| A | |
| 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 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 |
| a tergo | from behind |
| ab absurdo | from the absurd |
| ab abusu ad usum non valet consequentia | a consequence from an abuse to a use is not valid |
| ab aeterno | from the eternal |
| ab antiquo | from the ancient |
| 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 founding of the city |
| 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 |
| accusare nemo se debet nisi coram Deo | no one ought to accuse himself except in the presence of God |
| acta est fabula plaudite | The play has been performed; applaud! |
| acta non verba | actions, not words |
| Acta Sanctorum | Deeds of the Saints |
| actus reus | guilty act |
| ad absurdum | to the absurd |
| ad abundantiam | to abundance |
| ad astra | to the stars |
| ad astra per aspera | to the stars through difficulties |
| ad captandum vulgus | toward courting the crowd |
| ad eundum | to the same |
| ad fontes | to the sources |
| ad fundum | to the bottom |
| ad hoc | to this thing |
| ad hominem | to the man |
| 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 multos annos | To many years! |
| ad nauseam | to the point of disgust |
| 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 (ad ref) | to that which must be brought back |
| ad rem | to the matter |
| 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 everything |
| ad valorem | to the value |
| ad vitam aeternam | to eternal life |
| addendum | thing to be added |
| adequatio intellectus et rei | correspondence of the mind and reality |
| adsum | I am here |
| Advocatus Diaboli | Devil’s Advocate |
| aegri somnia | a sick man’s dreams |
| aetatis suae | of his own age |
| affidavit | he asserted |
| age quod agis | do what you do |
| agenda | things to be done |
| Agnus Dei | Lamb of God |
| alea iacta est | the die has been cast |
| alenda lux ubi orta libertas | Let learning be cherished where liberty has arisen. |
| alias | otherwise |
| alibi | elsewhere |
| alis aquilae | on eagles 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 to himself |
| alterum non laedere | to not wound another |
| alumna or alumnus | pupil |
| amicus curiae | friend of the court |
| amiterre legem terrae | to lose the law of the land |
| amor est vitae essentia | love is the essence of life |
| amor patriae | love of one’s country |
| amor vincit omnia | love conquers all |
| anno (an.) | in the year |
| Anno Domini (A.D.) | in the Year of the Lord |
| anno regni | In the year of the reign |
| Annuit Cœptis | 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 |
| arbiter elegantiarum | judge of tastes |
| arcus senilis | senile bow |
| arguendo | for arguing |
| argumentum | argument |
| ars 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| aut Caesar aut nihil | either Caesar or nothing |
| aut concilio aut ense | either by meeting or by the sword |
| 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 salute you! |
| ave Europa nostra vera Patria | Hail, Europe, our true Fatherland! |
| Ave Maria | Hail, Mary |
| B | |
| 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 |
| bella gerant alii | let other wage war |
| bellum omnium contra omnes | war of all against all |
| 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 officia | good services |
| boni pastoris est tondere pecus non deglubere | It is of a good shepherd to shear his flock, not to flay them. |
| bonum commune communitatis | common good of the community |
| bonum commune hominis | common good of a man |
| C | |
| cacoethes scribendi | bad habit of writing |
| calix meus inebrians | my cup makes me drunk |
| camera obscura | dark chamber |
| caput inter nubila (condit) | head in the clouds |
| carpe diem | pluck the day |
| Carthago delenda est | Carthage must be destroyed |
| casus belli | event of war |
| causa mortis | cause of death |
| cave canem | beware of dog |
| caveat emptor | let the buyer beware |
| caveat lector | let the reader beware |
| caveat venditor | let the seller beware |
| Cedant arma togae | let arms yield to the gown |
| celerius quam asparagi co ur | more swiftly than asparagus is cooked |
| certum est quod certum reddi potest | It is certain if it is capable of being rendered certain |
| cessante ratione legis cessat ipsa lex | When the reason for the law ceases, the law itself ceases. |
| cetera desunt | the rest is missing |
| ceteris paribus | with other things equal |
| Christo et Doctrinae | For Christ and Learning |
| Christus Rex | Christ the King |
| circa (c.) or (ca.) | around |
| circulus vitiosus | vicious circle |
| citius altius fortius | faster, higher, stronger |
| claves Sancti Petri | the keys of Saint Peter |
| clerico admittendo | about to be made a clerk |
| Codex Iuris Canonici | Book of Canon Law |
| cogito ergo sum | I think, therefore I am. |
| coitus interruptus | interrupted congress |
| 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 They condemn because they do not understand |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| coram Deo | in the presence of God |
| coram populo | in the presence of the people |
| 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 |
| credo quia absurdum est | I believe it because it is absurd |
| crescat scientia vita excolatur | let knowledge grow, let life be enriched |
| crescit eundo | it grows as it goes |
| 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 to the underworld is his. |
| 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 his fault. |
| 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 laude | with praise |
| 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 |
| cygnus inter anates | swan among ducks |
| cygnus insignis | distinguished by its swans |
| D | |
| damnum absque injuria | damage without injustice |
| dat deus incrementum | God grants the increase |
| de bonis asportatis | carrying goods away |
| de dato | of the date |
| de facto | in fact |
| de gustibus non est disputandum | there is not to be discussion regarding tastes |
| de futuro | regarding the future |
| de integro | again or 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 praetor | The commander does not bother with the smallest things. |
| 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 omni re scibili et quibusdam aliis | about every knowable thing, and even certain other things |
| De Oppresso Liber | Free From Having Been Oppressed |
| de profundis | from the depths |
| de re | about the matter |
| decus et tutamen | an ornament and a safeguard |
| 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 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 ex machina | a god from a machine |
| Deus vult | God wills it! |
| Dicto simpliciter | I speak simply |
| dictum meum pactum | my word [is] my bond |
| diem perdidi | I have lost the day |
| Dies Irae | Day of Wrath |
| dirigo | I direct |
| dis aliter visum | it seemed otherwise to the gods |
| dis manibus sacrum (D.M.S.) | Sacred to the ghost-gods |
| disce quasi semper victurus vive quasi cras moriturus | Learn as if always going to live; live as if tomorrow going to die. |
| discipuli nostrum bardissimi sunt | Our students are stupid |
| disjecta membra | scattered limbs |
| ditat Deus | God enriches |
| divide et impera | divide and rule |
| dixi | I have spoken |
| do ut des | I give that you may give |
| Docendo disco, scribendo cogito | I learn by teaching, think by writing. |
| Dominus illuminatio mea | the Lord is my light |
| Dominus vobiscum | Lord be with you |
| donatio mortis causa | giving in expectation of death |
| draco dormiens nunquam titillandus | a sleeping dragon must never be tickled |
| dramatis personae | the parts of the play |
| Duae tabulae rasae in quibus nihil scriptum est | Two minds, not one single thought |
| 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 fatherland. |
| dulce et utile | a sweet and useful thing |
| dulcius ex asperis | through difficulty, sweetness |
| 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 |
| E | |
| e pluribus unum | from more, one |
| Ecce Homo | Behold the Man! |
| editio princeps | first edition |
| e.g. | for the sake of example |
| ego te absolvo | I absolve you |
| emeritus | veteran |
| ens causa sui | existing because of oneself |
| ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem | by the sword she seeks gentle peace under liberty |
| eo ipso | by that very act |
| 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 | let it be perpetual |
| et alibi (et al.) | and elsewhere |
| et alii (et al.) | and others |
| et cetera (etc.) or (&c.) | And the rest |
| et hoc genus omne | And all that sort of thing |
| et in Arcadia ego | and in Arcadia [am] I |
| et nunc reges intelligite erudimini qui judicati terram | And now, kings, understand: be instructed, you who have judged the Earth. |
| et sequens (et seq.) | and the following |
| et tu, Brute? | And you, Brutus? |
| et uxor (et ux.) | and wife |
| ex abundantia enim cordis os loquitur | for out of an abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks |
| 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 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 nihilo nihil fit | nothing may come from nothing |
| ex officio | from the office |
| ex opere operato | from the work that worked |
| ex oriente lux | from the East, the light |
| ex parte | from a part |
| ex post facto | from a thing done afterward |
| ex scientia tridens | from knowledge, sea power. |
| 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 |
| excusatio non petita accusatio manifesta | an excuse that has not been sought is an obvious accusation |
| exeat | let him leave |
| exempli gratia (e.g.) | for the sake of example |
| exeunt | they leave |
| exit | he leaves |
| experimentum crucis | crucial experiment |
| experto crede | trust the expert i.e. Me |
| expressio unius est exclusio alterius | the expression of the one is the exlusion of the other |
| extra territorium jus dicenti impune non paretur | he who administers justice outside of his territory is disobeyed with impunity |
| F | |
| 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 | as a rule, men willingly believe that which they wish to |
| festina lente | hurry slowly |
| fiat iustitia et pereat mundus | let justice be done, even should the world perish |
| fiat justitia ruat caelum | let justice be done should the sky fall |
| fiat lux | let light be made |
| Fidei Defensor (Fid Def) or (fd) | Defender of 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 |
| flectere si nequeo superos, Achaeronta movebo | If I cannot move heaven I will raise hell |
| floruit | one flourished |
| fluctuat nec mergitur | she wavers and is not immersed |
| fons et origo | the spring and source |
| fortes fortuna adiuvat | fortune favours the brave |
| fortis est veritas | truth is strong |
| fortis et liber | strong and free |
| G | |
| generalia specialibus non derogant | universal things do not detract from specific things |
| genius loci | spirit of place |
| Gloria in Excelsis Deo | Glory to God in the Heights |
| Gloria Patri | Glory to the Father |
| gloriosus et liber | glorious and free |
| Gradibus ascendimus | Ascending by degrees |
| graviora manent | heavier things remain |
| gutta cavat lapidem non vi sed saepe cadendo | a drop hollows a stone not by force, but by often falling |
| H | |
| habeas corpus | you may have the body |
| habemus papam | we have a pope |
| 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 leones | here there are lions |
| hinc illae lacrimae | hence those tears |
| historia vitae magistra | history, the teacher of life |
| homo homini lupus | man [is a] wolf to man |
| homo sum humani a mi nihil alienum puto | I am a human being; nothing human is strange to me |
| honeste vivere | to live virtuously |
| honor virtutis praemium | esteem is the reward of virtue |
| honoris causa | for the sake of honor |
| hora somni (h.s.) | at the hour of sleep |
| horas non numero nisi serenas | I do not count the hours unless they are sunny |
| hortus in urbe | A garden in the city |
| horribile dictu | horrible to say |
| hostis humani generis | enemy of the human race |
| hypotheses non fingo | I do not fabricate hypotheses |
| I | |
| ibidem (ibid.) | in the same place |
| id est (i.e.) | that is |
| idem (id.) | the same |
| idem quod (i.q.) | the same as |
| i.e. | that is |
| Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum (INRI) | Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews |
| igne natura renovatur integra | through fire, nature is reborn whole |
| igni ferroque | with fire and iron |
| ignis fatuus | foolish fire |
| ignoratio elenchi | ignorance of the issue |
| ignotum per ignotius | unknown by means of the more unknown |
| ignotus (ign.) | unknown |
| Illegitimi non carborundum | Don’t let the bastards grind you down |
| 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 |
| in Deo speramus | in God we hope |
| 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 rearches |
| in fidem | into faith |
| in fieri | in becoming |
| in fine (i.f.) | in the end |
| in flagrante delicto | in a blazing wrong, while the crime is blazing |
| in flore | in blossom |
| in foro | in forum |
| in girum imus nocte et consumimur igni | We enter the circle at night and are consumed by fire |
| in hoc signo vinces | by this sign you will conquer |
| in illo tempore | in that time |
| 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 liberty, in all things charity |
| 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 nowhere found it, except in a corner with a book |
| in partibus infidelium | in the parts of the infidels |
| in pectore | in the heart |
| in personam | into a person |
| in propria persona | in one’s own person |
| in rerum natura | in the nature of things |
| in saeculo | in the times |
| in salvo | in safety |
| in silico | in silicon |
| in situ | in the place |
| In spe | in hope |
| In specialibus generalia quaerimus | To seek the general in the specifics |
| in statu nascendi | in the state of being born |
| in toto | in all |
| in triplo | in triple |
| in utero | in the womb |
| in vacuo | in a void |
| in vino veritas | in wine [there is] truth |
| in vitro | in glass |
| in vivo | in life or in a living thing |
| incredibile dictu | incredible to say |
| Index Librorum Prohibitorum | Index of Forbidden Books |
| indivisibiliter ac inseparabiliter | indivisible and inseparable |
| infra dignitatem (infra dig) | beneath one’s dignity |
| instante mense (inst.) | in the present month |
| integer vitae scelerisque purus | unimpaired by life and clean of wickedness |
| inter alia | among other things |
| inter alios | among others |
| inter arma enim silent leges | In the face of arms, the law falls mute, more popularly rendered as during warfare, in fact, the laws are silent |
| inter caetera | among others |
| inter spem et metum | between hope and fear |
| inter vivos | between the living |
| intra muros | within the walls |
| intra vires | within the powers |
| ipse dixit | he himself said it |
| ipsissima verba | the very words themselves |
| ipso facto | by the fact itself |
| Ira Deorum | Wrath of the Gods |
| ita vero | thus indeed |
| ite missa est | go, the things have been sent |
| iura novit curia | the court knows the laws |
| J | |
| juris ignorantia est cum jus nostrum ignoramus | it is ignorance of the law when we do not know our own rights |
| Johannes est nomen ejus | John is its name / Juan es su Nombre |
| jus ad bellum | law towards war |
| jus in bello | law in war |
| jus primae noctis | law of the first night |
| justitia omnibus | justice for all |
| L | |
| Labor omnia vincit | Work conquers all things |
| lapsus linguae | slip of the tongue |
| lapsus memoriae | slip of memory |
| laus Deo | praise be to God |
| 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 ferenda | the law that should be borne |
| 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 |
| liberate me ex infernis | free me from hell |
| libera te tutemet | you, free yourself |
| libertas quæ sera tamen | freedom which [is] however late |
| libra (lb) | scales |
| loco citato (lc) | in the place cited |
| locus classicus | a classic place |
| 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 hominum vita | life the light of men |
| lux sit | let there be light |
| M | |
| magister dixit | the master has said it |
| 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 |
| malum discordiae | apple of dischord |
| 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 |
| Mater Facit | Mother Does It |
| materfamilias | the mother of the family |
| materia medica | medical matter |
| me vexat pede | it annoys me at the foot |
| Mea Culpa | My Fault |
| Media vita in morte sumus | In the midst of our lives we die |
| 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 will be |
| 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 |
| Miles Gloriosus | Glorious Soldier |
| minatur innocentibus qui parcit nocentibus | he threatens the innocent who spares the guilty |
| mirabile dictu | wonderful to tell |
| mirabile visu | wonderful by the sight |
| miserabile visu | terrible by the sight |
| miserere nobis | have mercy upon us |
| missit me Dominus | the Lord has sent me |
| mittimus | we send |
| modus operandi (M.O.) | method of operating |
| modus ponens | method of placing |
| modus tollens | method of removing |
| modus vivendi | method of living |
| montani semper liberi | mountaineers [are] always free |
| Montis Insignia Calpe | Badge of the Rock of Gibraltar |
| more ferarum | like beasts |
| morituri te salutant | those who are about to die salute thee |
| motu proprio | on his own initiative |
| 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 changed |
| N | |
| natura non contristatur | nature is not saddened |
| natura non facit saltum ita nec lex | nature does not make a leap, thus neither does the law |
| navigare necesse est vivere non est necesse | to sail is necessary; to live is not necessary |
| ne cede malis | do not give in to misfortune |
| ne sutor ultra crepidam | Cobbler, no further than the sandal! |
| nec dextrorsum, nec sinistrorsum | Neither to the left nor to the right |
| nec plus ultra | nothing more beyond |
| nemine contradicente (nem. con.) | with no one speaking against |
| nemo dat quod non habet | no one gives what he does not have |
| nemo me impune lacessit | no one provokes me with impunity |
| nemo nisi per amicitiam cognoscitur | No one learns except by friendship |
| nemo tenetur seipsum accusare | no one is bound to accuse himself |
| nihil novi | nothing of the new |
| nihil obstat | nothing prevents |
| nil admirari | be surprised at nothing |
| nil desperandum | nothing must be despaired at |
| nil nisi bonum | (about the dead say) nothing unless (it is) good |
| 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 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! |
| 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 facias malum ut inde fiat bonum | you should not make evil in order that good may be made from it |
| 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 being understood |
| non liquet | it is not proven |
| non mihi solum | not for myself 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 progredi est regredi | to not go forward is to go backward |
| non prosequitur | he does not proceed |
| Non vitae sed scholae discimus | Education is not for life, but for school. |
| non sequitur | it does not follow |
| non serviam | I will not serve |
| non sum qualis eram | I am not such as I was |
| nosce te ipsum | know thyself |
| 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. |
| nullam rem natam | no thing born |
| nulli secundus | second to none |
| Nullius in verba | On the word of no man |
| 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 non paratus | never unprepared |
| O | |
| O homines ad servitutem paratos | Men fit to be slaves! |
| O tempora O mores | O, the times! O, 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 |
| omne ignotum pro magnifico | every unknown thing [is taken] for great |
| omnia dicta fortiora si dicta Latina | everything said [is] stronger if said in Latin |
| 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, until it is shown [to be] in the reverse |
| omnium gatherum | gathering of all |
| onus probandi | burden of proof |
| opera omnia | all works |
| opera posthuma | posthumous works |
| opere citato (op. cit.) | in the work that was cited |
| 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 |
| ordo ab chao | Out of chaos, comes order |
| orta recens quam pura nites | newly risen, how brightly you shine |
| P | |
| pace | with peace |
| pace tua | with your peace |
| pacta sunt servanda | agreements must be kept |
| panem et circenses | bread and circuses |
| parens patriae | parent of the nation |
| pari passu | with equal step |
| parva sub ingenti | the small under the huge |
| passim | here and there |
| pater familias | father of the family |
| Pater Patriae | Father of the Nation |
| pater peccavi | father, I have sinned |
| pauca sed matura | few, but ripe |
| Pax Americana | American Peace |
| Pax Britannica | British Peace |
| pax Dei | peace of God |
| Pax Deorum | Peace of the Gods |
| pax et bonum | peace and the good |
| pax et lux | peace and light |
| pax maternum, ergo pax familiarum | peace of mothers, therefore peace of families |
| Pax Romana | Roman Peace |
| Pax Sinica | Chinese Peace |
| pax vobiscum | peace [be] with you |
| pecunia non olet | the money doesn’t smell |
| pendent opera interrupta | the work hangs interrupted |
| per annum (p.a.) | through a year |
| per ardua ad astra | through adversity 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 definitionem | through the definition |
| per diem | through a day |
| Per Mare per Terram | By Sea and by Land |
| per mensem | through a month |
| per os (p.o.) | through the mouth |
| 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 veritatem vis | through truth, strength |
| 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 |
| pollice verso | with a turned thumb |
| pons asinorum | bridge of asses |
| Pontifex Maximus | Greatest High Priest |
| posse comitatus | to be able to attend |
| post aut propter | after it or by means of it |
| post cibum (p.c.) | after food |
| post hoc ergo propter hoc | after this, therefore because of this |
| post meridiem (p.m.) | after midday |
| post mortem (pm) | after death |
| post prandial | after the time before midday |
| post scriptum (p.s.) | after what has been written |
| post tenebras lux | after darkness, light |
| prima facie | at first sight |
| Praemonitus praemunitus | forewarned is forearmed. See Praemonitus praemunitus. |
| 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 forma | for form |
| pro hac vice | for this occasion |
| pro patria | for country |
| pro rata | for the rate |
| 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 |
| propria manu (p.m.) | by one’s own hand |
| propter vitam vivendi perdere causas | to destroy the reasons for living for the sake of life |
| 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 |
| Q | |
| qua patet orbis | as far as the world extends |
| quaecumque vera | whatever is true |
| 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 behaved well |
| 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 |
| quater in die (qid) | four times a day |
| 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 tacet consentire videtur | he who is silent is taken to agree |
| qui transtulit sustinet | he who transported sustains |
| quia suam uxorem etiam suspiciore vacare vellet | because he should wish even his wife to be free from suspicion |
| 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 viditur | whatever has been said in Latin seems deep |
| quis custodiet ipsos custodes | Who will guard the guards themselves? |
| quis ut Deus | Who [is] as God? |
| 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 denied without reason |
| quod licet Iovi non licet bovi | what is permitted to Jupiter is not permitted to an ox |
| quod me nutrit me destruit | what nourishes me destroys me |
| quod natura non dat Salmantica non praestat | what nature does not give, Salamanca does not provide |
| quod vide (q.v.) | which see |
| quomodo vales | how are you? |
| quot homines tot sententiae | how many people, so many opinions |
| R | |
| radix malorum est cupiditas | the root of evils is desire |
| Rara avis | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 ipsa loquitur | the thing speaks for itself |
| res judicata | judged thing |
| respice finem | look back at the end |
| respiciendum est iudicanti ne quid aut durius aut remissius constituatur quam causa deposcit nec enim aut severitatis aut clementiae gloria affectanda est | the judge must see that no order be made or judgment given or sentence passed either more harshly or more mildly than the case requires; he must not seek renown, either as a severe or as a tender-hearted judge |
| respondeat superior | let the superior respond |
| res nullius | nobody’s thing |
| rex regum fidelum et | king even of faithful kings |
| rigor mortis | stiffness of death |
| 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, fairer than all things, I do ever glory in thee |
| rus in urbe | Farm in the city |
| S | |
| saltus in demonstrando | leap in explaining |
| salus populi suprema lex esto | the welfare of the people is to be the highest law |
| 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 |
| sapere aude | dare to be wise |
| sapienti sat | enough for the wise |
| scio | I know |
| sedes apostolica | apostolic chair |
| sedes incertae seat | (i.e. location) uncertain |
| sede vacante | with the seat being vacant |
| servus servorum Dei | servant of the servants of God |
| semper excelsius | always higher |
| semper fidelis | always faithful |
| semper paratus | always prepared |
| semper reformanda | always reforming |
| semper ubi sub ubi | always where under where |
| Senatus Populusque Romanus (SPQR) | The Senate and the People of Rome |
| Servo Permaneo Bovis Provestri | Save the Last Bullet for Yourself |
| sesquipedalia verba | words a foot and a half long |
| si peccasse negamus fallimur et nulla est in nobis veritas | if we refuse to make a mistake, we are deceived, and there’s no truth in us |
| si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice | if you seek a delightful peninsula, look around |
| Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses | If you had kept your silence, you would have stayed a philosopher |
| si vales valeo (SVV) | if you are well, I am well |
| 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 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 is] of others |
| 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 |
| 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 scientia ars nihil est | without knowledge, skill is nothing |
| sit venia verbo | may there be forgiveness for the word |
| 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 |
| soli Deo gloria (S.D.G.) | glory to God alone |
| solus Christus | Christ alone |
| solus ipse | I alone |
| spem reduxit | he has restored hope |
| spes anchora vitae | hope is the anchor of [my] life |
| 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 |
| statim (stat) | immediately |
| status quo | the state to which |
| stet | let it stand |
| stipendium peccati mors est | the reward of sin is death |
| strenuis ardus cedunt | the heights yield to endeavour |
| stricto sensu | with the tight meaning |
| stupor mundi | the wonder of the world |
| sua sponte | by its own accord |
| Sub Cruce Lumen | The Light Under the Cross |
| sub judice | under a judge |
| sub poena | under penalty |
| sub rosa | under the rose |
| sub specie aeternitatis | under the sight of eternity |
| Sui generis | Of its own kind |
| sui iuris | Of one’s own right |
| sum quod eris |