a bene placito
from one who has
been pleased well
a caelo usque ad
centrum
from the sky to the
center
a capite ad calcem
from head to heel
a contrario
from the opposite
a Deucalione
since Deucalion
a fortiori
from the stronger
a mari usque ad mare
from sea to sea
a pedibus usque ad
caput
from feet to head
a posse ad esse
from being able to
being
a posteriori
from the latter
a priori
from the former
ab absurdo
from the absurd
ab abusu ad usum non
valet consequentia
a consequence from
an abuse to a use is not v
ab aeterno
from the eternal
ab antiquo
from the ancient
ab epistulis
from the letter
ab extra
from beyond
ab hinc
from here on
ab imo pectore
from the bottom of
my heart
ab inconvenienti
from an inconvenient
thing
ab incunabulis
from the cradle
ab initio
from the beginning
ab intestato
from an intestate
ab intra
from within
ab irato
from an angry man
ab origine
from the source
ab ovo usque ad mala
from the egg to the apples
ab uno disce omnes
from one, learn all
ab urbe condita
(a.u.c.)
from the city having
been founded
ab utili
from utility
absens haeres non
erit
an absent person
will not be an heir
absente reo (abs.
re.)
with the defendant
being absent
absit iniuria verbis
let injury by words
be absent
absit invidia
let ill will be
absent
absit omen
let an omen be
absent
absolutum dominium
absolute dominion
absolvo
I acquit
abundans cautela non
nocet
abundant caution
does no harm
abusus non tollit
usum
misuse does not
remove use
abyssus abyssum
invocat
deep calleth unto
deep
accusare nemo se
debet nisi coram Deo
no one ought to
accuse himself except in the
Accipe Hoc
Take this
acta est fabula
plaudite
The play has been
performed; applaud!
acta non verba
actions, not words
Acta Sanctorum
Deeds of the Saints
actus non facit reum
nisi mens sit rea
The act is not
guilty unless the mind is also
actus reus
guilty act
ad absurdum
to the absurd
adaequatio
intellect?s nostri cum re
conformity of our
minds to the fact
ad abundantiam
to abundance
ad astra
to the stars
ad astra per aspera
to the stars through
difficulty
ad astra per alia
porci
to the stars on the
wings of a pig
ad captandum vulgus
in order to court
the crowd
ad eundem
to the same
ad fontes
to the sources
ad fundum
to the bottom
ad hoc
to this
ad hominem
to the man
ad honorem
to the honor
ad infinitum
to infinity
ad interim (ad int)
for the meantime
ad Kalendas Graecas
to the Greek Kalends
ad libitum (ad lib)
toward pleasure
ad litem
to the lawsuit
ad lucem
to the light
ad maiorem Dei
gloriam (AMDG)
To the greater glory
of God
ad meliora
Towards better
things
ad mortem
To death
ad multos annos
To many years!
ad nauseam
to the point of
disgust
ad oculos
With your own eyes.
ad pedem litterae
to the foot of the
letter
ad perpetuam
memoriam
to the perpetual
memory
ad pondus omnium (ad
pond om)
to the weight of all
things
ad quod damnum
to what damage
ad referendum
to that which must
be brought back
(ad ref)
ad rem
to the matter
ad terminum qui
praeteriit
for the term which
has passed
ad undas
to the waves
ad usum Delphini
for the use of the
Dauphin
ad usum proprium (ad
us. propr.)
for one’s own use
ad utrumque paratus
prepared for either
alternative
ad valorem
to the value
ad victoriam
to victory
ad vitam aeternam
to eternal life
ad vitam aut culpam
for life or until
fault
addendum
thing to be added
adequatio
intellectus et rei
correspondence of
the mind and reality
adsum
I am here
adversus solem ne
loquitor
Don’t speak against
the sun
aegri somnia
a sick man’s dreams
aequitas
Justice or equality
aetat
of age” (in the sense of: “age: …)
aetatis suae
of his own age
affidavit
he asserted
age quod agis
Do what you are
doing.
agenda
things to be done
Agnus Dei
Lamb of God
alea iacta est
the die is cast
alenda lux ubi orta
libertas
Let learning be
cherished where liberty has a
alias
otherwise
alibi
elsewhere
alis aquilae
on an eagle’s wings
alis grave nil
nothing is heavy to
those who have wings
alis volat propris
she flies with her
own wings
aliquantus
Rather big
aliquantulus
Not that big
aliquid stat pro
aliquo
something that
stands for something else
alma mater
nourishing mother
alter ego
other I
alterius non sit qui
suus esse potest
Let no man belong to
another that can belong
alterum non laedere
to not wound another
alumna or
pupil
alumnus
amicus curiae
friend of the court
amittere legem
terrae
to lose the law of
the land
amor est vitae
essentia
love is the essence
of life
amor et melle et felle
est fecundissmismus
love is rich with
both honey and venom
amor fati
love of fate
amor omnibus idem
love is the same for
all
amor patriae
love of one’s
country
amor vincit omnia
love conquers all
anglice
in English
anno (an.)
in the year
Anno Domini (A.D.)
in the Year of the
Lord
anno regni
In the year of the
reign
Annuit C?ptis
He Has Approved the
Undertakings
annus horribilis
horrible year
annus mirabilis
wonderful year
annus terribilis
dreadful year
ante bellum
before the war
ante cibum (a.c.)
before food
ante litteram
before the letter
ante meridiem (a.m.)
before midday
ante mortem
before death
ante prandium (a.p.)
before lunch
apparatus criticus
critical apparatus
aqua (aq.)
water
aqua fortis
strong water
aqua pura
pure water
aqua regia
royal water
aqua vitae
water of life
aquila non capit
muscam
an eagle doesn’t catch
flies
arare litus
to plough the
seashore
arbiter elegantiarum
judge of tastes
arcus senilis
senile bow
Argentum album
white money
arguendo
for arguing
argumentum
argument
ars [est] celare
artem
art [is] to conceal
art
ars gratia artis
art for art’s sake
ars longa vita
brevis
art is long, life is
short
asinus ad lyram
an ass to the lyre
asinus asinum fricat
the jackass rubs the
jackass
assecuratus non
quaerit lucrum sed agit ne in damno sit
the assured does not
seek profit but just ind
audacter calumniare,
semper aliquid haeret
slander boldly,
something always sticks
auctoritas
authority
audax at fidelis
bold but faithful
audeamus
let us dare
audemus jura nostra
defendere
we dare to defend
our rights
audentes fortuna
iuvat
fortune favors the
bold
audere est facere
to dare is to do
audi alteram partem
hear the other side
audio hostem
I hear the enemy
aurea mediocritas
golden mean
auri sacra fames
accursed hunger for
gold
auribus teneo lupum
I hold a wolf by the
ears
aurora australis
southern dawn
aurora borealis
northern dawn
aurum potestas est
gold is power
auspicium melioris
aevi
hope of a better age
aut Caesar aut nihil
either Caesar or
nothing
aut concilio aut
ense
either by meeting or
by the sword
aut pax aut bellum
either peace or war
aut viam inveniam
aut faciam
Either I shall find
a way, or I shall make on
aut vincere aut mori
either to conquer or
to die
ave atque vale
Hail and farewell!
ave Caesar morituri
te salutant
Hail, Caesar! The
ones who are about to die s
ave Europa nostra
vera Patria
Hail, Europe, our true
Fatherland!
Ave Maria
Hail, Mary
B
barba tenus
sapientes
wise as far as the
beard
Beata Virgo Maria
(BVM)
Blessed Virgin Mary
beatae memoriae
of blessed memory
beati pauperes
spiritu
Blessed in spirit
[are] the poor.
beati possidentes
blessed [are] those
who possess
beatus homo qui
invenit sapientiam
blessed is the man
who finds wisdom
bella gerant alii
let others wage war
bellum omnium contra
omnes
war of all against
all
bibo ergo sum
I drink, therefore I
am
bis dat qui cito dat
he gives twice, who
gives promptly
bis in die (bid)
twice in a day
bona fide
in good faith
bona notabilia
bona officia
good services
bona patria
bona vacantia
vacant goods
boni pastoris est
tondere pecus non deglubere
It is of a good
shepherd to shear his flock,
bonum commune
communitatis
common good of the
community
bonum commune
hominis
common good of a man
cacoethes scribendi
bad habit of writing
Caedite eos. Novit
enim Dominus qui sunt eius.
Kill them. For the
Lord knows those who are h
cadavera vero
innumera
truly countless
bodies
caetera desunt
the rest is wanting
calix meus inebrians
my cup makes me
drunk
camera obscura
dark chamber
canes pugnaces
war dogs” or
“fighting dogs
canis canem edit
dog eats dog
capax infiniti
capable of the
infinite
caput inter nubila
(condit)
head in the clouds
Caritas Christi
The love of Christ
carpe diem
seize the day
carpe noctem
seize the night
Carthago delenda est
Carthage must be
destroyed
casus belli
event of war
causa mortis
cause of death
cave
beware!
cave canem
beware of the dog
cave laborem
beware of work
cave nil vino
beware of running
out of wine
caveat emptor
let the buyer beware
caveat lector
let the reader
beware
caveat subscriptor
let the signer
beware
caveat venditor
let the seller
beware
caveat utilitor
let the user beware
Cedant arma togae
let arms yield to
the gown
celerius quam
asparagi cocuntur
more swiftly than
asparagus is cooked
cepi corpus
I got the body
certum est quod
certum reddi potest
It is certain if it
is capable of being rende
cessante ratione
legis cessat ipsa lex
When the reason for
the law ceases, the law i
cetera desunt
the rest are missing
ceteris paribus
with other things
equal
charta pardonationis
se defendendo
a paper of pardon to
him who defended himself
charta pardonationis
utlagariae
a paper of pardon to
the outlaw
Christianos ad
leones
[Throw the]
Christians to the lions!
Christo et Doctrinae
For Christ and
Learning
Christus nos
liberavit
Christ has freed us
Christus Rex
Christ the King
circa (c.) or (ca.)
around
circulus in probando
Circle made in
testing (a premise)
circulus vitiosus
vicious circle
citius altius
fortius
faster, higher,
stronger
Clamea admittenda in
itinere per atturnatum
clausum fregit
claves Sancti Petri
the keys of Saint
Peter
clavis aurea
Golden key
clerico admittendo
about to be made a
clerk
clerico capto per
statutum mercatorum
clerico convicto
commisso gaolae in defectu ordinarii deliberando
clerico intra sacros
ordines constituto non eligendo in officium
Codex Iuris Canonici
Book of Canon Law
Coelum non animum
mutant qui trans mare currunt
Those who hurry
cross the sea change the sky
cogito ergo sum
I think, therefore I
am.
coitus interruptus
interrupted congress
coitus more ferarum
congress in the way
of beasts
collige virgo rosas
pick, girl, the
roses
combinatio nova
new combination
communibus annis
“in common
years”
communibus locis
“in common
places”
communis opinio
generally accepted
view
compos mentis
in control of the
mind
concordia cum
veritate
in harmony with
truth
concordia salus
salvation through
harmony
condemnant quod non
intellegunt
They condemn what
they do not understand or T
condicio sine qua
non
condition without which
not
confer (cf.)
bring together
Confoederatio
Helvetica (C.H.)
Helvetian
Confederation
coniunctis viribus
with connected
strength
Consuetudo pro lege
servatur
Custom is kept
before the law
consummatum est
It is completed.
contemptus saeculi
scorn for the times
contra spem spero
hope against hope
contradictio in
terminis
contradiction in
terms
contraria contrariis
curantur
“the opposite
is cured with the opposite”
contra bonos mores
against good morals
contra legem
against the law
cor ad cor loquitur
heart speaks to
heart
cor aut mors
Heart or Death
cor meum tibi offero
domine prompte et sincere
my heart I offer to
you Lord promptly and sin
cor unum
one heart
coram Deo
in the Presence of
God
coram populo
in the presence of
the people
coram nobis, coram
vobis
in our presence, in
your presence
Corpus Christi
Body of Christ
corpus delicti
body of the offence
Corpus Iuris
Canonici
Body of Canon Law
Corpus Iuris Civilis
Body of Civil Law
corpus vile
worthless body
corrigenda
things to be
corrected
corruptio optimi
pessima
the corruption of
the best is the worst
corruptus in
extremis
corrupt to the
extreme
Corruptissima re
publica plurimae leges
When the republic is
at its most corrupt the
Cras amet qui
nunquam amavit; quique amavit, cras amet
May he love tomorrow
who has never loved befo
Credo in Unum Deum
I Believe in One God
credo quia absurdum
est
I believe it because
it is absurd
crescamus in Illo
per omina
May we grow in Him
through all things
crescat scientia
vita excolatur
let knowledge grow,
let life be enriched
crescit eundo
it grows as it goes
cruci dum spiro fido
while I live, I
trust in the cross, Whilst I
cucullus non facit
monachum
The hood does not
make the monk
cui bono
Good for whom?
cui prodest
for whom it advances
cuius est solum eius
est usque ad coelum et ad inferos
Whose the land is,
all the way to the sky and
cuius regio, eius
religio
whose region, his
religion
Cuiusvis hominis est
errare, nullius nisi insipientis in errore perseverare.
Anyone can err, but
only the fool persists in
culpa
fault
cum gladiis et
fustibus
with swords and
clubs
cum gladio et sale
with sword and salt
cum grano salis
with a grain of salt
cum hoc ergo
prompter hoc
with this, therefore
on account of this
cum laude
with praise
cum mortuis in
lingua mortua
with the dead in a
dead language
cura personalis
care for the whole
person
cura te ipsum
take care of your
own self
cur Deus Homo
Why the God/Man
curriculum vitae
course of life
custos morum
keeper of morals
cygnis insignis
distinguished by its
swans
cygnus inter anates
swan among ducks
Da mihi factum, dabo
tibi ius
Give me the fact(s),
I’ll give you the law
damnatio memoriae
damnation of memory
damnum absque
injuria
damage without
injury
data venia
with due
respect” or “given the excuse
dat deus incrementum
God grants the
increase
de bonis asportatis
carrying goods away
Decus Et Tutamen
An ornament and a
safeguard
descensus in
cuniculi cavum
The descent into the
cave of the rabbit
de dato
of the date
de facto
in fact
de fideli
with faithfulness
de futuro
regarding the future
de gustibus non est
disputandum
there is not to be
discussion regarding taste
de integro
again, a second time
de jure
by law
de lege ferenda
from law to be
passed
de lege lata
from law
passed” or “by law in force
de minimis non curat
lex
The law does not
bother with the smallest thi
de minimis non curat
praetor
The commander does
not bother with the smalle
de mortuis aut bene
aut nihil
about the dead,
either well or nothing
de mortuis nil nisi
bonum
about the dead,
nothing unless a good thing
de nobis fabula
narratur
about us is the
story told
de novo
from the new
de omnibus
dubitandum
be suspicious of
everything, doubt everything
de omni re scibili
et quibusdam aliis
about every knowable
thing, and even certain
De Oppresso Liber
Free From Having
Been Oppressed
de profundis
from the depths
de re
about the matter
Dei Gratia Regina
By the Grace of God,
Queen
Dei sub numine viget
under God’s Spirit
she flourishes
delectatio morosa
peevish delight
deliriant isti
Romani
They are mad, those
Romans!
Deo ac veritati
God and Truth
Deo domuique
for God and for home
Deo et Patriae
for God and Country
Deo gratias
thanks [be] to God
Deo Optimo Maximo
(DOM)
To the Best and
Greatest God
Deo vindice
with God as
protector
Deo volente
with God willing
deus caritas est
God is Love
deus ex machina
a god from a machine
Deus vult
God wills it!
deus otiosus
God at leisure
Dicto simpliciter
[From] a maxim,
simply
dictum meum pactum
my word [is] my bond
diem perdidi
I have lost the day
Diem Ex Dei
Day of God
Dies Irae
Day of Wrath
Dies non juridicum
Day without
judiciary
differentia
specifica
specific differences
dirigo
I direct
dis aliter visum
it seemed otherwise
to the gods
dis manibus sacrum
(D.M.S.)
Sacred to the
ghost-gods
Disce aut Discede
Learn or Depart
disce quasi semper
victurus vive quasi cras moriturus
Learn as if always
going to live; live as if
discipuli nostri
bardissimi sunt
Our students are the
stupidest
disjecta membra
scattered limbs
ditat Deus
God enriches
divide et impera
divide and rule
dixi
I have spoken
[“…”,
…] dixit
[“…”,
…] said
do ut des
I give that you may
give
Docendo discitur
It is learned by
teaching
Docendo disco,
scribendo cogito
I learn by teaching,
think by writing.
dolus specialis
special intent
Domine dirige nos
Lord guide us
Dominus Illuminatio
Mea
the Lord is my light
Dominus vobiscum
Lord be with you
dona nobis pacem
give us peace
donatio mortis causa
giving in
expectation of death
draco dormiens
nunquam titillandus
a sleeping dragon is
never to be tickled
dramatis personae
the parts of the
play
Duae tabulae rasae
in quibus nihil scriptum est
Two blank slates
with nothing written upon th
Ducunt volentem
fata, nolentem trahunt
The fates lead the
willing and drag the unwil
Ductus exemplo
Leadership by
Example
dulce bellum
inexpertis
war is sweet to the
inexperienced
dulce et decorum est
pro patria mori
It is sweet and
honorable to die for the fath
dulce et utile
a sweet and useful
thing
dulce periculum
danger is sweet
Dulcius ex asperis
sweeter after
difficulties
dum spiro spero
while I breathe, I
hope
dum Roma deliberat
Saguntum perit
while Rome debates,
Saguntum is in danger
dum vivimus servimus
While we live, we
serve
dura lex sed lex
the law [is] harsh,
but [it is] the law
dura mater
tough mother
dum vita est, spes
est
while there is life,
there is hope
dux bellorum
War leader
e pluribus unum
‘From many, (comes)
One.’
Ecce Homo
‘Behold the Man’
editio princeps
‘first edition’
e.g.
‘for the sake of
example’
Ego non
‘not I’
ego te absolvo
‘I absolve you’
ego te provoco
‘I dare you’
emeritus
‘veteran’
ens causa sui
‘existing because of
oneself’
ense petit placidam
sub libertate quietem
‘by the sword she
seeks gentle peace under li
entitas ipsa
involvit aptitudinem ad extorquendum certum assensum
‘reality involves a
power to compel sure asse
eo ipso
‘by that very act’
equo ne credite
‘do not trust the
horse’
eo nomine
‘by that name’
ergo
‘therefore’
erga omnes
‘in relation to
everyone’
errare humanum est
‘to err is human’
erratum
‘error’
esse est percipi
‘to be is to be
perceived’
esse quam videri
‘to be, rather than
to seem’
esto perpetua
‘may it be
perpetual’
et alibi (et al.)
‘and elsewhere’
et alii (et al.)
‘and others’
et cetera (etc.) or
(&c.)
‘And the rest’
et facta est lux
And light was made
et hoc genus omne
‘And all that sort
of thing’
etiam si omnes…
ego non
also if all ones…
not I
et in Arcadia ego
‘and in Arcadia [am]
I’
et nunc reges
intelligite erudimini qui judicati terram
‘And now, O ye
kings, understand: receive ins
et si omnes… ego
non
even if all ones…
not I
et sequentes (et
seq.)
‘and the following’
et suppositio nil
ponit in esse
‘a supposition puts
nothing in being’
et tu, Brute?
‘And you, Brutus?’
et uxor (et ux.)
‘and wife’
ex abundantia enim
cordis os loquitur
‘For out of the
abundance of the heart the mo
ex abundanti cautela
‘from abundant
caution’
ex aequo
‘from the equal’
ex animo
‘from the heart’
ex ante
‘from before’
Ex Astris Scientia
‘From the Stars,
Knowledge’
ex cathedra
‘from the chair’
ex Deo
‘from God’
ex dolo malo
‘from fraud’
ex facie
‘from the face’
ex fide fiducia
‘from faith [comes]
confidence’
ex gratia
‘from kindness’
ex hypothesi
‘from the
hypothesis’
ex lege
‘from the law’
ex libris
‘from the books’
ex luna scientia
‘from the moon,
knowledge’
ex malo bonum
‘good out of evil’
ex mea sententia
‘in my opinion’
ex nihilo nihil fit
‘nothing may come
from nothing’
ex oblivione
‘from oblivion’
ex officio
‘from the office’
ex opere operantis
‘from the work of
the one working’
ex opere operato
‘from the work
worked’
ex oriente lux
‘from the East, the
light’
ex parte
‘from a part’
ex pede Herculem
‘from Hercules’
foot’
ex post
‘from after’
ex post facto
‘from a thing done
afterward’
ex professo
‘with due
competence’
ex scientia tridens
‘from knowledge, sea
power.’
ex scientia vera
‘from knowledge,
truth.’
ex silentio
‘from silence’
ex tempore
‘from time’
ex vi termini
‘from the force of
the term’
ex vivo
‘out of or from
life’
ex voto
‘from the vow’
excelsior
‘higher’
exceptio firmat
regulam in casibus non exceptis
‘The exception
confirms the rule in cases whi
exceptio probat
regulam in casibus non exceptis
‘The exception
confirms the rule in cases whi
excusatio non petita
accusatio manifesta
‘an excuse that has
not been sought is an obv
exeat
‘may he leave’
exempli gratia
(e.g.)
‘for the sake of
example’
exercitus sine duce
corpus est sine spiritu
‘an army without
leader is like a body withou
exeunt
‘they leave’
experientia docet
‘experience teaches’
experimentum crucis
‘crucial experiment’
experto crede
‘trust the expert’
expressio unius est
exclusio alterius
‘the expression of
the one is the exclusion o
extant
‘still in existence;
surviving’
extra domus
‘(placed) outside of
the house’
Extra Ecclesiam
nulla salus
‘Outside the Church
there is no salvation’
Extra omnes
‘Out, all of you.’
extra territorium
jus dicenti impune non paretur
‘he who administers
justice outside of his te
Faber est suae
quisque fortunae
Every man is the
artisan of his own fortune
fac fortia et patere
do brave deeds and
endure
fac simile
make a similar thing
facta, non verba
actions, not words
falsus in uno,
falsus in omnibus
false in one thing,
false in everything
felo de se
felon from himself
fere libenter
homines id quod volunt credunt
men generally
believe what they want to
festina lente
hurry slowly
fiat iustitia et
pereat mundus
let justice be done,
and the world shall peri
fiat justitia ruat
caelum
let justice be done
should the sky fall
fiat lux
let light be made
Fiat Voluntas Dei
May God’s will be
done
Fiat Voluntas Tua
Thy will be done
Fidei Defensor (Fid
Def) or (fd)
Defender of the
Faith
fidem scit
“He knows the
faith”
fides qua creditur
the faith by which
it is believed
fides quae creditur
“the faith
which is believed
fides quaerens
intellectum
“faith seeking
understanding
fidus Achates
faithful Achates
finis vitae sed non
amoris
The end of Life is
not the end of Love
omnibus locis fit
caedes
Let there be
slaughter everywhere
flagellum dei
scourge of god
flectere si nequeo
superos, Achaeronta movebo
If I cannot move
heaven I will raise hell
floreat etona
May Eton Flourish
floruit (fl.)
one flourished
fluctuat nec
mergitur
she wavers and is
not immersed
fons et origo
the spring and
source
fortes fortuna
adiuvat
Fortune favours the
bold
fortes in fide
strong in faith
fortis cadere,
cedere non potest
The brave may fall,
but cannot yield
fortis est veritas
truth is strong
fortis et liber
strong and free
fortiter et
fideliter
bravely and
faithfully
G
Latin
Translation
gaudeamus hodie
let us rejoice today
gaudeamus igitur
therefore let us
rejoice
gaudium in veritate
joy in truth
generalia
specialibus non derogant
universal things do
not detract from specific
genius loci
spirit of place
gesta non verba
Deeds not words
Gloria in Excelsis
Deo
Glory to God in the
Highest
Gloria Patri
Glory to the Father
gloriosus et liber
glorious and free
Gradibus ascendimus
Ascending by degrees
gradatim ferociter
by degrees,
ferociously
Gratiae veritas
naturae
Truth through God’s
mercy and nature
graviora manent
heavier things
remain
gutta cavat lapidem
non vi sed saepe cadendo
a water drop hollows
a stone not by force, bu
habeas corpus
You should have the
body
habemus papam
we have a pope
Habent sua fata
libelli
Books have their
destiny [according to the ca
hac lege
with this law
haec olim meminisse
iuvabit
one day, this will
be pleasing to remember
Hannibal ante portas
Hannibal before the
gates
Hannibal ad portas
Hannibal is at the
gates
haud ignota loquor
I speak not of
unknown things
hic abundant leones
here lions abound
hic et nunc
here and now
hic jacet (HJ)
here lies
hic manebimus optime
here we’ll stay
excellently
hic sunt dracones
here there are
dragons
hic sunt leones
here there are lions
hinc illae lacrimae
hence those tears
historia vitae
magistra
history, the teacher
of life
hoc age
do this
hoc est bellum
This is war
hoc est Christum
cognoscere, beneficia eius cognoscere
To know Christ is to
know his benefits
Hoc Est Enim Corpus
Meum
This is my Body
homo homini lupus
man [is a] wolf to
man
homo sum humani a me
nihil alienum puto
I am a human being;
nothing human is strange
homo unius libri
(timeo)
(I fear) a man of
one book
hominem non morbum
cura
Treat the Man, not
the Disease
honor virtutis
praemium
esteem is the reward
of virtue
honoris causa
for the sake of
honor
hora fugit
the hour flees
hora somni (h.s.)
at the hour of sleep
horas non numero
nisi serenas
I do not count the
hours unless they are sunn
hortus in urbe
A garden in the city
hortus siccus
A dry garden
horribile dictu
horrible to say
hostis humani
generis
enemy of the human
race
hypotheses non fingo
I do not fabricate
hypotheses
ibidem (ibid.)
in the same place
idem (id.)
the same
idem quod (i.q.)
the same as
id est (i.e.)
that is
id quod plerumque
accidit
that which generally
happens
Idus Martiae
the Ides of March
Iesus Nazarenus Rex
Iudaeorum (INRI)
Jesus of Nazareth,
King of the Jews
igitur qui desiderat
pacem, praeparet bellum
Therefore whoever
desires peace, let him prep
igne natura
renovatur integra
through fire, nature
is reborn whole
igni ferroque
with fire and iron
ignis aurum probat
fire tests gold
ignis fatuus
foolish fire
ignorantia juris non
excusat
ignorance of the law
does not excuse
ignoratio elenchi
ignorance of the
issue
ignotum per ignotius
unknown by means of
the more unknown
ignotus (ign.)
unknown
imago Dei
image of God
imitatio dei
imitation of a god
imperium in imperio
an order within an
order
imperium sine fine
an empire without an
end
imprimatur
let it be printed
in absentia
in the absence
in actu
in act
in articulo mortis
at the point of
death
in camera
in the chamber
in casu
in the event
in cauda venenum
the poison is in the
tail
incertae sedis
of uncertain
position (seat)
incredibile dictu
incredible to say
in Deo speramus
in God we hope
Index Librorum
Prohibitorum
Index of Prohibited
(or, Forbidden) Books
indivisibiliter ac
inseparabiliter
indivisible and
inseparable
in dubio pro reo
in doubt, on behalf
of the [alleged] culprit
in duplo
in double
in effigie
in the likeness
in esse
in existence
in extenso
in the extended
in extremis
in the furthest
reaches
in fidem
into faith
in fieri
in becoming
in fine (i.f.)
in the end
Infinitus est
numerus stultorum.
Infinite is the
number of fools.
Infirma mundi elegit
Deus
God chooses the weak
of the world
in flagrante delicto
in a blazing wrong,
while the crime is blazin
in flore
in blossom
in foro
in forum
infra dignitatem
(infra dig)
beneath one’s
dignity
in girum imus nocte
et consumimur igni
We enter the circle
at night and are consumed
in hoc signo vinces
by this sign you
will conquer
in hunc effectum
for this purpose
in illo tempore
in that time
in inceptum finis
est
[roughly]the way you
begin is how you will en
in limine
at the outset
in loco
in the place
in loco parentis
in the place of a
parent
in luce Tua videmus
lucem
in Thy light we see
light
in lumine tuo
videbimus lumen
in your light we
will see the light
in manus tuas
commendo spiritum meum
into your hands I
entrust my spirit
in medias res
into the middle of
things
in memoriam
into the memory
in necessariis
unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas
in necessary things
unity, in doubtful things
in nuce
in a nut
In omnia paratus
Ready for anything.
in omnibus requiem
quaesivi, et nusquam inveni nisi in angulo cum libro
Everywhere I have
searched for peace and nowh
in partibus
infidelium
in the parts of the
infidels
in pectore
in the heart
in personam
into a person
in posse
in potential
in propria persona
in one’s own person
In re
in the matter [of]
In rem
to the thing
in rerum natura
in the nature of
things
in retentis
among things held
back
in saeculo
in the times
in salvo
in safety
in silico
in silicon
(Dog Latin)
in situ
in the place
In somnis veritas
In dreams there is
truth
In spe
in hope
In specialibus
generalia quaerimus
To seek the general
in the specifics
instante mense
(inst.)
in the present month
in statu nascendi
in the state of
being born
intaminatis fulget
honoribus
Untarnished, she
shines with honor
integer vitae
scelerisque purus
unimpaired by life
and clean of wickedness
inter alia (i.a.)
among other things
inter alios
among others
inter arma enim
silent leges
In the face of arms,
the law falls mute, more
inter caetera
among others
inter spem et metum
between hope and
fear
inter vivos
between the living
in toto
in all
intra muros
within the walls
intra vires
within the powers
in triplo
in triple
in utero
in the womb
in utrumque paratus
Prepared for either
(event)
in vacuo
in a void
In varietate
concordia
Literally, In
variety, concord (Loosely, In d
in vino veritas
in wine [there is]
truth
in vitro
in glass
in vivo
in life” or
“in a living thing
in vivo veritas
in a living thing
[there is] truth
invictus maneo
I remain unvaquished
Iohannes est nomen
eius
John is its name /
Juan es su Nombre
ipsa scientia
potestas est
knowledge itself is
power
ipse dixit
he himself said it
ipsissima verba
the very words
themselves
ipsissima voce
the very ‘voice’
itself
ipso facto
by the fact itself
Ira Deorum
Wrath of the Gods
ira furor brevis est
Wrath (anger) is but
a brief madness
ita vero
thus indeed
Ite, missa est
Go, it is sent”
(or, more loosely: “You have
Iter Legis
The path of the law
iugulare mortuos
to cut the throat of
corpses
iura novit curia
the court knows the
laws
iuris ignorantia est
cum ius nostrum ignoramus
it is ignorance of
the law when we do not kno
ius accrescendi
right of accrual
ius ad bellum
law towards war
ius cogens
compelling law
ius in bello
law in war
ius primae noctis
law of the first
night
iustitia omnibus
justice for all
iuventitus veho
fortunas
I bear the fortunes
of youth
iuventuti nil arduum
to the young nothing
is difficult
Labor omnia vincit
Hard work conquers
all
Laborare pugnare
parati sumus
To work, (or) to
fight; we are ready
Labore et honore
By labour and honour
Laboremus pro patria
Let us work for the
fatherland
Laboris gloria Ludi
Work hard, Play hard
lapsus linguae
slip of the tongue
lapsus memoriae
slip of memory
Laudator Temporis
Acti
praiser of time past
Laudetur Jesus
Christus
Praise (Be) Jesus
Christ
laus Deo
praise be to God
lectori salutem
greetings reader
lege artis
according to the law
of the art
legem terrae
the law of the land
leges humanae
nascuntur, vivunt, et moriuntur
laws of man are
born, live and die
leges sine moribus
vanae
laws without morals
[are] vain
legitime
lawfully
lex artis
law of the skill
lex orandi, lex
credendi
the law of prayer is
the law of faith
lex dei vitae lampas
the law of God is
the lamp of life
lex ferenda
the law that should
be borne
lex hac edictali
the law here
proclaims
lex in casu
law in the event
lex lata
the law that has
been borne
lex loci
law of the place
lex non scripta
law that has not
been written
lex parsimoniae
law of succinctness
lex rex
the law [is] king
lex scripta
written law
lex talionis
the law of
retaliation
lex tempus
time is the law
libera te tutemet
(ex inferis)
Free yourself (from
hell)
Libertas Justitia
Veritas
Liberty Justice
Truth
Libertas Quae Sera
Tamen
freedom which [is]
however late
libra (lb)
scales
loco citato (lc)
in the place cited
locus classicus
a classic place
locus deperditus
place of
(irremediable) loss
locus minoris
resistentiae
place of less resistance
lorem ipsum
sorrow itself, pain
for its own sake
luceat lux vestra
Let your light shine
lucem sequimur
We follow the light
luctor et emergo
I struggle and
emerge
lucus a non lucendo
[it is] a grove by
not being light
lupus in fabula
the wolf in the
story
lupus non mordet
lupum
a wolf does not bite
a wolf
lux et lex
light and law
lux et veritas
light and truth
lux ex tenebris
light from darkness
lux hominum vita
life the light of
men
lux in Domino
light in the Lord
lux libertas
light, liberty
lux mentis lux orbis
Light of the mind,
light of the world
lux sit
let there be light
lux tua nos ducat
Your Light Guides Us
magister dixit
the teacher has said
it
Magna Carta
Great Charter
magna cum laude
with great praise
Magna Europa est
Patria Nostra
Great Europe is Our
Fatherland
magna est vis
consuetudinis
great is the power
of habit
magno cum gaudio
with great joy
magnum opus
great work
maiora premunt
greater things are
pressing
mala fide
in bad faith
mala tempora currunt
bad times are upon
us
male captus bene
detentus
wrongly captured,
properly detained
Malo periculosam
libertatem quam quietum servitium
I prefer liberty
with danger to peace with sl
malum discordiae
apple of discord
malum quo communius
eo peius
the more common an
evil is, the worse it is
malum in se
wrong in itself
malum prohibitum
wrong due to being
prohibited
manu militari
with a military hand
manu propria (m.p.)
with one’s own hand
manus celer Dei
the swift hand of
God
manus manum lavat
one hand washes the
other
mare clausum
closed sea
mare liberum
free sea
mare nostrum
our sea
Mater Dei
Mother of God
Mater Facit
Mother Does It
Mater semper certa
est
The mother is always
certain
mater familias
the mother of the
family
materia medica
medical matter
me vexat pede
it annoys me at the
foot
Mea Culpa
My Fault
Mea navis
a?ricumbens anguillis abundat
My hovercraft is
full of eels
Media vita in morte
sumus
In the midst of our
lives we die
Mediolanum captum
est
Milan has been
captured
meliora
better things
Melita, domi adsum
Honey, I’m home!
memento mori
remember that [you
will] die
memento vivere
a reminder of life
memores acti
prudentes futuri
mindful of what has
been done, aware of what
mens agitat molem
the mind moves the
mass
mens et manus
mind and hand
mens rea
guilty mind
mens sana in corpore
sano
a sound mind in a
sound body
meminerunt omnia
amantes
lovers remember all
metri causa
for the sake of the
meter
Miles Gloriosus
Glorious Soldier
minatur innocentibus
qui parcit nocentibus
he threatens the
innocent who spares the guil
mirabile dictu
wonderful to tell
mirabile visu
wonderful by the
sight
miscerique probat
populos et foedera jungi
He approves of the
mingling of the peoples an
miserabile visu
terrible by the
sight
miserere nobis
have mercy upon us
missit me Dominus
the Lord has sent me
mittimus
we send
mobilis in mobili
moving in a moving
thing” or, poetically, “ch
modus operandi
(M.O.)
method of operating
modus ponens
method of placing
modus tollens
method of removing
modus morons
?
(Dog Latin)
modus vivendi
method of living
montaini semper
liberi
mountaineers [are]
always free
Montis Insignia
Calpe
Badge of the Rock of
Gibraltar
mortui vivos docent
(Let the) dead teach
the living
more ferarum
like beasts
morituri nolumus
mori
we who are about to
die don’t want to
morituri te salutant
those who are about
to die salute you
mors certa, hora
incerta
death is certain, its
hour is uncertain
mors tua vita mea
your death, my life
mors vincit omnia
death conquers
all” or “death always wins
mortuum flagellas
you are flogging a
dead
mos maiorum
the custom of our
ancestors
motu proprio
on his own
initiative
mulgere hircum
to milk a male goat
multa paucis
Say much in few
words
multis e gentibus
vires
from many peoples,
strength
multum in parvo
much in little
mundus vult decipi
the world wants to
be deceived
munit haec et altera
vincit
this one defends and
the other one conquers
mutatis mutandis
with those things
changed which needed to be
nasciturus pro iam
nato habetur, quotiens de commodis eius agitur
The unborn is deemed
to have been born to the
natura abhorret a
vacuo
nature abhors a
vacuum
natura non
contristatur
nature is not
saddened
natura non facit
saltum ita nec lex
nature does not make
a leap, thus neither doe
natura non facit
saltus
nature makes no
leaps
naturalia non sunt
turpia
What is natural is
not dirty.
naturam expellas
furca, tamen usque recurret.
You may drive out
Nature with a pitchfork, ye
navigare necesse est
vivere non est necesse
to sail is
necessary; to live is not necessar
ne plus ultra
nothing more beyond
ne sutor ultra
crepidam
Cobbler, no further
than the sandal!
nec dextrorsum, nec
sinistrorsum
Neither to the right
nor to the left
nec spe, nec metu
without hope,
without fear
nec tamen
consumebatur
and yet it was not
consumed
nec temere nec
timide
neither reckless nor
timid
neca eos omnes, deus
suos agnoscet
kill them all, god
will know his own.
nemine contradicente
(nem. con.)
with no one speaking
against
nemo dat quod non
habet
no one gives what he
does not have
nemo est supra legis
nobody is above the
law
nemo iudex in sua
causa
no man shall be a
judge in his own cause
nemo malus felix
peace visits not the
guilty mind
nemo me impune
lacessit
no one provokes me
with impunity
nemo mortalium
omnibus horis sapit
No mortal is wise at
all times
nemo nisi per
amicitiam cognoscitur
No one learns except
by friendship
nemo saltat sobrius
Nobody dances sober
nemo tenetur seipsum
accusare
no one is bound to
accuse himself
nervos belli,
pecuniam infinitam
Endless money forms
the sinews of war
nihil ad rem
nothing to do with
the point
nihil dicit
he says nothing
nihil novi
nothing of the new
nihil obstat
nothing prevents
Nihil sine Deo
Nothing without God
nil admirari
be surprised at
nothing
nil desperandum
nothing must be
despaired at
nil nisi bonum
(about the dead say)
nothing unless (it is) g
nil nisi malis
terrori
no terror, except to
the bad
nil per os (n.p.o.)
nothing through the
mouth
nil satis nisi
optimum
nothing [is] enough
unless [it is] the best
nil sine labore
nothing without
labour
nil sine numine
nothing without the
divine will
nil volentibus
arduum
Nothing [is] arduous
for the willing
nisi Dominus frustra
if not the Lord, [it
is] in vain
nisi prius
unless previously
nolens volens
unwilling, willing
noli me tangere
do not touch me
noli turbare
circulos meos
Do not disturb my
circles!
nolite te bastardes
carborundorum
“Don’t let the
bastards grind you down
(Dog Latin)
nolle prosequi
to be unwilling to
prosecute
nolo contendere
I do not wish to
contend
nomen dubium
doubtful name
nomen est omen
the name is a sign
nomen nescio (N.N.)
I do not know the
name
nomen nudum
naked name
non bis in idem
not twice in the
same thing
non causa pro causa
not the cause for
the cause
non compos mentis
not in control of
the mind
Non ducor, duco
I am not led; I lead
non constat
it is not certain
non facias malum ut
inde fiat bonum
you should not make
evil in order that good m
non impediti ratione
congitatonis
unencumbered by the
thought process
non in legendo sed
in intelligendo legis consistunt
the laws depend not
on being read, but on bei
non liquet
it is not proven
non mihi solum
not for myself alone
non nobis solum
not for ourselves
alone
non obstante
veredicto
not standing in the
way of a verdict
non olet
it doesn’t smell
non omnis moriar
I shall not all die
non plus ultra
nothing further
beyond
non possumus
not possible
non progredi est
regredi
to not go forward is
to go backward
non prosequitur
he does not proceed
non scholae sed
vitae discimus
We learn not for
school, but for life.
non quis sed quid
not who but what
non sequitur
it does not follow
non serviam
I will not serve
non sibi
Not for self.
non sibi, sed suis
Not for one’s self
but for one’s own.
Non sibi, sed patria
Not for self, but
for Country.
Non silba, sed
anthar; Deo vindice
Not for self, but
for others; God will vindic
non sum qualis eram
I am not such as I
was
non teneas aurum
totum quod splendet ut aurum
Do not hold as gold
all that shines as gold.
non timebo mala
I will fear no evil
non vi, sed verbo
Not through
violence, but through the word al
nosce te ipsum
know thyself
nosus decipio
we cheat
noster nostri
Literally “Our
ours”
nota bene (n.b.)
mark well
Novus Ordo Seclorum
New Order of the
Ages
nulla dies sine
linea
Not a day without a
line drawn.
nulla poena sine
lege
no penalty without a
law
Nulla tenaci invia
est via
For the tenacious,
no road is impassable.
nullam rem natam
no thing born
nulli secundus
second to none
nullius in verba
On the word of no
man
nullum crimen, nulla
poena sine lege
no crime, no
punishment without law
nullum magnum
ingenium sine mixtura dementiae fuit
There has been no
great wisdom without an ele
numerus clausus
closed number
nunc dimittis
now you are sending
away
nunc est bibendum
now is the time to
drink
nunc pro tunc
now for then
nunc scio quid sit
amor
now I know what love
is
nunquam minus solus
quam cum solus
never less alone
than when alone.
nunquam non
never unprepared
paratus
O homines ad
servitutem paratos
Men fit to be
slaves!
O tempora O mores
Oh, the times! Oh,
the morals!
obiit (ob.)
one died
obit anus, abit onus
The old woman dies,
the burden is lifted
obiter dictum
a thing said in
passing
obscuris vera
involvens
the truth being
enveloped by obscure things
obscurum per
obscurius
the obscure by means
of the more obscure
oculus dexter (O.D.)
right eye
oculus sinister
(O.S.)
left eye
oderint dum metuant
let them hate, so
long as they fear
odi et amo
I hate and I love
odi profanum vulgus
et arceo
I hate the unholy
rabble and keep them away
odium theologicum
theological hatred
oleum camino
(To pour) oil on the
fire
omnes vulnerant,
postuma necat or omnes feriunt, ultima necat
All [the hours]
wound, last one kills
omne ignotum pro
magnifico
every unknown thing
[is taken] for great
omnia dicta fortiora
si dicta Latina
everything said [is]
stronger if said in Lati
omnia mutantur,
nihil interit
Everything changes,
nothing perishes
omnia vincit amor
Love conquers all
omne vivum ex ovo
Every living thing
is from an egg
omnia munda mundis
everything [is] pure
to the pure [men]
omnia praesumuntur
legitime facta donec probetur in contrarium
all things are
presumed to be lawfully done,
omnibus idem
the same to all
Omnis Vir Tigris
“Everyone A
Tiger”
omnium gatherum
gathering of all
onus probandi
burden of proof
onus procedendi
burden of procedure
opera omnia
all works
opera posthuma
posthumous works
operari sequitur
esse
the act of doing
something follows the act of
opere citato (op.
cit.)
in the work that was
cited
opere et viritate
in action and truth
opere laudato (op.
laud.)
operibus anteire
leading the way with
deeds
ophidia in herba
a snake in the grass
opus anglicanum
English work
Opus Dei
The Work of God
ora et labora
pray and work
ora pro nobis
pray for us
oratio directa
direct speech
oratio obliqua
indirect speech
orbis non sufficit
the world does not
suffice”
“the world is
not enough
orbis unum
One world
ordo ab chao
Out of chaos, comes
order
orta recens quam
pura nites
newly risen, how
brightly you shine
pace
“in peace”
pace tua
“your
peace”
pacta sunt servanda
“agreements
must be kept”
palma non sine
pulvere
“no reward
without effort”
panem et circenses
“bread and
circuses”
para bellum
“prepare for
war”
parens patriae
“parent of the
nation”
Pari passu
“with equal
step”
parva sub ingenti
“the small
under the huge”
Parvis imbutus
tentabis grandia tutus
“When you are
steeped in little things, you s
passim
“here and
there”
pater familias
“father of the
family”
Pater Patriae
“Father of the
Nation”
pater peccavi
“father, I have
sinned”
Pater Omnipotens
“Father
Almighty”
Patriam fecisti
diversis de gentibus unam
“From differing
peoples you have made one nat
pauca sed matura
“few, but
ripe”
pauca sed bona
“few, but
good”
pax aeterna
“eternal
peace”
Pax Americana
“American
Peace”
Pax Britannica
“British
Peace”
Pax Christi
“Peace of
Christ”
pax Dei
“peace of
God”
Pax Deorum
“Peace of the
Gods”
Pax Domine
“Peace,
lord”
pax et bonum
“peace and the
good”
pax et lux
“peace and
light”
pax in terra
“Peace on
earth”
Pax Europea
“European
peace”
pax maternum, ergo
pax familiarum
“peace of
mothers, therefore peace of familie
Pax Mongolica
“Mongolian
Peace”
Pax Romana
“Roman
Peace”
Pax Sinica
“Chinese
Peace”
Pax tecum
“Peace be with
you”
pax vobiscum
“peace [be]
with you”
Peccavi
“I have
sinned”
pecunia non olet
“the money
doesn’t smell”
pecunia, si uti
scis, ancilla est; si nescis, domina
“if you know
how to use money, money is your
pendent opera
interrupta
“the work hangs
interrupted”
per
“By, through,
by means of”
per angusta ad
augusta
“through
difficulties to greatness”
per annum (pa.)
“through a
year”
per ardua
“through
adversity”
per ardua ad alta
“through hard
work, great things are achieved
per ardua ad astra
“through
struggles to the stars”
per aspera ad astra
“through
hardships to the stars”
per capsulam
“through the small
box”
per capita
“through the
heads”
per contra
“through the
contrary”
per curiam
“through the
senate”
Per crucem vincemus
“through the
cross we shall conquer”
per definitionem
“through the
definition”
per diem (pd.)
“through a
day”
Per Mare per Terram
“By Sea and by
Land”
per mensem (pm.)
“through a
month”
per os (p.o.)
“through the
mouth”
per pedes
“by feet”
per procura (p.p.)
or (per pro)
“through the
agency”
per quod
“by reason of
which”
per rectum (pr)
“through the
rectum”
per se
“through
itself”
per stirpes
“through the
roots”
per unitatem vis
“through unity,
strength”
per veritatem vis
“through truth,
strength”
per volar sunatasic
“born to fly
upwards”*
perpetuum mobile
“thing in
perpetual motion”
persona non grata
“person not
pleasing”
petitio principii
“request of the
beginning”
pia desideria
“pious
longings”
pia fraus
“pious
fraud”
pia mater
“pious
mother”
pinxit
“one
painted”
pluralis majestatis
“plural of
majesty”
plus Ultra
“further
beyond”
pollice compresso
favor iudicabatur
“goodwill decided
by compressed thumb”
pollice verso
“with a turned
thumb”
pons asinorum
“bridge of
asses”
Pontifex Maximus
“Greatest High
Priest”
posse comitatus
“force of the
county”
post aut propter
“after it or by
means of it”
post cibum (p.c.)
“after
food”
Post Coitum Omne
Animal Triste Est
“After sexual
intercourse every animal is sad
post coitus
“After
sex”
post hoc ergo
propter hoc
“after this,
therefore because of this”
post festum
“after the
feast”
post meridiem (p.m.)
“after
midday”
post mortem (pm)
“after
death”
Post mortem auctoris
(p.m.a.)
“after the
author’s death”
post prandial
“after the time
before midday”
post scriptum (p.s.)
“after what has
been written”
post tenebras lux,
post tenebras spero lucem
“after
darkness, [I hope for] light”
Praemonitus
praemunitus
“forewarned is
forearmed”
praesis ut prosis ne
ut imperes
“Lead in order
to serve, not in order to rule
prima facie
“at first
sight”
prima luce
“at dawn”
Primas sum: primatum
nil a me alienum puto
“I am a
primate; nothing about primates is ou
primum mobile
“first moving
thing”
primum movens
“prime
mover”
primum non nocere
“first, to not
harm”
primus inter pares
“first among
equals”
principia probant
non probantur
“principles
prove; they are not proved”
prior tempore potior
iure
“earlier in
time, stronger in law”
pro bono
“for the
good”
pro Brasilia fiant
eximia
“let
exceptional things be made for Brazil”
Pro deo et patria
“For God and Country”
pro forma
“for form”
pro gloria et patria
“for gloria and
fatherland”
pro hac vice
“for this
occasion”
Pro multis
“for many”
pro patria
“for
country”
pro patria Vigalans
“watchful for
the country”
pro rata
“for the
rate”
pro rege et lege
“for king and
the law”
pro re nata (prn)
“for a thing
that has been born”
pro studio et labore
“for study and
work”
pro se
“for
oneself”
pro tanto
“for so
much”
pro tempore
“for the
time”
probatio pennae
“testing of the
pen”
procol harum
“beyond these
things”
propria manu (p.m.)
“by one’s own
hand”
propter vitam
vivendi perdere causas
“to destroy the
reasons for living for the sa
provehito in altum
“launch forward
into the deep”
proxime accessit
“he came
next”
proximo mense
(prox.)
“in the
following month”
pulvis et umbra
sumus
“we are dust
and shadow”
punctum saliens
“leaping
point”
qua patet orbis
“as far as the
world extends”
quaecumque sunt vera
“whatsoever is
true”
quaecumque vera doce
me
“Teach me
whatsoever is true”
quae non prosunt
singula multa iuvant
“what alone is
not useful helps when accumula
quaere
“seek”
quaerite primum
regnum Dei
“seek ye first
the kingdom of God”
qualis artifex pereo
“As what kind
of artist do I perish?”
quamdiu bene
gesserit
Legal Latin:
“as long as he shall have behave
quando omni flunkus,
mortati
“When all else
fails, play dead”
quantum libet (q.l.)
“as much as
pleases”
quantum sufficit
(qs)
“as much as is
enough”
quaque hora (qh)
“every
hour”
quare clausum fregit
“wherefore he
broke the close”
quater in die (qid)
“four times a
day”
quem deus vult
perdere, dementat prius
“Whom the gods
would destroy, they first make
quem di diligunt
adulescens moritur
“he whom the
gods love dies young”
questio quid iuris
“I ask what
law?”
qui bono
“who with
good”
qui pro quo
literally qui
instead of quo (medieval Latin)
qui tacet consentire
videtur
“he who is
silent is taken to agree”
qui tam pro domino
rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur
“he who brings
an action for the king as well
qui totum vult totum
perdit
“he who wants
everything loses everything”
qui transtulit
sustinet
“he who
transplanted still sustains”
quia suam uxorem
etiam suspiciore vacare vellet
“because he
should wish even his wife to be f
quid agis
“What’s going
on?”
quid est veritas
“What is truth?”
quid novi ex Africa
“What of the
new out of Africa?”
quid pro quo
“what for
what”
quid nunc
“What
now?”
quidquid Latine
dictum sit altum videtur
“whatever has
been said in Latin seems deep”
Quieta non movere
“don’t move
settled things”
quis custodiet ipsos
custodes?
“Who will guard
the guards themselves?”
quis leget haec?
“Who will read
this?”
quis ut Deus
“Who [is] as
God?”
quo amplius eo
amplius
“Something more
beyond plenty”
quo errat demonstrator
“where the
prover errs”
quo fata ferunt
“where the
fates bear us to”
quo usque tandem
“For how much
longer?”
quo vadis
“Where are you
going?”
quod erat
demonstrandum (Q.E.D.)
“which was to
be demonstrated”
quod erat faciendum
(Q.E.F)
“which was to
be done”
quod est (q.e.)
“which is”
quod gratis
asseritur, gratis negatur
“what is
asserted without reason may be denie
quod licet Iovi non
licet bovi
“what is
permitted to Jupiter is not permitte
quod me nutrit me
destruit
“what nourishes
me destroys me”
quod natura non dat
Salmantica non praestat
“what nature
does not give, Salamanca does no
Quod scripsi,
scripsi.
“What I have
written I have written.”
quod vide (q.v.)
“which
see”
quomodo vales
“how are
you?”
quorum
“of whom”
quos amor verus
tenuit tenebit
“Those whom
true love has held, it will go on
Quot capita tot
sensus
“As many heads,
so many opinions”
quot homines tot
sententiae
“how many
people, so many opinions”
radix malorum est
cupiditas
“the root of
evils is desire”
Rara avis (Rarissima
avis)
“Rare
bird” (“very rare bird”)
ratio decidendi
“reasoning for
the decision”
ratio legis
“reasoning of
law”
ratione soli
“by account of
the ground”
re
“[in] the
matter of”
rebus sic stantibus
“with matters
standing thus”
recte et fideliter
“Upright and
Faithful”
reductio ad absurdum
“leading back
to the absurd”
reductio ad
infinitum
“leading back
to the infinite”
regnat populus
“the people
rule”
Regnum Mariae
Patrona Hungariae
“Kingdom of
Mary, the Patron of Hungary”
remit
repetita juvant
“repeating does
good”
repetitio est mater
studiorum
“repetition is
the mother of study”
requiescat in pace
(R.I.P.)
“let him rest
in peace”
rerum cognoscere
causas
“to learn the
causes of things”
res gestae
“things
done”
res ipsa loquitur
“the thing
speaks for itself”
res judicata
“judged
thing”
respice adspice
prospice
“look behind,
look here, look ahead”
respice finem
“look back at
the end”
respondeat superior
“let the
superior respond”
restitutio in
integrum
“restoration to
original condition”
res nullius
“nobody’s
property”
rex regum fidelum et
“king even of
faithful kings”
rigor mortis
“stiffness of
death”
risum teneatis,
amici?
“Can you help
laughing, friends?”
Roma invicta
“Unconquerable
Rome
Romanes eunt domus
“Romanes go the
house”
rosa rubicundior
lilio candidior omnibus formosior semper in te glorior
“redder than
the rose, whiter than the lilies
rus in urbe
“A countryside
in the city”
saltus in
demonstrando
“leap in
explaining”
salus in arduis
“a stronghold
(or refuge) in difficulties”
salus populi suprema
lex esto
“the welfare of
the people is to be the highe
salva veritate
“with truth
intact”
Salvator Mundi
“Savior of the
World”
salvo errore et
omissione (s.e.e.o.)
“save for error
and omission”
salvo honoris titulo
(SHT)
“save for title
of honor”
Sancta Sedes
“Holy
Chair”
Sancta Simplicitas
“Holy
Innocence”
Sancte Et Sapienter
“With holiness
and with wisdom”
Sanctum Sanctorum
“Holy of
Holies”
sapere aude
“dare to be
wise”
Sapientia et
Doctrina
“Wisdom and
Learning”
Sapienta et
Eloquencia
“Knowledge and
Eloquence”
sapienti sat
“enough for the
wise”
Scientia ac Labore
“Knowledge
through [hard] work” or “By means
scientia, aere
perennius
“Knowledge,
more lasting than bronze”
scientia cum
religione
“Religion and
knowledge united”
Scientia imperii
decus et tutamen
“Knowledge is
the adornment and safeguard of
scientia vincere
tenebras
“Conquering
darkness by science”
scientia ipsa
potentia est
“For also
knowledge itself is power”
scio
“I know”
scire quod sciendum
“knowledge
which is worth having”
scribimus indocti
doctique poemata passim
“Each desperate
blockhead dares to write”
scuto amoris divini
“by the shield
of God’s love”
seculo seculorum
“Forever and
Ever”
Sed ipse Spiritus
postulat pro nobis, gemitibus inenarrabilibus
“But the same
Spirit intercedes incessantly f
sedes apostolica
“apostolic
chair”
sedes incertae
seat (i.e. location)
uncertain
sede vacante
“with the seat
being vacant”
Semper ad meliora
“always towards
better things”
semper eadem
“always the
same”
semper excelsius
“always
higher”
semper fidelis
“always
faithful”
semper fortis
“always
courageous”
semper instans
“always
threatening”
semper invicta
“always
invincible”
semper liber
“always
free”
semper paratus
“always
prepared”
semper primus
“always first”
semper reformanda
“always being
reformed”
semper ubi sub ubi
“always where
under where”
semper vigilans
“always
vigilant”
semper vigilo
“always
vigilant”
Senatus Populusque
Romanus (SPQR)
“The Senate and
the People of Rome”
sensu lato
“with the
broad, or general, meaning”
sensu stricto cf.
stricto sensu
“with the tight
meaning”
Serviam
“I will
serve”
Servo Permaneo Bovis
Provestri
“Save the Last
Bullet for Yourself”
servus servorum Dei
“servant of the
servants of God”
sesquipedalia verba
“words a foot
and a half long”
Si hoc legere scis nimium
eruditionis habes
“If you can
read this, you have too much educ
si omnes… ego non
“if all ones…
not I”
si peccasse negamus
fallimur et nulla est in nobis veritas
“if we refuse
to make a mistake, we are decei
si quid novisti
rectius istis, candidus imperti; si nil, his utere mecum.
“if you can
better these principles, tell me;
si quaeris
peninsulam amoenam circumspice
“if you seek a
delightful peninsula, look aro
si tacuisses, philosophus
mansisses
“If you had
kept your silence, you would have
si vales valeo (SVV)
“if you are
well, I am well”
si vis amari ama
“If you want to
be loved, love”
si vis pacem para
bellum
“if you want
peace, prepare for war”
sic
“thus”
sic et non
“thus and
not”
sic gorgiamus allos
subjectatos nunc
“we gladly
feast on those who would subdue us
sic infit
“so it begins”
sic itur ad astra
“thus you shall
go to the stars”
sic passim
“Thus here and
there”
sic semper erat, et
sic semper erit
“Thus has it
always been, and thus shall it e
sic semper tyrannis
“thus always to
tyrants”
sic transit gloria
mundi
“thus passes
the glory of the world”
sic utere tuo ut
alienum non laedas
“use [what is]
yours so as not to harm [what
sic vita est
“thus is
life”
signetur (sig) or
(S/)
“let it be
labeled”
Signum Fidei
“Sign of the
Faith”
silentium est aureum
“silence is
golden”
similia similibus
curantur
“similar things
take care of similar things”
simplex sigillum
veri
“simplicity is
the sign of truth”
sine anno (s.a.)
“without a
year”
sine die
“without a
day”
sine ira et studio
“without anger
and fondness”
sine loco (s.l.)
“without a
place”
sine nomine (s.n.)
“without a
name”
sine qua non
“without which
not”
sine remediis
medicina debilis est
“without
remedies medicine is powerless”
sine scientia ars
nihil est
“without
knowledge, skill is nothing”
sisto activitatem
“I cease the
activity”
sit sine labe decus
“let honour
stainless be”
sit tibi terra levis
“may the earth
be light to you”
sit venia verbo
“may there be
forgiveness for the word”
Sol Iustitiae
Illustra Nos
“Sun of
Justice, shine upon us”
sol lucet omnibus
“the sun shines
on everyone”, Petronius, Saty
sol omnia regit
“the sun rules
over everything”
sola fide
“by faith
alone”
sola gratia
“by grace
alone”
Sola lingua bona est
lingua mortua
“the only good
language is a dead language”
sola scriptura
“by scripture
alone”
Sola nobilitat virtus
“Virtue alone
ennobles”
soli Deo gloria
(S.D.G.)
“glory to God
alone”
solus Christus
“Christ
alone”
solus ipse
“I alone”
solvitur ambulando
“It is solved
by walking”
Spartam nactus es;
hanc exorna
“your lot is
cast in Sparta, be a credit to i
specialia
generalibus derogant
“special
departs from general”
speculum speculorum
“mirror of
mirrors”
spem reduxit
“he has
restored hope”
spiritus mundi
“spirit of the
world”
spiritus ubi vult
spirat
“the spirit
spreads wherever it wants”
splendor sine occasu
“brightness
without setting”
stamus contra malo
“we stand
against by evil”
stante pede
“with a
standing foot”
stare decisis
“to stand by
the decided things”
Stat sua cuique dies
“There is a day
[turn] for everybody”
statim (stat)
“immediately”
status quo
“the situation
in which”
status quo ante
bellum
“the state
before the war”
stercus accidit
“shit
happens”
stet
“let it
stand”
stet fortuna domus
“let the
fortune of the house stand”
stipendium peccati
mors est
“the reward of
sin is death”
strenuis ardus
cedunt
“the heights
yield to endeavour”
stricto sensucf.
sensu stricto
“with the tight
meaning”
stupor mundi
“the wonder of
the world”
sua sponte
“by its own
accord”
sub anno
“under the
year”
Sub Cruce Lumen
“The Light
Under the Cross”
sub divo
“under the wide
open sky”
sub finem
“toward the
end”
sub judice
“under a
judge”
sub poena
“under
penalty”
sub rosa
“under the
rose”
sub specie aeternitatis
“under the
sight of eternity”
Sub tuum praesidium
“Beneath thy
compassion”
Sub umbra floreo
“Under the
shade I flourish”
sub verbo; sub voce
sublimis ab unda
“Raised from
the waves”
subsiste sermonem
statim
“stop speaking
immediately”
sui generis
“Of its own
kind”
sui iuris
“Of one’s own
right”
sum quod eris
“I am what you
will be”
sum quod sum
“I am what I
am”
summa cum laude
“with highest
praise”
summa summarum
“all in
all”
summum bonum
“the supreme
good”
sunt lacrimae rerum
“there are
tears for things”
sunt omnes unum
“they are all
one”
sunt pueri pueri,
pueri puerilia tractant
“Children are
children, and children do child
suo jure
“in one’s own
right”
suo motu
“upon one’s own
initiative”
suos cultores
scientia coronat
“Knowledge
crowns those who seek Her”
super fornicam
“on the
lavatory”
supero omnia
“I surpass
everything”
surdo oppedere
“to belch
before the deaf”
surgam
“I shall
rise”
suum cuique tribuere
“to render to
every man his due”
s.v.
tabula rasa
“scraped
tablet”
tabula gratulatoria
“congratulatory
tablet”
talis qualis
“just as
such”
taliter qualiter
“somewhat”
technica impendi
nationi
“Technology
impulses nations”
temet nosce
“know
thyself”
Tempora Heroica
“Heroic
Age”
tempora mutantur et
nos mutamur in illis
“the times are
changing, and we change in the
tempus edax rerum
“time, devourer
of all things”
tempus fugit
“time
flees”
tempus rerum
imperator
“time,
commander of all things”
tempus vernum
“spring
time”
tempus volat hora
fugit
“time flies,
the hour flees”
Tentanda Via
The way must be
tried
teneo te Africa
“I hold you,
Africa!”
ter in die (t.i.d.)
“thrice in a
day”
Terminat hora diem;
terminat auctor opus.
“The hour
finishes the day; the author finish
terminus ante quem
“limit before
which”
terra australis
incognita
“unknown
southern land”
terra firma
“solid
land”
terra incognita
“unknown
land”
terra nova
“new land”
terra nullius
“land of
none”
terras irradient
“let them
illuminate the lands”
tertium non datur
“a third is not
given”
tertium quid
“a third
something”
testis unus, testis
nullus
“one witness is
not a witness”
timeo Danaos et dona
ferentes
“I fear Greeks
even if they bring gifts”
timidi mater non
flet
“A coward’s
mother does not weep”
timor mortis
conturbat me
“the fear of
death confounds me”
Totus Tuus
“totally
yours”
translatio imperii
“transfer of
rule”
Treuga Dei
“Truce of
God”
tu autem
“you
indeed”
tu autem domine
miserere nobis
“But Thou, O
Lord, have mercy upon us”
tu fui ego eris
“I was you; you
will be me”
tu ne cede malis,
sed contra audentior ito
“you should not
give in to evils, but proceed
tu quoque
“you too”
tuebor
“I will protect”
uberrima fides
“most abundant
faith”
ubertas et fidelitas
“fertility and
faithfulness”
ubi bene ibi patria
“where [it is]
well, there [is] the fatherlan
ubi caritas et amor
Deus ibi est
“where there is
charity and love, God is ther
ubi jus ibi remedium
“Where [there
is] a right, there [is] a remed
ubi mel ibi apes
“where [there
is] honey, there [are] bees”
ubi dubium ibi
libertas
“where [there
is] doubt, there [is] freedom”
ubi libertas ibi
patria
“where [there
is] liberty, there [is] the fat
Ubi nihil vales, ibi
nihil velis
“Where you are
worth nothing, there you will
ubi non accusator
ibi non iudex
“where [there
is] no accuser, there [is] no j
ubi pus, ibi evacua
“where there is
pus, there evacuate it”
Ubique, quo fas et
gloria ducunt
“Everywhere,
Where Right And Glory Leads”
ubi re vera
“when, in a
true thing”
ubi societas ibi ius
“if there’s a
society, law will be there”
ubi solitudinem
faciunt pacem appellant
“They make a
desert and call it peace”
ubi sunt
“where are
they?”
ultima ratio
“last
method”
ultimo mense (ult.)
“in the last
month”
ultra vires
“beyond
powers”
ululas Athenas
“(to send) owls
to Athens”
una hirundo non
facit ver
“One Swallow
does not make Summer”
una salus victis
nullam sperare salutem
“the only
safety for the conquered is to hope
unitas per servitiam
“Unity Through
Service”
uno flatu
“in one
breath”
unus multorum
“one of
many”
Urbi et Orbi
“To the City
and the Circle [of the lands]”
Urbs in Horto
“City in a
garden”
Usus est magister
optimus
“Practice is
the best teacher.”
ut biberent quoniam
esse nollent
“so that they
might drink, since they refused
ut incepit fidelis
sic permanet
“as she began
loyal, so she persists”
ut desint vires,
tamen est laudanda voluntas
“though the
power be lacking, the will is to
ut infra
“as below”
ut prosim
“That I may
serve”
Ut proverbium
loguitur vetus…
“You know what
they say…”
ut res magis valeat
quam pereat
“That the
matter may have effect rather than
ut retro
“as
backwards”
Ut Roma cadit, sic
omnis terra.
“As Rome falls,
so [falls] the whole world.”
ut sit finis litium
“So there might
be an end of litigation”
ut supra
“as above”
ut tensio sic vis
“as the
extension, so the force”
utilis in
ministerium
“usefulness in
service”
utraque unum
“both into
one”
vade ad formicam
“go to the
ant”
vade mecum
“go with
me”
vade retro Satana
“Go back,
Satan!”
vae victis
“Woe to the
conquered!”
vanitas vanitatum
omnia vanitas
“vanity of
vanities; everything [is] vanity”
vaticinium ex eventu
“prophecy from
the event”
vel non
“or not”
velle est posse
“To be willing
is to be able.” (non-literal:
velocius quam
asparagi coquantur
“more rapidly
than asparagus will be cooked”
veni, vidi, vici
“I came, I saw,
I conquered”
veni, vidi et
capiebar ad anum
“I came, I saw
and I endured a rear assault”
Venisti remanebis
donec denuo completus sis
“From whence
you came, you shall remain, unti
vera causa
“true
cause”
verba ita sunt
intelligenda ut res magis valeat quam pereat
“words are to
be understood such that the sub
verba volant,
scripta manent
“words fly
away, writings remain”
verbatim
“word for
word”
verbatim et
litteratim
“word for word
and letter by letter”
Verbi divini
minister
“servant of the
divine Word”
Verbi gratia
“for
example”
(v.gr. or VG)
Verbum Dei
“Word of
God”
Verbum Domini Manet
in Aeternum (VDMA)
“The Word of
the Lord Endures Forever”
Verbum sap
“A word to the
wise is sufficient”
veritas
“truth”
Veritas, Bonitas,
Pulchritudo, Sanctitas
“Truth,
Goodness, Beauty, and Holiness”
Veritas, Fides,
Sapientia
“Truth, Faith,
Wisdom”
Veritas Curat
“The Truth
Cures.”
Veritate Duce
Progredi
“Advancing
(with) Truth Leading.”
Veritas in Caritate
“Truth Through
Caring”
veritas lux mea
“Truth is my
light.” (non-literal: “Truth enl
veritas odit moras
“Truth hates
delay”
veritas omnia vincit
“Truth defeats
all things”
veritas unitas
caritas
“Truth, Unity,
Love”
veritas vos
liberabit
“the truth will
set you free”
[in] veritate et
caritate
“with truth and
love”
veritate et virtute
“with truth and
courage”
veritatem fratribus
testari
“to bear
witness to the truth in brotherhood”
vero nihil verius
“nothing truer
than truth”
versus (vs) or (v.)
“towards”
veto
“I forbid”
vi et animo
“With heart and
soul”
vi veri universum
vivus vici
“by the power
of truth, I, while living, have
via
“by the
road”
Via, Veritas, Vita
“The way, the
truth and the Life”
via media
“middle
road”
vice
“in place
of”
vice versa
“with position
turned”
versa vice
victoria aut mors
“Victory or
death!”
victoria concordia
crescit
“Victory comes
from harmony”
victrix causa diis
placuit sed victa Catoni
“the victorious
cause pleased the gods, but t
vide infra (v.i.)
“see
below”
vide supra (v.s.)
“see
above”
vincit omnia veritas
“Truth conquers
all”
videlicet (viz.)
“namely”,
“that is to say”, “as follows”
video meliora
proboque deteriora sequor
“I see and
approve of the better, but I follo
video et taceo
“I see and keep
silent”
video sed non credo
“I see it, but
I don’t believe it”
vim promovet insitam
“promotes one’s
innate power”
videre licet
“it is
permitted to see”, “one may see”
vince malum bono
“Overcome Evil
with Good”
vincere scis
Hannibal victoria uti nescis
“you know [how]
to win, Hannibal; you do not
vincit qui se vincit
“he conquers
who conquers himself”
viriliter agite
estote fortes
“Quit ye like
men, be strong”
vir prudens non
contra ventum mingit
“[A] wise man
does not urinate [up] against t
virtus sola
nobilitas
“virtue alone
[is] noble”
virtus unita fortior
“virtue united
[is] stronger”
virtus in media stat
“Virtue stands
in the middle. “
virtus tentamine
gaudet
“Strength
rejoices in the challenge.”
virtute et armis
“by virtue and
arms”
vis legis
“power of the
law”
visio dei
“Vision of a
god”
vita ante acta
“a life done
before”
vita, dulcedo, spes
“[Mary our]
life, sweetness, hope”
vita incerta, mors
certissima
“Life is
uncertain, death is most certain”
vita summa brevis
spem nos vetat incohare longam
“the shortness
of life prevents us from enter
viva voce
“living
voice”
vivat crescat
floreat
“may it live,
grow, and flourish!”
Vivat Rex
“May the King
live!”
Vive memor leti
“I live
remembering death”
Vivere est cogitare
“To live is to
think”
Vivere est vincere
“To live is to
conquer”
Vivere militare est
“To live is to
fight”
Vive ut vivas
“live so that
you may live”
vocatus atque non
vocatus Deus aderit
“called and not
called, God will be present”,
volenti non fit
injuria
“to one
willing, no harm is done” or “to him
votum separatum
“separate
vow”
vox clamantis in
deserto
“the voice of
one shouting in the desert” (or
vox nihili
“voice of
nothing”
vox populi
“voice of the
people”
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