Latin Expressions Decoded
1. Single Latin Words
Bis: Twice
Surplus: What is spare
Idem: The same (indicates repetition)
Junior: The youngest (originally used to distinguish a son from his senior father)
Memorandum: What to remember (a booklet, notebook, or note)
Unborn Child: What is to be born (legal term for a human fetus)
Referendum: Ad referendum, to consult (submitting a query to voters or their representatives)
Ultimatum: Last call
Quorum: Required number of attendees for a valid vote (from praesentia sufficit quorum, whose presence is enough)
2. Complex Latin Phrases
Ad Kalendas Graecas: To the Greek Kalends (an impossible date, meaning never)
Alma Mater: Nourishing mother (usually refers to a university)
Curriculum Vitae (CV): Course of life (summary of merits and qualifications)
De Facto: In fact
De Jure: By law
Ex Cathedra: From the chair (with authority)
Corpore Insepulto: With the body unburied (referring to a funeral with the corpse present)
Broadly: In a generic way, without detail
Vacui Horror: Horror of emptiness (in art, the tendency to fill all space with detail)
Ipso Facto: By the fact itself
Lapsus Linguae: Slip of the tongue
Non Plus Ultra: Nothing further beyond (mythological inscription on the Pillars of Hercules)
Numerus Clausus: Closed number (limited number of people admitted)
Persona Non Grata: Unwelcome person (mainly in diplomatic contexts)
Post Meridiem (PM): After noon
Ante Meridiem (AM): Before noon
Post Mortem: After death
Urbi et Orbi: To the city and the world (papal blessing)
Vox Populi: Voice of the people
3. Phrases Without a Substantive Verb
Altius, Citius, Fortius: Higher, faster, stronger (Olympic motto)
Dura Lex Sed Lex: The law is harsh, but it is the law
Homo Homini Lupus: Man is a wolf to man
In Dubio, Pro Reo: In doubt, for the accused
Mens Sana in Corpore Sano: A healthy mind in a healthy body
4. Simple Sentences
Alea Iacta Est: The die is cast
Aliquando Bonus Dormitat Homerus: Occasionally, even good Homer nods
Audaces Fortuna Iuvat: Fortune favors the bold
Ave Caesar, Morituri Te Salutant: Hail Caesar, those who are about to die salute you
Nosce Te Ipsum: Know thyself
Nota Bene (NB): Note well
Primus Circumdedisti Me: You surrounded me first
Requiescat in Pace (RIP): Rest in peace
Sit Tibi Terra Levis: May the earth be light upon you
Vade Mecum: Come with me (a handbook or guide)
5. Compound Sentences
Ora et Labora: Pray and work
Prima non datur, ultima dispensatur: The first is not given, the last is dispensed (student phrase)
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum: If you want peace, prepare for war
Verba Volant, Scripta Manent: Words fly, writings remain
Verba Movent, Exempla Trahunt: Words move, examples compel
Veni, Vidi, Vici: I came, I saw, I conquered