List of Latin phrases: N
Encyclopedia
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| Latin | Translation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| nasciturus pro iam nato habetur, quotiens de commodis eius agitur Nasciturus pro iam nato habetur, quotiens de commodis eius agitur Nasciturus pro iam nato habetur, quotiens de commodis eius agitur is a Latin phrase which refers to a law which enables a foetus to inherit property. In normal circumstances, a foetus may not inherit, as it does not legally become a "person" until it is born. Under this law, the foetus is legally... |
The unborn is deemed to have been born to the extent that his own inheritance is concerned | Refers to a situation where an unborn child is deemed to be entitled to certain inheritance rights. |
| natura abhorret a vacuo | nature abhors a vacuum | Pseudo-explanation for why a liquid will climb up a tube to fill a vacuum Vacuum In everyday usage, vacuum is a volume of space that is essentially empty of matter, such that its gaseous pressure is much less than atmospheric pressure. The word comes from the Latin term for "empty". A perfect vacuum would be one with no particles in it at all, which is impossible to achieve in... , often given before the discovery of atmospheric pressure Atmospheric pressure Atmospheric pressure is the force per unit area exerted into a surface by the weight of air above that surface in the atmosphere of Earth . In most circumstances atmospheric pressure is closely approximated by the hydrostatic pressure caused by the weight of air above the measurement point... . |
| Natura Artis Magistra | Nature is the teacher of art | The name of the zoo in the centre of Amsterdam Amsterdam Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population... ; short: Artis Artis Artis, short for Natura Artis Magistra , is a zoo in the centre of Amsterdam. It is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands... . |
| natura nihil frustra facit | nature does nothing in vain | Cf. Leucippus Leucippus Leucippus or Leukippos was one of the earliest Greeks to develop the theory of atomism — the idea that everything is composed entirely of various imperishable, indivisible elements called atoms — which was elaborated in greater detail by his pupil and successor, Democritus... : "Everything that happens does so for a reason and of necessity." |
| natura non contristatur | nature is not saddened | That is, the natural world Nature Nature, in the broadest sense, is equivalent to the natural world, physical world, or material world. "Nature" refers to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general... is not sentimental or compassionate. |
| natura non facit saltum ita nec lex | nature does not make a leap, thus neither does the law | Shortened form of "sicut natura nil facit per saltum ita nec lex" (just as nature does nothing by a leap, so neither does the law), referring to both nature and the legal system moving gradually. |
| natura non facit saltus Natura non facit saltus Natura non facit saltum has been a principle of natural philosophy since at least Aristotle's time. It appears as an axiom in the works of Gottfried Leibniz and Isaac Newton, the co-inventors of the infinitesimal calculus, see Law of Continuity... |
nature makes no leaps | A famous aphorism Aphorism An aphorism is an original thought, spoken or written in a laconic and memorable form.The term was first used in the Aphorisms of Hippocrates... of Carl Linnaeus stating that all organisms bear relationships on all sides, their forms changing gradually from one species Species In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are... to the next. From Philosophia Botanica Philosophia Botanica Philosophia Botanica was published by the Swedish naturalist and physician Carolus Linnaeus who greatly influenced the development of botanical taxonomy and systematics in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is "the first textbook of descriptive systematic botany and botanical Latin"... (1751). |
| Natura valde simplex est et sibi consona | Nature is exceedingly simple and harmonious with itself. | Sir Isaac Newton's famous quote, defining foundation of all modern sciences. Can be found in his Unpublished Scientific Papers of Isaac Newton: A selection from the Portsmouth Collection in the University Library, Cambridge, 1978 edition. |
| naturalia non sunt turpia | What is natural is not dirty. | Based on Servius' commentary on Virgil Virgil Publius Vergilius Maro, usually called Virgil or Vergil in English , was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He is known for three major works of Latin literature, the Eclogues , the Georgics, and the epic Aeneid... 's Georgics Georgics The Georgics is a poem in four books, likely published in 29 BC. It is the second major work by the Latin poet Virgil, following his Eclogues and preceding the Aeneid. It is a poem that draws on many prior sources and influenced many later authors from antiquity to the present... (3:96): "turpis non est quia per naturam venit." |
| naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret. | You may drive out Nature with a pitchfork, yet she still will hurry back. | You must take the basic nature of something into account. - Horace Horace Quintus Horatius Flaccus , known in the English-speaking world as Horace, was the leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus.-Life:... , Epistles, Book I, epistle iv, line 24. |
| navigare necesse est vivere non est necesse | to sail is necessary; to live is not necessary | Attributed by Plutarch Plutarch Plutarch then named, on his becoming a Roman citizen, Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus , c. 46 – 120 AD, was a Greek historian, biographer, essayist, and Middle Platonist known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia... to Gnaeus Pompeius Gnaeus Pompeius Gnaeus Pompeius should not be confused with his father, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, known as "Pompey the Great."Gnaeus Pompeius , also known as Pompey the Younger , was a Roman politician and general from the late Republic .Gnaeus Pompeius was the elder son of Pompey the Great Gnaeus Pompeius should... , who, during a severe storm, commanded sailors to bring food from Africa to Rome. |
| ne plus ultra | nothing more beyond | Also nec plus ultra or non plus ultra. A descriptive phrase meaning the best or most extreme example of something. The Pillars of Hercules Pillars of Hercules The Pillars of Hercules was the phrase that was applied in Antiquity to the promontories that flank the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. The northern Pillar is the Rock of Gibraltar in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar... , for example, were literally the nec plus ultra of the ancient Mediterranean world. Holy Roman Emperor Holy Roman Emperor The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope... Charles V Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As... 's heraldic emblem reversed this idea, using a depiction of this phrase inscribed on the Pillars—as plus ultra Plus Ultra (motto) Plus ultra is the national motto of Spain adopted from the personal motto of Charles I of Spain. Earl Rosenthal, author of The Palace of Charles V in Granada , has researched the origin of the motto... , without the negation. This represented Spain's expansion Spanish Empire The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power.... into the New World.The Boston Musical Instrument Company Boston Musical Instrument Company The Boston Musical Instrument Company was an American manufacturer of brass band instruments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries located in Boston, Massachusetts.- Corporate History :... engraved ne plus ultra on its instruments from 1869 to 1928 to signify that none were better. |
| nec dextrorsum, nec sinistrorsum | Neither to the right nor to the left | Do not get distracted. Motto for Bishop Cotton Boys' School and the Bishop Cotton Girls' School, both located in Bangalore, India. |
| nec spe, nec metu | without hope, without fear | |
| nec tamen consumebatur | and yet it was not consumed | Refers to the Burning Bush Burning bush The burning bush is an object described by the Book of Exodus as being located on Mount Sinai; according to the narrative, the bush was on fire, but was not consumed by the flames, hence the name... of Exodus 3:2. Motto of many Presbyterian Presbyterianism Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,... churches throughout the world, including Australia. |
| nec temere nec timide | neither reckless nor timid | The motto of the Dutch 11th Air Manoeuvre Brigade 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade The 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade '7 December is the elite rapid-reaction air assault unit of the Royal Netherlands Army. Its operators are trained to be deployed via helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft , and can be deployed anywhere in the world within 7 to maximally 20 days... |
| neca eos omnes, deus suos agnoscet | kill them all, God will know his own. | alternate rendition of Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius. by Arnaud Amalric Arnaud Amalric Arnaud Amalric was a Cistercian church leader who took a prominent role in the Albigensian Crusade. He is remembered for allegedly giving advice to a soldier wondering how to distinguish the Catholic friendlies from the Cathar enemies to just "Kill them all... . |
| nemine contradicente (nem. con.) | with no one speaking against | Less literally, "without dissent". Used especially in committees, where a matter may be passed nem. con., or unanimously Unanimity Unanimity is agreement by all people in a given situation. When unanimous, everybody is of the same mind and acting together as one. Though unlike uniformity, it does not constitute absolute agreement. Many groups consider unanimous decisions a sign of agreement, solidarity, and unity... . |
| nemo dat quod non habet Nemo dat quod non habet Nemo dat quod non habet, literally meaning "no one [can] give what he does not have" is a legal rule, sometimes called the nemo dat rule, that states that the purchase of a possession from someone who has no ownership right to it also denies the purchaser any ownership title... |
no one gives what he does not have | Thus, "none can pass better title than they have". |
| nemo est supra legis | nobody is above the law | |
| Nemo igitur vir magnus sine aliquo adflatu divino umquam fuit | No great man ever existed who did not enjoy some portion of divine inspiration | From Cicero Cicero Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief... 's De Natura Deorum De Natura Deorum De Natura Deorum is a philosophical dialogue by Roman orator Cicero written in 45 BC. It is laid out in three "books", each of which discuss the theology of different Roman and Greek philosophers... , Book 2, 167 |
| nemo iudex in causa sua | no man shall be a judge in his own cause | Legal principle that no individual can preside over a hearing in which he holds a specific interest or bias. |
| nemo malus felix | peace visits not the guilty mind | Also translated to "no peace for the wicked." Refers to the inherent psychological issues that plague bad/guilty people. |
| nemo me impune lacessit Nemo me impune lacessit Nemo me impune lacessit is the Latin motto of the Order of the Thistle and of three Scottish regiments of the British Army. The motto also appears, in conjunction with the collar of the Order of the Thistle, in later versions of the Royal coat of arms of the Kingdom of Scotland and subsequently in... |
no one provokes me with impunity | Motto of the Order of the Thistle Order of the Thistle The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland. The current version of the Order was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland who asserted that he was reviving an earlier Order... , and consequently of Scotland Scotland Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the... , found stamped on the milled edge of certain British pound sterling Pound sterling The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence... coins. It is also the motto of the Montressors in the Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective... short story "The Cask of Amontillado The Cask of Amontillado "The Cask of Amontillado" is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in the November 1846 issue of Godey's Lady's Book.... ". Motto of the San Beda College Beta Sigma Fraternity. |
| nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit | No mortal is wise at all times | The wisest may make mistakes. |
| nemo nisi per amicitiam cognoscitur | No one learns except by friendship | Used to imply that one must like a subject in order to study it. |
| nemo saltat sobrius | Nobody dances sober | The short and more common form of "Nemo enim fere saltat sobrius, nisi forte insanit", "Nobody dances sober, unless he is completely insane." |
| nemo tenetur seipsum accusare | no one is bound to accuse himself | A maxim banning mandatory self-incrimination Self-incrimination Self-incrimination is the act of accusing oneself of a crime for which a person can then be prosecuted. Self-incrimination can occur either directly or indirectly: directly, by means of interrogation where information of a self-incriminatory nature is disclosed; indirectly, when information of a... . Near-synonymous with accusare nemo se debet nisi coram Deo. Similar phrases include: nemo tenetur armare adversarium contra se (no one is bound to arm an opponent against himself), meaning that a defendant is not obligated to in any way assist the prosecutor to his own detriment; nemo tenetur edere instrumenta contra se (no one is bound to produce documents against himself, meaning that a defendant is not obligated to provide materials to be used against himself (this is true in Roman law Roman law Roman law is the legal system of ancient Rome, and the legal developments which occurred before the 7th century AD — when the Roman–Byzantine state adopted Greek as the language of government. The development of Roman law comprises more than a thousand years of jurisprudence — from the Twelve... and has survived in modern criminal law Criminal law Criminal law, is the body of law that relates to crime. It might be defined as the body of rules that defines conduct that is not allowed because it is held to threaten, harm or endanger the safety and welfare of people, and that sets out the punishment to be imposed on people who do not obey... , but no longer applies in modern civil law Civil law (legal system) Civil law is a legal system inspired by Roman law and whose primary feature is that laws are codified into collections, as compared to common law systems that gives great precedential weight to common law on the principle that it is unfair to treat similar facts differently on different... ); and nemo tenere prodere seipsum (no one is bound to betray himself), meaning that a defendant is not obligated to testify against himself. |
| nervos belli, pecuniam infinitam | Endless money forms the sinews of war | In war, it is essential to be able to purchase supplies and to pay troops (as Napoleon put it, "An army marches on its stomach"). |
| nihil ad rem | nothing to do with the point | That is, in law, irrelevant and/or inconsequential. |
| nihil boni sine labore | nothing achieved without hard work | Motto of Palmerston North Boys' High School Palmerston North Boys' High School Palmerston North Boys' High School is a state secondary school for boys located in Palmerston North, New Zealand.-Location:Palmerston North Boys' High School is located on Featherston Street, between the intersections of Rangitikei Street and North Street.... |
| nihil dicit Nihil dicit Nihil dicit is Latin for "he says nothing"; a judgment for want of a plea. The name of a judgment which a judge may render against a defendant who failed to plead and failed to answer a plaintiff's declaration or complaint within the prescribed time limit. The defendant failed to say why the... |
he says nothing | In law, a declination by a defendant to answer charges or put in a plea. |
| nihil novi Nihil novi Nihil novi nisi commune consensu is the original Latin title of a 1505 act adopted by the Polish Sejm , meeting in the royal castle at Radom.-History:... |
nothing of the new | Or just "nothing new". The phrase exists in two versions: as nihil novi sub sole (nothing new under the sun), from the Vulgate Vulgate The Vulgate is a late 4th-century Latin translation of the Bible. It was largely the work of St. Jerome, who was commissioned by Pope Damasus I in 382 to make a revision of the old Latin translations... , and as nihil novi nisi commune consensu (nothing new unless by the common consensus), a 1505 law of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and one of the cornerstones of its Golden Liberty Golden Liberty Golden Liberty , sometimes referred to as Golden Freedoms, Nobles' Democracy or Nobles' Commonwealth refers to a unique aristocratic political system in the Kingdom of Poland and later, after the Union of Lublin , in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth... . |
| nihil obstat Nihil obstat Nihil obstat is a declaration of no objection to an initiative or an appointment.... |
nothing prevents | A notation, usually on a title page, indicating that a Roman Catholic Roman Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity... censor Censorship thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile... has reviewed the book and found nothing objectionable to faith or morals in its content. See also imprimatur Imprimatur An imprimatur is, in the proper sense, a declaration authorizing publication of a book. The term is also applied loosely to any mark of approval or endorsement.-Catholic Church:... . |
| Nihil sine Deo Nihil Sine Deo thumb|right|The Royal Motto of [[Romania]] on the middle and great [[Coat of arms of Romania|coat of arms]]Nihil Sine Deo, Latin for "Nothing without God", is used as a motto by the German Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen royal family.... |
Nothing without God | The motto of the Kingdom of Romania Kingdom of Romania The Kingdom of Romania was the Romanian state based on a form of parliamentary monarchy between 13 March 1881 and 30 December 1947, specified by the first three Constitutions of Romania... , while ruled by the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen -Noble jurisdictions:Prince Karl Eitel of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, and descendants of his nephew Ferdinand ruled over the Kingdom of Romania, as Karl Eitel did not have children... dynasty (1878–1947). |
| Nihil Ultra | Nothing Beyond | The motto of St. Xavier's College, Calcutta St. Xavier's College, Calcutta St. Xavier's College is located in Kolkata, India, and is named after St. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit saint of the 16th century, who travelled to India. It is an autonomous college affiliated to the University of Calcutta. It gained autonomy in July 2006, thus becoming the first autonomous college of... . |
| nil admirari | be surprised at nothing | Motto of the Fitzgibbon family. See John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare PC , later known as Earl of Clare or Lord Clare, was Attorney-General for Ireland in 1783, then Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1789, in which capacity he was first promoted to the Irish peerage.He was a controversial figure in Irish history, being described... |
| nil desperandum | nothing must be despaired at | That is, "never despair". |
| Nil igitur est mors ad nos | Death, therefore, is nothing to us. | Written in Lucretius' De Rerum Natura (Concerning the nature of things) |
| nil mortalibus ardui est | nothing is impossible for humankind | From Horace's Horace Quintus Horatius Flaccus , known in the English-speaking world as Horace, was the leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus.-Life:... Odes. Motto of Rathkeale College Rathkeale College Rathkeale College is a state-integrated Anglican boys secondary school on the outskirts of Masterton, New Zealand.-History:Rathkeale College was established in the 1960s to complete the family of schools managed by the St. Matthew's Schools Trust Board, which already had a girls school in St.... , New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga... . |
| nil nisi bonum | (about the dead say) nothing unless (it is) good | Short for nil nisi bonum de mortuis dicere. De mortuis nil nisi bonum De mortuis nihil nisi bonum is a Latin phrase which indicates that it is socially inappropriate to say anything negative about a deceased person... That is, "Don't speak ill of anyone who has died". Also "Nil magnum nisi bonum" (nothing is great unless good), motto of St Catherine's School, Toorak St Catherine's School, Toorak St Catherine's School is an independent, non-denominational, Christian day and boarding school for girls, located in Toorak, an inner south-eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.... , Pennant Hills High School Pennant Hills High School Pennant Hills High School is a public, comprehensive, co-educational, high school situated in the northern suburb of Pennant Hills in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, about 15–20 minutes to walk from Pennant Hills railway station.... and Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary School Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary School Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary School is a higher secondary school for boys in the state of Pondicherry, India.-History:The history of Petit Seminaire dates back to 1844 as a seminary attended by 89 students of whom 25 were ecclesiastical students aspiring for priesthood. In 1873 it became a... . |
| nil nisi malis terrori | no terror, except to the bad | The motto of The King's School, Macclesfield The King's School, Macclesfield -Notable former pupils:* Peter Moores, ex-England Cricket Coach* Rev. Thomas Taylor, priest and historian* Alan Beith, politician* Jon Craig, Chief Political Correspondent of Sky News... . |
| nil per os Nil per os Nil per os is a medical instruction meaning to withhold oral food and fluids from a patient for various reasons. It is a Latin phrase which translates as "nothing through the mouth". In the United Kingdom it is translated as nil by mouth .Typical reasons for NPO instructions are the prevention... , rarely non per os (n.p.o.) |
nothing through the mouth | Medical shorthand indicating that oral foods and fluids should be withheld from the patient. |
| nil satis nisi optimum | nothing [is] enough unless [it is] the best | Motto of Everton F.C. Everton F.C. Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football... , residents of Goodison Park Goodison Park Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds... , Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880... . |
| nil sine labore | nothing without labour | Motto of Brisbane Grammar School Brisbane Grammar School Brisbane Grammar School is an independent, non-denominational, day and boarding school for boys, located in Spring Hill, an inner suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia... , Brisbane Girls Grammar School Brisbane Girls Grammar School Brisbane Girls' Grammar School, is an independent, secular, day school for girls, located in Spring Hill, an inner suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.... , Greenwich Public School, and Victoria School Victoria School Victoria School in Singapore is a government secondary school for boys, founded in 1876, at Siglap Link, about one kilometre from affiliated Victoria Junior College.... |
| nil sine numine | nothing without the divine will | Or "nothing without providence Divine providence In Christian theology, divine providence, or simply providence, is God's activity in the world. " Providence" is also used as a title of God exercising His providence, and then the word are usually capitalized... ". State motto of Colorado Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains... , adopted in 1861. Probably derived from Virgil Virgil Publius Vergilius Maro, usually called Virgil or Vergil in English , was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He is known for three major works of Latin literature, the Eclogues , the Georgics, and the epic Aeneid... 's Aeneid Aeneid The Aeneid is a Latin epic poem, written by Virgil between 29 and 19 BC, that tells the legendary story of Aeneas, a Trojan who travelled to Italy, where he became the ancestor of the Romans. It is composed of roughly 10,000 lines in dactylic hexameter... Book II, line 777, "non haec sine numine divum eveniunt" (these things do not come to pass without the will of Heaven). See also numen Numen Numen is a Latin term for a potential, guiding the course of events in a particular place or in the whole world, used in Roman philosophical and religious thought... . |
| nil volentibus arduum | Nothing [is] arduous for the willing | Nothing is impossible for the willing |
| nisi Dominus frustra | if not the Lord, [it is] in vain | That is, "everything is in vain without God God God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism.... ". Summarized from Psalm Psalms The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible... 127, "nisi Dominus aedificaverit domum in vanum laboraverunt qui aedificant eam nisi Dominus custodierit civitatem frustra vigilavit qui custodit" (unless the Lord builds the house, they work on a useless thing who build it; unless the Lord guards the community, he keeps watch in vain who guards it). The motto of Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area... . |
| nisi prius | unless previously | In England, a direction that a case be brought up to Westminster Westminster Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross... for trial before a single judge and jury. In the United States, a court where civil actions are tried by a single judge sitting with a jury, as distinguished from an appellate court Appeal An appeal is a petition for review of a case that has been decided by a court of law. The petition is made to a higher court for the purpose of overturning the lower court's decision.... . |
| nitimur in vetitum | We strive for the forbidden | From Ovid Ovid Publius Ovidius Naso , known as Ovid in the English-speaking world, was a Roman poet who is best known as the author of the three major collections of erotic poetry: Heroides, Amores, and Ars Amatoria... 's Amores, III.4:17. It means that when we are denied of something, we will eagerly pursue the denied thing. Used by Friedrich Nietzsche Friedrich Nietzsche Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was a 19th-century German philosopher, poet, composer and classical philologist... in his Ecce Homo Ecce Homo (book) Ecce Homo: How One Becomes What One Is is the title of the last original book written by philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche before his final years of insanity that spanned until his death in 1900... to indicate that his philosophy pursues what is forbidden to other philosophers. |
| nolens volens | unwilling, willing | That is, "whether unwillingly or willingly". Sometimes rendered volens nolens, aut nolens aut volens or nolentis volentis. Similar to willy-nilly, though that word is derived from Old English will-he nil-he ([whether] he will or [whether] he will not). |
| noli me tangere Noli me tangere Noli me tangere, meaning "don't touch me" / "touch me not", is the Latin version of words spoken, according to , by Jesus to Mary Magdalene when she recognizes him after his resurrection.... |
do not touch me | Commonly translated "touch me not". According to the Gospel of John Gospel of John The Gospel According to John , commonly referred to as the Gospel of John or simply John, and often referred to in New Testament scholarship as the Fourth Gospel, is an account of the public ministry of Jesus... , this was said by Jesus Jesus Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity... to Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses... after his resurrection Resurrection of Jesus The Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus states that Jesus returned to bodily life on the third day following his death by crucifixion. It is a key element of Christian faith and theology and part of the Nicene Creed: "On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures"... . |
| noli turbare circulos meos | Do not disturb my circles! | That is, "Don't upset my calculations!" Said by Archimedes Archimedes Archimedes of Syracuse was a Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer. Although few details of his life are known, he is regarded as one of the leading scientists in classical antiquity. Among his advances in physics are the foundations of hydrostatics, statics and an... to a Roman soldier who, despite having been given orders not to, killed Archimedes at the conquest of Syracuse, Sicily. The soldier was executed for his act. |
| "nolite te bastardes carborundorum" (Dog Latin Dog Latin Dog Latin, Cod Latin, macaronic Latin, or mock Latin refers to the creation of a phrase or jargon in imitation of Latin, often by directly translating English words into Latin without conjugation or declension... ) |
"Don't let the bastards grind you down | From The Handmaid's Tale The Handmaid's Tale The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian novel, a work of science fiction or speculative fiction, written by Canadian author Margaret Atwood and first published by McClelland and Stewart in 1985... by Margaret Atwood Margaret Atwood Margaret Eleanor Atwood, is a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, and environmental activist. She is among the most-honoured authors of fiction in recent history; she is a winner of the Arthur C... — the protagonist (Offred) finds the phrase inscribed on the inside of her wardrobe. One of many variants of Illegitimi non carborundum Illegitimi non carborundum Illegitimi non carborundum is a mock-Latin aphorism meaning "Don't let the bastards grind you down". -History:... . |
| nolle prosequi Nolle prosequi Nolle prosequi is legal term of art and a Latin legal phrase meaning "to be unwilling to pursue", a phrase amounting to "please do not prosecute". It is a phrase used in many common law criminal prosecution contexts to describe a prosecutor's decision to voluntarily discontinue criminal charges... |
to be unwilling to prosecute | A legal motion Motion (legal) In law, a motion is a procedural device to bring a limited, contested issue before a court for decision. A motion may be thought of as a request to the judge to make a decision about the case. Motions may be made at any point in administrative, criminal or civil proceedings, although that right is... by a prosecutor Prosecutor The prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system, or the civil law inquisitorial system... or other plaintiff Plaintiff A plaintiff , also known as a claimant or complainant, is the term used in some jurisdictions for the party who initiates a lawsuit before a court... to drop legal charges, usually in exchange for a diversion program Diversion program A diversion program in the criminal justice system is a program run by a police department, court, a district attorney's office, or outside agency designed to enable alleged offenders of criminal law to avoid criminal charges and a criminal record... or out-of-court settlement. |
| nolo contendere Nolo contendere is a legal term that comes from the Latin for "I do not wish to contend." It is also referred to as a plea of no contest.In criminal trials, and in some common law jurisdictions, it is a plea where the defendant neither admits nor disputes a charge, serving as an alternative to a pleading of... |
I do not wish to contend | That is, "no contest". A plea that can be entered on behalf of a defendant in a court that states that the accused doesn't admit guilt, but will accept punishment for a crime. Nolo contendere pleas cannot be used as evidence in another trial. |
| nomen dubium Nomen dubium In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application... |
doubtful name | A scientific name of unknown or doubtful application. |
| nomen est omen | the name is a sign | Thus, "true to its name". |
| nomen nescio (N.N.) | I do not know the name | Thus, the name or person in question is unknown. |
| nomen nudum Nomen nudum The phrase nomen nudum is a Latin term, meaning "naked name", used in taxonomy... |
naked name | A purported scientific name that does not fulfill the proper formal criteria and therefore cannot be used unless it is subsequently proposed correctly. |
| non bis in idem | not twice in the same thing | A legal principle forbidding double jeopardy Double jeopardy Double jeopardy is a procedural defense that forbids a defendant from being tried again on the same, or similar charges following a legitimate acquittal or conviction... . |
| non causa pro causa | not the cause for the cause | Also known as the "questionable cause Questionable cause Fallacies of questionable cause, also known as causal fallacies, non causa pro causa or false cause, are informal fallacies where a cause is incorrectly identified... " or "false cause". Refers to any logical fallacy Formal fallacy In philosophy, a formal fallacy is a pattern of reasoning that is always wrong. This is due to a flaw in the logical structure of the argument which renders the argument invalid... where a cause is incorrectly identified. |
| non compos mentis Non compos mentis Non compos mentis is a term meaning 'not of sound mind'. Non compos mentis derives from the Latin non meaning "not", compos meaning "having ", and mentis , meaning "mind"... |
not in control of the mind | See compos mentis. Also rendered non compos sui (not in control of himself). Samuel Johnson Samuel Johnson Samuel Johnson , often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was an English author who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer... , author of the first English dictionary, theorized that the word nincompoop may derive from this phrase. |
| non constat | it is not certain | Used to explain scientific Science Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe... phenomena and religious advocations, for example in medieval history Middle Ages The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern... , for rulers to issue a 'Non Constat' decree, banning the worship of a holy figure. In legal context, occasionally a backing for nulling information that was presented by an attorney Lawyer A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political... . Without any tangible proof, Non constat information is difficult to argue for. |
| non ducor, duco | I am not led; I lead | Motto of São Paulo São Paulo São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among... city, Brazil Brazil Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people... . See also pro Brasilia fiant eximia. |
| non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum | you should not make evil in order that good may be made from it | More simply, "don't do wrong to do right". The direct opposite of the phrase "the ends justify the means". |
| non impediti ratione cogitationis | unencumbered by the thought process | motto of radio show Car Talk Car Talk Car Talk is a radio talk show broadcast weekly on National Public Radio stations throughout the United States and elsewhere. Its subjects are automobiles and repair, and it often takes humorous turns... |
| 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 | Also "it is not clear" or "it is not evident". A sometimes controversial decision handed down by a judge when they feel that the law is not complete. |
| non loqui sed facere | not talk but action | Motto of the University of Western Australia University of Western Australia The University of Western Australia was established by an Act of the Western Australian Parliament in February 1911, and began teaching students for the first time in 1913. It is the oldest university in the state of Western Australia and the only university in the state to be a member of the... 's Engineering faculty student society. |
| non mihi solum | not for myself alone | Motto of Anderson Junior College, Singapore. |
| Non nobis Domine | 'Not to us (oh) Lord' | The title of a Christian hymn and theme-song of the Charismatic Episcopal Church, C.E.C. - Protestant denomination, not related to the high Episcopal Church of the ordinary Anglican Communion of Christianity. The main theme of the hymn is: 'Non nobis Domine, tuo da glorium.' This is translated as: 'Not to us, (oh) Lord... unto thy name (be) glory.' |
| 'Born not for ourselves' | The motto of St Albans School, Hertfordshire. | |
| non nobis solum Non nobis solum Non nobis solum is a Latin motto. A common variation is non nobis, sed omnibus . It means that people should contribute to the general greater good of humanity, apart from their own interests.... |
not for ourselves alone | Appears in Cicero Cicero Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief... 's De Officiis De Officiis De Officiis is an essay by Marcus Tullius Cicero divided into three books, in which Cicero expounds his conception of the best way to live, behave, and observe moral obligations.- Origin :... Book 1:22 in the form non nobis solum nati sumus (we are not born for ourselves alone). Motto of Lower Canada College Lower Canada College Lower Canada College of Montreal is an elementary and secondary level private school.The college was founded by the Church of St John the Evangelist in 1861 as St. John's School and changed its name to Lower Canada College in 1909, replacing an older school by that name that was founded in... , Montreal and University College, Durham University. |
| non obstante veredicto | not standing in the way of a verdict Verdict In law, a verdict is the formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a judge. The term, from the Latin veredictum, literally means "to say the truth" and is derived from Middle English verdit, from Anglo-Norman: a compound of ver and dit In law, a verdict... |
A judgment notwithstanding verdict Judgment notwithstanding verdict Judgment notwithstanding the verdict, also called judgment non obstante veredicto, or JNOV, is a type of judgment as a matter of law that is ordered at the conclusion of a jury trial.... , a legal motion asking the court Court A court is a form of tribunal, often a governmental institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accordance with the rule of law... to reverse the jury Jury A jury is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Modern juries tend to be found in courts to ascertain the guilt, or lack thereof, in a crime. In Anglophone jurisdictions, the verdict may be guilty,... 's verdict on the grounds that the jury could not have reached such a verdict reasonably. |
| non olet | it doesn't smell | See pecunia non olet Pecunia non olet Pecunia non olet is a Latin saying. The phrase is ascribed to the Roman emperor Vespasian .-History:... . |
| non omnis moriar | I shall not all die | "Not all of me will die", a phrase expressing the belief that a part of the speaker will survive beyond death. |
| non plus ultra | nothing further beyond | the ultimate |
| non possumus Non possumus Non possumus meaning: we cannot, is a Latin religious phrase originating from the story of the martyrs of Abitina, when emperor Diocletian prohibited Christians, under pain of death, to possess the Scriptures, to meet on Sunday to celebrate the Eucharist and to build premises for their... |
not possible | |
| non progredi est regredi | to not go forward is to go backward | |
| non prosequitur | he does not proceed | A judgment in favor of a defendant when the plaintiff failed to take the necessary steps in an action within the time allowed. |
| non scholae, sed vitae discimus Non scholae, sed vitae discimus Non scholae, sed vitae discimus is a Latin phrase meaning We do not learn for the school, but for life, meaning that one should not gain knowledge and skill to please a teacher or master, but because of the benefits they will gain in their life.... |
We learn not for school, but for life. | from Seneca. Also, motto of the Istanbul Bilgi University Istanbul Bilgi University Istanbul Bilgi University is a private, non-profit university in Istanbul, Turkey. It was actually established in 1994 under the name ISIS , but its name was changed to Istanbul Bilgi University with the foundation of the school on June 7, 1996... . |
| non quis sed quid | not who but what | Used in the sense "what matters is not who says it but what he says" – a warning against ad hominem Ad hominem An ad hominem , short for argumentum ad hominem, is an attempt to negate the truth of a claim by pointing out a negative characteristic or belief of the person supporting it... arguments. Also, motto of Southwestern University Southwestern University Southwestern University is a private, four-year, undergraduate, liberal arts college located in Georgetown, Texas, USA. Founded in 1840, Southwestern is the oldest university in Texas. The school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church although the curriculum is nonsectarian... . |
| non sequitur Non sequitur (logic) Non sequitur , in formal logic, is an argument in which its conclusion does not follow from its premises. In a non sequitur, the conclusion could be either true or false, but the argument is fallacious because there is a disconnection between the premise and the conclusion. All formal fallacies... |
it does not follow | In general, a comment which is absurd due to not making sense in its context (rather than due to being inherently nonsensical or internally inconsistent), often used in humor. As a logical fallacy Formal fallacy In philosophy, a formal fallacy is a pattern of reasoning that is always wrong. This is due to a flaw in the logical structure of the argument which renders the argument invalid... , a conclusion that does not follow from a premise. |
| non serviam Non serviam Non serviam is Latin for "I will not serve". The phrase is generally attributed to Lucifer, who is said to have spoken these words to express rejection to serve his God in the heavenly kingdom.... |
I will not serve | Possibly derived from a Vulgate Vulgate The Vulgate is a late 4th-century Latin translation of the Bible. It was largely the work of St. Jerome, who was commissioned by Pope Damasus I in 382 to make a revision of the old Latin translations... mistranslation of the Book of Jeremiah Book of Jeremiah The Book of Jeremiah is the second of the Latter Prophets in the Hebrew Bible, following the book of Isaiah and preceding Ezekiel and the Book of the Twelve.... . Commonly used in literature as Satan Satan Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible... 's statement of disobedience to God God God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism.... , though in the original context the quote is attributed to Israel Israel The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea... , not Satan. |
| non sibi | Not for self. | A slogan used by many schools and universities. |
| non sibi, sed patriae | Not for self, but for Country. | Engraved on the doors of the United States Naval Academy chapel. Also the motto of the USS Halyburton (FFG-40) USS Halyburton (FFG-40) USS Halyburton , an , is a ship of the United States Navy named for Pharmacist's Mate Second Class William D. Halyburton, Jr.... |
| non sibi, sed suis | Not for one's self but for one's own. | A slogan used by many schools and universities. Including Tulane University. |
| non sibi, sed omnibus | Not for one's self but for all. | A slogan used by many schools and universities. Including Wilson's School. |
| non sic dormit, sed vigilat | Sleeps not but is awake | Martin Luther Martin Luther Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517... on mortality of the soul. |
| non silba, sed anthar; Deo vindice | Not for self, but for others; God will vindicate. | A slogan used by the Ku Klux Klan Ku Klux Klan Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically... . |
| non sum qualis eram | I am not such as I was | Or "I am not the kind of person I once was". Expresses a change in the speaker. |
| non teneas aurum totum quod splendet ut aurum | Do not hold as gold all that shines as gold. | Also, "All that glitters is not gold All that glitters is not gold All that glitters is not gold is a well-known saying, meaning that not everything that looks precious is precious. The expression, in various forms, originated in or before the 12th century and may date from Aesop.... ." Parabolae. Also used by Shakespeare William Shakespeare William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"... in The Merchant of Venice The Merchant of Venice The Merchant of Venice is a tragic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. Though classified as a comedy in the First Folio and sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is perhaps most remembered for its dramatic... . |
| non timebo mala | I will fear no evil | This is the phrase printed on the Colt, in Supernatural Supernatural (TV series) Supernatural is an American supernatural and horror television series created by Eric Kripke, which debuted on September 13, 2005 on The WB, and is now part of The CW's lineup. Starring Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, the series follows the brothers as they... . |
| non vestra sed vos | Not yours but you | Motto of St Chad's College St Chad's College St Chad's College is a college of the University of Durham in England. One of the smallest of Durham's colleges in terms of student numbers , it has the largest staff, the most extensive college library facilities, and consistently the highest academic results in Durham... , Durham. |
| non vi, sed verbo | Not through violence, but through the word alone | Martin Luther Martin Luther Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517... on Catholic church reform. (see Protestant Reformation Protestant Reformation The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led... ) |
| nosce te ipsum | know thyself Know thyself The Ancient Greek aphorism "Know thyself", Greek: ', English phonetics pronunciation: , was inscribed in the pronaos of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi according to the Greek periegetic writer Pausanias .The maxim, or aphorism, "Know Thyself" has had a variety of meanings attributed to it in... |
From Cicero Cicero Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief... , based on the Greek γνῶθι σεαυτόν (gnothi seauton), inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. A non-traditional Latin rendering, temet nosce (thine own self know), is translated in The Matrix The Matrix The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Hugo Weaving... as "know thyself". |
| noster nostri | Literally "Our ours" | Approximately "Our hearts beat as one." |
| nosus decipio | we cheat | As translated in Amazing Grace (2006 film) Amazing Grace (2006 film) Amazing Grace is a 2006 U.S.–UK co-production film, directed by Michael Apted, about the campaign against slave trade in the British Empire, led by William Wilberforce, who was responsible for steering anti-slave trade legislation through the British parliament. The title is a reference to the hymn... , "we cheat." From verb decipere: to ensnare, trap, beguile, deceive, cheat. |
| nota bene (n.b.) | mark well | That is, "please note" or "note it well". |
| novus ordo seclorum Novus Ordo Seclorum The phrase Novus ordo seclorum appears on the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States, first designed in 1782 and printed on the back of the United States one-dollar bill since 1935. The phrase also appears on the coat of arms of the Yale School of Management, Yale University's business... |
new order of the ages | From Virgil Virgil Publius Vergilius Maro, usually called Virgil or Vergil in English , was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He is known for three major works of Latin literature, the Eclogues , the Georgics, and the epic Aeneid... . Motto on the Great Seal of the United States Great Seal of the United States The Great Seal of the United States is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the United States federal government. The phrase is used both for the physical seal itself , and more generally for the design impressed upon it... . Similar to Novus Ordo Mundi (New World Order). |
| nulla dies sine linea | Not a day without a line drawn. | Pliny the Elder Pliny the Elder Gaius Plinius Secundus , better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian... attributes this maxim to Apelles Apelles Apelles of Kos was a renowned painter of ancient Greece. Pliny the Elder, to whom we owe much of our knowledge of this artist rated him superior to preceding and subsequent artists... , an ancient Greek artist. |
| nulla poena sine lege Nulla poena sine lege Nulla poena sine lege is a legal principle, requiring that one cannot be punished for doing something that is not prohibited by law. This principle is accepted as just and upheld by the penal codes of constitutional states, including virtually all modern democracies... |
no penalty without a law | Refers to the legal principle that one cannot be punished for doing something that is not prohibited by law, and is related to Nullum crimen, nulla poena sine praevia lege poenali Nullum crimen, nulla poena sine praevia lege poenali Nullum crimen, nulla poena sine praevia lege poenali is a basic maxim in continental European legal thinking... . |
| nulla tenaci invia est via | For the tenacious, no road is impassable. | Motto of the Dutch car builder Spyker Spyker Spyker was a Dutch car manufacturer, started in 1880 by coachbuilders Jacobus and Hendrik-Jan Spijker, but to be able to market the brand better in foreign countries, in 1903 the 'ij' was changed into 'y'... . |
| nullam rem natam | no thing born | That is, "nothing". It has been theorized that this expression is the origin of Italian Italian language Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia... nulla, French French language French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts... rien, and Spanish Spanish language Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the... and Portuguese Portuguese language Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095... nada, all with the same meaning. |
| nulli secundus | second to none | Motto of the Coldstream Guards Coldstream Guards Her Majesty's Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, also known officially as the Coldstream Guards , is a regiment of the British Army, part of the Guards Division or Household Division.... and Nine Squadron Royal Australian Corps of Transport and the Pretoria Regiment Pretoria Regiment The Pretoria Regiment is an armoured regiment of the South African Army. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Territorial Army or United States Army National Guard unit. The Regiment is stationed in the city after which it was named, Pretoria... . |
| nullius in verba Nullius in verba Nullius in verba is the motto of the Royal Society, that signifies the founders' determination to establish facts via experiments and profess objective science ignoring the influence of politics or religion... |
On the word of no man | Motto of the Royal Society Royal Society The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"... . |
| nullum crimen, nulla poena sine praevia lege poenali Nullum crimen, nulla poena sine praevia lege poenali Nullum crimen, nulla poena sine praevia lege poenali is a basic maxim in continental European legal thinking... |
no crime, no punishment without a previous penal law | Legal principle meaning that one cannot be penalised for doing something that is not prohibited by law. It also means that penal law cannot be enacted retroactively. |
| nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae fuit | There has been no great wisdom without an element of madness | |
| nullus funus sine fidula | No Funeral Without a Fiddle | Motto of the Guild of Funerary Violinists. |
| numen lumen | God our light | The motto of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The motto of Elon University Elon University Elon University is a private liberal arts university in Elon, North Carolina, United States. Formerly known as Elon College, it became Elon University on June 1, 2001. The campus is a botanical garden and features oak trees, brick sidewalks, fountains, and lakes... . |
| numerus clausus Numerus clausus Numerus clausus is one of many methods used to limit the number of students who may study at a university. In many cases, the goal of the numerus clausus is simply to limit the number of students to the maximum feasible in some particularly sought-after areas of studies.However, in some cases,... |
closed number | A method to limit the number of students who may study at a university. |
| nunc aut nunquam | now or never | Motto of the Korps Commandotroepen Korps Commandotroepen The Korps Commandotroepen are the elite special forces of the Royal Netherlands Army. It is one of the two principal units tasked with special operations in the Netherlands , and it is deployable anywhere in the world under any circumstance, conducting all conceivable missions from... , Dutch elite special forces. |
| nunc dimittis Nunc dimittis The Nunc dimittis is a canticle from a text in the second chapter of Luke named after its first words in Latin, meaning 'Now dismiss...'.... |
now you send | beginning of the Song of Simeon Simeon the Righteous Simeon is the "just and devout" man of Jerusalem who, according to , met the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as they entered the Temple to fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses on the 40th day from Jesus' birth.According to the Biblical account,... , from the Gospel of Luke Gospel of Luke The Gospel According to Luke , commonly shortened to the Gospel of Luke or simply Luke, is the third and longest of the four canonical Gospels. This synoptic gospel is an account of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. It details his story from the events of his birth to his Ascension.The... . |
| nunc est bibendum | now is the time to drink | Carpe-Diem Carpe diem Carpe diem is a phrase from a Latin poem by Horace that has become an aphorism. It is popularly translated as "seize the day"... -type phrase from the Odes of Horace, Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede libero pulsanda tellus (Now is the time to drink, now the time to dance footloose upon the earth). |
| nunc pro tunc Nunc pro tunc Nunc pro tunc is a Latin expression in common legal use in the English language. It means Now for then. In general, a court ruling "nunc pro tunc" applies retroactively to correct an earlier ruling.-Definition:... |
now for then | Something that has retroactive effect, is effective from an earlier date. |
| nunc scio quid sit amor | now I know what love is | From Virgil Virgil Publius Vergilius Maro, usually called Virgil or Vergil in English , was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He is known for three major works of Latin literature, the Eclogues , the Georgics, and the epic Aeneid... , Eclogues VIII. |
| nunquam minus solus quam cum solus | never less alone than when alone. | |
| nunquam non paratus | never unprepared | frequently used as motto |