List of Latin phrases (A–E)
Encyclopedia
A
| Latin | Translation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| a bene placito | from one well pleased | Or "at will", "at one's pleasure". This phrase, and its 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... (beneplacito) 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... (beneplácito) derivatives, are synonymous with the more common ad libitum (at pleasure). |
| a caelo usque ad centrum | from the sky to the center | Or "from heaven all the way to the center of the earth". In law, can refer to the obsolete cuius est solum eius est usque ad coelum et ad inferos Cuius est solum eius est usque ad coelum et ad inferos Cuius est solum, eius est usque ad coelum et ad inferos often appearing in the shorter form Cuius est solum eius est usque ad coelum, omitting et ad inferos "and to hell", is a principle of property law, stating that property holders have rights not only to the plot... maxim of property ownership ("for whoever owns the soil, it is theirs up to the sky and down to the depths"). |
| a capite ad calcem | from head to heel | From top to bottom; all the way through (colloquially "from head to toe"). Equally a pedibus usque ad caput. |
| a contrario | from the opposite | Equivalent to "on the contrary" or "au contraire". An argumentum a contrario is an "argument from the contrary", an argument or proof by contrast or direct opposite. |
| a Deucalione | from or since Deucalion Deucalion In Greek mythology Deucalion was a son of Prometheus and Pronoia. The anger of Zeus was ignited by the hubris of the Pelasgians, and he decided to put an end to the Bronze Age. Lycaon, the king of Arcadia, had sacrificed a boy to Zeus, who was appalled by this savage offering... |
A long time ago. From Gaius Lucilius Gaius Lucilius Gaius Lucilius , the earliest Roman satirist, of whose writings only fragments remain, was a Roman citizen of the equestrian class, born at Suessa Aurunca in Campania.-The Problem of his birthdate:... (Satires, 6, 284) |
| a falsis principiis proficisci | to set forth from false principles | Legal term 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 Finibus De finibus bonorum et malorum De finibus bonorum et malorum is a philosophical work by the Roman orator, politician and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero. It consists of five books, in which Cicero explains the philosophical views of Epicureanism, Stoicism, and the Platonism of Antiochus of Ascalon. The book was developed in... 4.53. |
| a fortiori A fortiori argument The Latin phrase ' denotes "argument 'from [the] stronger [reason]'." For example, if it has been established that a person is deceased, then one can, with equal or greater certainty, argue that the person is not breathing.-Usage:... |
from the stronger | Loosely, "even more so" or "with even stronger reason". Often used to lead from a less certain proposition to a more evident corollary. |
| a mari usque ad mare | from sea to sea | From Psalm Psalms The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible... 72:8, "Et dominabitur a mari usque ad mare, et a flumine usque ad terminos terrae" (KJV: "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth"). National motto of Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... . |
| a pedibus usque ad caput | from feet to head | Completely. Similar to the English expressions "from tip to toe" or "from top to toe". Equally a capite ad calcem. See also ab ovo usque ad mala. |
| a posse ad esse | from being able to being | "From possibility to actuality" or "from being possible to being actual" |
| a posteriori | from the latter | Based on observation (i.e., empirical Empirical The word empirical denotes information gained by means of observation or experimentation. Empirical data are data produced by an experiment or observation.... knowledge), the reverse of a priori. Used in mathematics and logic to denote something that is known after a proof has been carried out. In philosophy, used to denote something known from experience. |
| a priori | from the former | Presupposed independent of experience, the reverse of a posteriori. Used in mathematics and logic to denote something that is known or postulated before a proof has been carried out. In philosophy, used to denote something is supposed without empirical Empirical The word empirical denotes information gained by means of observation or experimentation. Empirical data are data produced by an experiment or observation.... evidence. In everyday speech, it denotes something occurring or being known before the event. |
| ab absurdo | from the absurd | Said of an argument that seeks to prove a statement's validity by pointing out the absurdity of an opponent's position (cf. appeal to ridicule Appeal to ridicule Appeal to ridicule, also called appeal to mockery, the Horse Laugh, or reductio ad ridiculum , is a logical fallacy which presents the opponent's argument in a way that appears ridiculous, often to the extent of creating a straw man of the actual argument, rather than addressing the argument itself... ) or that an assertion is false because of its absurdity. Not to be confused with a reductio ad absurdum Reductio ad absurdum In logic, proof by contradiction is a form of proof that establishes the truth or validity of a proposition by showing that the proposition's being false would imply a contradiction... , which is usually a valid logical argument. |
| ab abusu ad usum non valet consequentia | an inference from an abuse to a use is not valid | Rights abused are still rights (cf. abusus non tollit usum). |
| ab aeterno | from the eternal | Literally, "from the everlasting" or "from eternity". Thus, "from time immemorial", "since the beginning of time" or "from an infinitely remote time in the past". In theology, often indicates something, such as the universe, that was created outside of time. |
| ab antiquo | from the ancient | From ancient times. |
| ab epistulis | from the letters | Or, having to do with correspondence. |
| ab extra | from beyond | A legal term meaning "from without". From external sources, rather than from the self or the mind (ab intra). |
| ab hinc or abhinc | from here on | |
| ab imo pectore | from the deepest chest | Or "from the bottom of my heart", "with deepest affection", "sincerely".. Attributed to Julius Caesar Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.... . |
| ab inconvenienti | from an inconvenient thing | New Latin New Latin The term New Latin, or Neo-Latin, is used to describe the Latin language used in original works created between c. 1500 and c. 1900. Among other uses, Latin during this period was employed in scholarly and scientific publications... for "based on unsuitability", "from inconvenience" or "from hardship". An argumentum ab inconvenienti is one based on the difficulties involved in pursuing a line of reasoning, and is thus a form of appeal to consequences Appeal to consequences Appeal to consequences, also known as argumentum ad consequentiam , is an argument that concludes a premise to be either true or false based on whether the premise leads to desirable or undesirable consequences... ; it refers to a rule in law that an argument from inconvenience has great weight. |
| ab incunabulis | from the cradle | Thus, "from the beginning" or "from infancy". Incunabula is commonly used in English to refer to the earliest stage or origin of something, and especially to copies of books that predate the spread of the printing press Printing press A printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium , thereby transferring the ink... around AD 1500. |
| ab initio Ab initio ab initio is a Latin term used in English, meaning from the beginning.ab initio may also refer to:* Ab Initio , a leading ETL Tool Software Company in the field of Data Warehousing.* ab initio quantum chemistry methods... |
from the beginning | "At the outset", referring to an inquiry or investigation. In literature, refers to a story told from the beginning rather than in medias res (from the middle). In law, refers to something being the case from the start or from the instant of the act, rather than from when the court declared it so. A judicial declaration of the invalidity of a marriage ab initio is a nullity Nullity (conflict) In conflict of laws, the issue of nullity in Family Law inspires a wide response among the laws of different states as to the circumstances in which a marriage will be valid, invalid or null... . In science, refers to the first principles. In other contexts, often refers to beginner or training courses. Ab initio mundi means "from the beginning of the world". |
| ab intestato | from an intestate Intestacy Intestacy is the condition of the estate of a person who dies owning property greater than the sum of their enforceable debts and funeral expenses without having made a valid will or other binding declaration; alternatively where such a will or declaration has been made, but only applies to part of... |
From someone who dies with no legal will (cf. ex testamento). |
| ab intra | from within | From the inside. The opposite of ab extra. |
| ab irato | from an angry man | By a person who is angry. Used in law to describe a decision or action that is detrimental to those it affects and was made based on hatred or anger, rather than on reason. The form irato is masculine; however, this does not mean it applies only to men, rather 'person' is meant, as the phrase probably elides "homo," not "vir." |
| ab origine | from the source | From the origin, beginning, source, or commencement—i.e., "originally". The source of the word aboriginal Indigenous peoples Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory.... . |
| ab ovo Ab ovo Ab ovo is a reference to one of the twin eggs of Leda and Zeus, disguised as a swan, from which Helen was born... usque ad mala |
from the egg to the apples | From 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:... , Satire Satires (Horace) The Satires are a collection of satirical poems written by the Roman poet Horace. Composed in dactylic hexameters, the Satires explore the secrets of human happiness and literary perfection... 1.3. Means "from beginning to end", based on the Roman main meal typically beginning with an egg dish and ending with fruit (cf. the English phrase soup to nuts). Thus, ab ovo means "from the beginning", and can also connote thoroughness. |
| ab uno disce omnes | from one, learn all | From Virgil'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... . Refers to situations where a single example or observation indicates a general or universal truth. Visible in the court of King Silas in the TV series Kings Kings (U.S. TV series) Kings is an American television drama series which aired on NBC. The series' narrative is loosely based on the Biblical story of King David, but set in a kingdom that culturally and technologically resembles the present-day United States.... . |
| ab urbe condita Ab urbe condita Ab urbe condita is Latin for "from the founding of the City ", traditionally set in 753 BC. AUC is a year-numbering system used by some ancient Roman historians to identify particular Roman years... (a.u.c.) |
from the city having been founded | Or "from the founding of Rome Founding of Rome The founding of Rome is reported by many legends, which in recent times are beginning to be supplemented by scientific reconstructions.- Development of the city :... ", which occurred in 753 BC according to Livy Livy Titus Livius — known as Livy in English — was a Roman historian who wrote a monumental history of Rome and the Roman people. Ab Urbe Condita Libri, "Chapters from the Foundation of the City," covering the period from the earliest legends of Rome well before the traditional foundation in 753 BC... 's count. Used as a reference point in ancient Rome for establishing dates, before being supplanted by other systems. Also anno urbis conditae (a.u.c.) (literally "in the year of the founded city"). |
| ab utili | from utility | Used of an argument. |
| absens haeres non erit | an absent person will not be an heir | In law, refers to the principle that someone who is not present is unlikely to inherit. |
| absente reo (abs. re.) | [with] the defendant being absent | In the absence of the accused. |
| absit iniuria verbis (or injuria) | let injury be absent from [these] words | Expresses the wish that no insult or wrong be conveyed by the speaker's words, i.e., "no offence". See also absit invidia. |
| absit invidia | let ill will be absent | Although similar to the English expression "no offence", absit invidia is not a mere social gesture to avoid causing offense, but also a way to ward off the harm that some people superstitiously believe animosity can cause others. Also extended to absit invidia verbo, meaning "may ill will be absent from the word" (cf. absit iniuria verbis). |
| absit omen | let an omen Omen An omen is a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the future, often signifying the advent of change... be absent |
Or "let this not be a bad omen". Expresses the wish that something seemingly ill-boding does not turn out to be an omen for future events, and calls on divine protection against evil. |
| absolutum dominium | absolute dominion | Total power or sovereignty. |
| absolvo | I acquit | A legal term said by a judge acquitting a defendant following a trial. Te absolvo or absolvo te, translated, "I forgive you," said by Roman Catholic priests during the Sacrament Sacrament A sacrament is a sacred rite recognized as of particular importance and significance. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites.-General definitions and terms:... of Confession Confession This article is for the religious practice of confessing one's sins.Confession is the acknowledgment of sin or wrongs... , in Latin prior to the Second Vatican Council Second Vatican Council The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed... and in vernacular thereafter. |
| abundans cautela non nocet | abundant caution does no harm | Frequently phrased as "one can never be too careful". |
| abusus non tollit usum | misuse does not remove use | Just because something is misused doesn't mean it can't be used correctly. |
| abyssus abyssum invocat | deep calleth unto deep | From ; some translations have 'Sea calls to sea'. |
| accipe hoc | Take this | Motto of 848 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Navy. |
| accusare nemo se debet nisi coram Deo | no one ought to accuse himself except in the Presence of God | A legal maxim denoting that any accused person is entitled to make a plea of not guilty, and also that a witness is not obliged to give a response or submit a document that will incriminate himself 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... . A very similar phrase is nemo tenetur se ipsum accusare "no one is bound to accuse himself". See right to silence Right to silence The right to remain silent is a legal right of any person. This right is recognized, explicitly or by convention, in many of the world's legal systems.... . |
| acta deos numquam mortalia fallunt | mortal actions never deceive the gods | 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 Tristia Tristia The Tristia is a collection of letters written in elegiac couplets by the Augustan poet Ovid during his exile from Rome. Despite five books of his copious bewailing of his fate, the immediate cause of Augustus's banishment of the greatest living Latin poet to Pontus in 8 AD remains a mystery... 1.2.97: si tamen acta deos numquam mortalia fallunt, / a culpa facinus scitis abesse mea. "Yet if mortal actions never deceive the gods, / you know that crime was absent from my fault." |
| acta est fabula plaudite | The play has been performed; applaud! | A common ending to ancient Roman comedies, also claimed by Suetonius Suetonius Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, commonly known as Suetonius , was a Roman historian belonging to the equestrian order in the early Imperial era.... in The Twelve Caesars to have been Augustus Augustus Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian... ' last words. Applied by Sibelius Jean Sibelius Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer of the later Romantic period whose music played an important role in the formation of the Finnish national identity. His mastery of the orchestra has been described as "prodigious."... to the third movement of his String Quartet no. 2 so that his audience would realize it was the last one, as a fourth would normally be expected. |
| acta non verba | Deeds, not Words | Motto of the United States Merchant Marine Academy United States Merchant Marine Academy The United States Merchant Marine Academy is one of the five United States Service academies... . |
| acta sanctorum | Deeds of the Saint Saint A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth... s |
Also used in the singular, Acta Sancti (Deeds of the Saint), preceding a specific Saint's name. A common title of works in hagiography Hagiography Hagiography is the study of saints.From the Greek and , it refers literally to writings on the subject of such holy people, and specifically to the biographies of saints and ecclesiastical leaders. The term hagiology, the study of hagiography, is also current in English, though less common... . |
| actus me invito factus non est meus actus | the act done by me against my will is not my act | |
| actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea | The act does not make [a person] guilty unless the mind should be guilty. | A legal term outlining the presumption of mens rea Mens rea Mens rea is Latin for "guilty mind". In criminal law, it is viewed as one of the necessary elements of a crime. The standard common law test of criminal liability is usually expressed in the Latin phrase, actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea, which means "the act does not make a person guilty... in a crime Crime Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction... . |
| actus reus Actus reus Actus reus, sometimes called the external element or the objective element of a crime, is the Latin term for the "guilty act" which, when proved beyond a reasonable doubt in combination with the mens rea, "guilty mind", produces criminal liability in the common law-based criminal law jurisdictions... |
guilty act | The actual crime that is committed, rather than the intent or thought process leading up to the crime. Thus, the external elements of a crime, as contrasted with mens rea, the internal elements. |
| ad absurdum | to the absurd | In logic, to the point of being silly or nonsensical. See also reductio ad absurdum Reductio ad absurdum In logic, proof by contradiction is a form of proof that establishes the truth or validity of a proposition by showing that the proposition's being false would imply a contradiction... . Not to be confused with ab absurdo (from the absurd). |
| ad abundantiam | to abundance | In legal language, used when providing additional evidence to an already sufficient collection. Also used commonly, as an equivalent of "as if this wasn't enough". |
| ad arbitrium | at will, at pleasure | |
| ad astra Ad astra (phrase) Ad astra is a Latin phrase meaning "to the stars". The phrase has origins with Virgil, who wrote sic itur ad astra and opta ardua pennis astra sequi, Ad astra is a Latin phrase meaning "to the stars". The phrase has origins with Virgil, who wrote sic itur ad astra ("thus you shall go to the... |
to the stars | Name or motto (in full or part) of many organizations, publications, etc. |
| ad astra per alas porci Ad astra (phrase) Ad astra is a Latin phrase meaning "to the stars". The phrase has origins with Virgil, who wrote sic itur ad astra and opta ardua pennis astra sequi, Ad astra is a Latin phrase meaning "to the stars". The phrase has origins with Virgil, who wrote sic itur ad astra ("thus you shall go to the... |
to the stars on the wings of a pig | A favorite saying of John Steinbeck John Steinbeck John Ernst Steinbeck, Jr. was an American writer. He is widely known for the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden and the novella Of Mice and Men... . A professor told him that he would be an author when pigs flew. Every book he wrote is printed with this insignia. |
| ad astra per aspera Ad astra (phrase) Ad astra is a Latin phrase meaning "to the stars". The phrase has origins with Virgil, who wrote sic itur ad astra and opta ardua pennis astra sequi, Ad astra is a Latin phrase meaning "to the stars". The phrase has origins with Virgil, who wrote sic itur ad astra ("thus you shall go to the... |
to the stars through difficulty | Motto of Kansas, and other organisations. The phrase is also translated as "A rough road leads to the stars", as on the Launch Complex 34 memorial plaque for the astronauts of Apollo 1 Apollo 1 Apollo 1 was scheduled to be the first manned mission of the Apollo manned lunar landing program, with a target launch date of February 21, 1967. A cabin fire during a launch pad test on January 27 at Launch Pad 34 at Cape Canaveral killed all three crew members: Command Pilot Virgil "Gus"... . |
| ad augusta per angusta | to rise to a high position overcoming hardships. | |
| ad captandum Ad captandum In rhetoric an argument ad captandum, "for capturing" the gullibility of the naïve among the listeners or readers, is an unsound, specious argument, a kind of seductive casuistry. The longer form of the term is ad captandum vulgus . The ad captandum argument may be painfully vivid in sound bites... vulgus |
in order to capture the crowd | To appeal to the masses. Often used of politicians. An argumentum ad captandum is an argument designed to please the crowd. |
| ad eundem | to the same | An ad eundem degree Ad eundem degree An ad eundem degree is a courtesy degree awarded by one university or college to an alumnus of another. The recipient of the ad eundem degree is often a faculty member at the institution where he or she is receiving the honor.... , from the Latin ad eundem gradum (to the same step" or "to the same degree), is a courtesy degree awarded by one university or college to an alumnus of another. It is not an honorary degree, but a recognition of the formal learning that earned the degree at another college. |
| ad fontes Ad fontes Ad fontes is a Latin expression which means "to the sources" . The phrase epitomizes the renewed study of Greek and Latin classics in Renaissance humanism. Similarly, the Protestant Reformation called for renewed attention to the Bible as the primary source of Christian faith... |
to the sources | A motto of Renaissance humanism Renaissance humanism Renaissance humanism was an activity of cultural and educational reform engaged by scholars, writers, and civic leaders who are today known as Renaissance humanists. It developed during the fourteenth and the beginning of the fifteenth centuries, and was a response to the challenge of Mediæval... . Also used in the 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... . |
| ad fundum | to the bottom | Said during a generic toast Toast (honor) A toast is a ritual in which a drink is taken as an expression of honor or goodwill. The term may be applied to the person or thing so honored, the drink taken, or the verbal expression accompanying the drink. Thus, a person could be "the toast of the evening," for whom someone "proposes a toast"... , equivalent to "bottoms up!" In other contexts, generally means "back to the basics". |
| ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc is a Latin phrase meaning "for this". It generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task, non-generalizable, and not intended to be able to be adapted to other purposes. Compare A priori.... |
to this | Generally means "for this", in the sense of improvised on the spot or designed for only a specific, immediate purpose. |
| 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... |
to the man | Or "at the man". Typically used in argumentum ad hominem, a logical fallacy Deductive fallacy A deductive fallacy is defined as a deductive argument that is invalid. The argument itself could have true premises, but still have a false conclusion... consisting of criticizing a person when the subject of debate is the person's ideas or argument, on the mistaken assumption that the soundness of an argument is dependent on the qualities of the proponent. |
| ad honorem Ad honorem Ad honorem is a Latin phrase that literally can be translated as "to the honor". When used today, it generally means "for the honor of"; that is, not seeking any material reward. It is commonly used in universities for some unpaid teaching positions.... |
to the honour | Generally means "for the honour", not seeking any material reward. |
| ad infinitum Ad infinitum Ad infinitum is a Latin phrase meaning "to infinity."In context, it usually means "continue forever, without limit" and thus can be used to describe a non-terminating process, a non-terminating repeating process, or a set of instructions to be repeated "forever," among other uses... |
to infinity Infinity Infinity is a concept in many fields, most predominantly mathematics and physics, that refers to a quantity without bound or end. People have developed various ideas throughout history about the nature of infinity... |
Going on forever. Used to designate a property which repeats in all cases in mathematical proof. |
| ad interim Ad interim The Latin phrase ad interim literally means "in the time between" denotes the meaning of "in the meantime", "for an intervening time" or "temporarily" in the English language... (ad int) |
for the meantime | As in the term "chargé d'affaires ad interim" for a diplomatic officer who acts in place of an ambassador. |
| ad kalendas graecas | at the Greek Calends | Attributed by Suetonius Suetonius Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, commonly known as Suetonius , was a Roman historian belonging to the equestrian order in the early Imperial era.... in The Twelve Caesars to Augustus Augustus Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian... . The Calends were specific days of the Roman calendar Roman calendar The Roman calendar changed its form several times in the time between the founding of Rome and the fall of the Roman Empire. This article generally discusses the early Roman or pre-Julian calendars... , not of the Greek Attic calendar The Attic calendar is a hellenic calendar that was in use in ancient Attica, the ancestral territory of the Athenian polis. This article focuses on the 5th and 4th centuries BC, the classical period that produced some of the most significant works of ancient Greek literature. Because of the... , and so the "Greek Kalends" would never occur. Similar to "when pigs fly Flying pig The phrase "when will pigs fly" is an adynaton—a figure of speech so hyperbolic that it describes an impossibility. The implication of such a phrase is that the circumstances in question will never occur.Because of the historical importance of the pig industry to the city, prominent in the local... ". |
| ad libitum Ad libitum Ad libitum is Latin for "at one's pleasure"; it is often shortened to "ad lib" or "ad-lib"... (ad lib) |
toward pleasure | Loosely, "according to what pleases" or "as you wish"; libitum comes from the past participle Participle In linguistics, a participle is a word that shares some characteristics of both verbs and adjectives. It can be used in compound verb tenses or voices , or as a modifier... of libere, "to please". It typically indicates in music Music Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture... and theatrical scripts that the performer has the liberty to change or omit something. Ad lib is specifically often used when someone improvises Improvisation Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or... or ignores limitations. |
| ad litem Ad litem Ad litem is a term used in law to refer to a party appointed by a court to act in a lawsuit on behalf of another party—for instance, a child or an incapacitated adult—who is deemed incapable of representing him or herself... |
to the lawsuit | A legal term referring to a party appointed by a court to act in a lawsuit on behalf of another party who is deemed incapable of representing himself. An individual who acts in this capacity is called a guardian ad litem. |
| ad lucem | to the light | Motto of Oxford High School (Oxford), the University of Lisbon, Withington Girls' School Withington Girls' School Withington Girls' School is an independent day school in Fallowfield, Manchester, United Kingdom, providing education for girls between the ages of seven and eighteen. Withington Girls' School is a member of the Girls' Schools Association and a MyDaughter school. Withington is consistently ranked... and St. Bartholomew's School, Newbury, UK St. Bartholomew's School St Bartholomew's School is a co-educational comprehensive school founded in 1466 in Newbury, Berkshire in the United Kingdom. It accepts students aged 11–18 and currently has approximately 1,600 students on roll including a sixth form of around 400... |
| ad maiorem Dei gloriam Ad maiorem Dei gloriam Ad maiorem Dei gloriam or ad majorem Dei gloriam, also rendered as the abbreviation AMDG, is the Latin motto of the Society of Jesus, a religious order within the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church... or ad majorem Dei gloriam (AMDG) |
to the greater glory of God | Motto of the Society of Jesus Society of Jesus The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a... (Jesuits). Edward Elgar Edward Elgar Sir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet OM, GCVO was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos... dedicated his oratorio The Dream of Gerontius The Dream of Gerontius The Dream of Gerontius, popularly called just Gerontius, is a work for voices and orchestra in two parts composed by Edward Elgar in 1900, to text from the poem by John Henry Newman. It relates the journey of a pious man's soul from his deathbed to his judgment before God and settling into Purgatory... "A.M.D.G." |
| ad meliora | Towards better things | motto of St. Patrick's College, Cavan Cavan Cavan is the county town of County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland. The town lies in the north central part of Ireland, near the border with Northern Ireland... , Ireland |
| ad mortem | To death | used in medical contexts as a synonym for death |
| ad multos annos | to many years! | A wish for a long life. Similar to "Many happy returns!" |
| ad nauseam Ad nauseam Ad nauseam is a Latin term used to describe an argument which has been continuing "to [the point of] nausea". For example, the sentence, "This topic has been discussed ad nauseam", signifies that the topic in question has been discussed extensively, and that those involved in the discussion have... |
to seasickness | Or "to the point of disgust". Sometimes used as a humorous alternative to ad infinitum. An argumentum ad nauseam is a logical fallacy Deductive fallacy A deductive fallacy is defined as a deductive argument that is invalid. The argument itself could have true premises, but still have a false conclusion... involving basing one's argument on prolonged repetition, i.e., repeating something so much that people are "sick of it". |
| ad oculos | to the eyes | Meaning "obvious on sight" or "obvious to anyone that sees it". |
| ad pedem litterae | to the foot of the letter | Thus, "exactly as it is written". Similar to the phrase "to the letter", meaning "to the last detail". |
| ad perpetuam memoriam | to the perpetual memory | Generally precedes "of" and a person's name, and is used to wish for someone to be remembered long after death. |
| ad pondus omnium (ad pond om) | to the weight of all things | More loosely, "considering everything's weight". The abbreviation was historically used by physicians and others to signify that the last prescribed ingredient is to weigh as much as all of the previously mentioned ones. |
| ad quod damnum Ad quod damnum Ad quod damnum or ad damnum is a Latin phrase meaning "According to the harm" or "appropriate to the harm." It is used in tort law as a measure of damage inflicted, and implying a remedy, if one exists, ought to correspond specifically and only to the damage suffered. It is also used in pleading,... |
to whatever damage | Meaning "according to the harm" or "in proportion to the harm". The phrase is used in tort Tort A tort, in common law jurisdictions, is a wrong that involves a breach of a civil duty owed to someone else. It is differentiated from a crime, which involves a breach of a duty owed to society in general... law as a measure of damages Damages In law, damages is an award, typically of money, to be paid to a person as compensation for loss or injury; grammatically, it is a singular noun, not plural.- Compensatory damages :... inflicted, implying that a remedy Legal remedy A legal remedy is the means with which a court of law, usually in the exercise of civil law jurisdiction, enforces a right, imposes a penalty, or makes some other court order to impose its will.... , if one exists, ought to correspond specifically and only to the damage suffered (cf. damnum absque iniuria). |
| ad referendum (ad ref) |
to be proposed [before the Senate] | Loosely "subject to reference": provisionally approved, but still needing official approval. Not the same as a referendum Referendum A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of... . |
| ad rem | to the matter | Thus, "to the point", without digression. |
| ad terminum qui praeteriit | for the term which has passed | A legal term for a writ of entry ad terminum qui praeteriit [for the term which has passed]. |
| ad undas | to the waves | Equivalent to "to hell". |
| ad usum Delphini | for the use of the Dauphin | Said of a work that has been expurgated of offensive or improper parts. The phrase originates from editions of Greek and Roman classics which Louis XIV Louis XIV of France Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days... had censored Censorship thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile... for his heir apparent, the Dauphin. Also rarely in usum Delphini (into the use of the Dauphin). |
| ad usum proprium (ad us. propr.) | for one's own use | |
| ad utrumque paratus Ad utrumque paratus Ad utrumque paratus, sometimes shortened to ad utrumque, is Latin for "Ready for either alternative" or "Prepared for both" and is a sentence attributed to Virgil. It is used as a motto on the seal of Lund University. It is also used as the motto of the Spanish Navy Submarine force... |
prepared for either [alternative] | The motto of Lund University Lund University Lund University , located in the city of Lund in the province of Scania, Sweden, is one of northern Europe's most prestigious universities and one of Scandinavia's largest institutions for education and research, frequently ranked among the world's top 100 universities... , with the implied alternatives being the book (study) and the sword (defending the country in war). |
| ad valorem | according to value | Used in commerce to refer to ad valorem tax Ad valorem tax An ad valorem tax is a tax based on the value of real estate or personal property. It is more common than a specific duty, a tax based on the quantity of an item, such as cents per kilogram, regardless of price.... es, taxes based on the assessed value of real estate or personal property. |
| ad victoriam | to victory | More commonly translated into "for victory" this is a battlecry of the Romans. |
| ad vitam aeternam | to eternal life Immortality Immortality is the ability to live forever. It is unknown whether human physical immortality is an achievable condition. Biological forms have inherent limitations which may or may not be able to be overcome through medical interventions or engineering... |
Also "to life everlasting". A common Biblical phrase. |
| ad vitam aut culpam Ad vitam aut culpam Ad vitam aut culpam is a Latin phrase found in Scots law which meaning "for life or until fault" which guarantees the right of a Sheriff Depute to hold office permanently or until they forfeit such by misconduct... |
for life or until fault | Usually used of a term of office. |
| addendum | thing to be added | An item to be added, especially a supplement to a book. The plural is addenda. |
| adaequatio intellectus et rei | correspondence of the mind and reality | One of the definitions of the truth. When the mind has the same form as reality, we think truth. Also found as adaequatio rei et intellectus. |
| adaequatio intellectus nostri cum re | conformity of our minds to the fact | A phrase used in Epistemology regarding the nature of understanding. |
| adsum | I am here | Equivalent to "Present!" or "Here!" The opposite of absum "I am absent". |
| adversus solem ne loquitor | don't speak against the sun | Or don't argue what's obviously wrong. |
| aegri somnia | a sick man's dreams | From 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:... , Ars Poetica, 7. Loosely, "troubled dreams". |
| aetat. | "of age" / "aged" (in the sense of: "age: ...) | Abbreviation of "aetatis"; further abbreviated (and more common): "aet." – e.g.: "aetat" or "aet. 36" = "36 years old". |
| aetatis suae | of one's own age | Thus, "at the age of". Appeared on portraits, gravestones, etc. Sometimes extended to anno aetatis suae (AAS), "in the year of his age". Sometimes shortened to just aetatis or aetat (aet.). The tomb reads Anno 1629 Aetatis Suae 46 because she died in 1629 at age 46. |
| affidavit Affidavit An affidavit is a written sworn statement of fact voluntarily made by an affiant or deponent under an oath or affirmation administered by a person authorized to do so by law. Such statement is witnessed as to the authenticity of the affiant's signature by a taker of oaths, such as a notary public... |
he asserted | A legal term from Medieval Latin Medieval Latin Medieval Latin was the form of Latin used in the Middle Ages, primarily as a medium of scholarly exchange and as the liturgical language of the medieval Roman Catholic Church, but also as a language of science, literature, law, and administration. Despite the clerical origin of many of its authors,... referring to a sworn statement. From fides, "faith". |
| age quod agis | Do what you are doing. | More often translated as "Do well whatever you do", this phrase is used as the motto of several Catholic schools. Literally translated, it means "Drive, because you are driven"; figuratively it means "keep going, because you are inspired or dedicated to do so". |
| agenda Agenda (meeting) An agenda is a list of meeting activities in the order in which they are to be taken up, by beginning with the call to order and ending with adjournment. It usually includes one or more specific items of business to be discussed. It may, but is not required to, include specific times for one or... |
things to be done | Originally comparable to a to-do list, an ordered list of things to be done. Now generalized to include any planned course of action. The singular, agendum (thing that must be done), is rarely used. |
| agere sequitur credere | action follows belief | "We act according to what we believe (ourselves to be)". |
| agere sequitur (esse) | action follows being | Metaphysical Metaphysics Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:... and moral principle Morality Morality is the differentiation among intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are good and bad . A moral code is a system of morality and a moral is any one practice or teaching within a moral code... that indicates the connection among ontology Ontology Ontology is the philosophical study of the nature of being, existence or reality as such, as well as the basic categories of being and their relations... , obligation Obligation An obligation is a requirement to take some course of action, whether legal or moral. There are also obligations in other normative contexts, such as obligations of etiquette, social obligations, and possibly... and ethics Ethics Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:... . |
| Agnus Dei | Lamb of God Lamb of God The title Lamb of God appears in the Gospel of John, with the exclamation of John the Baptist: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" in John 1:29 when he sees Jesus.... |
Latin translation from 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... 1:36, where John the Baptist John the Baptist John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River... exclaims Ecce Agnus Dei! "Behold the Lamb of God!" upon seeing Jesus Jesus Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity... , referring both to a lamb's connotations of innocence and to a sacrificial lamb Sacrificial lamb A sacrificial lamb is a metaphorical reference to a person or animal sacrificed for the common good. The term is derived from the traditions of Abrahamic religion where a lamb is a highly valued possession, but is offered to God as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of Sin.-In politics:In politics, a... . |
| alea iacta est Alea iacta est Alea iacta est is a Latin phrase attributed by Suetonius to Julius Caesar on January 10, 49 BC as he led his army across the River Rubicon in Northern Italy... |
the die has been cast | Or in Greek, ἀνεῤῥίφθω κύβος anerrhíphthō kýbos; said by Julius Caesar Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.... upon crossing the Rubicon Rubicon The Rubicon is a shallow river in northeastern Italy, about 80 kilometres long, running from the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic Sea through the southern Emilia-Romagna region, between the towns of Rimini and Cesena. The Latin word rubico comes from the adjective "rubeus", meaning "red"... in 49 BC, according to Suetonius Suetonius Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, commonly known as Suetonius , was a Roman historian belonging to the equestrian order in the early Imperial era.... . The original meaning was similar to "the game is afoot", but its modern meaning, like that of the phrase "crossing the Rubicon", denotes passing the point of no return Point of no return The point of no return is the point beyond which one must continue on his or her current course of action because turning back is physically impossible, prohibitively expensive or dangerous. It is also used when the distance or effort required to get back would be greater than the remainder of the... on a momentous decision and entering into a risky endeavor where the outcome is left to chance. |
| alenda lux ubi orta libertas | Light [is] to be nourished where liberty [has] arisen. | Or "let learning be cherished..." The motto of Davidson College Davidson College Davidson College is a private liberal arts college in Davidson, North Carolina. The college has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently ranked in the top ten liberal arts colleges in the country by U.S. News and World Report magazine, although it has recently dropped to 11th in U.S. News... . |
| alias | at another time, otherwise | An assumed name or pseudonym Pseudonym A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym... . Similar to alter ego, but more specifically referring to a name, not to a "second self". |
| alibi | elsewhere | A legal defense where a defendant attempts to show that he was elsewhere at the time a crime was committed. His alibi is sound; he gave evidence that he was in another city on the night of the murder. |
| aliquid stat pro aliquo | something stands for something else | A foundational definition for semiotics Semiotics Semiotics, also called semiotic studies or semiology, is the study of signs and sign processes , indication, designation, likeness, analogy, metaphor, symbolism, signification, and communication... . |
| alis aquilae | on an eagle's wings | taken from the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 40. "But those who wait for the Lord shall find their strength renewed, they shall mount up on wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not grow faint." |
| alis grave nil | nothing [is] heavy with wings | Or "nothing is heavy to those who have wings". Motto of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro. |
| alis volat propriis | she flies with her own wings | State motto of Oregon Oregon Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern... ; adopted in 1987, it replaced "The Union", which was the previous state motto adopted in 1957. |
| alma mater Alma mater Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:... |
nourishing mother | Term used for the university University A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education... one attends or has attended. Another university term, matriculation Matriculation Matriculation, in the broadest sense, means to be registered or added to a list, from the Latin matricula – little list. In Scottish heraldry, for instance, a matriculation is a registration of armorial bearings... , is also derived from mater. The term suggests that the students are "fed" knowledge and taken care of by the university. The term is also used for a university's traditional school anthem. |
| alter ego Alter ego An alter ego is a second self, which is believe to be distinct from a person's normal or original personality. The term was coined in the early nineteenth century when dissociative identity disorder was first described by psychologists... |
another I | Another self, a second persona Persona A persona, in the word's everyday usage, is a social role or a character played by an actor. The word is derived from Latin, where it originally referred to a theatrical mask. The Latin word probably derived from the Etruscan word "phersu", with the same meaning, and that from the Greek πρόσωπον... or alias Pseudonym A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym... . Can be used to describe different facets or identities of a single character, or different characters who seem representations of the same personality. Often used of a fictional character Character (arts) A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of... 's secret identity Secret identity A secret identity is an element of fiction wherein a character develops a separate persona , while keeping their true identity hidden. The character also may wear a disguise... . |
| alterius non sit qui suus esse potest | Let no man be another's who can be his own | Final sentence from Aesop Aesop Aesop was a Greek writer credited with a number of popular fables. Older spellings of his name have included Esop and Isope. Although his existence remains uncertain and no writings by him survive, numerous tales credited to him were gathered across the centuries and in many languages in a... ascribed fable Fable A fable is a succinct fictional story, in prose or verse, that features animals, mythical creatures, plants, inanimate objects or forces of nature which are anthropomorphized , and that illustrates a moral lesson , which may at the end be expressed explicitly in a pithy maxim.A fable differs from... (see also Aesop's Fables Aesop's Fables Aesop's Fables or the Aesopica are a collection of fables credited to Aesop, a slave and story-teller believed to have lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 560 BCE. The fables remain a popular choice for moral education of children today... ) "The Frogs Who Desired a King The Frogs Who Desired a King The Frogs Who Desired a King is one of Aesop's Fables and numbered 44 in the Perry Index. Throughout its history, the story has been given a political application.-The Fable and its political applications:... " as appears in the collection commonly known as the "Anonymus Neveleti" (fable XXIb. De ranis a Iove querentibus regem). Motto Motto A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments... of Paracelsus Paracelsus Paracelsus was a German-Swiss Renaissance physician, botanist, alchemist, astrologer, and general occultist.... . Usually attributed to 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... . |
| alterum non laedere | to not wound another | One of Justinian I Justinian I Justinian I ; , ; 483– 13 or 14 November 565), commonly known as Justinian the Great, was Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the Empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire.One of the most important figures of... 's three basic legal precepts. |
| alumnus Alumnus An alumnus , according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is "a graduate of a school, college, or university." An alumnus can also be a former member, employee, contributor or inmate as well as a former student. In addition, an alumna is "a female graduate or former student of a school, college,... or alumna |
pupil | graduate or former student of a school, college or university |
| amicus curiae Amicus curiae An amicus curiae is someone, not a party to a case, who volunteers to offer information to assist a court in deciding a matter before it... |
friend of the court | An adviser, or a person who can obtain or grant access to the favour of powerful group, like a Roman Curia Roman Curia The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope... . In current U.S. legal usage, an amicus curiae is a third party allowed to submit a legal opinion (in the form of an amicus brief) to the court. |
| amittere legem terrae | to lose the law of the land | An obsolete legal term signifying the forfeiture of the right of swearing in any court or cause, or to become infamous. |
| Amat victoria curam | Victory favors care | Motto of Baylor School Baylor School Baylor School is a private, coeducational prep school on the outskirts of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The school was founded in 1893 and since 1915 has been located on the same hillside site by the Tennessee River. The school went through several incarnations: moving from an all-male military academy... - Chattanooga, Tennesee; Wellesley College Primary School Wellesley College (New Zealand) Wellesley College is a boys-only independent primary school in Day's Bay, Eastbourne, New Zealand.-History:Day's Bay House was built in 1903 for the Wellington Steam Ferry Company Limited which had made the heart of Day's Bay a destination resort and sports complex... - Eastbourne, New Zealand Eastbourne, New Zealand Eastbourne is a suburb of Lower Hutt city in the southern North Island of New Zealand. Its population is about 4,600.-Location:An outer suburb, it is situated on the eastern shore of Wellington Harbour, 5 kilometres south of the main Lower Hutt urban area, and directly across the harbour from the... ; Victoria College Victoria College, Jersey Victoria College is a fee paying States of Jersey-provided school in membership of the HMC, in St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. The castellated neo-gothic architecture is a landmark overlooking the town.-History:In the 1590s, Laurens Baudains - a wealthy farmer from St... - St. Helier Parish Saint Helier Saint Helier is one of the twelve parishes of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands in the English Channel. St. Helier has a population of about 28,000, roughly 31.2% of the total population of Jersey, and is the capital of the Island . The urban area of the parish of St... , Jersey Jersey Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and... , the Channel Islands Channel Islands The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey... . |
| amor et melle et felle est fecundissimus | love is rich with both honey and venom | |
| amor fati Amor fati Amor fati is a Latin phrase loosely translating to "love of fate" or "love of one's fate". It is used to describe an attitude in which one sees everything that happens in one's life, including suffering and loss, as good... |
love of fate | Nietzscheian alternative world view to memento mori [remember you must die]. Nietzsche believed amor fati to be more life affirming. |
| amor omnibus idem | love is the same for all | 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 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... III. |
| amor patriae | love of one's country | Patriotism Patriotism Patriotism is a devotion to one's country, excluding differences caused by the dependencies of the term's meaning upon context, geography and philosophy... . |
| amor vincit omnia | love conquers all | written on bracelet worn by the Prioress The Prioress's Tale "The Prioress's Tale" follows The Shipman's Tale in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. Because of fragmentation of the manuscripts, it is impossible to tell where it comes in ordinal sequence, but it is second in group B2, followed by Chaucer's Tale of Sir Topas... in Chaucer Geoffrey Chaucer Geoffrey Chaucer , known as the Father of English literature, is widely considered the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages and was the first poet to have been buried in Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey... 's The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer at the end of the 14th century. The tales are told as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together on a journey from Southwark to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at... |
| anglice | in English | Used before the anglicized version of a word or name. For example, "Terra Mariae, anglice, Maryland". |
| anno (an.) | in the year | Also used in such phrases as anno urbis conditae (see ab urbe condita), Anno Domini, and anno regni. |
| Anno Domini Anno Domini and Before Christ are designations used to label or number years used with the Julian and Gregorian calendars.... (A.D.) |
in the Year of the Lord | Short for Anno Domini Nostri Iesu Christi (in the Year of Our Lord Jesus Christ), the predominantly used system for dating years across the world, used with the Gregorian calendar Gregorian calendar The Gregorian calendar, also known as the Western calendar, or Christian calendar, is the internationally accepted civil calendar. It was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII, after whom the calendar was named, by a decree signed on 24 February 1582, a papal bull known by its opening words Inter... , and based on the perceived year of the birth of Jesus Jesus Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity... Christ Christ Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach... . The years before Jesus' birth were once marked with a.C.n (Ante Christum Natum Ante Christum Natum Ante Christum Natum , usually abbreviated to A.C.N., a.C.n., a.Ch.n. or ACN, denotes the years before the birth of Jesus Christ. It is the modern Latin equivalent to the English term "BC" and "BCE"... , Before Christ was Born), but now use the English abbreviation BC (Before Christ). Augustus Caesar Augustus Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian... was born in the year 63 BC, and died AD 14. |
| anno regni | In the year of the reign | Precedes "of" and the current ruler. |
| Annuit cœptis Annuit Cœptis Annuit cœptis is one of two mottos on the reverse side of the Great Seal of the United States.... |
He nods at things being begun | Or "he approves our undertakings". Motto on the reverse of 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... and on the back of the United States one-dollar bill United States one-dollar bill The United States one-dollar bill is the most common denomination of US currency. The first president, George Washington, painted by Gilbert Stuart, is currently featured on the obverse, while the Great Seal of the United States is featured on the reverse. The one-dollar bill has the oldest... . |
| annus horribilis Annus horribilis Annus horribilis is a Latin phrase meaning "horrible year", or alternatively, "year of horrors". It alludes to annus mirabilis meaning "year of wonders".-Elizabeth II:... |
horrible year | A recent pun on annus mirabilis, first used by Queen Elizabeth II to describe what a bad year 1992 had been for her, and subsequently occasionally used to refer to many other years perceived as "horrible". In Classical Latin Classical Latin Classical Latin in simplest terms is the socio-linguistic register of the Latin language regarded by the enfranchised and empowered populations of the late Roman republic and the Roman empire as good Latin. Most writers during this time made use of it... , this phrase would actually mean "terrifying year". See also annus terribilis. |
| annus mirabilis Annus mirabilis Annus mirabilis is a Latin phrase meaning "wonderful year" or "year of wonders" . It was used originally to refer to the year 1666, but is today also used to refer to different years with events of major importance... |
wonderful year | Used particularly to refer to the years 1665–1666, during which Isaac Newton Isaac Newton Sir Isaac Newton PRS was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian, who has been "considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived."... made revolutionary inventions and discoveries in calculus, motion, optics and gravitation. Annus Mirabilis Annus Mirabilis (poem) thumb|right|200px| The Great Fire of London, which took place on September 2, 1666, was one of the major events that affected [[England]] during Dryden's "year of miracles".... is also the title of a poem by John Dryden John Dryden John Dryden was an influential English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who dominated the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of Dryden.Walter Scott called him "Glorious John." He was made Poet... written in the same year. It has since been used to refer to other years, especially to 1905, when Albert Einstein Albert Einstein Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history... made equally revolutionary discoveries concerning the photoelectric effect, Brownian motion and the special theory of relativity. (See Annus Mirabilis papers Annus Mirabilis Papers The Annus Mirabilis papers are the papers of Albert Einstein published in the Annalen der Physik scientific journal in 1905. These four articles contributed substantially to the foundation of modern physics and changed views on space, time, and matter... ) |
| annus terribilis | dreadful year | Used to describe 1348, the year the Black Death Black Death The Black Death was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, peaking in Europe between 1348 and 1350. Of several competing theories, the dominant explanation for the Black Death is the plague theory, which attributes the outbreak to the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Thought to have... began to afflict Europe. |
| ante bellum Pre-war The term pre-war or prewar is usually applied to the most recent or significant war in a culture's history.Antebellum is most often used to denote the period before the American Civil War while pre-war typically refers to the period before WWII.In real estate the term refers to buildings from the... |
before the war | As in "status quo Status quo Statu quo, a commonly used form of the original Latin "statu quo" – literally "the state in which" – is a Latin term meaning the current or existing state of affairs. To maintain the status quo is to keep the things the way they presently are... ante bellum", "as it was before the war". Commonly used in the Southern United States Southern United States The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States... as antebellum to refer to the period preceding the American Civil War American Civil War The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25... . |
| ante cibum (a.c.) | before food | Medical shorthand for "before meals". |
| ante litteram | before the letter | Said of an expression or term that describes something which existed before the phrase itself was introduced or became common. Alan Turing Alan Turing Alan Mathison Turing, OBE, FRS , was an English mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst, and computer scientist. He was highly influential in the development of computer science, providing a formalisation of the concepts of "algorithm" and "computation" with the Turing machine, which played a... was a computer scientist ante litteram, since the field of "computer science Computer science Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems... " was not yet recognized in Turing's day. |
| ante meridiem (a.m.) | before midday | From midnight Midnight Midnight is the transition time period from one day to the next: the moment when the date changes. In the Roman time system, midnight was halfway between sunset and sunrise, varying according to the seasons.... to noon Noon Noon is usually defined as 12 o'clock in the daytime. The word noon is also used informally to mean midday regarding the location of the sun not the middle of a persons day. Although this is a time around the middle of the day when people in many countries take a lunch break... (cf. post meridiem). |
| ante mortem | before death | See post mortem (after death). |
| ante prandium (a.p.) | before lunch | Used on pharmaceutical prescriptions to denote "before a meal". Less common is post prandium, "after lunch". |
| apparatus criticus | tools of a critic | Textual notes. A list of other readings relating to a document, especially in a scholarly edition of a text. |
| aqua (aq.) | water | |
| aqua fortis | strong water | Refers to nitric acid Nitric acid Nitric acid , also known as aqua fortis and spirit of nitre, is a highly corrosive and toxic strong acid.Colorless when pure, older samples tend to acquire a yellow cast due to the accumulation of oxides of nitrogen. If the solution contains more than 86% nitric acid, it is referred to as fuming... . |
| aqua pura | pure water | Or "clear water", "clean water". |
| aqua regia Aqua regia Aqua regia or aqua regis is a highly corrosive mixture of acids, fuming yellow or red solution, also called nitro-hydrochloric acid. The mixture is formed by freshly mixing concentrated nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, usually in a volume ratio of 1:3, respectively... |
royal water | refers to a mixture of hydrochloric acid Hydrochloric acid Hydrochloric acid is a solution of hydrogen chloride in water, that is a highly corrosive, strong mineral acid with many industrial uses. It is found naturally in gastric acid.... and nitric acid Nitric acid Nitric acid , also known as aqua fortis and spirit of nitre, is a highly corrosive and toxic strong acid.Colorless when pure, older samples tend to acquire a yellow cast due to the accumulation of oxides of nitrogen. If the solution contains more than 86% nitric acid, it is referred to as fuming... . |
| aqua vitae Aqua vitae Aqua vitae, or aqua vita, is an archaic name for a concentrated aqueous solution of ethanol. The term was in wide use during the Middle Ages, although its origin is undoubtedly much earlier having been used by Saint Patrick and his fellow monks to refer to both the alcohol and the waters of baptism... |
water of life | "Spirit of Wine" in many English texts. Used to refer to various native distilled beverage Distilled beverage A distilled beverage, liquor, or spirit is an alcoholic beverage containing ethanol that is produced by distilling ethanol produced by means of fermenting grain, fruit, or vegetables... s, such as whisky Whisky Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn... (uisge beatha) in Scotland and Ireland, gin Gin Gin is a spirit which derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries . Although several different styles of gin have existed since its origins, it is broadly differentiated into two basic legal categories... in Holland, brandy Brandy Brandy is a spirit produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35%–60% alcohol by volume and is typically taken as an after-dinner drink... (eau de vie) in France, and akvavit Akvavit Akvavit or aquavit is a traditional flavoured spirit that is principally produced in Scandinavia, where it has been produced since the 15th century.... in Scandinavia. |
| aquila non capit muscas | an eagle doesn't catch flies | A noble or important person doesn't deal with insignificant issues. |
| arare litus | to plough the seashore | From Gerhard Gerhards' (1466–1536) [better known as Erasmus] collection of annotated Adagia (1508). Wasted labour. |
| arbiter elegantiarum | judge of tastes | One who prescribes, rules on, or is a recognized authority on matters of social behavior and taste. Said of Petronius Petronius Gaius Petronius Arbiter was a Roman courtier during the reign of Nero. He is generally believed to be the author of the Satyricon, a satirical novel believed to have been written during the Neronian age.-Life:... . Sometimes found in the singular, arbiter elegantiae (judge of taste). |
| Arcana imperii | Invisible power | . |
| Arcanum boni tenoris animae | The secret behind a good mood | Motto of the Starobrno Brewery Starobrno Brewery Starobrno Brewery is a Czech brewery located in the city of Brno. It was built as a successor of the brewery founded in 1325, as a part of Cistercian convent. The brewery was named Starobrno Brewery only in the second half of the 19th century. In 2009, Starobrno Brewery produced more than one... in Brno Brno Brno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District... . |
| arcus senilis | bow of an old person | An opaque circle around the cornea Cornea The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. Together with the lens, the cornea refracts light, with the cornea accounting for approximately two-thirds of the eye's total optical power. In humans, the refractive power of the cornea is... of the eye, often seen in elderly people. |
| argentum album Argentum album Argentum album , mentioned in Domesday, signifies bullion, or silver uncoined. In those ancient days, such passed as money from one to another in payment.Sumitur pro ipso hoc metallo pensili non signato. Spelm.... |
white silver | Also "silver coin". Mentioned in the Domesday Book Domesday Book Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086... , signifies bullion, or silver Silver Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal... uncoined Coin A coin is a piece of hard material that is standardized in weight, is produced in large quantities in order to facilitate trade, and primarily can be used as a legal tender token for commerce in the designated country, region, or territory.... . |
| arguendo | for arguing | For the sake of argument. Said when something is done purely in order to discuss a matter or illustrate a point. Let us assume, arguendo, that your claim is correct. |
| argumentum | argument | Or "reasoning", "inference", "appeal", "proof". The plural is argumenta. Commonly used in the names of logical argument Argument In philosophy and logic, an argument is an attempt to persuade someone of something, or give evidence or reasons for accepting a particular conclusion.Argument may also refer to:-Mathematics and computer science:... s and fallacies Deductive fallacy A deductive fallacy is defined as a deductive argument that is invalid. The argument itself could have true premises, but still have a false conclusion... , preceding phrases such as a silentio Argument from silence The argument from silence is generally a conclusion based on silence of opponent, failing to give evidence. In the field of classical studies, it often refers to the deduction from the lack of references to a subject in the available writings of an author to the conclusion that he was ignorant of it... (by silence), ad antiquitatem Appeal to tradition Appeal to tradition is a common fallacy in which a thesis is deemed correct on the basis that it correlates with some past or present tradition... (to antiquity), ad baculum Argumentum ad baculum Argumentum ad baculum , also known as appeal to force, is an argument where force, coercion, or the threat of force, is given as a justification for a conclusion... (to the stick), ad captandum Ad captandum In rhetoric an argument ad captandum, "for capturing" the gullibility of the naïve among the listeners or readers, is an unsound, specious argument, a kind of seductive casuistry. The longer form of the term is ad captandum vulgus . The ad captandum argument may be painfully vivid in sound bites... (to capturing), ad consequentiam Appeal to consequences Appeal to consequences, also known as argumentum ad consequentiam , is an argument that concludes a premise to be either true or false based on whether the premise leads to desirable or undesirable consequences... (to the consequence), ad crumenam Argumentum ad crumenam An argumentum ad crumenam argument, also known as an argument to the purse, is a logical fallacy of concluding that a statement is correct because the speaker is rich .... (to the purse), ad feminam (to the woman), 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... (to the person), ad ignorantiam Argument from ignorance Argument from ignorance, also known as argumentum ad ignorantiam or "appeal to ignorance" , is a fallacy in informal logic. It asserts that a proposition is true because it has not yet been proven false, it is "generally accepted"... (to ignorance), ad judicium (to judgment), ad lazarum Argumentum ad lazarum Argumentum ad lazarum or appeal to poverty is the logical fallacy of thinking a conclusion is correct because the speaker is poor, or it's incorrect because the speaker is rich... (to poverty), ad logicam Argument from fallacy Argument from fallacy is the formal fallacy of analyzing an argument and inferring that, since it contains a fallacy, its conclusion must be false... (to logic), ad metum Appeal to fear An appeal to fear is a fallacy in which a person attempts to create support for an idea by using deception and propaganda in attempts to increase fear and prejudice toward a competitor. The appeal to fear is common in marketing and politics... (to fear), ad misericordiam Appeal to pity An appeal to pity is a fallacy in which someone tries to win support for an argument or idea by exploiting his or her opponent's feelings of pity or guilt. It is a specific kind of appeal to emotion.... (to pity), ad nauseam Ad nauseam Ad nauseam is a Latin term used to describe an argument which has been continuing "to [the point of] nausea". For example, the sentence, "This topic has been discussed ad nauseam", signifies that the topic in question has been discussed extensively, and that those involved in the discussion have... (to nausea), ad novitatem Appeal to novelty The appeal to novelty is a fallacy in which someone prematurely claims that an idea or proposal is correct or superior, exclusively because it is new and modern. In a controversy between status quo and new inventions, an appeal to novelty argument isn't in itself a valid argument... (to novelty), ad personam (to the character), ad numerum Argumentum ad populum In logic, an argumentum ad populum is a fallacious argument that concludes a proposition to be true because many or most people believe it; which alleges: "If many believe so, it is so."... (to the number), ad odium Appeal to spite An appeal to spite is a fallacy in which someone attempts to win favor for an argument by exploiting existing feelings of bitterness, spite, or schadenfreude in the opposing party... (to spite), ad populum Argumentum ad populum In logic, an argumentum ad populum is a fallacious argument that concludes a proposition to be true because many or most people believe it; which alleges: "If many believe so, it is so."... (to the people), ad temperantiam (to moderation), ad verecundiam Argument from authority Argument from authority is a special type of inductive argument which often takes the form of a statistical syllogism.... (to reverence), ex silentio Argument from silence The argument from silence is generally a conclusion based on silence of opponent, failing to give evidence. In the field of classical studies, it often refers to the deduction from the lack of references to a subject in the available writings of an author to the conclusion that he was ignorant of it... (from silence), in terrorem Appeal to fear An appeal to fear is a fallacy in which a person attempts to create support for an idea by using deception and propaganda in attempts to increase fear and prejudice toward a competitor. The appeal to fear is common in marketing and politics... (into terror), and e contrario Argumentum e contrario In logic, an argumentum e contrario denotes any proposition that is argued to be correct because it is not proven by a certain case. It the opposite of the analogy. Arguments e contrario are often used in the legal system, as a way to solve problems not currently covered by a certain system of laws... (from/to the opposite). |
| ars [est] celare artem | art [is] to conceal art | An aesthetic ideal that good art should appear natural rather than contrived. Of medieval origin, but often incorrectly attributed to 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... . |
| ars gratia artis | art for art's sake Art for art's sake "Art for art's sake" is the usual English rendering of a French slogan, from the early 19th century, l'art pour l'art, and expresses a philosophy that the intrinsic value of art, and the only "true" art, is divorced from any didactic, moral or utilitarian function... |
Translated into Latin from Baudelaire Charles Baudelaire Charles Baudelaire was a French poet who produced notable work as an essayist, art critic, and pioneering translator of Edgar Allan Poe. His most famous work, Les Fleurs du mal expresses the changing nature of beauty in modern, industrializing Paris during the nineteenth century... 's "L'art pour l'art". Motto of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer... . This phrasing is a direct translation of 'art for the sake of art.' While very symmetrical for the MGM logo, the better Latin word order is 'Ars artis gratia.' |
| ars longa, vita brevis Ars longa, vita brevis Ars longa, vita brevis are the first two lines of a Latin translation of an aphorism by Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. The words are commonly translated in English as art is long, life is short. The full text in Latin is:... |
art is long, life is short | The Latin translation by Seneca Seneca the Younger Lucius Annaeus Seneca was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and in one work humorist, of the Silver Age of Latin literature. He was tutor and later advisor to emperor Nero... (De Brevitate Vitae, 1.1) of a phrase from Hippocrates Hippocrates Hippocrates of Cos or Hippokrates of Kos was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles , and is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine... , often used out of context. The "art" referred to in the original aphorism was the craft of medicine, which took a lifetime to acquire. |
| arte et labore | by art and by labour | motto of Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... |
| Artis Bohemiae Amicis | Friends of Czech Arts | Award of the Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic Czech Republic The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest.... for the promotion of the positive reputation of Czech culture abroad. |
| asinus ad lyram | an ass to the lyre | From Erasmus Desiderius Erasmus Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus , known as Erasmus of Rotterdam, was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, and a theologian.... 's collection of Adages Adagia Adagia is an annotated collection of Greek and Latin proverbs, compiled during the Renaissance by Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus. Erasmus' collection of proverbs is "one of the most monumental ... ever assembled" Adagia (adagium is the singular form and adagia is the plural) is an... . An awkward or incompetent individual. |
| asinus asinum fricat | the jackass rubs the jackass | Used to describe two people lavishing excessive praise on one another. |
| assecuratus non quaerit lucrum sed agit ne in damno sit | the assured does not seek profit but makes [it his profit] that he not be in loss | Refers to the insurance Insurance In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the... principle that the indemnity cannot be larger than the loss. |
| Astra inclinant, sed non obligant | The stars incline us, they do not bind us | Refers to the Free will Free will "To make my own decisions whether I am successful or not due to uncontrollable forces" -Troy MorrisonA pragmatic definition of free willFree will is the ability of agents to make choices free from certain kinds of constraints. The existence of free will and its exact nature and definition have long... over the astrological determinism. |
| auctoritas Auctoritas Auctoritas is a Latin word and is the origin of English "authority." While historically its use in English was restricted to discussions of the political history of Rome, the beginning of phenomenological philosophy in the twentieth century expanded the use of the word.In ancient Rome, Auctoritas... |
authority | The level of prestige a person had in Roman society. |
| audacter calumniare, semper aliquid haeret | slander boldly, something always sticks | from Francis Bacon Francis Bacon Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Albans, KC was an English philosopher, statesman, scientist, lawyer, jurist, author and pioneer of the scientific method. He served both as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England... , De Augmentis Scientiarum (1623) |
| audax at fidelis | bold but faithful | Motto of Queensland Queensland Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean... . |
| audeamus | let us dare | Motto of Otago University Students' Association Otago University Students' Association The Otago University Students' Association is the Students' Association of the University of Otago, New Zealand.OUSA provides "representation, welfare, advocacy, recreation, fun events and media" for its members... , a direct response to the university's motto of sapere aude "dare to be wise". Also Motto of Champlain College Champlain College Champlain College is a private, coeducational college located in Burlington, Vermont. It offers professionally focused programs that incorporate an interdisciplinary core curriculum. In addition to its main campus, the College maintains study-abroad campuses in Montreal and Dublin, and offers... in Burlington, Vermont Burlington, Vermont Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal.... . |
| audemus jura nostra defendere Audemus jura nostra defendere Audemus jura nostra defendere is the state motto of Alabama, depicted on a yellow ribbon below the coat of arms and completed in 1923.... |
we dare to defend our rights | State motto of Alabama Alabama Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland... , adopted in 1923. Translated into Latin from a paraphrase of the stanza "Men who their duties know / But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain" from the poem "What Constitutes a State?" by 18th-century author William Jones. |
| audentes fortuna iuvat | fortune favors the bold | 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... , 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... X, 284 (where the first word is in the archaic form audentis). Allegedly the last words of 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... before he left the docks at Pompeii Pompeii The city of Pompeii is a partially buried Roman town-city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania, in the territory of the comune of Pompei. Along with Herculaneum, Pompeii was destroyed and completely buried during a long catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning... to rescue people from the eruption of Vesuvius Mount Vesuvius Mount Vesuvius is a stratovolcano in the Gulf of Naples, Italy, about east of Naples and a short distance from the shore. It is the only volcano on the European mainland to have erupted within the last hundred years, although it is not currently erupting... in 79. Often quoted as audaces fortuna iuvat. Also the motto of the Portuguese Army Commandos, and the USS Montpelier (SSN-765) USS Montpelier (SSN-765) USS Montpelier , a , was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Montpelier, Vermont. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 6 February 1987 and her keel was laid down on 19 May 1989. She was launched on... in the latter form. |
| audere est facere | to dare is to do | motto of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... |
| audi alteram partem Audi alteram partem Audi alteram partem is a Latin phrase that literally means "hear the other side" or "hear the alternative party"... |
hear the other side | A legal principle of fairness. Also worded as audiatur et altera pars (let the other side be heard too). |
| audio hostem | I hear the enemy | Motto of 845 NACS Royal Navy |
| audi, vide, tace | hear, see, be silent | Motto of Security Information Service of the Czech Republic Czech Republic The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest.... |
| aurea mediocritas | golden mean Golden mean (philosophy) In philosophy, especially that of Aristotle, the golden mean is the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency. For example courage, a virtue, if taken to excess would manifest as recklessness and if deficient as cowardice.... |
From 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:... 's Odes II, 10. Refers to the ethical goal of reaching a virtuous middle ground between two sinful extremes. The golden mean concept Golden mean (philosophy) In philosophy, especially that of Aristotle, the golden mean is the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency. For example courage, a virtue, if taken to excess would manifest as recklessness and if deficient as cowardice.... is common to many philosophers, chiefly Aristotle Aristotle Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology... . |
| auri sacra fames | accursed hunger for gold | 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... , 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... 3,57. Later quoted by Seneca Seneca the Younger Lucius Annaeus Seneca was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and in one work humorist, of the Silver Age of Latin literature. He was tutor and later advisor to emperor Nero... as quod non mortalia pectora coges, auri sacra fames "What don't you force mortal hearts [to do], accursed hunger for gold!" |
| auribus teneo lupum | I hold a wolf by the ears | A common ancient proverb, this version from Terence Terence Publius Terentius Afer , better known in English as Terence, was a playwright of the Roman Republic, of North African descent. His comedies were performed for the first time around 170–160 BC. Terentius Lucanus, a Roman senator, brought Terence to Rome as a slave, educated him and later on,... . Indicates that one is in a dangerous situation where both holding on and letting go could be deadly. A modern version is "To have a tiger by the tail." |
| aurora australis | southern dawn | The Southern Lights, an aurora Aurora (astronomy) An aurora is a natural light display in the sky particularly in the high latitude regions, caused by the collision of energetic charged particles with atoms in the high altitude atmosphere... that appears in the Southern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"... . It is less well-known than the Northern Lights, or aurorea borealis. The Aurora Australis Aurora Australis (icebreaker) Aurora Australis is an Australian icebreaker. Built by Carrington Slipways and launched in 1989, the vessel is owned by P&O Polar, but is regularly chartered by the Australian Antarctic Division for research cruises in Antarctic waters and to support Australian bases in Antarctica.-Design and... is also the name of an Antarctic icebreaker Icebreaker An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate through ice-covered waters. Although the term usually refers to ice-breaking ships, it may also refer to smaller vessels .For a ship to be considered an icebreaker, it requires three traits most... ship. |
| aurora borealis | northern lights | The Northern Lights, an aurora Aurora (astronomy) An aurora is a natural light display in the sky particularly in the high latitude regions, caused by the collision of energetic charged particles with atoms in the high altitude atmosphere... that appears in the Northern Hemisphere Northern Hemisphere The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator... . |
| aurum potestas est | gold is power | Motto of the fictional Fowl family in the Artemis Fowl Artemis Fowl (series) Artemis Fowl is a series of fantasy novels written by Irish author Eoin Colfer and all the books are best sellers, starring the teenage criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl II. The author summed up the series as: "Die Hard with fairies." There are seven novels in the series; the first was published in... series, written by Eoin Colfer Eoin Colfer Eoin Colfer is an Irish author. He is most famous as the author of the Artemis Fowl series, but he has also written other successful books. His novels have been compared to the works of J. K. Rowling... |
| auspicium melioris aevi | hope/token of a better age | Motto of the Order of St Michael and St George Order of St Michael and St George The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III.... and motto of Raffles Institution Raffles Institution Raffles Institution , founded in 1823, is the oldest centre for pre-tertiary learning in Singapore. It is an independent school in Singapore providing secondary and pre-university education. RI consists of a boys-only secondary section , and a coeducational pre-university section... , a secondary school in Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... . |
| aut Caesar aut nihil | either Caesar Caesar (title) Caesar is a title of imperial character. It derives from the cognomen of Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator... or nothing |
Indicates that the only valid possibility is to be emperor Emperor An emperor is a monarch, usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife or a woman who rules in her own right... , or a similarly prominent position. More generally, "all or nothing". Adopted by Cesare Borgia Cesare Borgia Cesare Borgia , Duke of Valentinois, was an Italian condottiero, nobleman, politician, and cardinal. He was the son of Pope Alexander VI and his long-term mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei. He was the brother of Lucrezia Borgia; Giovanni Borgia , Duke of Gandia; and Gioffre Borgia , Prince of Squillace... as a personal motto. |
| aut concilio aut ense | either by meeting or the sword | Thus, either through reasoned discussion or through war. A former motto of Chile Chile Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far... , replaced by post tenebras lux. |
| aut pax aut bellum | either peace or war | The motto of the Gunn Clan Clan Gunn Clan Gunn is a Scottish clan associated with northeastern Scotland, including Caithness and Sutherland as well as the Orkney Islands.The clan's origins stretch over the sea to Norway, and the Clan Gunn themselves claim descent from the legendary viking Sweyn Asleifsson, the progenitor of the clan,... . |
| aut viam inveniam aut faciam Inveniam viam "Aut inveniam viam aut faciam" is Latin for "I shall either find a way or make one."The phrase has been attributed to Hannibal; when his generals told him it was impossible to cross the Alps by elephant, this was supposedly his response. However, Hannibal would have spoken in Punic, not Latin... |
I will either find a way or make one | Hannibal. |
| aut vincere aut mori | either to conquer or to die | A general pledge of victoria aut mors "victory or death Victory or death Victory or death and its equivalents, is used as a motto or battle cry :* It is given as the translation of the heraldic motto of several Scottish clans :** Clan MacDougall - BUAIDH NO BAS... ". Motto of the Higgenbotham, and Higginbottom families of Cheshire England; participants in the War of the Roses. |
| ave atque vale | Hail and farewell! | From Catullus Catullus Gaius Valerius Catullus was a Latin poet of the Republican period. His surviving works are still read widely, and continue to influence poetry and other forms of art.-Biography:... , carmen 101, addressed to his deceased brother. |
| ave Europa nostra vera Patria | Hail, Europe, our true Fatherland! | Anthem Anthem The term anthem means either a specific form of Anglican church music , or more generally, a song of celebration, usually acting as a symbol for a distinct group of people, as in the term "national anthem" or "sports anthem".-Etymology:The word is derived from the Greek via Old English , a word... of Imperium Europa Imperium Europa Imperium Europa is a New Right positioned far-right Maltese political party, founded in 2000 by Norman Lowell, who is also its leader... . |
| Ave Imperator, morituri te salutant | Hail, Emperor! Those who are about to die salute you! | From Suetonius Suetonius Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, commonly known as Suetonius , was a Roman historian belonging to the equestrian order in the early Imperial era.... ' The Twelve Caesars, Claudius 21. A salute and plea for mercy recorded on one occasion by naumachiarii Naumachia The naumachia in the Ancient Roman world referred to both the re-enactment of naval battles and the basin in which this took place.... –captives and criminals fated to die fighting during mock naval encounters. Later versions included a variant of "We who are about to die", and this translation is sometimes aided by changing the Latin to nos morituri te salutamus. |
| Ave Maria Hail Mary The Angelic Salutation, Hail Mary, or Ave Maria is a traditional biblical Catholic prayer asking for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Hail Mary is used within the Catholic Church, and it forms the basis of the Rosary... |
Hail, Mary Hail Mary The Angelic Salutation, Hail Mary, or Ave Maria is a traditional biblical Catholic prayer asking for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Hail Mary is used within the Catholic Church, and it forms the basis of the Rosary... |
Catholic prayer of intercession asking Mary, the mother of Jesus Mary (mother of Jesus) Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee... to pray for the petitioner. |