

fortunae
fac et spera
fac fortia et patere
fac simile
Translation
Notes
every man is the
Appius Claudius Caecus. Motto of Fort
artisan of his own
Street High School in Petersham,
fortune
Sydney, Australia.
do and hope
Motto of Clan Matheson.
do brave deeds and
Motto of Prince Alfred College in
endure
Adelaide, Australia.
make a similar thing
Origin of the word facsimile, and,
through it, of fax.
faciam quodlibet quod
I'll do whatever it
necesse est
takes
faciam ut mei memineris
I'll make you
from Plautus, Persa IV.324; used by
remember me
Russian hooligans as tattoo inscription.
Said of the acknowledged leader in

facile princeps
easily the first
some field, especially in the arts and

humanities.
It is easier to do
facilius est multa facere
many things, than
quam diu
one thing
Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria 1/12:7
consecutively
"I make free adults

facio liberos ex liberis libris
out of children by
libraque
means of books and

a balance."
Motto of St. John's College in

Annapolis, Maryland, and Santa Fe,
New Mexico
facta, non verba
deeds, not words
Frequently used as motto.
factum fieri infectum non
It is impossible for a
potest
deed to be undone
falsus in uno, falsus in
false in one, false in
A Roman legal principle indicating that a
omnibus
all
witness who willfully falsifies one matter
Terence, Phormio 5/8:45
is not credible on any matter. The

underlying motive for attorneys to
impeach opposing witnesses in court:
the principle discredits the rest of their
testimony if it is without corroboration.
familia supra omnia
family over
everything
Frequently used as a family motto.
It is lawful to be
fas est et ab hoste doceri
taught even by an
Ovid, Metamorphoses 4:428
enemy
Slight variant ("quod potui feci") found

in James Boswell's An Account of
Corsica, there described as "a simple
feci quod potui, faciant
meliora potentes
I have done what I

could; let those who
can do better.
beautiful inscription on the front of

Palazzo Tolomei at Siena".[28] Later,
found in Henry Baerlein's introduction to
his translation of The Diwan of Abul
Ala by Abul Ala Al-Maarri (9731057);
[29]
also in Anton Chekhov's Three
Sisters, act I.
a formula used traditionally in the

NN fecit
NN made (this)
author's signature by painters,

sculptors, artisans, scribes etc.
Comparepinxit.
"From differing
Verse 63 from the poem De reditu
fecisti patriam diversis de
peoples you have
suo by Rutilius Claudius
gentibus unam
made one native
Namatianus praising
land"
emperor Augustus.[30]
felicior Augusto, melior

Traiano
felix culpa
"be more fortunate

than Augustusand
better than Trajan"
fortunate fault
A ritual acclamation delivered to late

Roman emperors.
from "Exsultet" of the Catholic liturgy
felix qui potuit rerum

cognoscere causas
happy is he who can

discover the causes
of things
Virgil. "Rerum cognoscere causas" is

the motto of the London School of
Economics and the University of
Sheffield.
An archaic legal term for one who

commits suicide, referring to early
felo de se
felon from himself
English common law punishments, such

as land seizure, inflicted on those who
killed themselves.
fere libenter homines id quod

volunt credunt
men generally
People's beliefs are shaped largely by
believe what they
their desires. Julius Caesar, The Gallic
want to
War 3.18
An oxymoronic motto of Augustus. It

encourages proceeding quickly, but with
festina lente
hurry slowly
calm and caution. Equivalent to 'More

haste, less speed'. Motto of The
Madeira School, McLean, Virginia.
it is bad to hurry, and

festinare nocet, nocet et
delay is often as bad;
cunctatio saepe; tempore
the wise person is
quaeque suo qui facit, ille
the one who does
sapit.
everything in its
Ovid[31]
proper time.
let justice be done,

fiat iustitia et pereat mundus
though the world

shall perish
fiat justitia ruat caelum
let justice be done
Motto of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman

Emperor.
Attributed to Lucius Calpurnius Piso
should the sky fall
Caesoninus.
Less literally, "let light arise" or "let there

be light" (cf. lux sit). From the Latin
translation of Genesis, "dixitque Deus
fiat lux
let light be made
fiat lux et facta est lux" ("and God said,

'Let light be made', and light was
made."); frequently used as motto for
educational institutions.
fiat panis
fiat voluntas Dei
let there be bread
May God's will be

done
Motto of Food and Agriculture

Organization (FAO)
The motto of Robert May's School
The motto of Archbishop Richard Smith

fiat voluntas tua
Thy will be done
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of

Edmonton.
ficta voluptatis causa sint

proxima veris
fictions meant to
Horace Ars Poetica (338), advice
please should
presumably discounted by the magical
approximate the truth realists
A title given to Henry VIII of

England by Pope Leo X on October 17,
Fidei Defensor (Fid Def) or(fd)
Defender of the Faith
1521 before Henry became

a heresiarch. Still used by the British
monarchs, it appears on all British
coins, usually abbreviated.
fidem scit
He knows the faith
Sometimes mistranslated to "Keep the

faith", when used in contemporary
English-language writings of all kinds to
convey a light-hearted wish for the
reader's well-being.
fides qua creditur
fides quae creditur
fides quaerens intellectum
the faith by which it is the personal faith which apprehends,

believed
contrasted with fides quae creditur
the faith which is
the content of "the faith," contrasted
believed
with fides qua creditur
faith seeking
the motto of Saint Anselm, found in
understanding
his Proslogion
A faithful friend. From the name

fidus Achates
faithful Achates
of Aeneas's faithful companion

in Virgil's Aeneid.
may our daughters

filiae nostrae sicvt angvli
be as polished as the
incisi similitvdine templi
corners' of the
Motto of Francis Holland School
temple
finis coronat opus
finis vitae sed non amoris
the end crowns the

work
the end justifies the means. The motto

of St. Mary's Catholic High School in
Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
the end of life, but

not of love
referred to Attila the Hun, when he led

flagellum dei
scourge of god
his armies to invade the Western

Roman Empire.
flectere si nequeo
if I cannot move
superos, Acherontamovebo
heaven I will raise
Virgil's Aeneid, book VII.312
hell
floreat etona
floreat nostra schola
may Eton flourish
may our school

flourish
Motto of Eton College
Common school motto
Indicates the period when a historical

floruit (fl.)
one flourished
figure whose birth and death dates are

unknown was most active.
fluctuat nec mergitur
fons et origo
she wavers and is

not immersed
the spring and
"The fountainhead and beginning". The
source
source and origin.
the fount of
fons sapientiae, verbum Dei
knowledge is the
word of God.
formosam resonare doces

Amaryllida silvas
forsan et haec olim

meminisse iuvabit
fortes fortuna adiuvat
Motto of Paris
The motto of Bishop Blanchet High

School.
teach the woods to

re-echo "fair
From Virgil's Eclogues 1:5
Amaryllis"
perhaps even these

things will be good to From Virgil's Aeneid, book I, line 203.
remember one day
Fortune favours the

bold
The motto of the 3rd Marine Regiment
fortes in fide
strong in faith
fortis cadere, cedere non
The brave may fall,
potest
but cannot yield
fortis est veritas
truth is strong
fortis et liber
strong and free
fortis in arduis
strong in difficulties
fortiter et fideliter
bravely and faithfully Frequently used as motto.
fortunae meae, multorum

faber
Frequently used as motto.
Motto of Fahnestock Family Arms.
Motto on the coat of arms of Oxford,

England.
Motto of Alberta
Motto of Municipal Borough of

Middleton from the Earl of Middleton.
artisan of my fate
and that of several
Motto of Gatineau.
others
An Epitaph, made to remind the reader

I once was what you
fui quod es, eris quod sum
are, you will be what

I am
of the inevitability of death, saying

"Once I was alive like you are, and you
will be dead as I am now." As believed,
it was carved on a gravestone of some
Roman military officers.
fumus boni iuris
fundamenta inconcussa
presumption of
sufficient legal basis
unshakable
foundation
Latin
gaudeamus
hodie
gaudeamus
igitur
gaudete in
domino
gaudium in
veritate
Translation
Notes
let us rejoice today
therefore let us rejoice
First words of a famous academic anthem used,

among other places, in The Student Prince.
rejoice in the Lord
Motto of Bishop Allen Academy
joy in truth
Motto of Campion School
A principle of statutory interpretation: If a matter

general provisions
generalia
specialibus
non derogant
falls under a specific provision in a statute
enacted in later legislation enacted before a general provision enacted in a

do not detract from
later statute, it is to be presumed that the
specific provisions
legislature did not intend that the earlier specific
enacted in earlier
provision be repealed, and the matter is governed
legislation
by the earlier specific provision, not the more

recent general one.
The unique, distinctive aspects or atmosphere of

a place, such as those celebrated in art, stories,
genius loci
spirit of place
folk tales, and festivals. Originally, the genius

loci was literally the protective spirit of a place, a
creature usually depicted as a snake.
generatim
discite cultus
gens una
Learn each field of study

according to its kind.
Motto of the University of Bath.
(Virgil, Georgics II.)
we are one people
Motto of FIDE. Can be traced back to Claudian's
sumus
gesta non
verba
poem De consulatu Stilichonis.
deeds, not words
Motto of James Ruse Agricultural High School.
Often translated "Glory to God on High". The title

Gloria in
Glory to God in the
and beginning of an ancient Roman
excelsis Deo
Highest
Catholic doxology, the Greater Doxology. See

also ad maiorem Dei gloriam.
Gloria invidiam By your fame you have
Sallust, Bellum Jugurthum ("Jugurthine War")
vicisti
conquered envy
10:2.
gloria filiorum
The glory of sons is their
patres
fathers (Proverbs17:6)
Gloria Patri
Glory to the Father
The beginning of the Lesser Doxology.
glorious and free
Motto of Manitoba
by degrees, ferociously
Motto of private spaceflight company Blue Origin
ascending by degrees
Motto of Grey College, Durham
gloriosus et
liber
gradatim
ferociter
gradibus
ascendimus
Graecia capta
Motto of Eltham College
Conquered Greece in turn
ferum victorem defeated its savage
Horace Epistles 2.1
cepit
conqueror
Graecum est;
It is Greek (and therefore) Most commonly from William Shakespeare, The
Tragedy of Julius Caesar where Casca couldn't

explain to Cassius what Cicero was saying
non legitur
it cannot be read.
because he was speaking Greek. The more

common collloquilism would be: It's all Greek to
me.
Grandescunt
By hard work, all things
Aucta Labore
increase and grow
gratiae veritas
Truth through mercy and
naturae
nature
graviora
manent
Gravis Dulcis
Immutabilis
gutta cavat
lapidem [non vi
sed saepe
cadendo]
Latin
heavier things remain
serious sweet immutable
a water drop hollows a

stone [not by force, but by
falling often]
Translation
Motto of McGill University
Motto of Uppsala University
Virgil Aeneid 6:84; more severe things await, the

worst is yet to come
Title of a poem by James Elroy Flecker [32]
main phrase is from Ovid, Epistulae ex Ponto IV,

10, 5.;[33] expanded in the Middle Ages
Notes
A legal term from the 14th century or earlier. Refers to a

number of legal writs to bring a person before a court or
habeas corpus
You should have
judge, most commonly habeas corpus ad
the body
subjiciendum (you may have the body to bring up).

Commonly used as the general term for a prisoner's legal
right to challenge the legality of their detention.
habemus
papam
we have a pope
Used after a Catholic Church papal election to announce

publicly a successful ballot to elect a new pope.
Books have their

Habent sua
destiny [according Terentianus Maurus, De Litteris, De Syllabis, De
fata libelli
to the capabilities
Metris, 1:1286.
of the reader]
hac lege
with this law
haec olim
one day, this will
Commonly rendered in English as "One day, we'll look
meminisse
be pleasing to
back on this and smile". From Virgil's Aeneid 1.203. Also,
iuvabit
remember
motto of theJefferson Society.
Hannibal ad
Hannibal is at the
Roman parents would tell their misbehaving children this,
portas
gates
invoking their fear of Hannibal.
Hannibal ante
Hannibal before
Refers to wasting time while the enemy is already here.
portas
the gates
Attributed to Cicero.
haud ignota
I speak not of
Thus, "I say no things that are unknown".
loquor
unknown things
From Virgil's Aeneid, 2.91.
hic abundant
leones
hic et nunc
here lions abound
here and now
Written on uncharted territories of old maps; see

also: here be dragons.
The imperative motto for the satisfaction of desire. "I need

it, Here and Now"
Also rendered hic iacet. Written on gravestones or tombs,
hic jacet (HJ)
here lies
preceding the name of the deceased. Equivalent to hic

sepultus (here is buried), and sometimes combined
into hic jacet sepultus (HJS), "here lies buried".
hic locus est
This is the place
A motto of many morgues or wards of anatomical
ubi mors
gaudet
succurrere
vitae
where death
delights in helping pathology.
life
According to Titus Livius the phrase was pronounced
hic
manebimus
optime
here we'll stay

excellently
by Marcus Furius Camillus, addressing the senators who

intended to abandon the city, invaded by Gauls, circa 390
BC. It is used today to express the intent to keep one's
position even if the circumstances appear adverse.
hic sunt
here there are
dracones
dragons
hic sunt
here there are
leones
lions
hinc et inde
from both sides
Written on uncharted territories of old maps.
Written on uncharted territories of old maps.
From Terence, Andria, line 125. Originally literal, referring

hinc illae
lacrimae
hence those tears
to the tears shed by Pamphilus at the funeral of Chrysis, it

came to be used proverbially in the works of later authors,
such as Horace (Epistula XIX, 41).
hinc itur ad
from here the way Written on the wall of the old astronomical observatory
astra
leads to the stars
hinc robur et
herefore strength
securitas
and safety
historia vitae
history, the teacher From Cicero's De Oratore, II, 9. Also "history is the
magistra
of life
hoc age
do this
of Vilnius University, Lithuania, and the university's motto.

Motto of the Central Bank of Sweden.
mistress of life".
Motto of Bradford Grammar School, often purposefully
mistranslated by pupils as "Just do it!".
hoc est bellum This is war

hoc est
Christum
To know Christ is
cognoscere,
to know his
beneficia eius
benefits
Famous dictum by the Reformer Melanchthon in his Loci

Communes of 1521
cognoscere
hoc est enim
For this is my
corpus meum
Body
hodie mihi,
Today it's me,
The words of Jesus reiterated in Latin during the Roman

Catholic Eucharist. Sometimes simply written as "Hoc est
corpus meum" or "This is my body".
cras tibi
tomorrow it will be
you
hominem non
Treat the Man, not
morbum cura
the Disease
Motto of the Far Eastern University Institute of Nursing

Varro (116 BC 27 BC), in the opening line of the first
book of Rerum Rusticarum Libri Tres, wrote "quod, ut
homo bulla
man is a bubble
dicitur, si est homo bulla, eo magis senex" (for if, as they

say, man is a bubble, all the more so is an old man)
[34]
later reintroduced by Erasmus in hisAdagia, a collection
of sayings published in 1572.

homo homini
man [is a] wolf to
lupus
man
First attested in Plautus' Asinaria (lupus est homo homini).

The sentence was drawn on by Hobbes in Leviathan as a
concise expression of his human nature view.
homo
praesumitur
bonus donec
probetur
One is innocent
until proven guilty
See also: presumption of innocence.
malus
From Terence, Heautontimoroumenos. Originally
"strange" or "foreign" (alienum) was used in the sense of
homo sum
I am a human
"irrelevant", as this line was a response to the speaker
humani a me
being; nothing
being told to mind his own business, but it is now
nihil alienum
human is strange
commonly used to advocate respecting different cultures
puto
to me
and being humane in general. Puto (I consider) is not

translated because it is meaningless outside of the line's
context within the play.
homo unius
(I fear) a man of
libri (timeo)
one book
honestes ante honesty before

honores
glory
honor virtutis
esteem is the
praemium
reward of virtue
Attributed to Thomas Aquinas
Motto of King George V school, Hong Kong, China
Motto of Arnold School, Blackpool, England
for the sake of
Said of an honorary title, such as "Doctor of
honor
Science honoris causa".
hora fugit
the hour flees
See tempus fugit.
hora
at the hour of
somni (h.s.)
sleep
honoris causa
Medical shorthand for "at bedtime".
horas non
I do not count the
numero nisi
hours unless they
serenas
are sunny
horribile dictu
horrible to say
That is, "a horrible thing to relate". Cf. mirabile dictu.
A garden in the
Motto of the Chicago Park District, a playful allusion to the
city
city's motto, urbs in horto, q.v.
A dry garden
A collection of dry, preserved plants.
hortus in urbe
hortus siccus
A common inscription on sundials.
hostis humani enemy of the
Cicero defined pirates in Roman law as being enemies of
generis
humanity in general.
humilitas
occidit
superbiam
human race
humility conquers
pride
hypotheses
I do not fabricate
From Newton, Principia. Less literally, "I do not assert that
non fingo
hypotheses
any hypotheses are true".
Latin
ibidem (ibid.)
Translation
in the same place
Notes
Usually used in bibliographic citations to refer to

the last source previously referenced.
"That is (to say)" in the sense of "that means" and

"which means", or "in other words", or sometimes
"in this case", depending on the context; may be
followed by a comma, or not, depending on style
id est (i.e.)
that is
(American English and British English

respectively).[35]It is sometimes wrongly used to
mean "for example" (for which the correct
abbreviation is e.g.). There should be a period (.)
after both letters, since it is an abbreviation of two
words.[36]
id quod
plerumque
accidit
that which generally

happens
A phrase used in legal language to indicate the

most probable outcome from an act, fact, event or
cause.
idem (dito) (id.)
the same
idem quod (i.q.)
the same as
Used to refer to something that has already been

cited. See also ibidem.
Not to be confused with an intelligence quotient.
In the Roman calendar, the Ides of March refers to

the 15th day of March. In modern times, the term
Idus Martiae
the Ides of March
is best known as the date on which Julius

Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC; the term has
come to be used as a metaphor for impending
doom.
Used by Johann Sebastian Bach at the beginning

Jesu juva J.J.
Jesus, help!
of his compositions, which he ended with "S.D.G."

(Soli Deo gloria).
Iesus
Nazarenus Rex
Iudaeorum(INRI)
Jesus the Nazarene,

King of the Jews
From Vulgate; John 19:19. John

19:20 states that this inscription was
written in three languagesAramaic,
Latin and Greekat the top of
the cross during the crucifixion of
Jesus.
igitur qui
desiderat
Therefore whoever
pacem,
desires peace, let him
praeparet
prepare for war
Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus, De Re Militari;

similar to si vis pacem, para bellum.
bellum
igne natura
renovatur
integra
through fire, nature is
An alchemical aphorism invented as an alternate
reborn whole
meaning for the acronym INRI.
A phrase describing scorched earth tactics. Also

igni ferroque
with fire and iron
rendered as igne atque ferro, ferro ignique, and

other variations.
ignis aurum
probat
ignis fatuus
A phrase referring to the refining of character

fire tests gold
through difficult circumstances, it is also the motto

of the Prometheus Society.
foolish fire
Will-o'-the-wisp.
(or ignorantia legis non

ignorantia juris
non excusat
excusat or ignorantia
legis neminem excusat)
ignorance of the law is no
A legal principle whereby ignorance of a law does

not allow one to escape liability.
excuse
The logical fallacy of irrelevant conclusion: making

an argument that, while possibly valid, doesn't
ignoratio
elenchi
prove or support the proposition it claims to.

ignorance of the issue
An ignoratio elenchi that is an intentional attempt

to mislead or confuse the opposing party is known
as a red herring. Elenchi is from the
Greek elenchos.
ignotum per
unknown by means of the
ignotius
more unknown
ignotus (ign.)
unknown
imago Dei
image of God
imitatio dei
imitation of a god
imperium in
an order within an order
imperio
An explanation that is less clear than the thing to

be explained. Synonymous with obscurum per
obscurius.
From the religious concept that man was created

in "God's image".
A principle, held by several religions, that believers

should strive to resemble their god(s).
1. A group of people who owe utmost fealty to their

leader(s), subordinating the interests of the larger
group to the authority of the internal group's

leader(s).
2. A "fifth column" organization operating against
the organization within which they seemingly
reside.
3. "State within a state"
In Virgil's Aeneid, Jupiter ordered Aeneas to found

imperium sine
fine
an empire without an end
a city (Rome) from which would come an

everlasting, never-ending empire, the endless
(sine fine) empire.
imprimatur
let it be printed
in absentia
in the absence
in absentia luci,
tenebrae
vincunt
Used in a number of situations, such as in a trial

carried out in the absence of the accused.
darkness prevails
in act
[Dominica] in
[Sunday in Setting Aside
albis[depositis] the] White Garments
mortis
censoring authority (originally a Catholic Bishop).
in the absence of light,
in actu
in articulo
An authorization to publish, granted by some
In the very act; in reality.
Latin name of the Octave of Easter.
at the point of death
in camera
in the chamber
In secret. See also camera obscura.
in casu (i.c.)
in the event
In this case.
Using the metaphor of a scorpion, this can be said

in cauda
venenum
of an account that proceeds gently, but turns

the poison is in the tail
vicious towards the end or more generally waits

till the end to reveal an intention or statement that
is undesirable in the listener's ears.
Eboracum was the Roman name for York and this

in com. Ebor.
In the county of Yorkshire
phrase is used in some Georgian and Victorian

books on the genealogy of prominent Yorkshire
families.
in Deo
speramus
in God we hope
Motto of Brown University.
Expresses the judicial principle that in case of

in dubio pro reo
in doubt, on behalf of the doubt the decision must be in favor of the accused
[alleged] culprit
(in that anyone is innocent until there is proof to

the contrary).
in duplo
in double
In duplicate
in effigie
in the likeness
in esse
in existence
In actual existence; as opposed to in posse.
in extenso
in the extended
In full; at full length; complete or unabridged
in extremis
in the furthest reaches
In (the form of) an image; in effigy (as opposed to

"in the flesh" or "in person").
In extremity; in dire straits; also "at the point of

death" (cf. in articulo mortis).
in fide
To our faith add
scientiam
knowledge
in fidem
into faith
To the verification of faith.
in fieri
in becoming
In progress; pending.
in fine (i.f.)
in the end
in flagrante
in a blazing wrong, while
delicto
the crime is blazing
in flore
in blossom
Blooming.
in foro
in forum
In court (legal term).
in girum imus
nocte et
consumimur
igni
in harmonia
progressio
We enter the circle at

night and are consumed
by fire
progress in harmony
Motto of Newington College.
At the end. The footnote says "p. 157 in

fine": "the end of page 157".
Caught in the act (esp. a crime or in a

"compromising position"); equivalent to "caught
red-handed" in English idiom.
A palindrome said to describe the behavior of

moths. Also the title of a film by Guy Debord.
Motto of Bandung Institute of Technology,

Indonesia.
in hoc
sensu or in
in this sense
Recent academic abbreviation for "in this sense".
in hoc signo
by this sign you will
Words Constantine the Great claimed to have
vinces
conquer
seen in a vision before the Battle of the Milvian
sensu hoc (s.h.)
Bridge.
in hunc
effectum
in ictu oculi
in illo
ordine (i.o.)
for this purpose
Describes a meeting called for a particular stated

purpose only.
in the blink of an eye
in that order
Recent academic substitution for the spacious and

inconvenient "..., respectively."
At that time, found often in Gospel lectures during

in illo tempore
in that time
Masses, used to mark an undetermined time in the

past.
in inceptum
lit.: in the beginning is the
finis est
end
or: the beginning foreshadows the end
Preliminary, in law, a motion in limine is

in limine
at the outset/threshold
a motion that is made to the judge before or during

trial, often about the admissibility of evidence
believed prejudicial.
That is, 'on site'. "The nearby labs were closed for
in loco
in the place, on the spot
the weekend, so the water samples were

analyzed in loco."
Assuming parental or custodial responsibility and

in loco parentis in the place of a parent
authority (e.g., schoolteachers over students); a

legal term.
in luce Tua
videmus lucem
in Thy light we see light
Motto of Valparaiso University. The phrase comes

from the book of Psalms 36:9 "For with you is the
fountain of life; in your light we see light."
in lumine tuo
videbimus
lumen
in manus tuas
commendo
spiritum meum
Motto of Columbia University, Presbyterian Boys'

in your light we will see
Secondary School and Ohio Wesleyan University.
the light
Also, it is the motto of the South African University

of Fort Hare.
into your hands I entrust
According to Luke 23:46, the last words
my spirit
of Jesus on the cross.
From Horace. Refers to the literary technique of

beginning a narrative in the middle of, or at a late
in medias res
into the middle of things
point in, the story, after much action has already

taken place. Examples include the Iliad,
the Odyssey, Os Lusadas, Othello, and Paradise
Lost. Compare ab initio.
in memoriam
into the memory
in necessariis
Equivalent to "in the memory of". Refers to

remembering or honoring a deceased person.
"Charity" (caritas) is being used in the classical
unitas, in dubiis in necessary things unity, sense of "compassion" (cf. agape). Motto of
libertas, in
in doubtful things liberty,
the Cartellverband der katholischen deutschen
omnibus
in all things charity
Studentenverbindungen. Often misattributed

to Augustine of Hippo.[citation needed]
caritas
in nocte
consilium
in nomine
diaboli
in nomine
advice comes over night
I.e., "Tomorrow is a new day." Motto of Birkbeck

College, University of London.
in the name of the devil
in the name of the Lord
Motto of Trinity College, Perth, Australia; the name
Domini
in nomine
of a 1050 papal bull
in the name of the Father,
patris, et filii, et and of the Son, and of

spiritus sancti
the Holy Spirit
in nuce
in a nut
in omnia
paratus
in omnibus
amare et
servire Domino
Ready for anything.
invocation of the Holy Trinity
in a nutshell; briefly stated; potential; in the

embryonic phase
Motto of the United States Army's 18th Infantry

Regiment
In everything, love and
The motto of Ateneo de Iloilo, a university in the
serve the Lord.
Philippines
in omnibus
requiem
Everywhere I have
quaesivi, et
searched for peace and
nusquam inveni nowhere found it, except

nisi in angulo
Quote by Thomas Kempis
in a corner with a book
cum libro
in ovo
in pace
requiescat
in partibus
infidelium
in the egg or in the

embryo
An experiment or process performed in an egg or

embryo (e.g. in ovo electroporation of chicken
embryo).
Alternate form of requiescat in pace ("let him rest

in peace may he rest
in peace"). Found in this form at the end of The

Cask of Amontillado byEdgar Allan Poe.
in the parts of the infidels "In the land of the infidels"; used to refer to
bishoprics that remains as titular sees even after
the corresponding territory was conquered by
Muslim empires.
in pectore
in the heart
in personam
into a person
in posse
in potential
A cardinal named in secret by the pope. See

also ab imo pectore.
Directed towards a particular person
In the state of being possible; as opposed to in

esse.
Abbreviated pro per; For one's self; acting on

in propria
persona
one's own behalf, especially a person representing

in one's own person
himself in a legal proceeding; see also litigant in

person, pro se legal representation in the United
States.
in principio erat in the beginning was the

Verbum
Word (Logos)
Beginning of the Gospel of John
A legal term used to indicate that a judicial

proceeding may not have formally designated
adverse parties or is otherwise uncontested. The
in re
in the matter [of]
term is commonly used in case citations

of probate proceedings, for example, In re Smith's
Estate; it is also used in juvenile courts, as, for
instance, In re Gault.
Primarily of philosophical use to discuss properties

and property exemplification. In philosophy of
in rebus
in the thing [itself]
mathematics, it is typically contrasted with "ante

rem" and, more recently, "post res" structuralism.
Sometimes in re is used in place of in rebus.
in regione
In the land of the blind,
A quote of Desiderius Erasmus from Adagia (first
caecorum rex
the one-eyed man is
published 1500, with numerous expanded editions
est luscus
king.
through 1536), III, IV, 96.
Legal term indicating a court's jurisdiction over a

in rem
to the thing
piece of property rather than a legal person;

contrast with personal (ad personam) jurisdiction.
See In rem jurisdiction; Quasi in rem jurisdiction
in rerum natura in the nature of things
in retentis
among things held back
See also Lucretius' De rerum natura (On the

Nature of Things).
Used to describe documents kept separately from

the regular records of a court for special reasons.
in saecula
(saeculorum), in roughly: down to the
saeculum
times of the times
forever (and ever), liturgical
saeculi
in saeculo
in the times
in salvo
in safety
in scientia
opportunitas
(Dog Latin)
in silico
(Dog Latin)
In Knowledge, there is
Opportunity
in silicon
In the secular world, esp. outside a monastery, or

before death.
Motto of Edge Hill University.
Coined in the late 1980s for scientific papers.

Refers to an experiment or process performed
virtually, as a computer simulation. The term
is Dog Latin modeled after terms such as in
vitro and in vivo. The Latin word for silicon
is silicium, so the correct Latinization of "in silicon"
would be in silicio, but this form has little usage.
in situ
in somnis
veritas
in the place
In the original place, appropriate position, or

natural arrangement.
In dreams there is truth
"future" (My mother-in-law in spe", i.e., "My future

mother-in-law), or "in embryonic form", as in
in spe
in hope
"Locke's theory of government resembles, in

spe, Montesquieu's theory of the separation of
powers."
in specialibus
generalia
quaerimus
in statu
nascendi
To seek the general in
That is, to understand the most general rules
the specifics
through the most detailed analysis.
in the state of being born Just as something is about to begin.
in toto
in all
Totally; entirely; completely.
in triplo
in triple
In triplicate.
in umbra, igitur, Then we will fight in the

pugnabimus
shade
in utero
in the womb
in utrumque
Prepared for either
paratus
(event)
in vacuo
in varietate
concordia
in vino veritas
in a void
united in diversity
in wine [there is] truth
In a vacuum; isolated from other things.
The motto of the European Union and the Council

of Europe
That is, wine loosens the tongue (referring

to alcohol's disinhibitory effects).
An experimental or process methodology

performed in a "non-natural" setting (e.g. in a
in vitro
in glass
laboratory using a glass test tube or Petri dish),

and thus outside of a living organism or cell.
Alternative experimental or process methodologies
include in vitro, in silico, ex vivo and in vivo.
in vivo
in life" or "in a living thing
An experiment or process performed on a living

specimen.
An expression used by biologists to express the

in vivo veritas
in a living thing [there is]

truth
fact that laboratory findings from testing an

organism in vitro are not always reflected when
applied to an organism in vivo. A pun on in vino
veritas.
Westville Boys' High School and Westville Girls'

High School's motto is taken directly from Virgil.
These words, found in Aeneid, Book 1, are used
incepto ne
May I not shrink from my
desistam
purpose!
by Juno, queen of heaven who hated the Trojans

led by Aeneas. When she saw the fleet of Aeneas
on its way to Italy, after the sack of Troy by the
Greeks, she planned to scatter it by means of
strong winds. In her determination to accomplish
her task she cried out "Incepto Ne Desistam!"
incertae sedis
of uncertain position
A term used to classify a taxonomic group when its
incredibile
dictu
(seat)
broader relationships are unknown or undefined.
incredible to say
A variant on mirabile dictu.
Index Librorum Index of Prohibited (or,
A list of books considered heretical by the Roman
Prohibitorum
Catholic Church.
Forbidden) Books
From Augustine, De Civitate Dei XII,

indigens Deo
being-in-need-of-God,
1.3: beatitudinem consequatur nec expleat
beggar before God
indigentiam suam, "since it is not satisfied unless it

be perfectly blessed."
indivisibiliter ac indivisible and
Motto of Austria-Hungary before it was divided and
inseparabiliter
separated into independent states in 1918.
Infinitus est
numerus
stultorum.
inseparable
Infinite is the number of

fools.
infirma mundi
God chooses the weak of
elegit Deus
the world
The motto of Venerable Vital-Justin Grandin, the

bishop of the St. Albert Diocese, which is now
the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton
infra
dignitatem(infra
beneath one's dignity
dig)
Formerly used in formal correspondence to refer

instante
mense(inst.)
to the current month, sometimes abbreviated

in the present month
as instant; e.g.: "Thank you for your letter of the

17th inst." ult. mense = last month, prox.
mense = next month.
intaminatis
fulget
honoribus
integer vitae
scelerisque
purus
Untarnished, she shines
From Horace's Odes (III.2.18). Motto of Wofford
with honor
College.
unimpaired by life and

clean of wickedness
intelligenti
Few words suffice for he
pauca
who understands
From Horace. Used as a funeral hymn.
A term used in formal extract minutes to indicate

that the minute quoted has been taken from a
inter alia (i.a.)
among other things
fuller record of other matters, or when alluding to

the parent group after quoting a particular
example.
inter alios
among others
Often used to compress lists of parties to legal

documents.
Said by Cicero in Pro Milone as a protest against

unchecked political mobs that had virtually seized
control of Rome in the 60s and 50s BC. Famously
inter arma enim in a time of war, the law
quoted in the essay Civil Disobedience by Henry
silent leges
David Thoreau as "The clatter of arms drowns out
falls silent
the voice of the law". This phrase has also been

jokingly translated as "In a time of arms, the legs
are silent."
inter caetera
among others
inter mutanda
Steadfast in the midst of
constantia
change
Title of a papal bull
Motto for Rockwell College in Ireland and Francis

Libermann Catholic High
School in Ontario, Canada.
inter spem et
metum
inter urinas et
faeces
nascimur
between hope and fear
we are born between

urine and feces
Attributed to St Augustine.
Refers to property transfers between living

inter vivos
between the living
persons, as opposed to a testamentary

transfer upon death such as an inheritance; often
relevant to tax laws.
Not public; source of the word intramural. See
intra muros
within the walls
intra vires
within the powers
Within one's authority
invicta
Unconquered
Motto of the English county of Kent.
also Intramuros, Manila.
invictus maneo I remain unvanquished
Motto of the Armstrong Clan.
Iohannes est
Motto of the Seal of the Commonwealth of Puerto
nomen eius
ipsa scientia
potestas est
ipse dixit
John is his name
knowledge itself is power
he himself said it
Rico
Famous phrase written by Sir Francis Bacon in

1597.
Commonly said in Medieval debates and referring

to Aristotle. Used in general to emphasize that
some assertion comes from some authority, i.e.,
as an argument from authority, and the term ipsedixitism has come to mean any unsupported
rhetorical assertion that lacks a logical argument.
A literal translation by Cicero (in his De Natura

Deorum 1.10) of the Greek , an
invocation by Pythagoreans when appealing to the
pronouncements of the master.
"Strictly word for word" (cf. verbatim). Often used

ipsissima verba
the very words
in Biblical Studies to describe the record of Jesus'
themselves
teaching found in the New Testament (specifically,

the four Gospels).
ipsissima voce
in the very 'voice' itself
ipso facto
by the fact itself
To approximate the main thrust or message

without using the exact words.
By that very fact
Like the vast majority of inhabitants of the ancient

world, the ancient Romans practiced pagan rituals,
ira deorum
wrath of the gods
believing it important to achieve a state of pax

deorum (peace of the gods) instead of ira
deorum (wrath of the gods): earthquakes, floods,
famine, etc.
ira furor brevis
Wrath (anger) is but a
est
brief madness
A useful phrase, as the Romans had no word for

"yes", preferring to respond to questions with the
ita vero
thus indeed
affirmative or negative of the question (e.g., "Are

you hungry?" was answered by "I am hungry" or "I
am not hungry", not "Yes" or "No).
Loosely: "You have been dismissed". Concluding

ite, missa est
Go, it is the dismissal
words addressed to the people in the Mass of

the Roman Rite.[37]
iter legis
The path of the law
The path a law takes from its conception to its

implementation.
From Gerhard Gerhards' (14661536) [better

known as Erasmus] collection of annotated Adagia
iugulare
to cut the throat of
(1508). It can mean attacking the work or
mortuos
corpses
personality of deceased person. Alternatively, it

can be used to describe criticism of an individual
already heavily criticised by others.
also spelled juncta juvant; from the legal

iuncta iuvant
together they strive
principle quae non valeant singula, iuncta

iuvant ("What is without value on its own, helps
when joined")
A legal principle in civil law countries of the

Roman-German tradition that says that lawyers
iura novit curia the court knows the law
need not to argue the law, as that is the office of

the court. Sometimes miswritten as iura novat
curia (the court renews the laws).
iure matris
in right of his mother
iure uxoris
in right of his wife
iuris ignorantia
est cum ius
nostrum
ignoramus
Indicates a right exercised by a son on behalf of

his mother.
Indicates a right exercised by a husband on behalf

of his wife.
it is ignorance of the law

when we do not know our
own rights
ius accrescendi right of accrual
Commonly referred to as "right of survivorship": a

rule in property law that surviving joint tenants
have rights in equal shares to a decedent's
property.
Refers to the laws that regulate the reasons for

ius ad bellum
law towards war
going to war. Typically, this would address issues

of self-defense or preemptive strikes.
Refers to a fundamental principle of international

law considered to have acceptance among the
international community of states as a whole.
Typically, this would address issues not listed or
ius cogens
compelling law
defined by any authoritative body, but arise out of

case law and changing social and political
attitudes. Generally included are prohibitions on
waging aggressive war, crimes against humanity,
war crimes, piracy, genocide, slavery, and torture.
Refers to the "laws" that regulate the conduct of

combatants during a conflict. Typically, this would
ius in bello
law in war
address issues of who or what is a valid target,

how to treat prisoners, and what sorts of weapons
can be used. The word jus is also commonly
spelledius.
ius primae
noctis
iustitia
fundamentum
regni
iustitia
omnibus
law of the first night
The droit de seigneur.
justice is the foundation
Motto of the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office of
of a reign
the Czech Republic.
justice for all
The motto of Washington, D.C.
iuventuti nil
to the young nothing is
arduum
difficult
iuventutis veho I bear the fortunes of

fortunas
youth
Latin
Translation
Motto of Canberra Girls' Grammar School.
Motto of Dollar Academy.
Notes
Popular as a motto; derived from a phrase

in Virgil's Eclogue (X.69: omnia vincit Amor
labor omnia
vincit
"Love conquers all"); a similar phrase also occurs

Hard work conquers all
in his Georgics I.145. Motto of St. Xavier's

Institution, Penang. Motto of Brinkworth Area
School, South Australia. Motto of Princes Street
Primary School, Tasmania, Australia.[38]
laborare
pugnare parati
sumus
labore et
honore
To work, (or) to fight; we

are ready
By labour and honour
Motto of the California Maritime Academy
Motto of several schools
laboremus pro
Let us work for the
patria
fatherland
laboris gloria
Games are the glory of
Motto of the Camborne School of Mines, Cornwall,
Ludi
work,
UK
lapse, slip, error;

lapsus
involuntary mistake made

while writing or speaking
Motto of the Carlsberg breweries
lapsus calami
lapsus linguae
lapsus
memoriae
laudator
temporis acti
laudetur Jesus
Christus
inadvertenttypographical
error, slip of the pen
inadvertent speech error,

slip of the tongue
slip of memory
source of the term memory lapse
One who is discontent with the present and

praiser of time past
instead prefers things of the past ("the good old

days").
Praise (Be) Jesus Christ
Often used as a salutation, but also used

after prayers or the reading of the gospel.
This is written on the East side at the peak of

laus Deo
praise be to God
the Washington Monument in Washington,

D.C. Also is the motto of the Viscount of
Arbuthnott and Sydney Grammar School.
lectori salutem
greetings reader
Often abbreviated to L.S., used as opening words

for a letter.
Denotes that a certain intervention is performed in

lege artis
according to the law of
a correct way. Used especially in a medical
the art
context. The 'art' referred to in the phrase is

medicine.
legem terrae
the law of the land
leges humanae laws of man are born, live

nascuntur,
vivunt, et
moriuntur
and die
leges sine
laws without morals [are] From Horace's Odes: the official motto of
moribus vanae
vain
legio patria
The Legion is our
nostra
fatherland
the University of Pennsylvania.
Motto of the French Foreign Legion
legi, intellexi, et I read, understood, and

condemnavi
condemned.
In Roman and civil law, a forced share in

an estate; the portion of the decedent's estate
legitime
lawfully
from which the immediate family cannot

bedisinherited. From the French hritier
legitime (rightful heir).
lex artis
law of the skill
The rules that regulate a professional duty.
lex dei vitae
the law of God is the
Motto of the Presbyterian Ladies' College,
lampas
lamp of life
Melbourne
lex ferenda
the law that should be

borne
The law as it ought to be.
The rule whereby a spouse cannot by deed inter

lex hac edictali
the law here proclaims
vivos or bequeath by testament to his or her

second spouse more than the amount of the
smallest portion given or bequeathed to any child.
lex in casu
law in the event
A law that only concerns one particular case.
See law of the case.
lex lata
lex loci
lex non scripta
the law that has been

borne
The law as it is.
law of the place
law that has not been

written
Unwritten law, or common law.
lex orandi, lex
the law of prayer is the
credendi
law of faith
lex paciferat
the law shall bring peace Motto of the European Gendarmerie Force
lex parsimoniae law of succinctness
also known as Occam's Razor.
A principle of government advocating a rule by

law rather than by men. The phrase originated as
lex rex
the law [is] king
a double entendre in the title ofSamuel

Rutherford's controversial book Lex, Rex (1644),
which espoused a theory of limited
government and constitutionalism.
lex scripta
written law
Statutory law. Contrasted with lex non scripta.
lex talionis
the law of retaliation
Retributive justice (i.e., an eye for an eye).
libera te
Free yourself (from hell)
Used in the movie Event Horizon (1997), where it
tutemet (ex
is translated as "save yourself (from hell)". It is
inferis)
initially misheard as liberate me (free me), but is

later corrected. Libera te is often mistakenly
merged into liberate, which would necessitate a

plural pronoun instead of the
singular tutemet (which is an emphatic form of tu,
you).
Libertas
Justitia Veritas
Libertas
Perfundet
Omnia Luce
Liberty Justice Truth
Freedom will flood all

things with light
Motto of the Korea University and Freie Universitt

Berlin.
Motto of the Complutense University of Madrid.
Libertas Quae
freedom which [is]
Liberty even when it comes late; Motto of Minas
Sera Tamen
however late
Gerais, Brazil.
Libera Scientia
Free knowledge.
Libertas
Securitas
Liberty Security Justice
Motto of the Frontex.
Justitia
libra (lb)
balance; scales
loco citato (lc)
in the place cited
Its abbreviation lb is used as a unit of weight,

the pound.
More fully written in loco citato. See also opere

citato.
A worker who temporarily takes the place of

locum tenens
place holder
another with similar qualifications, for example as

a doctor or a member of the clergy. Sometimes
shortened to locum.
locus classicus a classic place
The most typical or classic case of something;
quotation which most typifies its use.
A medical term to describe a location on or in a

locus minoris
resistentiae
place of less resistance
body that offers little resistance to infection,

damage, or injury. For example, a weakened place
that tends to be reinjured.
A legal term, it is the opportunity of withdrawing

locus
poenitentiae
a place of repentance
from a projected contract, before the parties are

finally bound; or of abandoning the intention of
committing a crime, before it has been completed.
locus standi
A right to stand
Standing in law (the right to have one's case in

court).
A mangled fragment from Cicero's De Finibus

lorem ipsum
sorrow itself; pain for its
Bonorum et Malorum (On the Limits of Good and
own sake
Evil, 45 BC), used as typographer's filler to

show fonts (a.k.a. greeking).
luceat lux
vestra
lucem
sequimur
luceo non uro
luctor et
emergo
lucus a non
Let your light shine
May be found in Matthew Ch. 5 V. 16. Popular as

a school motto.
We follow the light
Motto of the University of Exeter
I shine, not burn
Motto of the Highland Scots Clan Mackenzie
Motto of the Dutch province of Zeeland to denote

I struggle and emerge
its battle against the sea, and the Athol Murray

College of Notre Dame.
[it is] a grove by not being From late 4th-century grammarian Honoratus
Maurus, who sought to mock implausible word

origins such as those proposed byPriscian.
A pun based on the word lucus (dark grove)
lucendo
light
having a similar appearance to the verb lucere (to

shine), arguing that the former word is derived
from the latter word because of a lack of light in
wooded groves. Often used as an example of
absurd etymology.
ludemus bene
in compania
We play well in groups
lupus in fabula
the wolf in the story
lupus non
a wolf does not bite a
mordet lupum
wolf
lupus non timet

canem
latrantem
Motto of the Barony of Marinus.
With the meaning "speak of the wolf, and he will

come"; from Terence's play Adelphoe.
a wolf is not afraid of a

barking dog
lux aeterna
eternal light
epitaph
lux et lex
light and law
Motto of the Franklin & Marshall College
lux et veritas
light and truth
lux ex tenebris
light from darkness
A translation of the Hebrew Urim and Thummim.

Motto of several institutions.
Motto of the 67th Network Warfare Wing.
lux hominum
light the life of man
Motto of the University of New Mexico
lux in Domino
light in the Lord
Motto of the Ateneo de Manila University
lux in tenebris
The light that shines in
Motto of Columbia University School of General
lucet
the darkness
Studies[39]
lux libertas
light, liberty
vita
Lux mentis Lux Light of the mind, Light of

orbis
the world
Motto of the University of North Carolina at Chapel

Hill
Motto of Sonoma State University
A more literal Latinization of the phrase; the most

common translation is fiat lux, from
lux sit
let there be light
Latin Vulgate Bible phrase chosen for

the Genesisline ""--
- "; -
- ,-"
( " And
God said: 'Let there be light.' And there was light).
Motto of the University of Washington.
lux tua nos

ducat
lux, veritas,
virtus
Latin
Your Light Guides Us
light, truth, courage
Translation
Motto of St. Julian's School, Carcavelos,

Portugal[40]
Motto of Northeastern University
Notes
Macte animo!
Young, cheer up!
Generose puer
This is the way to
sic itur ad astra
the skies.
Motto of Academia da Fora Area (Air Force Academy)

of the Brazilian Air Force
the teacher has
Canonical medieval reference to Aristotle, precluding
said it
further discussion
magister meus
Christ is my
common Catholic edict and motto of a Catholic private
Christus
teacher
school, Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana
Magna Carta
Great Charter
magister dixit
magna cum
laude
with great praise
magna est vis
great is the power
consuetudinis
of habit
Magna Europa
Greater Europe is
est patria nostra Our Fatherland
magno cum
gaudio
magnum opus
maior e
longinquo
reverentia
maiora premunt
Set of documents from 1215 between Pope Innocent

III, King John of England, and English barons.
Common Latin honor, above cum laude and

below summa cum laude
Political motto of pan-Europeanists
with great joy
great work
Said of someone's masterpiece
greater reverence When viewed from a distance, everything is

from afar
beautiful. Tacitus, Annales 1.47
greater things are
Used to indicate that it is the moment to address more
pressing
important, urgent, issues.
Said of an act done with knowledge of its illegality, or

mala fide
in bad faith
with intention to defraud or mislead someone. Opposite

of bona fide.
Motto of the inactive 495th Fighter Squadron, US Air
Mala Ipsa Nova
Bad News Itself
mala tempora
bad times are
currunt
upon us
male captus
wrongly captured, An illegal arrest will not prejudice the subsequent
bene detentus
properly detained
Force
Also used ironically, e.g.: New teachers know all tricks

used by pupils to copy from classmates? Oh, mala
tempora currunt!.
detention/trial.
malo
periculosam
I prefer liberty with attributed to the Count Palatine of Posen before the Diet
libertatem quam
danger to peace
of Poland, cited in "The Social Contract or Principles of
quietum
with slavery
Political Right" by Jean Jacques Rousseau
servitium
Alludes to the apple of Eris in the Judgement of Paris,

the mythological cause of the Trojan War. It is also
malum
discordiae
apple of discord
a pun based on the nearhomonymous word malum (evil). The word for "apple"
has a long vowel in Latin and the word for "evil" a
short a vowel, but they are normally written the same.
malum in se
wrong in itself
A legal term meaning that something is inherently wrong

(cf. malum prohibitum).
malum
wrong due to
A legal term meaning that something is only wrong
prohibitum
being prohibited
because it is against the law.
malum quo
the more common
communius eo
an evil is, the
peius
worse it is
literally translated
means 'with a
manu forte
strong hand', often Motto of the Clan McKay

quoted as 'by
strength of hand'
A phrase from Virgil's Aeneid, VI.883, mourning the

manibus date
give lilies with full
death of Marcellus, Augustus' nephew. Quoted
lilia plenis
hands
by Dante as he leaves Virgil inPurgatory, XXX.21,

echoed by Walt Whitman in Leaves of Grass III, 6.
manu militari
with a military
hand
Using armed forces in order to achieve a goal
With the implication of "signed by one's hand". Its

abbreviated form is sometimes used at the end of
manu
with one's own
typewritten or printed documents or official notices,
propria(m.p.)
hand
directly following the name of the person(s) who

"signed" the document exactly in those cases where
there isn't an actual handwritten signature.
manus celer Dei
the swift hand of
Originally used as the name of a ship in
God
the Marathon game series, its usage has spread. In

the PlayStation game, Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, the
phrase was written in blood on the walls of a vampire's
feeding room. It is assumed that one of the dying
victims wrote it with his fingers. After the game's main
character surveys the bloody room, associative logic
dictates that the phrase was to deify both the vampire's

wrath on shackled, powerless humans and the
boundless slaughter of his victims.
manus manum
one hand washes
lavat
the other
manus multae
many hands, one
cor unum
heart
mare clausum
closed sea
Mare Ditat, Rosa The sea enriches,

Decorat
the rose adorns
mare liberum
free sea
famous quote from The Pumpkinification of Claudius,

ascribed to Seneca the Younger.[41] It implies that one
situation helps the other.
Motto of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity.
In law, a sea under the jurisdiction of one nation and

closed to all others.
Motto of Montrose, Angus and HMS Montrose
In law, a sea open to international shipping navigation.
A nickname given to the Mediterranean Sea during the

mare nostrum
our sea
height of the Roman Empire, as it encompassed the

entire coastal basin.
Mater Dei
mater familias
Mother of God
the mother of the

family
A name given to describe Mary, who gave birth

to Jesus, who is also called the Son of God.
The female head of a family. See pater familias.
Mater semper
The mother is
a Roman-law principle which has the power of
certa est
always certain
praesumptio iuris et de iure, meaning that no counterevidence can be made against this principle (literally:
Presumed there is no counter evidence and by the law).
Its meaning is that the mother of the child is always

known.
The branch of medical science concerned with the study

materia medica
medical matter
of drugs used in the treatment of disease. Also, the

drugs themselves.
Less literally, "my foot itches". Refers to a trivial situation

me vexat pede
it annoys me at
the foot
or person that is being a bother, possibly in the sense of

wishing to kick that thing away or, such as the
commonly used expressions, a "pebble in one's shoe"
or "nipping at one's heels".
Used in Christian prayers and confession to denote the

mea culpa
through my fault
inherently flawed nature of mankind; can also be

extended to mea maxima culpa(through my greatest
fault).
mea navis
aricumbens
anguillis abundat
My hovercraft is
full of eels
A relatively common recent Latinization inspired by

the Dirty Hungarian Phrasebook sketch by Monty
Python.
A well-known sequence, falsely attributed

media vita in
In the midst of our
morte sumus
lives we die
to Notker during the Middle Ages. It was translated

by Cranmer and became a part of the burial service in
the funeral rites of the Anglican Book of Common
Prayer.
Used erroneously as Mediolanum Capta Est by the

Mediolanum
Milan has been
black metal band Mayhem as an album
captum est
captured
title. Mediolanum was an ancient city in presentday Milan, Italy.
meliora
better things
Carrying the connotation of "always better". The motto
of the University of Rochester.
A relatively common recent Latinization from the joke

Melita, domi
adsum
Honey, I'm home!
phrasebook Latin for All Occasions. Grammatically

correct, but the phrase would beanachronistic in ancient
Rome.
memento mori
remember that
[you will] die
memento vivere
remember to live
meminerunt
lovers remember
omnia amantes
all
mindful of what
memores acti
has been done,
prudentes futuri
aware of what will

be
mens agitat
the mind moves
molem
the mass
remember your mortality
Thus, both remembering the past and foreseeing the

future. From the North Hertfordshire District Council
coat of arms.
From Virgil. Motto of Rossall School, the University of

Oregon, the University of Warwick and the Eindhoven
University of Technology.
Motto of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and

mens et manus
mind and hand
also of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic

Medicine.
mens rea
guilty mind
Also "culprit mind". A term used in discussing the

mindset of an accused criminal.
mens sana in
a sound mind in a
corpore sano
sound body
metri causa
for the sake of

themetre
Or "a sensible mind in a healthy body".
Excusing flaws in poetry "for the sake of the metre"
Or "Boastful Soldier". Miles Gloriosus is the title of a

play of Plautus. A stock character in comedy, the
Miles Gloriosus
Glorious Soldier
braggart soldier. (It is said that atSalamanca, there is a

wall, on which graduates inscribe their names,
where Francisco Franco had a plaque installed reading
"Franciscus Francus Miles Gloriosus".)
minatur
innocentibus qui
parcit
nocentibus
he threatens the
innocent who
spares the guilty
mirabile dictu
wonderful to tell
mirabile visu
wonderful to see
miscerique
probat populos
et foedera jungi
He approves of
the mingling of the
peoples and their
bonds of union
misera est
miserable is that
servitus ubi jus
state of slavery in
est aut
which the law is
incognitum aut
unknown or
vagum
uncertain
Virgil
A Roman phrase used to describe a wonderful

event/happening.
Latin Aeneid of Virgil, Book IV, line 112, "he" referring to

the great Roman god, who approved of the settlement
of Romans in Africa. Old Motto of Trinidad and Tobago,
and used in the novel A Bend in the River by V. S.
Naipaul.
Quoted by Samuel Johnson in his paper for James

Boswell on Vicious intromission.
miserabile visu
miserere nobis
terrible to see
have mercy upon

us
A terrible happening or event.
A phrase within the Gloria in Excelsis Deo and

the Agnus Dei, to be used at certain points in Christian
religious ceremonies.
Missio Dei
the Mission of God A theological phrase in the Christian religion.
missit me
the Lord has sent
Dominus
me
mittimus
we send
A phrase used by Jesus.
A warrant of commitment to prison, or an instruction for

a jailer to hold someone in prison.
"moving in a
moving thing" or,
mobilis in mobili
poetically,
The motto of the Nautilus from the Jules Verne
"changing through novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.

the changing
medium"
Dog Latin based on wordplay with modus

modus morons
ponens and modus tollens, referring to the
(Dog Latin)
common logical fallacy that if P then Q and not P, then

one can conclude not Q (cf. denying the
antecedent and contraposition).
modus
method of
operandi (M.O.)
operating
Usually used to describe a criminal's methods.
Loosely "method of affirming", a logical rule of

modus ponens
method of placing inference stating that from propositions if P then

Q and P, then one can conclude Q.
modus tollens
modus vivendi
method of
removing
method of living
Loosely "method of denying", a logical rule of

inference stating that from propositions if P then
Q and not Q, then one can conclude not P.
An accommodation between disagreeing parties to

allow life to go on. A practical compromise.
Used in the Umberto Eco novel The Name of the Rose.

Part of a much larger phrase: Monasterium sine libris,
Monasterium
A monastery
sine libris est
without books is
sicut civitas sine like a city without

opibus
wealth
est sicut civitas sine opibus, castrum sine numeris,

coquina sine suppellectili, mensa sine cibis, hortus sine
herbis, pratum sine floribus, arbor sine foliis.
Translation: A monastery without books is like a city
without wealth, a fortress without soldiers, a kitchen
without utensils, a table without food, a garden without
plants, a meadow without flowers, a tree without leaves.
montani semper
mountaineers [are]
liberi
always free
Montis Insignia
Badge of the Rock
Calpe
ofGibraltar
more ferarum
like beasts
morior invictus
State motto of West Virginia, adopted in 1872.
used to describe any sexual act in the manner of beasts
death before
defeat
morituri nolumus we who are about
From Terry Pratchett's The Last Hero
mori
to die don't want to
morituri te
those who are
salutant
about to die salute (Divus Claudius), chapter 21,[42] by the condemned

you
Used once in Suetonius' De Vita Caesarum 5,

prisoners manning galleys about to take part in a mock
naval battle on Lake Fucinus in AD 52. Popular

misconception ascribes it as a gladiator's salute. See
also: Ave Imperator, morituri te
salutant and Naumachia.
mors certa, hora death is certain, its

incerta
hour is uncertain
mors omnibus
death to all
mors tua, vita

mea
mors vincit
omnia
your death, my life
Signifies anger and depression.
From medieval Latin, it indicates that battle for survival,

where your defeat is necessary for my victory, survival.
"death conquers
all" or "death
An axiom often found on headstones.
always wins"
morte magis
old age should
metuenda
rather be feared
senectus
than death
mortui vivos
The dead teach
Used to justify dissections of human cadavers in order
docent
the living
to understand the cause of death.
from Juvenal in his Satires
From Gerhard Gerhards' (14661536) [better known as

mortuum
you are flogging a Erasmus] collection of annotated Adagia (1508).
flagellas
dead
Criticising one who will not be affected in any way by the

criticism.
mos maiorum
the custom of our

ancestors
an unwritten code of laws and conduct, of the Romans.

It institutionalized cultural traditions, societal mores, and
general policies, as distinct from specific laws.
motu proprio
mulgere hircum
on his own
Or "by his own accord." Identifies a class of papal
initiative
documents, administrative papal bulls.
to milk a male
goat

Erasmus] collection of annotated Adagia (1508).
Attempting the impossible.
"Part of a comic definition of woman" from the Altercatio

mulier est
woman is man's
hominis confusio ruin
Hadriani Augusti et Secundi.[43] Famously quoted

by Chauntecleer in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury
Tales.
multa paucis
Say much in few

words
multis e gentibus from many

vires
peoples, strength
multitudo
a multitude of the
sapientium
wise is the health
sanitas orbis
of the world
Motto of Saskatchewan
From the Vulgate, Wisdom of Solomon 6:24. Motto of

the University of Victoria.
Conciseness. The term "mipmap" is formed using the

multum in parvo much in little
phrase's abbreviation "MIP"; motto of Rutland, a county

in central England.
Latin phrases are often multum in parvo, conveying much in few words.
mundus senescit
the world grows

old
mundus vult
the world wants to From James Branch Cabell's 1921 novel Figures of
decipi
be deceived
Earth
mundus vult
the world wants to
decipi, ergo
be deceived, so let
decipiatur
it be deceived
munit haec et
altera vincit
this one defends

and the other one
Motto of Nova Scotia.
conquers
after changing
mutatis mutandis what needed to be "with the appropriate changes"
changed
Latin
Translation
Notes
First recorded by John of Salisbury in the twelfth

nanos gigantum
humeris insidentes
Dwarfs standing
century and attributed to Bernard of Chartres. Also
on the shoulders
commonly known by the letters of Isaac Newton: "If I
of giants
have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders

of giants".
nasciturus pro iam

nato habetur,
quotiens de
commodis eius
agitur
The unborn is
deemed to have
been born to the
Refers to a situation where an unborn child is
extent that his
deemed to be entitled to certain inheritance rights.
own inheritance is
concerned
natura abhorret a
nature abhors
vacuo
vacuum
Pseudo-explanation for why a liquid will climb up a

tube to fill a vacuum, often given before the
discovery of atmospheric pressure.
natura artis
Nature is the
The name of the zoo in the centre of Amsterdam;
magistra
teacher of art
short: "Artis".
natura nihil frustra
nature does
Cf. Leucippus: "Everything that happens does so for
facit
nothing in vain
a reason and of necessity."
natura non
nature is not
That is, the natural world is not sentimental or
contristatur
saddened
compassionate.
nature does not
Shortened form of "sicut natura nil facit per saltum
natura non facit
make a leap, thus ita nec lex" (just as nature does nothing by a leap, so
saltum ita nec lex
neither does the
neither does the law), referring to both nature and
law
the legal system moving gradually.
A famous aphorism of Carl Linnaeus stating that all

natura non facit
nature makes no
organisms bear relationships on all sides, their forms
saltus
leaps
changing gradually from one species to the next.

From Philosophia Botanica (1751).
Nature is
Sir Isaac Newton's famous quote, defining
natura valde
exceedingly
foundation of all modern sciences. Can be found in
simplex est et sibi
simple and
his Unpublished Scientific Papers of Isaac Newton: A
consona
harmonious with
selection from the Portsmouth Collection in the
itself
University Library, Cambridge, 1978 edition.
naturalia non sunt
What is natural is
turpia
not dirty
naturam expellas
furca, tamen usque
recurret.
You may drive out

Nature with a
pitchfork, yet she
still will hurry back
Based on Servius' commentary

on Virgil's Georgics (3:96): "turpis non est quia per
naturam venit."
You must take the basic nature of something into

account.
- Horace, Epistles, Book I, epistle iv, line 24.
navigare necesse
to sail is
Attributed by Plutarch to Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus,
est vivere non est
necessary; to live
who, during a severe storm, commanded sailors to
necesse
is not necessary
bring food from Africa to Rome.
Also nec plus ultra or non plus ultra. A descriptive

phrase meaning the best or most extreme example
of something. The Pillars of Hercules, for example,
were literally the nec plus ultra of the ancient
ne plus ultra
nothing more
beyond
Mediterranean world. Holy Roman Emperor Charles

V's heraldic emblem reversed this idea, using a
depiction of this phrase inscribed on the Pillars
as plus ultra, without the negation. The Boston
Musical Instrument Company engraved ne plus
ultra on its instruments from 1869 to 1928 to signify
that none were better.
They are not afraid of difficulties. Less literally

They are not
Nec aspera terrent
terrified of the
rough things
"Difficulties be damned." Motto for 27th Infantry

Regiment (United States) and theDuke of
Lancaster's Regiment. Nec = not; aspera = rough
ones/things; terrent = they terrify / do terrify / are
terrifying.
nec dextrorsum, nec Neither to the right

sinistrorsum
nec spe, nec metu
nor to the left
Do not get distracted. Motto for Bishop Cotton Boys'

School and the Bishop Cotton Girls' School, both
located in Bangalore, India.
without hope,
without fear
nec tamen
and yet it was not Refers to the Burning Bush of Exodus 3:2. Motto of
consumebatur
consumed
many Presbyterian churches throughout the world.
nec temere nec
neither reckless
Motto of the Dutch 11th Air Manoeuvre Brigade and
timide
nor timid
the city of Gdask, Poland.
Without
nec vi, nec clam,
nec precario
permission,
without secrecy,
The law of adverse possession.
without
interruption
neca eos omnes,
kill them all, God
alternate rendition of Caedite eos. Novit enim
deus suos agnoscet will know his own
Dominus qui sunt eius by Arnaud Amalric.
nemine
Less literally, "without dissent". Used especially in
contradicente (nem.
with no one
speaking against
con., N.C.D.)
nemo dat quod non no one gives what

habet
he does not have
nemo est supra
nobody is above
legis
the law
Nemo igitur vir

magnus sine aliquo
adflatu divino
umquam fuit
nemo iudex in
causa sua
nemo malus felix
nemo me impune
committees, where a matter may be passed nem.

con., or unanimously, or withunanimous consent.
Thus, "none can pass better title than they have".
No great man ever

existed who did
not enjoy some
portion of divine
From Cicero's De Natura Deorum, Book 2, chapter

LXVI, 167[44]
inspiration
no man shall be a
judge in his own
cause
peace visits not

the guilty mind
No man may
Legal principle that no individual can preside over a

hearing in which he holds a specific interest or bias.
Also translated to "no rest for the wicked." Refers to

the inherent psychological issues that plague
bad/guilty people.
"No one attacks me with impunity". Motto of
the Order of the Thistle, and consequently

of Scotland, found stamped on the milled edge of
lacessit
"touch" me with
certain British pound sterling coins. It is the motto of
impunity
the Montressors in the Edgar Allan Poe short story

"The Cask of Amontillado". Motto of the San Beda
College Beta Sigma Fraternity.
nemo mortalium
No mortal is wise
omnibus horis sapit at all times
nemo nisi per
No one learns
amicitiam
except by
cognoscitur
friendship
nemo saltat sobrius
Nobody dances
sober
The wisest may make mistakes.
Used to imply that one must like a subject in order to

study it.
The short and more common form of "Nemo enim

fere saltat sobrius, nisi forte insanit", "Nobody
dances sober, unless he is completely insane."
A maxim banning mandatory self-incrimination. Nearsynonymous with accusare nemo se debet nisi
coram Deo. Similar phrases include: nemo tenetur
armare adversarium contra se (no one is bound to
arm an opponent against himself), meaning that a
defendant is not obligated to in any way assist the
no one is bound to prosecutor to his own detriment; nemo tenetur edere
nemo tenetur se
accuse himself
instrumenta contra se(no one is bound to produce
ipsum accusare
(theright to
documents against himself, meaning that a
silence)
defendant is not obligated to provide materials to be

used against himself (this is true in Roman law and
has survived in modern criminal law, but no longer
applies in modern civil law); and nemo tenere
prodere se ipsum (no one is bound to betray
himself), meaning that a defendant is not obligated
to testify against himself.
nervos belli,
Endless money
In war, it is essential to be able to purchase supplies
pecuniam infinitam
nihil ad rem
forms the sinews
and to pay troops (as Napoleon put it, "An army
of war
marches on its stomach").
nothing to do with
the point
nihil boni sine
nothing achieved
labore
without hard work
nihil dicit
he says nothing
nihil in intellectu
nisi prius in sensu
nothing in the
intellect unless
first in sense
That is, in law, irrelevant and/or inconsequential.
Motto of Palmerston North Boys' High School
In law, a declination by a defendant to answer

charges or put in a plea.
The guiding principle of empiricism, and accepted in

some form by Aristotle, Aquinas, Locke, Berkeley,
and Hume. Leibniz, however, added nisi intellectus
ipse (except the intellect itself).
Or just "nothing new". The phrase exists in two

versions: as nihil novi sub sole (nothing new under
the sun), from the Vulgate, and as nihil novi nisi
nihil novi
nothing of the new commune consensu (nothing new unless by the

common consensus), a 1505 law of the Polish
Lithuanian Commonwealth and one of the
cornerstones of its Golden Liberty.
A notation, usually on a title page, indicating that

nihil obstat
nothing prevents
a Roman Catholic censor has reviewed the book and

found nothing objectionable to faith or morals in its
content. See also imprimatur.
nihil sine Deo
nihil ultra
nothing without
Motto of the Kingdom of Romania, while ruled by
God
the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty (18781947).
nothing beyond
Motto of St. Xavier's College, Calcutta
nil admirari
nil desperandum
be surprised at
Motto of the Fitzgibbon family. See John FitzGibbon,
nothing
1st Earl of Clare
nothing must be
despaired at
That is, "never despair".
Nil igitur mors est
Death, therefore,
From Lucretius' De rerum natura (On the Nature of
ad nos
is nothing to us
Things), III.831
nil mortalibus ardui

est
nothing is
impossible for
humankind
From Horace's Odes. Motto of Rathkeale College,

New Zealand and Brunts School, England.
Short for nil nisi bonum de mortuis dicere. That is,

(about the dead
nil nisi bonum
say) nothing
unless (it is) good
"Don't speak ill of anyone who has died". Also "Nil

magnum nisi bonum" (nothing is great unless good),
motto of St Catherine's School, Toorak, Pennant Hills
High School and Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary
School.
nil nisi malis terrori
no terror, except
to the bad
Motto of The King's School, Macclesfield
nil per os, rarely non nothing through
Medical shorthand indicating that oral foods and
per os (n.p.o.)
fluids should be withheld from the patient.
nil satis nisi

optimum
nil sine labore
the mouth
nothing [is]
enough unless [it
is] the best
nothing without
Motto of Everton F.C., residents of Goodison

Park, Liverpool.
Motto of Brisbane Grammar School, Brisbane Girls
Grammar School, Greenwich Public School, Victoria

labour
School, Victoria Junior College, Baines High

School, St Mungo's Academy and Heckmondwike
Grammar School
Or "nothing without providence". State

motto of Colorado, adopted in 1861. Probably
nil sine numine
nothing without
derived from Virgil's Aeneid Book II, line 777, "non
the divine will
haec sine numine divum eveniunt" (these things do

not come to pass without the will of Heaven). See
also numen.
nil volentibus
arduum
Nothing [is]
arduous for the
Nothing is impossible for the willing
willing
That is, "everything is in vain without God".

Summarized from Psalm 127 (126 Vulgate), "nisi
Dominus aedificaverit domum in vanum laboraverunt
qui aedificant eam nisi Dominus custodierit civitatem
nisi Dominus frustra
if not the Lord, [it
frustra vigilavit qui custodit" (unless the Lord builds
is] in vain
the house, they work on a useless thing who build it;

unless the Lord guards the community, he keeps
watch in vain who guards it). Motto of Edinburgh, St
Thomas School, Kolkata and St. Stephen's
Episcopal School.
In England, a direction that a case be brought up

to Westminster for trial before a single judge and
nisi prius
unless previously
jury. In the United States, a court where civil actions

are tried by a single judge sitting with a jury, as
distinguished from an appellate court.
nitimur in vetitum
We strive for the
From Ovid's Amores, III.4:17. It means that when we
forbidden
are denied of something, we will eagerly pursue the

denied thing. Used byFriedrich Nietzsche in his Ecce
Homo to indicate that his philosophy pursues what is

forbidden to other philosophers.
That is, "whether unwillingly or willingly". Sometimes

rendered volens nolens, aut nolens aut
nolens volens
unwilling, willing
volens or nolentis volentis. Similar towilly-nilly,

though that word is derived from Old English will-he
nil-he ([whether] he will or [whether] he will not).
Commonly translated "touch me not". According to

noli me tangere
do not touch me
the Gospel of John, this was said by Jesus to Mary

Magdalene after hisresurrection.
That is, "Don't upset my calculations!" Said

noli turbare circulos Do not disturb my
meos
circles!
by Archimedes to a Roman soldier who, despite

having been given orders not to, killed Archimedes at
the conquest of Syracuse, Sicily. The soldier was
executed for his act.
"nolite te bastardes
"Don't let the
carborundorum"
bastards grind you
(Dog Latin)
down
nolle prosequi
to be unwilling to
prosecute
From The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

the protagonist (Offred) finds the phrase inscribed on
the inside of her wardrobe. One of many variants
of Illegitimi non carborundum.
A legal motion by a prosecutor or other plaintiff to

drop legal charges, usually in exchange for
a diversion program or out-of-court settlement.
That is, "no contest". A plea that can be entered on

nolo contendere
I do not wish to
contend
behalf of a defendant in a court that states that the

accused doesn't admit guilt, but will accept
punishment for a crime. Nolo contendere pleas
cannot be used as evidence in another trial.
nomen dubium
doubtful name
A scientific name of unknown or doubtful application.
nomen est omen
nomen nescio (N.N.)
the name is a sign Thus, "true to its name".
I do not know the

name
Thus, the name or person in question is unknown.
A purported scientific name that does not fulfill the

nomen nudum
naked name
proper formal criteria and therefore cannot be used

unless it is subsequently proposed correctly.
non auro, sed ferro, Not gold, but iron

recuperanda est
redeems the
patria
native land
non bene pro toto
liberty is not well
libertas venditur
sold for all the
auro
gold
non bis in idem
not twice in the

same thing
non causa pro
not the cause for
causa
the cause
According to some roman this sentence was said

by Marcus Furius Camillus to Brennus, the chief of
the Gauls, after he demanded more gold from the
citizens of the recently sacked Rome in 390 BC.
Motto of Republic of Ragusa, inscribed over the

gates of St. Lawrence Fortress. From Gualterus
Anglicus's version of Aesop's fable "The Dog and the
Wolf".
A legal principle forbidding double jeopardy.
Also known as the "questionable cause" or "false

cause". Refers to any logical fallacy where a cause
is incorrectly identified.
See compos mentis. Also rendered non compos

non compos mentis
not in control of
sui (not in control of himself). Samuel Johnson,
the mind
author of the first English dictionary, theorized that

the word nincompoop may derive from this phrase.
Used to explain scientific phenomena and religious

advocations, for example in medieval history, for
rulers to issue a 'Non Constat' decree, banning the
non constat
it is not certain
worship of a holy figure. In legal context,

occasionally a backing for nulling information that
was presented by an attorney. Without any tangible
proof, Non constat information is difficult to argue for.
non ducor, duco
non extinguetur
I am not led; I lead
shall not be
extinguished
Motto of So Paulo city, Brazil. See also pro Brasilia

fiant eximia.
Motto of the Society of Antiquaries of

London accompanying their Lamp of knowledge
emblem
you should not

non facias malum ut make evil in order More simply, "don't do wrong to do right". The direct
inde fiat bonum
that good may be
opposite of the phrase "the ends justify the means".
made from it
non impediti ratione

cogitationis
non in legendo sed

in intelligendo legis
consistunt
unencumbered by
the thought
motto of radio show Car Talk
process
the laws depend

not on being read,
but on being
understood
Also "it is not clear" or "it is not evident". A

non liquet
it is not proven
sometimes controversial decision handed down by a

judge when they feel that the law is not complete.
non loqui sed facere not talk but action Motto of the University of Western Australia's
Engineering faculty student society.
non mihi solum
not for myself

alone
non multa sed
not quantity but
multum
quality
Non nobis Domine
non nobis nati
Not to us (oh)
Lord
'Born not for

ourselves'
Motto of Anderson Junior College, Singapore.
Motto of the Daniel Pearl Magnet High School
Christian hymn based on psalm 115.
Motto of St Albans School (Hertfordshire)
Appears in Cicero's De Officiis Book 1:22 in the

non nobis solum
not for ourselves

alone
form non nobis solum nati sumus (we are not born
for ourselves alone). Motto ofLower Canada College,
Montreal and University College, Durham University,
and Willamette University.
A judgment notwithstanding verdict, a legal motion

non obstante
not standing in the asking the court to reverse the jury's verdict on the
veredicto
way of a verdict
grounds that the jury could not have reached such a

verdict reasonably.
non olet
it doesn't smell
non omnis moriar
I shall not all die
non plus ultra
nothing further
beyond
See pecunia non olet.
"Not all of me will die", a phrase expressing the belief

that a part of the speaker will survive beyond death.
the ultimate
non possumus
not possible
non progredi est
to not go forward
regredi
is to go backward
non prosequitur
he does not
proceed
A judgment in favor of a defendant when the plaintiff

failed to take the necessary steps in an action within
the time allowed.
non scholae, sed
We learn not for
from Seneca; sometimes abbreviated "non scholae,
vitae discimus
school, but for life sed vitae"; motto of many schools.
Used in the sense "what matters is not who says it

non quis sed quid
not who but what
but what he says" a warning against ad

hominem arguments; frequently used as motto,
including that of Southwestern University.
In general, a comment which is absurd due to not

making sense in its context (rather than due to being
non sequitur
it does not follow
inherently nonsensical or internally inconsistent),

often used in humor. As a logical fallacy, a
conclusion that does not follow from a premise.
Possibly derived from a Vulgate mistranslation of

the Book of Jeremiah. Commonly used in literature
non serviam
I will not serve
as Satan's statement of disobedience to God, though

in the original context the quote is attributed to Israel,
not Satan.
non sibi
Not for self
A slogan used by many schools and universities.
non sibi, sed patriae Not for self, but for Engraved on the doors of the United States Naval
country
Academy chapel; motto of
the USS Halyburton (FFG-40).
non sibi, sed suis
Not for one's self

but for one's own
non sibi, sed
Not for one's self
omnibus
but for all
non sic dormit, sed
Sleeps not but is
vigilat
awake
non silba, sed

anthar; Deo vindice
Martin Luther on mortality of the soul.
Not for self, but for

others; God will
A slogan used by the Ku Klux Klan
vindicate
non sum qualis
I am not such as I Or "I am not the kind of person I once was".
eram
was
non teneas aurum
Do not hold as
totum quod
gold all that shines
splendet ut aurum
as gold
non timebo mala
I will fear no evil
non vestra sed vos
Not yours but you Motto of St Chad's College, Durham.
Expresses a change in the speaker.
Also, "All that glitters is not

gold." Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice.
Printed on the colt in Supernatural.
Not through
non vi, sed verbo
violence, but
Martin Luther on Catholic church reform.
through the word
(see Protestant Reformation)
alone
nosce te ipsum
know thyself
From Cicero, based on the Greek
(gnothi seauton), inscribed on the pronaos of

the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, according to the
Greek periegetic writer Pausanias (10.24.1). A nontraditional Latin rendering, temet nosce (thine own
self know), is translated in The Matrix as "know
thyself".
noster nostri
Literally "Our
ours"
nota bene (n.b.)
mark well
novus ordo
new order of the
seclorum
ages
nulla dies sine linea
Approximately "Our hearts beat as one."
That is, "please note" or "note it well".
From Virgil. Motto on the Great Seal of the United

States. Similar to Novus Ordo Mundi (New World
Order).
Not a day without
Pliny the Elder attributes this maxim to Apelles, an
a line drawn
ancient Greek artist.
Refers to the legal principle that one cannot be

nulla poena sine
no penalty without punished for doing something that is not prohibited
lege
a law
by law, and is related toNullum crimen, nulla poena

sine praevia lege poenali.
nulla tenaci invia est

via
For the tenacious,

no road is
Motto of the Dutch car builder Spyker.
impassable
That is, "nothing". It has been theorized that this

nullam rem natam
no thing born
expression is the origin of Italian nulla, French rien,

and Spanish andPortuguese nada, all with the same
meaning.
nulli secundus
second to none
Motto of the Coldstream Guards and Nine Squadron
Royal Australian Corps of Transport and the Pretoria

Regiment.
nullius in verba
nullum crimen, nulla

poena sine praevia
lege poenali
nullum magnum
ingenium sine
mixtura dementiae
fuit
On the word of no
man
no crime, no
punishment
without a previous
penal law
Motto of the Royal Society.
Legal principle meaning that one cannot be

penalised for doing something that is not prohibited
by law; penal law cannot be enacted retroactively.
There has been

no great wisdom
without an
element of
madness
nullus funus sine
No Funeral
fidula
Without a Fiddle
numen lumen
God our light
numerus clausus
closed number
nunc aut nunquam
now or never
nunc dimittis
now you send
nunc est bibendum
now is the time to Carpe-Diem-type phrase from the Odes of
Motto of the Guild of Funerary Violinists.
The motto of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The motto of Elon University.
A method to limit the number of students who may

study at a university.
Motto of the Korps Commandotroepen, Dutch elite

special forces.
beginning of the Song of Simeon, from the Gospel of

Luke.
Horace, Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede libero

drink
pulsanda tellus (Now is the time to drink, now the

time to dance footloose upon the earth).
nunc pro tunc
now for then
nunc scio quid sit
now I know what
amor
love is
nunquam minus
solus quam cum
solus
nunquam non
paratus
Latin
O Deus Ego Amo

Te
Something that has retroactive effect, is effective

from an earlier date.
From Virgil, Eclogues VIII.
never less alone

than when alone
never unprepared,
ever ready, always frequently used as motto
ready
Translation
O God I Love You
Notes
attributed to Saint Francis Xavier
attributed (in Tacitus, Annales, III, 65) to the Roman

o homines ad
Men ready to be
servitutem paratos slaves!
Emperor Tiberius, in disgust at the servile attitude

of Roman senators; said of those who should be
leaders but instead slavishly follow the lead of others
O tempora, o
Oh, the times! Oh,
also translated "What times! What customs!";
mores!
the morals!
from Cicero, Catilina I, 2
obiit (ob.)
one died
"He/she died", inscription on gravestones; ob. also
sometimes stands for obiter (in passing or

incidentally)
obit anus, abit

onus
The old woman

dies, the burden is
Arthur Schopenhauer
lifted
in law, an observation by a judge on some point of

law not directly relevant to the case before him, and
obiter dictum
a thing said in
thus neither requiring his decision nor serving as a
passing
precedent, but nevertheless of persuasive authority.

In general, any comment, remark or observation
made in passing
obliti privatorum,
publica curate
obscuris vera
involvens
obscurum per
obscurius
obtorto collo
Forget private
affairs, take care of good should be given priority over private matters for
public ones
sinister (O.S.)
any person having a responsibility in the State
the truth being

enveloped by
from Virgil
obscure things
the obscure by
means of the more
obscure
An explanation that is less clear than what it tries to

explain; synonymous with ignotum per ignotius
with a twisted neck unwillingly
oculus dexter (O.D.) right eye
oculus
Roman political saying which reminds that common
left eye
Ophthalmologist shorthand
oderint dum
let them hate, so
metuant
long as they fear
favorite saying of Caligula, attributed originally

to Lucius Accius, Roman tragic poet (170 BC); Motto
of the Russian noble family Krasnitsky
opening of Catullus 85; the entire poem reads, "odi

et amo quare id faciam fortasse requiris / nescio sed
odi et amo
I hate and I love
fieri sentio et excrucior" (I hate and I love. Why do I

do this, you perhaps ask. / I do not know, but I feel it
happening and am tormented)
odi profanum
vulgus et arceo
odium
theologicum
oleum camino
I hate the unholy

rabble and keep
from Horace
them away
theological hatred
(pour) oil on the fire
name for the special hatred generated

in theological disputes
from Erasmus' (14661536) collection of

annotated Adagia
or "everything unknown appears magnificent" The

omne ignotum pro
magnifico
every unknown
source is Tacitus: Agricola, Book 1, 30 where the
thing [is taken] for
sentence ends with 'est'. The quotation is
great
from Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes story 'The

Red-Headed League' where the 'est' is missing.
omne initium
every beginning is
difficile est
difficult
omne vivum ex
every living thing is foundational concept of modern biology, opposing
ovo
from an egg
the theory of spontaneous generation
Omnes homines
All men are
a sophismata proposed and solved by Albert of
sunt asini vel
donkeys or men
homines et asini
and donkeys are
sunt asini
donkeys
Saxony (philosopher)
omnes vulnerant,
postuma
all [the hours]
necat oromnes
wound, last one
feriunt, ultima
kills
usual in clocks, reminding the reader of death
necat
omnia cum deo
all with God
omnia dicta
everything said [is]
fortiora si dicta
stronger if said in
Latina
Latin
motto for Mount Lilydale Mercy College, Lilydale,

Victoria, Australia
or "everything sounds more impressive when said in

Latin"; a more common phrase with the same
meaning isquidquid Latine dictum sit altum
videtur (whatever said in Latin, seems profound)
Interpreted as "Let
it all hang out!", but
omnia extares!
in fact incorrect
motto for The Evergreen State College, Olympia,
Latin construction
Washington, USA[46]
with no real
meaning[45]
omnia in mensura
et numero et
pondere
disposuisti
omnia mutantur,
nihil interit
omnia omnibus
Thou hast ordered

all things in
measure, and
Book of Wisdom, 11:21
number, and
weight.
everything
changes, nothing
perishes
Ovid (43 BC 17 AD), Metamorphoses, book XV,

line 165
all things to all men 1 Corinthians 9:22
si omnia ficta
if all (the words of

poets) is fiction
omnia vincit amor
love conquers all
omnia munda
everything [is] pure
mundis
to the pure [men]
omnia
all things are
praesumuntur
presumed to be
legitime facta
lawfully done, until
donec probetur in
it is shown [to be] in
contrarium
the reverse
omnis vir enim sui
Ovid
Virgil (70 BC 19 BC), Eclogue X, line 69
from The New Testament
in other words, "innocent until proven guilty"
Every man for

himself!
motto of Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft, usually

omnibus idem
the same to all
accompanied by a sun, which shines for (almost)

everyone
omnibus locis fit

caedes
There is slaughter
everywhere (in
Julius Caesar's The Gallic War, 7.67
every place)
omnis traductor
every translator is a
traditor
traitor
omnis vir tigris
everyone a tiger
every translation is a corruption of the original; the

reader should take heed of unavoidable
imperfections
motto of the 102d Intelligence Wing
miscellaneous collection or assortment; "gatherum"

omnium gatherum gathering of all
is English, and the term is used often used

facetiously
onus probandi
burden of proof
burden of
burden of a party to adduce evidence that a case is
procedure
an exception to the rule
opera omnia
all works
collected works of an author
opera posthuma
posthumous works works published after the author's death
onus procedendi
operari sequitur
esse
opere citato (op. cit.)
opere et viritate
act of doing
scholastic phrase, used to explain that there is no
something follows
possible act if there is not being: being is absolutely
the act of being
necessary for any other act
in the work that was used in academic works when referring again to the
cited
in action and truth
opere laudato (op.
last source mentioned or used
doing what you believe is morally right through

everyday actions
See opere citato
laud.)
operibus anteire
ophidia in herba
leading the way

with deeds
a snake in the
grass
to speak with actions instead of words
any hidden danger or unknown risk
opinio juris sive
an opinion of law or a belief that an action was undertaken because it
necessitatis
necessity
opus anglicanum
English work
Opus Dei
The Work of God
was a legal necessity; source of customary law
fine embroidery, especially used to describe church

vestments
Catholic organisation
This principle of the Benedictine monasteries reads

in full: "Ora et labora (et lege), Deus adest sine
ora et labora
pray and work
mora." "Pray and work (and read), God is there

without delay" (or to keep the rhyme: "Work and pray,
and God is there without delay")
ora pro nobis
orando laborando
oratio directa
pray for us
by praying, by
working
"Sancta Maria, mater Dei, ora pro nobis pecatoribus"
motto of the Rugby School
direct speech
expressions from Latin grammar
oratio obliqua
indirect speech
from Satires of Juvenal (Book IV/10), referring

to Alexander the Great; James Bond's adopted
orbis non sufficit
the world does not
family motto in the novel On Her Majesty's Secret
suffice or the world
Service; it made a brief appearance in the film
is not enough
adaptation of the same name and was later used as

the title of the nineteenth James Bond film, The
World Is Not Enough.
orbis unum
one world
seen in The Legend of Zorro
ordo ab chao
oremus pro
invicem
out of chaos,
comes order
one of the oldest mottos of Craft Freemasonry.[47]
Let us pray, one for Popular salutation for Roman Catholic clergy at the
the other; let us
beginning or ending of a letter or note. Usually
pray for each other abbreviated OPI.
orta recens quam
newly risen, how
pura nites
brightly you shine
Latin
Motto of New South Wales
Translation
Notes
"With all due respect to", "with due deference to",

pace
peace
"by leave of", or "no offense to". Used to politely

acknowledge someone with whom the speaker or
writer disagrees.
pace tua
with your peace
Pacem in terris
Peace on Earth
pacta sunt servanda
palma non sine pulvere
Thus, "with your permission".
agreements must
Also "contracts must be honoured". Indicates the
be kept
binding power of treaties.
no reward without
effort
Also "dare to try"; motto of numerous schools.
palmam qui meruit
let he who merited also "achievement should be rewarded". Attached
ferat
the palm bear it
to the arms of Lord Nelson in 1797. Later

attached to the arms of Upper Canada College
and its motto. Also motto of the University of
Southern California, Nelson, NZ, the Lincoln
Academy of Illinois & Bay View High School,

Milwaukee, WI.
From Juvenal, Satire X, line 81. Originally

panem et circenses
bread and
circuses
described all that was needed for emperors to

placate the Roman mob. Today used to describe
any entertainment used to distract public
attention from more important matters.
From "Si vis pacem para bellum": if you want

peace, prepare for warif a country is ready for
para bellum
prepare for war
war, its enemies are less likely to attack. Usually

used to support a policy of peace through
strength (deterrence).
Parare Domino plebem

perfectam
parens patriae
pari passu
parva sub ingenti
To prepare for
God a perfect
The motto of the St. Jean Baptiste High School
people
parent of the
nation
with equal step
the small under

the huge
A public policy requiring courts to protect the best

interests of any child involved in a lawsuit. See
also Pater Patriae.
Thus, "moving together", "simultaneously", etc.
Implies that the weak are under the protection of

the strong, rather than that they are
inferior. Motto of Prince Edward Island.
When you are

parvis imbutus tentabis
grandia tutus
steeped in little
Motto of Barnard Castle School, sometimes
things, you shall
translated as "Once you have accomplished
safely attempt
small things, you may attempt great ones safely".
great things.
Less literally, "throughout" or "frequently". Said of

passim
here and there,

everywhere
a word, fact or notion that occurs several times in

a cited text. Also used inproofreading, where it
refers to a change that is to be repeated
everywhere needed.
Or "master of the house". The eldest male in a

family, who held patria potestas ("paternal
power"). In Roman law, a father had enormous
pater familias
father of the family
power over his children, wife, and slaves, though

these rights dwindled over time. Derived from the
phrase pater familias, an Old Latin expression
preserving the archaic -as ending for the genitive
case.
Pater Omnipotens
Pater Patriae
pater peccavi
Father Almighty
A more direct translation would be

"omnipotent father".
father of the
Also rendered with the gender-neutral parens
nation
patriae ("parent of the nation").
father, I have
The traditional beginning of a Roman
sinned
Catholic confession.
Similar to "quality over quantity"; though there

pauca sed bona
few, but good
may be few of something, at least they are of

good quality.
Said to be one of Carl Gauss's favorite

pauca sed matura
few, but ripe
quotations. Used in The King and I by Rodgers

and Hammerstein.
paulatim ergo certe
slowly therefore
Former motto of Latymer Upper School in
surely
London. The text latim er is concealed in the
words.
pax aeterna
eternal peace
A common epitaph.
A euphemism for the United States of America

Pax Americana
American Peace
and its sphere of influence. Adapted from Pax

Romana.
Pax Britannica
British Peace
A euphemism for the British Empire. Adapted

from Pax Romana.
Used as a wish before the Holy Communion in

Pax Christi
Peace of Christ
the Catholic Mass, also the name of the peace

movement Pax Christi.
pax Dei
peace of God
Used in the Peace and Truce of God movement

in 10th-century France.
Like the vast majority of inhabitants of the ancient

world, the Romans practiced pagan rituals,
Pax Deorum
Peace of the gods believing it important to achieve a state of Pax

Deorum (The Peace of the gods) instead of Ira
Deorum (The Wrath of the gods).
Pax Domine
peace, lord
lord or master; used as a form of address when

speaking to clergy or educated professionals.
Motto of St. Francis of Assisi and, consequently,

pax et bonum
peace and the

good
of his monastery in Assisi; understood by

Catholics to mean 'Peace and Goodness be with
you,' as is similar in the Mass; translated
in Italian as pace e bene.
pax et justitia
peace and justice Motto of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
pax et lux
peace and light
Pax Europaea
European peace
Motto of Tufts University and various schools.

Also written as "Pax et Lvx".
A euphemism for Europe after World War II.
A euphemism for the Spanish Empire.

Specifically can mean the twenty-three years of
Pax Hispanica
Spanish Peace
supreme Spanish dominance in Europe

(approximately 15981621). Adapted from Pax
Romana.
pax in terra
peace on earth
Used to exemplify the desired state of peace on

earth.
"Peace to those
Used as an inscription over the entrance of
Pax intrantibus, salus
who enter, health
buildings (especially homes, monasteries, inns).
exeuntibus
to those who
Often benedicto habitantibus(Blessings on those
depart."
who abide here) is added.
pax maternum, ergo

pax familiarum
Pax Mongolica
pax optima rerum
Pax Romana
peace of mothers,
therefore peace of
families
Mongolian Peace
If the mother is peaceful, then the family is

peaceful. The inverse of the Southern United
States saying, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody
happy."
A period of peace and prosperity in Asia during

the Mongol Empire.
peace is the
Silius Italicus, Punica (11,595); motto of
greatest good
the university of Kiel
Roman Peace
A period of relative prosperity and lack of conflict
in the early Roman Empire.
A period of peace in East Asia during times of
Pax Sinica
Chinese Peace
pax tecum
peace be with you (singular).
Pax tibi, Marce,

evangelista meus. Hic
requiescet corpus
tuum.
strong Chinese hegemony.
Legend states that when the

evangelist went to the lagoon
where Venice would later be
founded, an angel came and
Peace to you,
said so.[48] The first part is
Mark, my
depicted as the note in the book
Evangelist. Here shown opened by the lion of St
will rest your body. Mark's Basilica, Venice;
registered trademark of
the Assicurazioni Generali,
Trieste.[49]
A common farewell. The "you" is plural ("you all"),
pax vobiscum
peace [be] with
so the phrase must be used when speaking to
you
more than one person; pax tecum is the form

used when speaking to only one person.
Telegraph message and pun from Charles

Napier, British general, upon completely
peccavi
I have sinned
subjugating the Indian province of Sindh in 1842.

This is, arguably, the most terse military despatch
ever sent. The story is apocryphal.
According to Suetonius' De vita Caesarum, when

Emperor Vespasian was challenged by his
son Titus for taxing the public lavatories, the
pecunia non olet
money doesn't
emperor held up a coin before his son and asked
smell
whether it smelled or simply said non olet ("it

doesn't smell"). From this, the phrase was
expanded to pecunia non olet, or rarely aes non
olet ("copper doesn't smell").
if you know how to

pecunia, si uti scis,
ancilla est; si nescis,
domina
use money,
money is your
Written on an old Latin tablet in downtown Verona
slave; if you don't, (Italy).

money is your
master
pede poena claudo
punishment
That is, retribution comes slowly but surely.
comes limping
From Horace, Odes, 3, 2, 32.
pendent opera
the work hangs
interrupta
interrupted
per
per angusta ad augusta
By, through, by
means of
through difficulties
to greatness
From the Aeneid of Virgil, Book IV.
See specific phrases below.
Joining sentence of the conspirators in the

drama Hernani by Victor Hugo (1830). The motto
of numerous educational establishments.
per annum (pa.)
per year
Thus, "yearly"occurring every year.
per ardua
through adversity
Motto of the British RAF Regiment.
Through hardship, great heights are reached.

per ardua ad alta
through difficulty
Motto of University of Birmingham, Methodist
to heights
Ladies' College, Perth. Also the motto of Clan

Hannay.
per ardua ad astra
through adversity
Motto of the air force of several nations (including
to the stars
the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom) and

of several schools. The phrase is used by Latin
Poet Virgil in the Aeneid; also used in H. Rider
Haggard's novel The People of the Mist.
From Seneca the Younger. Motto of NASA and

the South African Air Force. A common
variant, ad astra per aspera ("to the stars through
per aspera ad astra
through hardships
to the stars
hardships"), is the state motto of Kansas. Ad

Astra ("To the Stars") is the title of a magazine
published by the National Space Society. De
Profundis Ad Astra ("From the depths to the
stars.") is the motto of the Los Angeles Science
Fantasy Society.
per capita
per capsulam
per contra
per crucem vincemus
Per Crucem Crescens
per curiam
per definitionem
by heads
through the small

box
through the
contrary
"Per head", i.e., "per person", a ratio by the

number of persons. The singular is per caput.
That is, "by letter"
Or "on the contrary" (cf. a contrario)
through the cross
Motto of St John Fisher Catholic High School,
we shall conquer
Dewsbury
through the cross,

growth
Motto of Lambda Chi Alpha
through the
Legal term meaning "by the court", as in a per
senate
curiam decision
through the
definition
Thus, "by definition"
Thus, "per day". A specific amount of money an

per diem (pd.)
by day
organization allows an individual to spend per

day, typically for travel expenses.
per fas et nefas
per fidem intrepidus
per mare per terram
through right or
wrong
By fair means or foul
fearless through
faith
by sea and by
land
Motto of the Royal Marines and (with small

difference) of Clan Donald and the Compagnies
Franches de la Marine.
per mensem (pm.)
by month
Thus, "per month", or "monthly".
per os (p.o.)
through the mouth Medical shorthand for "by mouth".
Used of a certain place can be traversed or

per pedes
by feet
reached by foot, or to indicate that one is

travelling by foot as opposed to by a vehicle.
Also rendered per procurationem. Used to

indicate that a person is signing a document on
behalf of another person. Correctly placed before
per procura (p.p.)or (per
through the
the name of the person signing, but often placed
pro)
agency
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 quod
by reason of
In a UK legal context: "by reason of which" (as
which
opposed to per se which requires no reasoning).

In American jurisprudence often refers to a
spouse's claim for loss of consortium.
per rectum (pr)
through the
rectum
Medical shorthand. See also per os.
a modern parody of per aspera ad astra,

originating and most commonly used in Russia,
per rectum ad astra
via rectum to the
meaning that the path to success took you
stars
through most undesirable and objectionable

places or environments; or that a found solution
to a complex problem is extremely convoluted.
per risum multum
by excessive
poteris cognoscire
laughter one can
stultum
recognise the fool
Also "by itself" or "in itself". Without referring to

per se
through itself
anything else, intrinsically, taken without

qualifications etc. A common example
isnegligence per se. See also malum in se.
Used in wills to indicate that each "branch" of

per stirpes
through the roots
the testator's family should inherit equally.

Contrasted with per capita.
per unitatem vis
per veritatem vis
per volar sunata[sic]
through unity,
strength
through truth,
strength
born to soar
Motto of Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets.
Motto of Washington University in St. Louis.
Motto of St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School and St

Margaret's Anglican Girls' School The phrase is
not from Latin but from Dante'sPurgatorio, Canto
XII, 95, the Italian phrase "per volar s nata".
periculum in mora
danger in delay
perinde
[well-disciplined]
Phrase written by St. Ignatius of Loyola in
ac [si]cadaver [essent]
like a corpse
his Constitutiones Societatis Iesu (1954)
perita manus mens
skilled hand,
exculta
cultivated mind
perge sequar
advance, I follow
perpetuum mobile
from Virgil's Aeneid IV 114; in Vergil's context:

"proceed with your plan, I will do my part."
thing in perpetual
A musical term. Also used to refer to hypothetical
motion
perpetual motion machines.
Perseverantia et Fide in Perseverance and

Deo
Motto of RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.
Faith in God
Motto of Bombay Scottish School, Mahim, India
An unwelcome, unwanted or undesirable person.

In diplomatic contexts, a person rejected by the
persona non grata
person not
host government. The reverse,persona
pleasing
grata ("pleasing person"), is less common, and

refers to a diplomat acceptable to the government
of the country to which he is sent.
petitio principii
placet
request of the
beginning
it pleases
Begging the question, a logical fallacy in which a

proposition to be proved is implicitly or explicitly
assumed in one of the premises.
expression of assent.
The first-person plural pronoun when used by an

pluralis majestatis
plural of majesty
important personage to refer to himself or herself;

also known as the "royal we".
Frequently found on Roman funerary inscriptions

plus minusve(p.m.v.)
more or less
to denote that the age of a decedent is

approximate.
The national motto of Spain and a number of

plus ultra
further beyond
other institutions. Motto of the Colombian

National Armada.
pia desideria
pious longings
Or "dutiful desires".
Or "dutiful deceit". Expression from Ovid. Used to

pia fraus
pious fraud
describe deception which serves Church

purposes.
Or "tender mother". Translated into Latin

pia mater
pious mother
from Arabic. The delicate innermost of the three

membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
Thus, "he painted this" or "she painted this".

pinxit
one painted
Formerly used on works of art, next to the artist's

name.
Latin proverb, attributed by Erasmus to Greek

piscem natare docem
teach fish to swim origin ( ); corollary

Chinese idiom ()
pollice compresso
goodwill decided
Life was spared with a thumb tucked inside a
favor iudicabatur
by compressed
closed fist, simulating a sheathed weapon.
thumb
Conversely, a thumb up meant to unsheath your
sword.
Used by Roman crowds to pass judgment on a

pollice verso
with a turned
defeated gladiator. The type of gesture used is
thumb
uncertain. Also the name of a famous painting

depicting gladiators by Jean-Lon Grme.
Polonia Restituta
Rebirth of Poland
Any obstacle that stupid people find hard to

pons asinorum
bridge of asses
cross. Originally used of Euclid's Fifth Proposition

in geometry.
Or "Supreme Pontiff". Originally an office in

the Roman Republic, later a title held by Roman
Emperors, and later a traditional epithet of
Pontifex Maximus
Greatest High
Priest
the pope. The pontifices were the most important

priestly college of the religion in ancient Rome;
their name is usually thought to derive from pons
facere ("to make a bridge"), which in turn is
usually linked to their religious authority over the
bridges of Rome, especially the Pons Sublicius.
[50]
posse comitatus
force of the county
Thus, to be able to be made into part of a
retinue or force. In common law, a sheriff's right

to compel people to assist law enforcement in
unusual situations.
post aut propter
post cibum (p.c.)
after it or by
Causality between two phenomena is not
means of it
established (cf. post hoc, ergo propter hoc).
after food
Medical shorthand for "after meals" (cf. ante

cibum).
post coitum
After sex
After sexual intercourse.
After sexual
post coitum omne
animal triste est sive
gallus et mulier
intercourse every
animal is sad,
except the cock
(rooster) and the
Or: triste est omne animal post coitum, praeter

mulierem gallumque. Attributed to Galen of
Pergamum.[51]
woman
post hoc ergo propter

hoc
after this,
A logical fallacy where one assumes that one
therefore because thing happening after another thing means that

of this
the first thing caused the second.
post festum
after the feast
Too late, or after the fact.
post meridiem(p.m.)
after midday
post mortem (pm)
after death
The period from noon to midnight (cf. ante

meridiem).
Usually rendered postmortem. Not to be

confused with post meridiem.
The phrase is used in legal terminology in the

Post mortem
after the author's
context of intellectual property rights, especially
auctoris (p.m.a.)
death
copyright, which commonly lasts until a certain

number of years after the author's death.
post nubila phoebus
post prandial
post scriptum (p.s.)
after the clouds,

the sun
Motto of the University of Zulia, Venezuela.
after late
Refers to the time after any meal. Usually
breakfast
rendered postprandial.
after what has
A postscript. Used to mark additions to a letter,
been written
after the signature. Can be extended to post post

scriptum (p.p.s.), etc.
Motto of the Protestant Reformation inscribed on

post tenebras lux,
or post tenebras spero
lucem
after darkness, [I
hope for] light
the Reformation
Wall in Geneva from Vulgata, Job 17:12. Former
motto of Chile; motto of Robert
College of Istanbul.
we grow in the
postera crescam laude esteem of future
Motto of the University of Melbourne.
generations
potest solum unum
There can be only

one
praemia virtutis
honours are the
honores
rewards of virtue
praemonitus
forewarned is
praemunitus
forearmed
praesis ut prosis ne ut
imperes
praeter legem
Praga Caput Regni
Highlander.
Lead in order to
serve, not in order Motto of Lancaster Royal Grammar School.
to rule.
after the law
Prague, Head of
the Kingdom
Legal terminology, international law
Motto of Prague from Middle Ages
Praga Caput Rei
Prague, Head of
publicae
the Republic
Praga mater urbium
Praga totius Bohemiae

domina
Prague, Mother of
Cities
Motto of Prague from 1991
Motto of Prague from 1927
Prague, the
mistress of the
Former motto of Prague
whole of Bohemia
Motto of Burnley Football Club;

from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 4.739
pretiumque et causa
laboris
The prize and the (Latin)/English): "The Tale

cause of our
of Perseus and Andromeda":resoluta catenis
labour
incedit virgo, pretiumque et causa laboris. ("freed

of her chains the virgin approaches, cause and
reward of the enterprise.")
Used to designate evidence in a trial which is

prima facie
at first sight
suggestive, but not conclusive, of something

(e.g., a person's guilt).
prima luce
at dawn
Literally "at first light".
I am a primate;
primas sum: primatum
nil a me alienum puto
nothing about
A sentence by the American
primates is
anthropologist Earnest Hooton and the slogan of
outside of my
primatologists and lovers of the primates.
bailiwick
primum mobile
first moving thing
primum movens
prime mover
Or "first thing able to be moved". See primum

movens.
Or "first moving one". A common theological term,
such as in the cosmological argument, based on

the assumption that God was the first entity to
"move" or "cause" anything. Aristotle was one of
the first philosophers to discuss the "uncaused
cause", a hypothetical originatorand violator
of causality.
A medical precept. Often falsely attributed to

the Hippocratic Oath, though its true source is
probably a paraphrase
primum non nocere
first, to not harm
fromHippocrates' Epidemics, where he wrote,

"Declare the past, diagnose the present, foretell
the future; practice these acts. As to diseases,
make a habit of two things: to help, or at least to
do no harm."
primus inter pares
principia probant non

probantur
principiis obsta (et

respice finem)
principium
individuationis
first among equals A title of the Roman Emperors (cf. princeps).
principles prove;
they are not
proved
Fundamental principles require no proof; they are

assumed a priori.
resist the
beginnings (and
Ovid, Remedia Amoris, 91
consider the end)
Individuation
prior tempore potior
earlier in time,
iure
stronger in law
pro aris et focis
For God and
psychological term: the self-formation of the

personality into a coherent whole
A legal principle that older laws take precedent

over newer ones. Another name for this principle
is lex posterior.
The motto of the Royal Queensland Regiment,
country
and many other regiments.
Often abbreviated pro bono. Work undertaken

pro bono publico
for the public good
voluntarily at no expense, such as public

services. Often used of a lawyer's work that is not
charged for.
let exceptional
pro Brasilia fiant eximia things be made
Motto of So Paulo state, Brazil.
for Brazil
For God and
One of the mottos of Lyceum of the Philippines
Country
University and many other institutions.
for (ones own)
serving the interests of a given perspective or for
home or house
the benefit of a given group.
pro Ecclesia, pro
For Church, For
Motto of Baylor University, a private Christian
Texana
Texas
Baptist university in Waco, Texas.
pro Deo et Patria
pro domo (sua)
Motto of the originally Irish Muldoon family and of

pro fide et patria
for faith and

fatherland
several schools, such as the Diocesan

College (Bishops) in Cape Town, South Africa,
and All Hallows High School in the Bronx, New
York.
pro forma
pro gloria et patria
pro hac vice
for form
for glory and

fatherland
for this occasion
Or "as a matter of form". Prescribing a set form or

procedure, or performed in a set manner.
Motto of Prussia
Request of a state court to allow an out-of-state
lawyer to represent a client.
It is part of the Rite of Consecration of

pro multis
for many
the wine in Western Christianity tradition, as part

of the Mass.
pro parte
in part
Frequently used in taxonomy to refer to part of

a group.
Pro Patria Medal: for operational service

(minimum 55 days) in defence of the Republic
South Africa or in the prevention or suppression
of terrorism; issued for the Border War (counterpro patria
for country
insurgency operations in South West Africa

196689) and for campaigns in Angola (197576
and 198788). Motto of The Royal Canadian
Regiment, Royal South Australia
Regiment,Humpybong State
School and Hurlstone Agricultural High School.
pro patria vigilans
watchful for the

country
Motto of the United States Army Signal Corps.
to defend oneself in court without counsel;
pro per
for self
pro rata
for the rate
i.e., proportionately.
pro re nata (PRN, prn)
for a thing that
Medical shorthand for "as the occasion arises" or
has been born
"as needed". Also "concerning a matter having
abbreviation of propria persona. See also: pro se.
come into being". Used to describe a meeting of

a special Presbytery or Assembly called to
discuss something new, and which was
previously unforeseen (literally: "concerning a
matter having been born").
pro rege et lege
pro se
pro scientia et patria
pro studio et labore
for king and the

law
for oneself
for science and

nation
Found on the Leeds coat of arms.
to defend oneself in court without counsel. Some

jurisdictions prefer, "pro per".
Motto of the National University of La Plata.
for study and work
Denotes something that has only been partially

pro tanto
for so much
fulfilled. A philosophical term indicating the

acceptance of a theory or idea without fully
accepting the explanation.
pro tempore
for the time
probatio pennae
testing of the pen
probis pateo
prodesse quam
conspici
propria manu (p.m.)
I am open for
honest people
Equivalent to English phrase "for the time being".

Denotes a temporary current situation.
A Medieval Latin term for breaking in a new pen.
Traditionally inscribed above a city gate or above

the front entrance of a dwelling or place of
learning.
To Accomplish
Rather Than To
Be Conspicuous
"by one's own
Motto of Miami University.
hand".
propter vitam vivendi

perdere causas
provehito in altum
proxime accessit
proximo mense(prox.)
to destroy the
That is, to squander life's purpose just in order to
reasons for living
stay alive, and live a meaningless life.
for the sake of life From Juvenal, Satyricon VIII, verses 8384.
launch forward
into the deep
he came next
in the following
month
pulchrum est
Beauty is for the
paucorum hominum
few
pulvis et umbra sumus
The runner-up.
Formerly used in formal correspondence to refer

to the next month. Used with ult. ("last month")
and inst. ("this month").
From Friedrich Nietzsche's 1895 book The

Antichrist, translated by H. L. Mencken as "Few
men are noble".
we are dust and

shadow
punctum saliens
leaping point
purificatus non
purified, not
consumptus
consumed
Latin
Motto of Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Translation
From Horace, Carmina book IV, 7, 16.
Thus, the essential or most notable point. The

salient point.
Motto of Washburn University, last charter school

in the United States of America, located in
Topeka, Kansas.
Notes
Thus: "by definition"; variant of per

qua definitione
by virtue of definition
definitionem; sometimes used in Germanspeaking countries. Occasionally misrendered

as "qua definitionem".
qua patet orbis
quae non prosunt

singula multa iuvant
as far as the world

extends
Motto of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps
what alone is not

useful helps when
Ovid, Remedia amoris
accumulated
Mottos of Northwestern University and St.

quaecumque sunt vera whatsoever is true
Francis Xavier University. Also motto of

the University of Alberta as "quaecumque
vera". Taken fromPhilippians 4:8 of the Bible
quaecumque vera
teach me whatsoever Motto of St. Joseph's College, Edmonton at
doce me
is true
the University of Alberta.
Or "you might ask..." Used to suggest doubt or

quaere
to seek
to ask one to consider whether something is

correct. Often introduces rhetorical or
tangential questions.
Also quaerite primo regnum

quaerite primum
seek ye first the
regnum Dei
kingdom of God
dei. Motto of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Motto of Shelford Girls' Grammar, St Columb's
College, andPhilharmonic Academy of
Bologna.
qualis artifex pereo
As what kind of artist
Or "What a craftsman dies in me!" Attributed
do I perish?
to Nero in Suetonius' De vita Caesarum.
Qualitas potentia
Quality is our might
The motto of Finnish Air Force.
quam bene non
how well, not how
Motto of Mount Royal University, Calgary,
quantum
much
Canada
quam bene vivas
it is how well you live
referre (orrefert), non
that matters, not how
quam diu
long
nostra
Seneca, Epistulae morales ad Lucilium CI

(101)
I.e., "[while on] good behavior." So for example

the Act of Settlement 1701 stipulated that
judges' commissions are valid quamdiu se
quamdiu (se) bene
gesserit
as long as he shall
bene gesserint (during good behaviour).
have behaved
(Notice the different singular, "gesserit", and
well(legal Latin)
plural, "gesserint", forms.) It was from this

phrase that Frank Herbert extracted the name
for the Bene Gesserit sisterhood in
the Dune novels.
quantociusquantotius the sooner, the better or, as quickly as possible
quantum libet(q.l.)
as much as pleases
quantum sufficit(qs)
as much as is enough
Medical shorthand for "as much as you wish".
Medical shorthand for "as much as needed" or

"as much as will suffice".
Medical shorthand. Also quaque die (qd), "every

quaque hora (qh)
every hour
day", quaque mane (qm), "every morning",

and quaque nocte (qn), "every night".
quare clausum fregit
wherefore he broke
An action of trespass; thus called, by reason
the close
the writ demands the person summoned to

answer to wherefore he broke the close (quare
clausum fregit), i.e. why he committed such a

trespass.
quater in die(qid)
four times a day
quem deus vult
Whom the gods
perdere, dementat
would destroy, they
prius
first make insane
medical shorthand
Other translations of diligunt include "prize

especially" or "esteem".
quem di diligunt
he whom the gods
adulescens moritur
love dies young
From Plautus, Bacchides, IV, 7, 18. In this

comic play, a sarcastic servant says this to his
aging master. The rest of the sentence
reads: dum valet sentit sapit ("while he is
healthy, perceptive and wise").
From the Summoner's section of Chaucer's

questio quid iuris
I ask what law?
General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales,

line 648.
From St. Augustine of Hippo's commentary on

qui bene cantat bis
he who sings well
orat
praises twice
Psalm 74, 1: Qui enim cantat laudem, non

solum laudat, sed etiam hilariter laudat ("He
who sings praises, not only praises, but
praises joyfully").
qui bono
qui docet in doctrina
who with good
he that teacheth, on
teaching
Common nonsensical Dog Latin misrendering

of the Latin phrase cui bono ("who benefits?").
Motto of the University of Chester. The more

literal translation is "Let those who teach,
teach" or "Let the teacher teach".
qui habet aures
he who has ears to
"He that hath ears to hear, let him
audiendi audiat
hear shall hear
hear"; Mark Mark 4:9
qui me tangit, vocem
who touches me,
meam audit
hears my voice
common inscription on bells
Thus, silence gives consent. Sometimes

qui tacet consentire
he who is silent is
accompanied by the proviso "ubi loqui debuit
videtur
taken to agree
ac potuit", that is, "when he ought to have

spoken and was able to".
Generally known as 'qui tam,' it is the technical

qui tam pro domino
he who brings an
rege quam pro se ipso action for the king as

in hac parte sequitur
well as for himself
legal term for the unique mechanism in the

federal False Claims Act that allows persons
and entities with evidence of fraud against
federal programs or contracts to sue the
wrongdoer on behalf of the Government.
qui totum vult totum

perdit
he who wants
everything loses
Attributed to Seneca
everything
Or "he who brought us across still supports

qui transtulit sustinet
he who transplanted
us", meaning God. State motto of Connecticut.
still sustains
Originally written as sustinet qui transtulit in

1639.
quia suam uxorem
because he should
Attributed to Julius
etiam suspiciore
wish even his wife to
Caesar by Plutarch, Caesar 10. Translated
vacare vellet
be free from
loosely as "because even the wife of Caesar
suspicion
may not be suspected". At the feast of Bona

Dea, a sacred festival for females only, which
was being held at the Domus Publica, the
home of the Pontifex Maximus, Caesar, and
hosted by his second wife, Pompeia, the
notorious politician Clodius arrived in disguise.

Caught by the outraged noblewomen, Clodius
fled before they could kill him on the spot for
sacrilege. In the ensuing trial, allegations arose
that Pompeia and Clodius were having an
affair, and while Caesar asserted that this was
not the case and no substantial evidence
arose suggesting otherwise, he nevertheless
divorced, with this quotation as explanation.
quid agis
What is going on?
What's happening? What's going on? What's

the news? What's up?
In the Vulgate translation

of John 18:38, Pilate's question
quid est veritas
What is truth?
to Jesus (Greek: ;). A possible

answer is an anagram of the phrase:est vir qui
adest, "it is the man who is here."
quid infantes sumus
quid novi ex Africa
What are we, a bunch Commonly used by Nocera Clan. synonym of babies?
"to throw down ones gauntlet."
What of the new out
Less literally, "What's new from Africa?"
of Africa?
Derived from an Aristotle quotation.
Commonly shortened to quidnunc. As a noun,

quid nunc
What now?
a quidnunc is a busybody or a gossip. Patrick

Campbell worked for The Irish Times under
thepseudonym "Quidnunc".
Commonly used in English, it is also translated

as "this for that" or "a thing for a thing".
quid pro quo
what for what
Signifies a favor exchanged for a favor. The

traditional Latin expression for this meaning
was do ut des ("I give, so that you may give").
Or "anything said in Latin sounds profound". A

quidquid Latine
whatever has been
dictum sit altum
said in Latin seems
videtur
deep
recent ironic Latin phrase to poke fun at people

who seem to use Latin phrases and quotations
only to make themselves sound more
important or "educated". Similar to the less
common omnia dicta fortiora si dicta Latina.
quieta non movere
don't move settled

things
Commonly associated with Plato who in

the Republic poses this question; and
from Juvenal's On Women, referring to the
practice of havingeunuchs guard women and
Quis custodiet ipsos
Who will guard the
beginning with the word sed ("but"). Usually
custodes?
guards themselves?
translated less literally, as "Who watches the

watchmen?" This translation is a
common epigraph, such as of the Tower
Commission and Alan
Moore's Watchmen comic book series.
quis leget haec?
Who will read this?
quis separabit?
who will separate us?
Motto of the Order of St. Patrick. Motto

of Northern Ireland.
Usually translated "Who is like unto God?"

quis ut Deus
Who [is] as God?
Questions who would have the audacity to

compare himself to a Supreme Being.
quo errat
demonstrator
quo fata ferunt
where the prover errs A pun on ''quod erat demonstrandum''.
where the fates bear
Motto of Bermuda.
us to
From Cicero's first speech In Catilinam to

quousque tandem?
For how much

longer?
the Roman Senate regarding the conspiracy

of Catiline: Quo usque tandem abutere,
Catilina, patientia nostra? ("For how much
longer, Catiline, will you abuse our patience?").
Quo Vadimus?
Where are we going?
Title of the series finale of Aaron Sorkin's

TV dramedy Sports Night.
According to Vulgate translation

of John 13:36, Saint
quo vadis?
Where are you
Peter asked Jesus Domine, quo vadis ("Lord,
going?
where are you going?"). The King James

Version has the translation "Lord, whither
goest thou?"
quod abundat non
what is abundant
It is no problem to have too much of
obstat
doesn't hinder
something.
The abbreviation is often written at the bottom

quod erat
what was to be
demonstrandum(Q.E.D.) demonstrated
of a mathematical proof. Sometimes translated

loosely into English as "The Five
Ws", W.W.W.W.W., which stands for "Which Was
What We Wanted".
Or "which was to be constructed". Used in

quod erat
faciendum (Q.E.F)
translations of Euclid's Elements when there

which was to be done was nothing to prove, but there was something
being constructed, for example a triangle with
the same size as a given line.
quod est (q.e.)
which is
quod est necessarium what is necessary is

est licitum
lawful
what is asserted
quod gratis asseritur,
without reason may
gratis negatur
be denied without
reason
If no grounds have been given for an

assertion, then there are no grounds needed to
reject it.
If an important person does something, it does

quod licet Iovi, non
licet bovi
what is permitted
toJupiter is not
permitted to an ox
not necessarily mean that everyone can do it

(cf. double standard). Iovi (also commonly
rendered Jovi) is the dative form
of Iuppiter ("Jupiter" or "Jove"), the chief god of
the Romans.
Thought to have originated with Elizabethan

playwright Christopher Marlowe. Generally
quod me nutrit me
what nourishes me
destruit
destroys me
interpreted to mean that that which motivates

or drives a person can consume him or her
from within. This phrase has become a popular
slogan or motto for proana websites, anorexics and bulimics.
quod natura non dat
what nature does not Refers to the Spanish University of
Salmantica non
give,Salamancadoes Salamanca, meaning that education cannot
praestat
not provide
substitute the lack of brains.
quod non fecerunt
What the barbarians
A well-known satirical lampoon left attached to
barbari, fecerunt
did not do, the
the ancient "speaking" statue of Pasquino on a
Barberini
Barberini did
corner of the Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy.[52]
quod scripsi, scripsi
What I have written I

have written.
quod supplantandum, Whatever you hope
Pilate to the chief priests (John 19:22).
i.e. "You must thoroughly understand that
prius bene sciendum
to supplant, you will

first know thoroughly
which you hope to supplant". A caution against

following a doctrine of Naive Analogy when
attempting to formulate a scientific hypothesis.
Used after a term or phrase that should be

quod vide (q.v.)
which see
looked up elsewhere in the current document

or book. For more than one term or phrase, the
plural is quae vide (qq.v.).
Quodcumque dixerit
Whatever He tells
vobis, facite.
you, that you shall do.
quomodo vales
How are you?
More colloquially: "Do whatever He [Jesus]

tells you to do." Instructions of Mary to the
servants at the Wedding at Cana. (John 2:5).
The number of members whose presence is

quorum
of whom
required under the rules to make any given

meeting constitutional.
quos amor verus

tenuit tenebit
Those whom true

love has held, it will
Seneca.
go on holding
as many heads, so
"There are as many opinions as there are
many opinions
heads." Terence
quot homines tot
every man had his
Or "there are as many opinions as there are
sententiae
sentence
people".how many people, so many opinions
quot capita tot sensus
Latin
radix malorum est
Translation
Notes
the root of evils is Or "greed is the root of all evil". Theme of the
cupiditas
desire
"The Pardoner's Tale" from The Canterbury

Tales.
An extraordinary or unusual thing.

rara avis(Rarissima avis)
rare bird (very
From Juvenal's Satires: rara avis in terris
rare bird)
nigroque simillima cygno ("a rare bird in the

lands, and very like a black swan").
rari nantes in gurgite
Rare survivors in
vasto
the immense sea
ratio decidendi
ratio legis
ratione personae
ratione soli
ratum etconsummatum
reasoning for the

decision
Virgil, Aeneid, I, 118
The legal, moral, political, and social principles

used by a court to compose a judgment's
rationale.
reasoning of law
A law's foundation or basis.
because of the
Also "Jurisdiction Ratione Personae" the
person involved
personal reach of the courts jurisdiction.[53]
by account of the
ground
confirmed and
completed
ratum tantum
confirmed only
re
[in] the matter of
Or "according to the soil". Assigning property

rights to a thing based on its presence on a
landowner's property.
in Canon law, a consummated marriage
in Canon law, a confirmed but unconsummated

marriage (which can be dissolved super rato)
More literally, "by the thing". From

the ablative of res ("thing" or "circumstance"). It
is a common misconception that the "Re:" in
correspondence is an abbreviation
for regarding or reply; this is not the case for
traditional letters. However, when used in an email subject, there is evidence that it functions
as an abbreviation of regarding rather than the
Latin word for thing. The use of Latin re, in the
sense of "about, concerning", is English usage.
The doctrine that treaty obligations hold only as

rebus sic stantibus
with matters
long as the fundamental conditions and
standing thus
expectations that existed at the time of their

creation hold.
recte et fideliter
Upright and
Also "just and faithful" and "accurately and
Faithful
faithfully". Motto of Ruyton Girls' School
A common debate technique, and a method of

proof in mathematics and philosophy, that
proves the thesis by showing that its opposite is
absurd or logically untenable. In general usage
reductio ad absurdum
leading back to
outside mathematics and philosophy, a reductio
the absurd
ad absurdum is a tactic in which the logic of an

argument is challenged by reducing the concept
to its most absurd extreme. Translated
from Aristotle's " " (hi eis
atopon apagogi, "reduction to the impossible").
An argument that creates an infinite series of

causes that does not seem to have a beginning.
As a fallacy, it rests upon Aristotle's notion that
reductio ad infinitum
leading back to
all things must have a cause, but that all series
the infinite
of causes must have a sufficient cause, that is,

an unmoved mover. An argument which does
not seem to have such a beginning becomes
difficult to imagine.
State motto of Arkansas, adopted in 1907.

regnat populus
the people rule
Originally rendered in 1864 in the plural, regnant

populi ("the peoples rule"), but subsequently
changed to the singular.
Regnum Mariae Patrona

Hungariae
regressus ad uterum
Kingdom of Mary,
the Patron of
Former motto of Hungary.
Hungary
return to the
Concept used in psychoanalysis by Sndor
womb
Ferenczi and the Budapest School.
You have touched

rem acu tetigisti
the point with a
i.e., "You have hit the nail on the head"
needle
Usually said as a jocular remark to defend the

repetita juvant
repeating does
speaker's (or writer's) choice to repeat some
good
important piece of information to ensure

reception by the audience.
repetitio est mater
repetition is the
studiorum
mother of study
requiem aeternam
eternal rest
Or "may he rest in peace". A benediction for the

requiescat in pace (R.I.P.)
let him rest in

peace
dead. Often inscribed on tombstones or other

grave markers. "RIP" is commonly mistranslated
as "Rest In Peace", though the two mean
essentially the same thing.
rerum cognoscere
to learn the
Motto of the University of Sheffield,
causas
causes of things
the University of Guelph, and London School of
Economics.
res firma mitescere

nescit
a firm resolve
Used in the 1985 film American Flyers where it
does not know
is colloquially translated as "once you got it up,
how to weaken
keep it up".
A phrase used in law representing the belief that

certain statements are made naturally,
spontaneously and without deliberation during
the course of an event, they leave little room for
res gestae
things done
misunderstanding/misinterpretation upon
hearing by someone else ( i.e. by the witness
who will later repeat the statement to the court)
and thus the courts believe that such statements
carry a high degree of credibility.
A phrase from the common law of torts meaning

that negligence can be inferred from the fact
that such an accident happened, without proof
res ipsa loquitur
the thing speaks

for itself
of exactly how. A clause sometimes (informally)

added on to the end of this phrase is sed quid in
infernos dicit ("but what the hell does it say?"),
which serves as a reminder that one must still
interpret the significance of events that "speak
for themselves".
A matter which has been decided by a court.

Often refers to the legal concept that once a
res judicata
judged thing
matter has been finally decided by the courts, it

cannot be litigated again (cf. non bis in
idem and double jeopardy).
res, non verba
"actions speak
From rs ("things, facts") the plural of rs ("a
louder than
thing, a fact") + nn ("not") + verba ("words") the
words", or "deeds, plural of verbum ("a word"). Literally meaning

not words"
"things, not words" or "facts instead of words"
but referring to that "actions be used instead of

words".
Goods without an owner. Used for things or

beings which belong to nobody and are up for
res nullius
nobody's property grabs, e.g., uninhabited and uncolonized lands,

wandering wild animals, etc. (cf. terra nullius,
"no man's land").
res publica
respice adspice prospice
Pertaining to the
state or public
source of the word republic
look behind, look
i.e., "examine the past, the present and future".
here, look ahead
Motto of CCNY.
i.e., "have regard for the end" or "consider the

respice finem
look back at the

end
end". Generally a memento mori, a warning to

remember one's death. Motto of Homerton
College, Cambridge, Trinity College,
Kandy and Turnbull High School, Glasgow
Regarded as a legal maxim in agency law,

referring to the legal liability of the principal with
respect to an employee. Whereas a hired
respondeat superior
let the superior
independent contractor acting tortiously may not
respond
cause the principal to be legally liable, a hired

employee acting tortiously will cause the
principal (the employer) to be legally liable, even
if the employer did nothing wrong.
restitutio
restoration to
Principle behind the awarding of damages in
ad (orin) integrum
original condition
common law negligence claims
resurgam
I shall arise
I shall rise again, expressing Christian faith in

resurrection at the Last Day. It appears, inter
alia, in Charlotte Bront's Jane Eyre, as the

epitaph written on Helen Burns's grave; in a
poem of Emily Dickinson: Poems (1955) I. 56
("Arcturus" is his other name), I slew a worm the
other day A Savant passing by Murmured
Resurgam Centipede! Oh Lordhow frail
are we!; and in a letter of Vincent van Gogh.
[54]
The OED gives "1662 J. Trapp Annotations
Old & New Testament I. 142 Howbeit he had

hope in his death, and might write Resurgam on
his grave" as its earliest attribution in the
English corpus.
An utterance by the Delphic oracle recorded

Restrain your
by Eusebius of Caesarea in Praeparatio
retine vim istam, falsa
strength, for if you evangelica, VI-5, translated from the Greek
enim dicam, si coges
compel me I will
ofPorphyry (c.f. E. H. Gifford's translation)[55] and
tell lies
used by William Wordsworth as a subtitle for his

ballad "Anecdote for Fathers".
rex regum fidelum et
king even of
faithful kings
Latin motto that appears on the crest of

the Trinity Broadcasting
Network of Paul and Jan Crouch.
The rigidity of corpses when chemical reactions

cause the limbs to stiffen about 34 hours after
rigor mortis
stiffness of death
death. Other signs of death include drop in body

temperature (algor mortis, "cold of death") and
discoloration (livor mortis, "bluish color of
death").
risum teneatis, amici?
Can you help
An ironic or rueful commentary, appended
laughing, friends? following a fanciful or unbelievable tale.
risus abundat in ore
laughter is
stultorum
abundant in the
excessive and inappropriate laughter signifies
Roma invicta
mouth of fools
stupidity; see also LOL
Unconquerable
Inspirational motto inscribed on the Statue of
Rome
Rome.
An intentionally garbled Latin phrase

Romanes eunt domus
Romanes go the
from Monty Python's Life of Brian. Its intended
house
meaning is "Romans, go home!", in

Latin Romani ite domum.
drop down ye
rorate coeli
heavens
aka The Advent Prose
redder than the

rosa rubicundior, lilio
rose, whiter than
candidior, omnibus
the lilies, fairer
formosior, semper in te
than all things, I
glorior
do ever glory in
From Veni, veni, venias (Carmina Burana).
thee
rus in urbe
Latin
saltus in
demonstrando
A countryside in
the city
quiet within an urban setting, often a garden, but

can refer to interior decoration.
Translation
leap in explaining
a stronghold (or
salus in arduis
Generally used to refer to a haven of peace and
refuge) in
difficulties
Notes
a leap in logic, by which a necessary part of an equation

is omitted.
a Roman Silver Age maxim, also the school motto

of Wellingborough School.
salus populi
the welfare of the
suprema lex
people is to be
esto
the highest law
From Cicero's De Legibus, book III, part III, sub. VIII.

Quoted by John Locke in his Second Treatise, On Civil
Government, to describe the proper organization of
government. Also the state motto of Missouri.
Refers to two expressions that can be interchanged

salva veritate
with truth intact
without changing the truth value of the statements in

which they occur.
Salvator Mundi
salvo errore et
Savior of the
Christian epithet, usually referring to Jesus. The title of
World
paintings by Albrecht Drer and Leonardo da Vinci.
save for error
omissione(s.e.e.o.) and omission
Appears on statements of "account currents".
salvo honoris
save for title of
titulo (SHT)
honor
Sancta Sedes
Holy Chair
literally, "holy seat". Refers to the Papacy or the Holy See.
holy innocence
Or "sacred simplicity".
sancta
simplicitas
sancte et
with holiness and Also sancte sapienter (holiness, wisdom), motto of
sapienter
with wisdom
sanctum
sanctorum
sapere aude
Holy of Holies
dare to be wise
several institutions.
referring to a more sacred and/or guarded place, within a

lesser guarded, yet also holy location.
From Horace's Epistularum liber primus, Epistle II, line 40.

Popularized by its use in Kant's What is
Enlightenment? to define theEnlightenment. Frequently
used in mottos; also the name of an Australian Heavy
Metal band.
sapiens qui
wise is he who
prospicit
looks ahead
Motto of Malvern College, England
From Plautus. Indicates that something can be

understood without any need for explanation, as long as
sapienti sat
enough for the
the listener has enough wisdom or common sense. Often
wise
extended to dictum sapienti sat est ("enough has been

said for the wise", commonly translated as "a word to the
wise is enough").
sapientia et
wisdom and
doctrina
learning
Motto of Fordham University, New York.
One of the mottos of the Ateneo schools in the

sapientia et
wisdom and
eloquentia
eloquence
Philippines.[56]
Motto of the Minerva Society

sapientia et
veritas
wisdom and truth Motto of Christchurch Girls' High School, New Zealand.
sapientia et
wisdom and
virtus
virtue
sapientia melior
wisdom is better Motto of University of Deusto, Bilbao, San Sebastin,
auro
than gold
sapientia, pax,
Wisdom, Peace, Motto of Universidad de las Amricas, Puebla, Cholula,
fraternitas
Fraternity
sat celeriter fieri

quidquid fiat
satis bene
Motto of The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Spain.
Mexico.
That which has

been done well
One of the two favorite saying of Augustus. The other is
has been done
"festina lente".[57]
quickly enough
scientia ac
knowledge
labore
through [hard]
work, or: by
Motto of several institutions
means of
knowledge and
hard work, or:
through
knowledge and
[hard] work
scientia, aere
perennius
scientia cum
religione
knowledge, more
lasting than
bronze
knowledge
mare
knowledge
scientiae et
For science and
patriae
fatherland
scientia et
knowledge and
sapientia
wisdom
tutamen
Motto of St Vincent's College, Potts Point
united
The sea yields to
decus et
(Exegi monumentum aere perennius).
religion and
scientiae cedit
scientia imperii
unknown origin, probably adapted from Horace's ode III
Motto of the United States Coast Guard Academy.
Motto of University of Latvia
motto of Illinois Wesleyan University
knowledge is the
adornment and
protection of the
Motto of Imperial College London
Empire
Stated originally by Sir Francis Bacon in Meditationes
scientia ipsa
knowledge itself
Sacrae (1597), which in modern times is often
potentia est
is power
paraphrased as scientia est potestas or scientia potentia

est (knowledge is power).
scientia vincere
tenebras
scilicet (sc. or ss.)
conquering
darkness by
science
Motto of several institutions, such as the Free University

of Brussels.
it is permitted to
that is to say; to wit; namely; in a legal caption, it provides
know
a statement of venue or refers to a location.
scio
I know
scio me nihil
I know that I
scire
know nothing
scire quod
knowledge which motto of now defunct publisher Small, Maynard &
sciendum
is worth having
Company
scribimus
Each desperate
indocti doctique blockhead dares

poemata passim to write
scuto amoris
by the shield of
divini
God's love
seculo
seculorum
as translated by Philip Francis. From Horace, Epistularum

liber secundus (1, 117)[58] and quoted in Fielding's Tom
Jones; lit: "Learned or not, we shall write poems without
distinction."
The motto of Skidmore College
forever and ever

But the same
sed ipse spiritus Spirit intercedes

postulat pro
incessantly for
nobis, gemitibus us, with

inenarrabilibus
Romans 8:26
inexpressible
groans
sed terrae
graviora manent
sede vacante
But on earth,
worse things
await
with the seat
The "seat" is the Holy See, and the vacancy refers to
being vacant
the interregnum between two popes.
sedes apostolica apostolic chair
sedes incertae
sedet,
aeternumque
sedebit
semel in anno
licet insanire
Virgil Aeneid 6:84.
Synonymous with Sancta Sedes.
seat (i.e.
Used in biological classification to indicate that there is no
location)
agreement as to which higher order grouping
uncertain
a taxon should be placed into. Abbreviated sed. incert.
seat, be seated
a Virgi's verse, means when you stop trying, then you
forever
lose
once in a year
Concept expressed by various authors, such
one is allowed to as Seneca, Saint Augustine and Horace. It became

go crazy
semper ad
always towards
meliora
better things
proverbial during the Middle ages.

Motto of several institutions
Motto of the 45th Infantry Division (United States) and its
semper anticus
always forward
successor, the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

(United States)
semper ardens
always burning
Motto of Carl Jacobsen and name of a line of beers

by Danish brewery Carlsberg.
personal motto of Elizabeth I, appears above her royal

coat of arms. Used as motto of Elizabeth College,
semper eadem
always the same
Guernsey, Channel Islands, which was founded by

Elizabeth I, and of Ipswich School, to whom Elizabeth
granted a royal charter. Also the motto of the City
of Leicester.
semper
excelsius
always higher
Motto of the K.A.V. Lovania Leuven and the House of

Wrigley-Pimley-McKerr[59]
Motto of several institutions, e.g. United States Marine
semper fidelis
always faithful
semper fortis
always brave
semper idem
always the same Motto of Underberg
semper in
excretia sumus
solim profundum
variat
semper instans
semper invicta
semper
necessitas
probandi
incumbit ei qui
agit
Corps
Unofficial motto of the United States Navy
We're always in
the manure; only Lord de Ramsey, House of Lords, 21 January 1998[60]
the depth varies.
always
threatening
Motto of 846 NAS Royal Navy
always invincible Motto of Warsaw

the necessity of
proof always lies
with the person
Latin maxim often associated with the burden of proof
who lays charges
semper liber
always free
Motto of the city of Victoria, British Columbia
semper paratus
always prepared
semper primus
always first
semper
always
progrediens
progressing
semper
always in need of A phrase deriving from the Nadere Reformatie movement
reformanda
being reformed
Motto of several institutions, e.g. United States Coast

Guard
Motto of several US military units
Motto of the island of Sint Maarten, a constituent
country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and of King
City Secondary Schoolin King City, Ontario, Canada
in the seventeenth century Dutch Reformed Church and

widely but informally used
in Reformed and Presbyterian churches today. It refers to
the conviction of certain Reformed Protestanttheologians
that the church must continually re-examine itself in order

to maintain its purity of doctrine and practice. The term
first appeared in print in Jodocus van
Lodenstein, Beschouwinge van Zion (Contemplation of
Zion), Amsterdam, 1674.[61]
Motto of Barrow-in-Furness, England. Motto of St.
semper sursum
always aim high
Joseph's College, Allahabad, India. Motto of Palmerston

North Girls' High School, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Motto of several institutions (such as the US Air Force
semper vigilans
always vigilant
Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol). Also the motto of the city of San
Diego, California.
semper vigilo
always vigilant
Senatus
The Senate and
Populusque
the People of
Romanus (SPQR)
Rome
sensu lato
with the broad, or

general, meaning
sensu stricto cf.
"with the tight
stricto sensu
meaning"
sensus plenior
The motto of Scottish Police Forces, Scotland.

The official name of the Roman Republic. "SPQR" was
carried on battle standards by the Roman legions. In
addition to being anancient Roman motto, it remains the
motto of the modern city of Rome.
Less literally, "in the wide sense".
Less literally, "in the strict sense".
in the fuller
In biblical exegesis, the deeper meaning intended by
meaning
God, not intended by the human author.

In an effort to understand why things may be happening
contrary to expectations, or even in alignment with them,
sequere
pecuniam
this idiom suggests that keeping track of where money is

follow the money going may show the basis for the observed behavior.
Similar in spirit to the phrase cui bono (who gains?) or cui
prodest (who advances?), but outside those phrases'
historically legal context.
sero venientes
male sedentes
those who are

late are poorly
seated
sero venientibus those who are

ossa
servabo fidem
serviam
late get bones

Keeper of the
faith
I will serve
I will keep the faith.

The answer of St. Michael the Archangel to the non
serviam, "I will not serve" of Satan, when the angels were
tested by God on whether they will serve an inferior
being, a man, Jesus, as their Lord.
servus servorum servant of the
Dei
servants of God
A title for the Pope.

From Horace's Ars Poetica, "proicit ampullas et
sesquipedalia
words a foot and
verba
a half long
sesquipedalia verba" ("he throws down his high-flown

language and his foot-and-a-half-long words"). A selfreferential jab at long words and needlessly elaborate
language in general.
Si monumentum If you seek (his)

requiris
monument, look
circumspice
around you
si omnes... ego
non
from the epitaph on Christopher Wren's tomb in St Paul's

Cathedral.
if all ones... not I
si peccasse
if we deny having
negamus
made a mistake,
fallimur et nulla
we are deceived,
est in nobis
and there's no
veritas
truth in us
si quaeris
if you seek a
Said to have been based on the tribute to
peninsulam
delightful
architect Christopher Wren in St Paul's Cathedral,
amoenam
peninsula, look
London: si monumentum requiris, circumspice (see
circumspice
around
above). State motto of Michigan, adopted in 1835.
si quid novisti
rectius istis,
candidus
imperti; si nil,
his utere
mecum.
From Christopher Marlowe's The Tragical History of

Doctor Faustus, where the phrase is translated "if we say
that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there's no
truth in us." (cf. 1 John 1:8 in the New Testament)
if you can better

these principles,
tell me; if not,
Horace, Epistles I:6, 6768
join me in
following them
si tacuisses,
If you had kept
This quote is often attributed to the Latin philosopher
philosophus
your silence, you Boethius of the late fifth and early sixth centuries. It
mansisses
would have
translates literally as, "If you had been silent, you would
stayed a
have remained a philosopher." The phrase illustrates a
philosopher
common use of the subjunctive verb mood. Among other

functions it expresses actions contrary to fact. Sir
Humphrey Appleby translated it to the PM as: "If you'd
kept your mouth shut we might have thought you were
clever."
A common beginning for ancient Roman letters. An
si vales
if you are well, I
abbreviation of si vales bene est ego valeo, alternatively
valeo(SVV)
am well (abbr)
written as SVBEEV. The practice fell out of fashion and into

obscurity with the decline in Latin literacy.
si vis amari ama
si vis pacem,
para bellum
If you want to be This is often attributed to the Roman philosopher Seneca,

loved, love
if you want
peace, prepare
for war
found in the sixth of his letters to Lucilius.

From Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus, De Re Militari.
Origin of the name parabellum for some ammunition and
firearms, such as the Luger Parabellum. (Similar to igitur
qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum)
Or "just so". States that the preceding quoted material
appears exactly that way in the source, despite any errors
sic
thus
of spelling, grammar, usage, or fact that may be present.

Used only for previous quoted text; ita or similar must be
used to mean "thus" when referring to something about to
be stated.
sic et non
thus and not
sic gorgiamus
we gladly feast
allos subjectatos on those who

nunc
would subdue us
sic infit
so it begins
sic itur ad astra
sic parvis magna
sic passim
sic semper erat,

et sic semper
erit
More simply, "yes and no".
Mock-Latin motto of The Addams Family.
thus you shall go From Virgil, Aeneid book IX, line 641. Possibly the source
to the stars
greatness from
small beginnings
Thus here and
there
of the ad astra phrases. Motto of several institutions.

Motto of Sir Francis Drake
Used when referencing books; see passim.
Thus has it
always been,
and thus shall it
ever be
sic semper
thus
Attributed to Brutus at the time of Julius Caesar's
tyrannis
always to tyrants assassination, and to John Wilkes Booth at the time

of Abraham Lincoln's assassination; whether it was
actually said at either of these events is disputed. Shorter
version from original sic semper evello mortem
tyrannis ("thus always I pluck death from tyrants"). State

motto of Virginia, adopted in 1776.
A reminder that all things are fleeting. During Papal
Coronations, a monk reminds the Pope of his mortality by
saying this phrase, preceded by pater sancte ("holy
sic transit gloria thus passes the
mundi
father") while holding before his eyes a burning paper
glory of the world illustrating the passing nature of earthly glories. This is
similar to the tradition of a slave in a Roman
triumphs whispering memento mori in the ear of the
celebrant.
sic utere tuo ut

alienum non
laedas
sic vita est
use [what is]
Or "use your property in such a way that you do not
yours so as not
damage others'". A legal maxim related to property
to harm [what is] ownership laws, often shortened to simply sic utere ("use
of others
thus is life
it thus").
Or "such is life". Indicates that a circumstance, whether
good or bad, is an inherent aspect of living.
Though the
sidere mens
constellations
eadem mutato
change, the mind
Latin motto of the University of Sydney.
is universal
signetur (sig) or(S/) let it be labeled
signum fidei
silentium est
aureum
Sign of the Faith
silence is golden
similar things
similia similibus take care of

curantur
similar things
similia similibus let similar things

curentur
take care of
similar things
similar
similia similibus substances will

solvuntur
dissolve similar
substances
simplex sigillum simplicity is the
Medical shorthand
Motto of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian
Schools.
Latinization of the English expression "silence is golden".
Also Latinized as silentium est aurum ("silence is gold").
"like cures like" and "let like be cured by like"; the first
form ("curantur") is indicative, while the second form
("curentur") is subjunctive. The indicative form is found
in Paracelsus (16th century), while the subjunctive form is
said by Samuel Hahnemann, founder of homeopathy, and
is known as the law of similars.
Used as a general rule in chemistry; "like dissolves like"

refers to the ability of polar or non polar solvents to
dissolve polar or non polar solutes respectively.[62]
expresses a sentiment akin to Keep It Simple, Stupid
veri
sign of truth
sine anno (s.a.)
without a year
Used in bibliographies to indicate that the date of

publication of a document is unknown.
Originally from old common law texts, where it indicates
that a final, dispositive order has been made in the case.
sine die
without a day
In modern legal context, it means there is nothing left for

the court to do, so no date for further proceedings is set,
resulting in an "adjournment sine die".
sine ira et studio
sine labore non

erit panis in ore
without anger
and fondness
Thus, impartially. From Tacitus, Annals 1.1.
without labour
there will be no
bread in mouth
sine loco (s.l.)
without a place
sine metu
"without fear"
sine nomine (s.n.) "without a name"
Used in bibliographies to indicate that the place of

publication of a document is unknown.
Motto of Jameson Irish Whiskey
Used in bibliographies to indicate that the publisher of a
document is unknown.
sine poena nulla Without penalty,
Refers to the ineffectiveness of a law without the means
lex
there is no law
of enforcement
sine prole
Without offspring
sine prole
Without surviving
superstite
children
sine timore aut
Without Fear or
favore
Favor
sine qua non
without which not
sine remediis
without remedies
medicina debilis medicine is

est
sine scientia ars
nihil est
sisto activitatem
powerless
Frequently abbreviated to "s.p." or "d.s.p." (decessit sine

prole "died without offspring") in genealogical works.
Without surviving offspring (even in abstract terms)
St.George's School, Vancouver, Canada motto

Used to denote something that is an essential part of the
whole. See also condicio sine qua non.
Inscription on a stained glass in the conference hall of a
pharmaceutical mill in Kaunas, Lithuania.
without
knowledge, skill
Motto of The International Diving Society
is nothing
I cease the
Phrase, used to cease the activities of the Sejm upon
activity
the liberum veto principle
sit nomine digna
may it be worthy
of the name
sit sine labe
let honour
decus
stainless be
sit tibi terra levis
Motto of Rhodesia
Motto of the Brisbane Boys' College (Brisbane, Australia).
may the earth be Commonly used on gravestones, often contracted as

light to you
S.T.T.L., the same way as today's R.I.P.
may there be
sit venia verbo
forgiveness for
Similar to the English idiom "pardon my French".
the word
sol iustitiae
sun of justice,
illustra nos
shine upon us
sol lucet
the sun shines
omnibus
on everyone
sol omnia regit
the sun rules

over everything
Motto of Utrecht University.
Petronius, Satyricon Lybri 100.
Inscription near the entrance to Frombork Museum

The material principle of the Protestant Reformation and
sola fide
by faith alone
one of the five solas, referring to the Protestant claim that

the Bibleteaches that men are saved by faith even without
works.
A motto of the Protestant Reformation and one of the five
sola gratia
by grace alone
solas, referring to the Protestant claim that salvation is an

unearned gift (cf. ex gratia), not a direct result of merit.
sola lingua bona the only good

est lingua
language is a
mortua
dead language
Example of dog Latin humor.
The formal principle of the Protestant Reformation and

sola scriptura
by scripture
one of the five solas, referring to the Protestant idea that
alone
the Bible alone is the ultimate authority, not the Pope or

tradition.
sola nobilitat
virtue alone
virtus
ennobles
soli Deo
glory to God
gloria(S.D.G.)
alone
solas, referring to the idea that God is the creator of all

good things and deserves all the praise for them. Johann
Sebastian Bach often signed his manuscripts with the
abbreviation S.D.G. to invoke this phrase, as well as
with AMDG (ad maiorem Dei gloriam). The motto of
the MasterWorks Festival, an annual Christian performing

arts festival.
solus Christus
Christ alone
solas, referring to the Protestant claim that the Bible

teaches thatJesus is the only mediator between God and
mankind. Also rendered solo Christo ("by Christ alone").
solus ipse
I alone
solvitur
it is solved by
The problem is solved by taking a walk, or by simple
ambulando
walking
experiment.
Spartam nactus
es; hanc exorna
specialia
generalibus
derogant
speculum
speculorum
spem reduxit
spero meliora
spes bona
your lot is cast in

Sparta, be a
from Euripides's Telephus, Agamemnon to Menelaus.[63]
credit to it
special departs
from general
mirror of mirrors
he has restored
hope
Motto of New Brunswick.
I hope for better

things
good hope
Motto of University of Cape Town.

Refers to Revelation 3:21, "To him that overcometh will I
spes vincit
thronum
hope conquers
grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also
(overcomes) the overcame, and am set down with my Father in his

throne
throne." On the John Winthrop family tombstone, Boston,

Massachusetts.
From The Second Coming (poem) by William Butler
Yeats. Refers to Yeats' belief that each human mind is
spiritus mundi
spirit of the world
linked to a single vast intelligence, and that this

intelligence causes certain universal symbols to appear in
individual minds. The idea is similar toCarl Jung's concept
of the collective unconscious.
spiritus ubi vult
the spirit spreads Refers to The Gospel of Saint John 3:8, where he
spirat
wherever it
mentions how Jesus told Nicodemus "The wind blows
wants
wherever it wants, and even though you can hear its

noise, you don't know where it comes from or where it
goes. The same thing happens to whomever has been

born of the Spirit." It is the motto of Cayetano Heredia
University[64]
splendor sine
brightness
Loosely "splendour without diminishment" or
occasu
without setting
"magnificence without ruin". Motto of British Columbia.

The motto of the Jungle Patrol in The Phantom. The
phrase actually violates Latin grammar because of a
stamus contra
we stand against mistranslation from English, as the
malo
by evil
preposition contra takes the accusative case. The correct

Latin rendering of "we stand against evil" would be
"stamus contra malum".
stante pede
stare decisis
stat sua cuique

dies
statim (stat)
with a standing
foot
to stand by the
decided things
"Immediately".
To uphold previous rulings, recognize precedent.
There is a day
[turn] for
Virgil, Aeneid, X 467
everybody
"immediately"
Medical shorthand used following an urgent request.

The current condition or situation. Also status quo
status quo
the situation in
ante ("the situation in which [things were] before"),
which
referring to the state of affairs prior to some upsetting

event (cf. reset button technique).
status quo ante
the state before
bellum
the war
A common term in peace treaties.

Marginal mark in proofreading to indicate that something
stet
let it stand
previously deleted or marked for deletion should be

retained.
stet fortuna
let the fortune of
domus
the house stand
First part of the motto of Harrow School, England, and

inscribed upon Ricketts House, at the California Institute
of Technology.
From Christopher Marlowe's The Tragical History of
stipendium
the reward of sin Doctor Faustus. (See Rom 6:23, "For the wages of sin is
peccati mors est is death
death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ

Jesus our Lord.")
strenuis ardua
the heights yield
cedunt
to endeavour
Motto of The University of Southampton.
stricto sensu cf.
with the tight
sensu stricto
meaning
Less literally, "in the strict sense".

A title given to Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor. More
stupor mundi
the wonder of the literally translated "the bewilderment of the world", or, in
world
its original, pre-Medieval sense, "the stupidity of the

world".
Legal term when a court takes up a motion on its own
sua sponte
by its own accord
initiative, not because any of the parties to the case has

made the motion. The regimental motto of the 75th
Ranger Regiment of the U.S. Army.
sub anno
sub cruce lumen
sub divo
under the year
The Light Under

the Cross
under the wide

open sky
Commonly abbreviated sa, it is used in citing annals,

which record events by year.
Motto of the University of Adelaide, Australia. Refers to
the figurative "light of learning" and the Southern Cross
constellation,Crux.
Also, "under the sky", "in the open air", "out in the open"
or "outdoors". Ablative "divo" does not distinguish divus,
divi, a god, from divum, divi, the sky.
Used in citations to refer to the end of a book, page, etc.,
sub finem
toward the end
and abbreviated 's.f.' Used after the page number or title.

E.g., 'p. 20s.f. '
sub Iove frigido
sub judice
under cold
Jupiter
under a judge
At night; from Horace's Odes 1.1:25

Said of a case that cannot be publicly discussed until it is
finished. Also sub iudice.
Commonly rendered subpoena. Said of a request, usually
by a court, that must be complied with on pain of
punishment. Examples include subpoena duces
sub poena
under penalty
tecum ("take with you under penalty"), a

court summons to appear and produce tangible evidence,
and subpoena ad testificandum ("under penalty to
testify"), a summons to appear and give oral testimony.
sub rosa
under the rose
"In secret", "privately", "confidentially", or "covertly". In

the Middle Ages, a rose was suspended from the ceiling
of a council chamber to indicate that what was said in the
"under the rose" was not to be repeated outside. This
practice originates in Greek mythology,
where Aphrodite gave a rose to her son Eros, and he, in

turn, gave it to Harpocrates, the god of silence, to ensure
that his mother's indiscretionsor those of the gods in
general, in other accountswere kept under wraps.
sub nomine (sub
nom.)
under the name
"in the name of", "under the title of"; used in legal citations
to indicate the name under which the litigation continued.
sub silentio
under silence
sub specie
under the sight of Thus, "from eternity's point of view".
aeternitatis
eternity
sub specie Dei
under the sight of

God
implied but not expressly stated.
From Spinoza, Ethics.

"from God's point of view or perspective".
Name of the oldest extant hymn to
sub tuum
Beneath thy
praesidium
compassion
Sub umbra
Under the shade National Motto of Belize, referring to the shade of
floreo
I flourish
the Theotokos (Blessed Virgin Mary). Also "under your

protection". A popular school motto.
the mahogany tree.
sub verbo; sub
Under the word or heading, as in a dictionary;
voce
abbreviated s.v.
sublimis ab unda
subsiste
sermonem
statim
Sudetia non
cantat
sui generis
sui iuris
Raised from the
Motto of King Edward VII and Queen Mary School,
waves
Lytham
stop speaking
immediately
One doesn't sing
on theSudeten
Saying from Hanakia
Mountains
Of its own kind
In a class of its own.
Of one's own
Capable of responsibility. Has both legal and
right
ecclesiastical use. Commonly rendered sui juris.

A gravestone inscription to remind the reader of the
sum quod eris
I am what you
inevitability of death (cf. memento mori). Also rendered fui
will be
quod sis ("I have been what you are") and tu fui ego
eris ("I have been you, you will be I").
sum quod sum
I am what I am
summa cum
with highest
laude
praise
from Augustine's Sermon No. 76.[65]
summa potestas
summa
summarum
summum bonum
sum or totality of It refers to the final authority of power in government. For

power
all in all
example, power of the Sovereign.

Literally "sum of sums". When a short conclusion is
rounded up at the end of some elaboration.
the supreme
Literally "highest good". Also summum malum ("the
good
supreme evil").
From Cicero (De officiis, I, 10, 33). An acritical application
of law, without understanding and respect of laws's
summum ius,
summa iniuria
supreme justice,
supreme
injustice
purposes and without considering the overall

circumstances, is often a means of supreme injustice. A
similar sentence appears
in Terence(Heautontimorumenos, IV, 5): Ius summum
saepe summa est malitia ("supreme justice is often out
of supreme malice (or wickedness)").
From Virgil, Aeneid. Followed by et mentem mortalia
sunt lacrimae
there are tears
rerum
for things
tangunt ("and mortal things touch my

mind"). Aeneas cries as he seesCarthaginian temple
murals depicting the deaths of the Trojan War. See
also hinc illae lacrimae.
sunt omnes
unum
sunt pueri pueri,
pueri puerilia
tractant
suo jure
they are all one

Children are
children, and
children do
anonymous proverb
childish things
in one's own
right
Used in the context of titles of nobility, for instance where

a wife may hold a title in her own right rather than through
her marriage.
Also rendered suo moto. Usually used when a court of
suo motu
upon one's own

initiative
law, upon its own initiative, (i.e., no petition has been

filed) proceeds against a person or authority that it deems
has committed an illegal act. It is used chiefly in South
Asia.[citation needed]
suos cultores
scientia coronat
super fornicam
Knowledge
crowns those
The motto of Syracuse University, New York.
who seek her

on the lavatory
Where Thomas More accused the reformer, Martin
Luther, of going to celebrate Mass.

superbia in
proelia
supero omnia
surdo oppedere
surgam
sursum corda
pride in battle
I surpass
everything
Motto of Manchester City F.C.
A declaration that one succeeds above all others.
to belch before
From Erasmus' collection of annotated Adagia (1508): a
the deaf
useless action.
I shall rise
Motto of Columbia University's Philolexian Society.
Lift up your
hearts
Thus, don't offer your opinion on things that are outside
your competence. It is said that the Greek
sutor, ne ultra
crepidam
Cobbler, no
further than the
sandal!
painter Apelles once asked the advice of a cobbler on

how to render the sandals of a soldier he was painting.
When the cobbler started offering advice on other parts of
the painting, Apelles rebuked him with this phrase in
Greek, and it subsequently became a popular Latin
expression.
suum cuique
tribuere
to render to
every man his
due
s.v.
One of Justinian I's three basic precepts of law. Also

shortened to suum cuique ("to each his own").
Abbreviation for sub verbo or sub voce (see above).
Latin
Translation
tabula
congratulatory
gratulatoria
tablet
Notes
A list of congratulations.
Thus, "blank slate". Romans used to write on waxcovered wooden tablets, which were erased by
tabula rasa
scraped tablet
scraping with the flat end of thestylus. John Locke used

the term to describe the human mind at birth, before it
had acquired any knowledge.
talis qualis
just as such
taliter qualiter
somewhat
"Such as it is" or "as such".
from St Mark's gospel 10:14 "talium (parvuli) est enim

talium Dei
regnum
for of such (little
regnum Dei"; similar in St
children) is the
Matthew's gospel 19:14 "talium est enim regnum
kingdom of God
caelorum" ("for of such is the kingdom of heaven");

motto of The Cathedral School, Townsville.
Said in 1697 by Johann Bernoulli about Isaac Newton's

tanquam ex
we know the lion by anonymously submitted solution to
ungue leonem
his claw
Bernoulli's challenge regarding theBrachistochrone

curve.
tarde
venientibus
ossa
Te occidere
possunt sed te
edere non
possunt nefas
est
To the late are left

the bones
They can kill you,
The motto of the fictional Enfield Tennis Academy in
but they cannot eat the David Foster Wallace novel Infinite Jest. Translated
you, it is against
in the novel as "They can kill you, but the legalities of
the law.
eating you are quite a bit dicier".
technica
Technology
impendi nationi
impulses nations
Motto of Technical University of Madrid
A reference to the Greek (gnothi

seauton), inscribed on the pronaos of the Temple of
temet nosce
know thyself
Apollo at Delphi, according to the Greek periegetic

writer Pausanias (10.24.1). Rendered also with nosce
te ipsum, temet nosce ("thine own self know") appears
inThe Matrix translated as "know thyself".
Literally "Heroic Times"; refers to the period between

tempora heroica Heroic Age
the mythological Titanomachy and the (relatively)

historical Trojan War.
tempora
the times are
mutantur et nos changing, and we

mutamur in illis
change in them
Variant of omnia mutantur et nos mutamur in

illis, attributed to Lothair I. See entry for details.
Also "time, that devours all things", literally: "time,

tempus edax
time, devourer of
gluttonous of things", edax: adjectival form of the
rerum
all things
verb edo to eat. From Ovid, Metamorphoses, 15, 234236.
Commonly mistranslated as "time flies" due to the

tempus fugit
time flees
similar phrase tempus volat hora fugit ("time flies, the

hour flees").
tempus rerum
time, commander
imperator
of all things
tempus vernum
spring time
tempus volat
time flies, the hour
hora fugit
flees
teneo te Africa
I hold you, Africa!
tentanda via
ter in die (t.i.d.)
The way must be

tried
thrice in a day
"Tempus Rerum Imperator" has been adopted by the

Google Web Accelerator project. It is shown in the
"About Google Web Accelerator" page.
Name of song by popular Irish singer Enya
Or "time speeds while the hour escapes".
Suetonius attributes this to Julius Caesar, from when

Caesar was on the African coast.
motto for York University
Medical shorthand for "three times a day".
terminat hora
The hour finishes
diem; terminat
the day; the author
auctor opus.
finishes his work.
Phrase concluding Christopher Marlowe's play Doctor

Faustus.[66]
In archaeology or history, refers to the date before

which an artifact or feature must have been deposited.
terminus ante
quem
Used with terminus post quem ("limit after which").

limit before which
Similarly, terminus ad quem ("limit to which") may also

refer to the latest possible date of a non-punctual event
(period, era, etc.), while terminus a quo ("limit from
which") may refer to the earliest such date.
terra australis
unknown southern
incognita
land
terra firma
solid land
terra incognita
unknown land
First name used to refer to the Australian continent.
Often used to refer to the ground.
Latin name of Newfoundland (island portion of

terra nova
new land
Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador,

capital- St. John's), also root of French name of same,
Terre-Neuve
That is, no man's land. A neutral or uninhabited area, or

terra nullius
land of none
a land not under the sovereignty of any recognized

political entity.
terras irradient
let them illuminate
Or "let them give light to the world". An allusion
the lands
to Isaiah 6.3: plena est omnis terra gloria eius ("the

whole earth is full of his glory"). Sometimes
mistranslated as "they will illuminate the lands" based
on mistaking irradiare for a future indicative thirdconjugation verb, whereas it is actually

a present subjunctive first-conjugation verb. Motto
of Amherst College; the college's original mission was
to educate young men to serve God.
tertium non
no third (possibility) A logical axiom that a claim is either true or false, with
datur
is given
no third option.
1. Something that cannot be classified into either of two

tertium quid
a third something
groups considered exhaustive; an intermediate thing or

factor. 2. A third person or thing of indeterminate
character.
testis unus,
one witness is not
A law principle expressing that a single witness is not
testis nullus
a witness
enough to corroborate a story.
Tibi cordi
We consecrate to
immaculato
your immaculate
concredimus
heart and entrust to Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, otherwise
nos ac
you (Mary) for
consecramus
safekeeping
The inscription found on top of the central door of the

known as the Manila Cathedral in the Philippines
Danaos being a term for the Greeks. In Virgil's Aeneid,

II, 49, the phrase is said by Laocon when warning his
fellow Trojans against accepting the Trojan Horse. The
timeo Danaos et I fear Greeks even full original quote is quidquid id est timeo Danaos et
dona ferentes
if they bring gifts
dona ferentis, quidquid id est meaning "whatever it is"

and ferentis being an archaic form of ferentes.
Commonly mistranslated "Beware of Greeks bearing
gifts".
timidi mater non A coward's mother
proverb; occasionally appears on loading screens in the
flet
game Rome: Total War.
does not weep
Refrain originating in the response to the seventh

timor mortis
the fear of death
conturbat me
confounds me
lesson in the Office of the Dead. In the Middle Ages,

this service was read each day by clerics. As a refrain, it
appears also in other poems and can frequently be
found inscribed on tombs.
Offering one's life in total commitment to another. The

totus tuus
totally yours
motto was adopted by Pope John Paul II to signify his

love and servitude toMary the Mother of Jesus.
tres faciunt
three makes
collegium
company
translatio
imperii
It takes three to have a valid group; three is the

minimum number of members for an organization or a
corporation.
Used to express the belief in the transfer of imperial

transfer of rule
authority from the Roman Empire of antiquity to the

Medieval Holy Roman Empire.
A decree by the medieval Church that all feuds should

treuga Dei
Truce of God
be cancelled during the Sabbatheffectively from

Wednesday or Thursday night until Monday. See
also Peace and Truce of God.
tu autem
But Thou, O Lord,
Phrase said at the end of biblical readings in the liturgy
Domine
have mercy upon
of the medieval church. Also used in brief, "tu autem",
miserere nobis
us
as a memento moriepitaph.
tu fui ego eris
I was you; you will

be me
Thus, "what you are, I was; what I am, you will be.".
A memento mori gravestone inscription to remind the
reader that death is unavoidable (cf. sum quod eris).
tu ne cede
you should not give
malis, sed
in to evils, but
From Virgil, Aeneid, 6, 95.
contra audentior proceed ever more

ito
boldly against them
The logical fallacy of attempting to defend one's

tu quoque
you too
position merely by pointing out the same weakness in

one's opponent.
tuebor
tunica propior
est pallio
I will protect
Latin
uberrima fides
of Michigan.
A tunic is closer to
the body than a
cape
turris fortis mihi God is my strong

Deus
Found on the Great Seal on the flag of the state
tower
Motto of the Kelly Clan
Translation
most abundant
faith
ubertas et
fertility and
fidelitas
faithfulness
ubi amor, ibi
where [there is]
dolor
love, there [is] pain
ubi bene ibi
where [it is] well,
Notes
Or "utmost good faith" (cf. bona fide). A legal maxim

of insurance contracts requiring all parties to deal in good
faith.
Motto of Tasmania.
Or "Home is where it's good"; see also ubi panis ibi
patria
there [is] the

fatherland
ubi caritas et
where there is
amor Deus ibi
charity and love,
est
God is there
ubi dubium ibi

libertas
ubi jus ibi

remedium
ubi mel ibi

apes
ubi libertas ibi

patria
where [there is]

doubt, there [is]
Anonymous proverb.
freedom
Where [there is] a

right, there [is] a
remedy
where [there is]
similar to " you catch more bees with honey than with
honey, there [are]
vinegar" .. treat people nicely and they will treat you nice
bees
back
where [there is]

liberty, there [is] the
fatherland
where you are

ubi nihil vales, worth nothing,
ibi nihil velis
patria.
there you will wish

for nothing
ubi non
where [there is] no
accusator ibi
accuser, there [is]
non iudex
no judge
Or "where there is liberty, there is my

country". Patriotic motto.
From the writings of the Flemish philosopher Arnold

Geulincx; also quoted by Samuel Beckett in his first
published novel, Murphy.
Thus, there can be no judgment or case if no one

charges a defendant with a crime. The phrase is
sometimes parodied as "where there are no police, there
is no speed limit".
ubi panis ibi

patria
where there is
bread, there is my
country
ubi pus, ibi
where there is pus,
evacua
there evacuate it
ubi re vera
when, in a true
Or "whereas, in reality..." Also rendered ubi
thing
revera ("when, in fact" or "when, actually").
ubi societas ibi if there's a society,

ius
ubi
solitudinem
faciunt pacem
appellant
law will be there
They make a
desert and call it
peace
By Cicero.
from a speech by Calgacus reported/constructed

by Tacitus, Agricola, ch. 30.
Nostalgic theme of poems yearning for days gone by.

ubi sunt
where are they?
From the line ubi sunt qui ante nos fuerunt ("Where are
they, those who have gone before us?").
Motto of the Royal Regiment of Artillery and most other

ubique, quo
everywhere, where Artillery corps within the armies of the British
fas et gloria
right and glory
Commonwealth (for example, the Royal Regiment of
ducunt
leads
Australian Artillery and Royal Regiment of New Zealand

Artillery).
ultima ratio
last method
the final argument
the last resort (as
force)
The last resort. Short form for the

metaphor "The Last Resort of Kings and
Common Men" referring to the act of
declaring war; used in the names the
French sniper rifle PGM Ultima
Ratioand the fictional Reason weapon
system. Louis XIV of France had Ultima
Ratio Regum ("last argument of kings")
cast on the cannons of his armies; motto
of the 1st Battalion 11th Marines; motto
of the Artilleriregementet.
ultimo
mense (ult.)
Formerly used in formal correspondence to refer to the

in the last month
previous month. Used with inst. ("this month")

and prox. ("next month").
"Without authority". Used to describe an action done

ultra vires
beyond powers
without proper authority, or acting without the rules. The

term will most often be used in connection with appeals
and petitions.
No one is
ultra posse
obligatedbeyond
nemo obligatur what he is able to

do.

ululas Athenas
(to send) owls to

Athens
Erasmus] collection of annotated Adagia (1508). Latin

translation of a classical Greek proverb. Generally means
putting large effort in a necessarily fruitless enterprise.
Compare "selling coal to Newcastle".
una hirundo
one swallow does
non facit ver
not make summer
A single example of something positive does not

necessarily mean that all subsequent similar instances
will have the same outcome.
Less literally, "the only safe bet for the vanquished is to

expect no safety". Preceded by moriamur et in media
una salus
victis nullam
sperare
salutem
the only safety for

the conquered is to
hope for no safety
arma ruamus ("let us die even as we rush into the midst

of battle") in Virgil's Aeneid, book 2, lines 353354. Used
in Tom Clancy's novel Without Remorse, where
character John Clark translates it as "the one hope of the
doomed is not to hope for safety". It was said several
times in "Andromeda" as the motto of the SOF units.
unitas per
unity through
Motto for the St. Xavier's Institution Board of Librarians.
servitiam
service
Used in criticism of inconsistent pleadings, i.e. "one

uno flatu
in one breath
cannot argue uno flatu both that the company does not
exist and that it is also responsible for the wrong."
unus
multorum
one of many
An average person.
Unus papa
Romae, unus
One pope in Rome,
portus
one port in Ancona,
Anconae, una
one tower in
turris
Cremona, one beer
Motto of the Czech Brewery in Rakovnk.[67]
Cremonae, una in Rakovnk

ceres Raconae
Urbi et Orbi
urbs in horto
usque ad
finem
usus est
magister
to the city and the

circle [of the lands]
city in a garden
to the very end
Meaning "To Rome and the World". A standard opening of

Roman proclamations. Also a traditional blessing by
thepope.
Motto of the City of Chicago.
Often used in reference to battle, implying a willingness to

keep fighting until you die.
practice is the best In other words, practice makes perfect. Also sometimes
teacher.
translated "use makes master."
ut biberent
so that they might
Also rendered with quando ("when") in place of quoniam.
quoniam esse
drink, since they
From a book by Suetonius (Vit. Tib., 2.2) and Cicero (De
nollent
refused to eat
Natura Deorum, 2.3). The phrase was said by Roman
optimus
admiral Publius Claudius Pulcher right before the battle of
Drepana, as he threw overboard the sacred chickens

which had refused to eat the grain offered theman
unwelcomeomen of bad luck. Thus, the sense is, "if they
do not perform as expected, they must suffer the
consequences".
ut cognoscant so that they may

te
know You.
Motto of Boston College High School.
ut desint vires, though the power

tamen est
be lacking, the will
laudanda
is to be praised all
voluntas
the same
ut dicitur
ut incepit
fidelis sic
permanet
as has been said;

as above
as she began loyal, Thus, the state remains as loyal as ever. Motto
so she persists
ut infra
as below
ut mare quod
to sea and into
ut ventus
wind
ut prosim
that I may serve
ut proverbium
loquitur
vetus...
From Ovid, Epistulae ex Ponto (III, 4, 79).
you know what

they say...
of Ontario.
Motto of USNS Washington Chambers
Motto of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State

University
Lit: As the old proverb says...
ut res magis
that the matter may
valeat quam
have effect rather
pereat
than fail[68]
ut retro
as backwards
ut Roma cadit,
sic omnis terra
Or "as on the back side"; thus, "as on the previous page"

(cf. ut supra).
as Rome falls, so
[falls] the whole
world
A traditional brocard. The full form is Interest reipublicae

ut sit finis
so there might be
ut sit finis litium, "it is in the government's interest that
litium
an end of litigation
there be an end to litigation." Often quoted in the context

of statutes of limitation.
ut supra
as above
Robert Hooke's expression of his discovery of his law of

ut tensio sic
as the extension,
linear elasticity. Also: Motto of cole Polytechnique de
vis
so the force
Montral. Motto of the British Watch and Clockmaker's

Guild.
utilis in
usefulness in
Comes from 2 Timothy 4:11. Motto of Camberwell Girls
ministerium
service
Grammar School.
Also translated as "that the two may be one." Motto found

utraque unum
both into one
in 18th century Spanish dollar coins. Motto

of Georgetown University.
utrinque
paratus
ready for anything
Motto of The British Parachute Regiment. Motto of the

Belize National Coast Guard.
Latin
vade ad
formicam
vade mecum
Translation
Notes
A Biblical phrase from the Vulgate, Proverbs 6:6.

go to the ant
The full quotation translates as "Go to the ant, you

sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!"[Pro 6:6]
go with me
A vade-mecum or vademecum is an item one

carries around, especially a handbook.
An exhortation for Satan to begone, often used in

response to temptation. From a popular Medieval
Catholic exorcism formula, based on a rebuke
vade retro Satana Go back, Satan!
by Jesus to Peter in the Vulgate, Mark 8:33: vade

retro me Satana ("get behind Me, Satan!").[Mark
8:33]
The older phrase vade retro ("go back!") can be
found in Terence's Formio I, 4, 203.
vae victis
Woe to the
conquered!
Attributed by Livy to Brennus, the chief of the Gauls,

while he demanded more gold from the citizens of
the recently sacked Rome in 390 BC.
vanitas vanitatum vanity of vanities;
More simply, "vanity, vanity, everything vanity".
omnia vanitas
everything [is] vanity
From the Vulgate, Ecclesiastes 1:2;12:8.
vaticinium ex
prophecy from the
eventu
event
A prophecy made to look as though it was written

before the events it describes, while in fact being
written afterwards.
Summary of alternatives, e.g. "this action turns upon

vel non
or not
whether the claimant was the deceased's

grandson vel non."
velle est posse
"To be willing is to be
able." (non-literal: "Where
Motto of Hillfield, one of the founding schools
there's a will, there's a way.")
of Hillfield Strathallan College.
Or simply "faster than cooking asparagus". Ascribed

velocius quam
faster
asparagi
than asparaguscan be
coquantur
cooked
to Augustus by Suetonius (The Twelve Caesars,

Book 2 (Augustus), para. 87). Can refer to anything
done very quickly. A very common variant is celerius
quam asparagi cocuntur ("faster than
asparagus iscooked").
velut arbor aevo
veni, vidi, vici
As a tree with the

passage of time
I came, I saw, I
conquered
Motto of the University of Toronto
The message supposedly sent by Julius Caesar to

the Roman Senate to describe his battle against
King Pharnaces II near Zela in 47 BC.
From whence you
The phrase that the wizard said to the Devil in the
came, you shall
film Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny which
remain, until you are
trapped him in hell as long as he was missing his
complete again
tooth.
venturis ventis
To the coming winds
Motto of Braslia, capital of Brazil.
vera causa
true cause
verba docent
Words instruct,
On the relevance to use illustrations for example
exempla trahunt
illustrations lead
when preaching.
venisti remanebis
donec denuo
completus sis
verba ita sunt

intelligenda ut
res magis valeat
quam pereat
words are to be
understood such that
the subject matter
may be more effective
than wasted
When explaining a given subject, it is important to

clarify rather than confuse.
verba vana aut

risui non loqui
Not to speak words in

vain or to start
Rule number 56 of the Rule of Saint Benedict.
laughter
verba volant,
words fly away,
From a famous speech of Caius Titus at the Roman
scripta manent
writings remain
senate.
verbatim
word for word
Refers to perfect transcription or quotation.
verbatim et
word for word and
litteratim
letter by letter
verbi divini
servant of the divine
minister
Word
verbi gratia
(v.gr. or VG)
Verbum Dei
verbum Domini
manet in
aeternum (VDMA)
A priest (cf. Verbum Dei).
for example
literally: "for the sake of a word"
Word of God
See religious text.
The Word of the Lord

Endures Forever
Motto of the Lutheran Reformation
verb. sap.,
A word to the wise is
The hearer can fill in the rest; enough said. Short
verbum sap.
sufficient
for Verbum sapienti sat[is] est.
veritas
truth
veritas aequitas
Truth and justice
Motto of many educational institutions,

including Bishop Lynch High School.
veritas, bonitas,
pulchritudo,
sanctitas
Truth, Goodness,
Beauty, and Holiness
veritas Christo et Truth for Christ and

ecclesiae
Church
veritas curat
truth cures
Veritas Dei vincit God's Truth prevails.
veritas diaboli
manet in
aeternum
veritas et
fortitudo
veritas et virtus
veritas, fides,
sapientia
Libertas
The de jure motto of Harvard University, dating to its

foundation; it is often shortened to Veritas to
dispose of its original religious meaning.
Motto of Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate

Medical Education and Research
Motto of the Hussites
Devil's truth remain

eternally
Truth and Courage
Truth and virtue
Truth, Faith, Wisdom
veritas in caritate Truth Through Caring
Veritas Iustitia
Current motto of Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan
Truth Justice Liberty
One of the mottoes of Lyceum of the Philippines

University
Motto of University of Pittsburgh, Methodist

University
Current motto of Dowling Catholic High School
Motto of Bishop Wordsworth's School and St

Munchin's College
Motto of Free University of Berlin
Veritas Liberabit
Truth Shall Set You
Vos
Free
veritas lux mea
Truth is my light.
veritas numquam
perit
veritas odit
moras
veritas omnia
vincit
veritas unitas
caritas
Motto of Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan
A common non-literal translation is "Truth enlightens

me." Motto of Seoul National University
Truth never expires
Seneca the Younger
Truth hates delay
Seneca the Younger
Truth conquers all
Truth, Unity, Love
Motto of Wilfrid Laurier University,

Ontario; Satyameva Jayate; Triangle Fraternity
Motto of Villanova University
Motto of the Scottish clan Keith. Used to be motto

veritas vincit
truth conquers
of Protektorate of Bohemia and Moravia and in

Czech translation motto
ofCzechoslovakia and Czech Republic
Veritas. Virtus.
Truth. Courage.
Libertas.
Freedom.
veritas vit
magistra
Motto of the University of Szeged in Hungary
Another plaussible translation is 'Truth is Life's

Truth is Life's Teacher. Mistress'. Unofficial Motto of University of Puerto
Rico, Ro Piedras, appearing in its Tower.
veritas vos
the truth will set you
liberabit
free
Motto of Johns Hopkins University
veritate duce
Advancing (with) Truth
progredi
Leading.
[in] veritate et
caritate
with truth and love
veritate et virtute with truth and courage
Virtute duce
comite fortuna
veritatem dilexi
Under the guidance of

valor, accompanied by
good fortune
I delight in (or, I have

chosen) the truth.
veritatem
to bear witness to the
fratribus testari
truth in brotherhood
vero nihil verius
nothing truer than

truth
Motto of University of Arkansas
Motto of Catholic Junior College, Singapore; of St

Xavier's School, Hazaribagh, India
Motto of Sydney Boys High School. Also "virtute et

veritate", motto of Walford Anglican School for Girls.
Motto of Institut d'tudes politiques de Lyon, also

motto of the Accorretti family (it)
Motto of Bryn Mawr College
Motto of Xaverian Brothers High School
Motto of Mentone Girls' Grammar School
A variation of the campaign slogan used by thenvero possumus
Yes, we can
Senator Barack Obama on a Great Seal variation

during the 2008 US presidential campaign.[69][dead link]
Literally "in the direction". Mistakenly used in

versus (vs) or (v.)
towards
English as "against" (probably from "adversus"),

particularly to denote two opposing parties, such as
in a legal dispute or a sports match.
veto
I forbid
The right to unilaterally stop a certain piece

of legislation. Derived from ancient Roman voting
practices.
Used by Dante in Canto XXXIV of the Inferno, the

vexilla regis
Forth go the banners
phrase is an allusion to and play upon the Latin
prodeunt inferni
of the king of hell
Easter hymn Vexilla Regis, and is itself repeatedly

referenced in the works of Walter M. Miller, Jr.
vi coactus
under constraint
vi et animo
With heart and soul
used to indicate an agreement signed under duress
Or "Strength with Courage". Motto of Ascham

School and the McCulloch clan crest.
by the power of truth,

vi veri universum I, while living, have
vivus vici
conquered the
Magickal motto of Aleister Crowley.
universe
via
by the road
via media
middle road
via, veritas, vita
The Way, the Truth

and the Life
"by way of" or "by means of"; e.g. "I'll contact you
via e-mail."
Can refer to the radical center political stance.
From the words of Jesus in the Gospel of

John 14:6; motto of many institutions
including Glasgow University.
"one who acts in place of another"; can be used as

vice
in place of
a separate word, or as a hyphenated prefix: "Vice

President" and "Vice-Chancellor".
vice versa
with position turned
Thus, "the other way around", "conversely", etc.
versa vice
For other uses, see vice versa
Historically and in British English, vice is

pronounced as two syllables, but inAmerican
English the one-syllable pronunciation is extremely

common. Classical Latin pronunciation dictates that
the letter C can only make a hard sound, like K,
thus vee-keh vehr-sah. Morever, it also dictates that
the letter V, when consonantal, represents /w/; i.e. in
classical times, the V was pronounced like a W;
hence wee-keh wehr-sah.[70]
victoria aut mors Victory or death!
victoria
Victory comes from
concordia crescit harmony
victrix causa diis

placuit sed victa
Catoni
the victorious cause

pleased the gods, but
the conquered cause
pleased Cato
vide
"see" or "refer to"
vide infra (v.i.)
"see below"
vide supra (v.s.)
"see above"
videlicet (viz.)
video et taceo
"namely", "that is to
say", "as follows"
I see and keep silent
similar to aut vincere aut mori.
The official club motto of Arsenal F.C.
Lucan, Pharsalia 1, 128. Dedication on the south

side of the Confederate Memorial at Arlington
National Cemetery.
Or "see earlier in this writing". Also shortened to

just supra.
Contraction of videre licet: "permitted to see".
The motto of Queen Elizabeth I of England.
video meliora
I see and approve of
proboque
the better, but I follow
deteriora sequor
the worse
video sed non
I see it, but I don't
Caspar Hofmann after being shown proof of
credo
believe it
the circulatory system by William Harvey.
videre licet
From the Metamorphoses VII. 2021 of Ovid. A

summary of the experience of akrasia.
"it is permitted to see",

"one may see"
vim promovet
promotes one's innate Motto of University of Bristol taken from Horace Ode
insitam
power
vince malum
Overcome Evil with
bono
Good
vincere scis
Hannibal victoria
uti nescis
vincit omnia
veritas
vincit qui patitur
4.4.
Partial quotation of Romans 12:21 also used as a

motto for Old Swinford Hospital and Bishop Cotton
School, Shimla.
you know [how] to
According to Livy, a cavalry colonel told Hannibal
win,Hannibal; you do
this after the victory at Cannae in 216 BC, meaning
not know [how] to use that Hannibal should have marched on Rome
victory
directly.
Truth conquers all
Motto of Augusta State University in Augusta, GA
he conquers who
First attributed to Roman scholar and
endures
satirst Persius; frequently used as motto.
vincit qui se
he/she conquers who Motto of many educational institutions. Also "bis
vincit
conquers
vincit qui se vincit" ("he/she who prevails over
himself/herself
himself/herself is twice victorious"). Also the motto

of The Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast as
seen on the castle's stained glass window near the
beginning of the film. It is also the motto of North
Sydney Boys High School
vinculum juris
"the chain of the law",

i.e. legally binding
"A civil obligation is one which has a binding

operation in law, vinculum juris." Bouvier's Law
Dictionary, 1856, "Obligation."
vinum et musica
Wine and music
Asterix and Caesar's Gift; a variation on "vinum
laetificant cor
gladden the heart
bonum laetificat cor hominis".
vir prudens non
"[A] wise man does
contra ventum
not urinate [up]
mingit
against the wind"
vir visque vir
"Every man a man"
virile agitur
"The manly thing is

being done"
viriliter agite
"Act in a manly way"
viriliter agite
"Quit ye like men, be
estote fortes
strong"
virtus et labor
virtue and hard work
virtus et scientia
virtue and knowledge
virtus in media
Virtue stands in the
stat
middle.
Motto of the U.S. collegiate fraternity Lambda Chi

Alpha.
As used in the motto of Knox Grammar School
As used in the motto of St Muredach's College
As used in the motto of Culford School
The motto of Don Bosco Liluah, India.
Frequently used as a motto, preeminently as that

of La Salle University of Philadelphia, PA.
Idiomatically: Good practice lies in the middle path.

There is disagreement as to whether "media" or
"medio" is correct.
virtus junxit mors

non separabit
virtus sola
nobilitas
that which virtue

unites, let not death
Masonic (Scottish Rite) motto
separate
virtue alone [is] noble Christian Brothers College, St Kilda's school motto
virtus tentamine
Strength rejoices in
gaudet
the challenge.
virtus unita
virtue united [is]
fortior
stronger
The motto of Hillsdale College.
State motto of Andorra.
Or "by manhood and weapons". State

motto of Mississippi. Possibly derived from the
virtute et armis
by virtue and arms
motto of Lord Gray De Wilton, virtute non armis

fido ("I trust in virtue, not in arms"). Also virtute et
labore, as by manhood and by work motto of
Pretoria Boys High School
vis legis
power of the law
visio dei
Vision of a god
vita ante acta
a life done before
vita, dulcedo,
[Mary our] life,
spes
sweetness, hope
Thus, a previous life, generally due to reincarnation.
Motto of University of Notre Dame.
vita incerta, mors Life is uncertain,
In simpler English, "The most certain thing in life is
certissima
death".
death is most certain
vita mutatur, non Life is changed, not
The phrase is in the preface of the first Catholic rite
tollitur
of the Mass for the Dead.
vita patris
taken away.
During the life of the

father
vita summa
the shortness of life
brevis spem nos
prevents us from
vetat incohare
entertaining far-off
longam
hopes
Hence the term "decessit vita patris" (d.v.p) or "died

v.p." seen in genealogy works such as Burke's
Peerage.
A wistful refrain, sometimes used ironically. From

the first line of Horace's Ode I; later used as the title
of a short poem by Ernest Dowson.
From Lucretius' poem De rerum natura II.7779; the

normal spelling "vitae" (two syllables) had to be
vitai lampada
They hand on the
changed to "vita" (three syllables) to fit the
tradunt
torch of life
requirements of the poem's dactylic hexameters.

Motto of the Sydney Church of England Grammar
School and others.
viva voce
living voice
vivat crescat
may it live, grow, and
floreat
flourish!
vivat rex
May the King live!
vive memor leti
vive ut vivas
live remembering
death
An oral, as opposed to a written, examination of a

candidate.
Usually translated "Long live the King!" Also Vivat

Regina ("Long live the Queen!").
Persius. Compare with "memento mori"
live so that you may
The phrase suggests that one should live life to the
live
fullest and without fear of possible consequences.
vivere est
cogitare
to live is to think
vivere est vincere to live is to conquer
Cicero. Compare with "cogito ergo sum".
Captain John Smith's personal Motto.
Seneca (Epist. 96,5). Compare with the allegory

vivere militare est to live is to fight
of Miles Christianus based on militia est vita

hominis in the Vulgate, Book of Job 7:1.
vocatus atque
non vocatus
Deus aderit
or "called and even not called, God approaches";

called and not called,
attributed to the Oracle at Delphi. Used by Carl
God will be present
Jung as a personal motto adorning his home and

grave.
or "to him who consents, no harm is done"; used

volenti non fit
to one willing, no
injuria
harm is done
in tort law to delineate the principle that one cannot

be held liable for injuries inflicted on an individual
who has given his consent to the action that gave
rise to the injury.
votum separatum separate vow
An independent, minority voice.
or traditionally, "the voice of one crying in the

vox clamantis in
the voice of one
deserto
shouting in the desert
wilderness"; from the Vulgate, Isaiah 40:3, and

quoted by John the Baptist in
theGospels (Mark 1:3 and John 1:23). It is the motto
of Dartmouth College, in Hanover, New Hampshire.
vox nihili
voice of nothing
vox populi
voice of the people
Applied to a useless or ambiguous phrase or

statement.
Short non-prearranged interview with an ordinary

person (e.g. on the street); sometimes shortened to
"vox pop".

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Latin

Or "at will", "at one's pleasure". This phrase, and

from one well pleased

and Spanish (beneplcito) derivatives, are

Or "from heaven all the way to the center of the

from the sky to the

solum eius est usque ad coelum et ad

inferosmaxim of property ownership ("for

From top to bottom; all the way through

(colloquially "from head to toe"). Equally a

Equivalent to "on the contrary" or "au contraire".

from the opposite

An argumentum a contrario is an "argument from

to set forth from false

A long time ago. From Gaius Lucilius (Satires, 6,

Legal term from Cicero's De Finibus 4.53.

Loosely, "even more so" or "with even stronger

from the stronger

reason". Often used to lead from a less certain

From Psalm 72:8, "Et dominabitur a mari usque

ad mare, et a flumine usque ad terminos terrae"

(KJV: "He shall have dominion also from sea to

Completely. Similar to the English expressions

from feet to head

"from tip to toe" or "from head to toe". Equally a

from being able to being

"From possibility to actuality" or "from being

from the latter

priori. Used in mathematics and logic to denote

Presupposed independent of experience, the

from the former

postulated before a proof has been carried out.

from the absurd

Said of an argument that seeks to prove a

ab abusu ad usum an inference from an

abuse to a use is not

Rights abused are still rights (cf. abusus non

Literally, "from the everlasting" or "from eternity".

from the eternal

beginning of time" or "from an infinitely remote

from the ancient

From ancient times.

from the letters

Or, having to do with correspondence.

A legal term meaning "from without". From

external sources, rather than from the self or the

Or "from the bottom of my heart", "with deepest

from the deepest chest

affection", "sincerely".. Attributed to Julius

New Latin for "based on unsuitability", "from

inconvenience" or "from hardship".

argument from inconvenience has great weight.

Thus, "from the beginning" or "from

from the cradle

English to refer to the earliest stage or origin of

"At the outset", referring to an inquiry or

from the beginning

of the act, rather than from when the court

From someone who dies with no legal will (cf. ex

From the inside. The opposite of ab extra.

By a person who is angry. Used in law to

from an angry man