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Jun 6, 2020 · 13. alter ego. Other self. Another side of oneself. 14. A.D. short for anno Domini. In the year of our Lord. Number of years since the birth of Jesus Christ.
- A Priori & A Posteriori
- Ad Hoc
- Ad Hominem
- Ad Infinitum
- Ad Lib
- Ad Nauseam
- Alias
- Alibi
- Alma Mater
- Alter Ego
Literal meaning: “from (what comes) first” and “from (what comes) after” The expressions a priori and a posterioriare primarily used in philosophical or logical contexts. An a priori argument is based on self-evident principles and thus on “what comes first.” A priori arguments move from causes to effects. An a posteriori argument, on the other han...
Literal meaning: “to this” Ad hocin English means “created for this specific purpose” or “impromptu”. So, if there is a flood in a school, the principal may call an ad hoc meeting to discuss how to respond. We often hear about decisions made ad hoc, as well. An ad hoc decision is one that is made for the context at hand. You aren’t thinking about t...
Literal meaning: “to the man” The most common usage of ad hominem today is to talk about an ad hominem argument. This is an argument that relates “to the man”, i.e. to the person you are arguing with. Instead of addressing the real topic of the debate or the person’s reasoning, you attack their character. Thus ad hominem arguments are usually irrel...
Literal meaning: “to infinity” If something continues ad infinitum, this means that it goes on forever, without end. If Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story spoke Latin, he would say, “Ad infīnītum et ultrā!” (To infinity and beyond!)
Literal meaning: “to one’s pleasure” “Ad lib” is short for ad libitum, which is a phrase meaning, loosely, “as much as you want.” According to Etymonline, it was originally a musical notation. In this context, it indicates that the musician could use their own judgment to decide how a piece should be played. Over time, the phrase shifted to acquire...
Literal meaning: “to nausea, to vomiting” If you do something ad nauseam, this means that you do it to a nauseating degree. For example: “We have discussed your ingrown toenails ad nauseam. Let’s change the subject!” My Latin students likely think that I talk about using flashcardsad nauseam. But hey, flashcards are a great way to learn vocabulary!
Literal meaning: “at another time, in other circumstances” Alias is an adverb in Latin, but in English we most frequently use it as a noun. An alias is a fake name or assumed identity. For example, Superman is Clark Kent’s alias. “Alias” can also be used as an adverb in English to indicate someone’s more familiarname. In this case, it is equivalent...
Literal meaning: “elsewhere” “Alibi” is a great example of a Latin word used so frequently in English that we don’t even recognize its foreign origin. In fact, alibīis a Latin adverb meaning ”elsewhere”. This makes sense since in modern English, an alibi is evidence that can prove that you were elsewhere when a crime was committed. ”I can’t have st...
Literal meaning: “nurturing mother” The Latin adjective almameans “nurturing” and often described fertility goddesses in ancient Rome. In the 1700s, people started referring to their university as their alma mater. It makes sense – your university is the mother who nourishes your intellectual growth!
Literal meaning: “another I” The expression alter ego is used so frequently in English that people often don’t realize it is Latin. In fact, alter egooriginally referred to a trusted friend. Aristotle, Cicero, and other ancient authors insist that a true friend is so close that they are another self. Over time alter ego came to have an expanded mea...
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15. Per capita. In Latin, per capita means “by the head,” which can today be translated as “per person.”. The per capita income has increased significantly over the last hundred years. 16. Per se. Per se means “in itself” and is used to show that a statement is true intrinsically, regardless of outside factors.
- Ad hoc: To this. In Latin, ad hoc literally means to this, which has been adapted by English speakers as a saying that denotes that something is created or done for a particular purpose, as necessary.
- Alibi: Elsewhere. The word alibi is a Latin phrase that simply means elsewhere, which will make sense to all you crime drama addicts out there who are familiar with the term as used by police, investigators, and other law enforcement professionals.
- Bona fide: With good faith. Another common Latin phrase, bona fide literally means with good faith. The meaning has changed somewhat in English usage to mean something that is real or genuine (e.g., she was a bona fide expert in the social structures of humpback whales).
- Bonus: Good. Bonus, from the Latin adjective bonus, which means good, refers to any number of good things in its current English usage. Most often, bonus refers to an extra sum of money or reward from one’s employer for good performance, which of course is always a good thing.
- a posteriori (from the latter): based on experience.
- a priori (from the earlier): independent of experience.
- ad hoc (for this): said of something created or formed for a special case.
- ad infinitum (to infinity): something that keeps going forever.
Jul 12, 2023 · Learn 60 Latin phrases, sayings, words and expressions that will make you sound smarter and cooler. Find out their meanings and origins in this fun and informative article.
Many common Latin phrases and words are used in everyday conversation, and they can add a touch of sophistication and elegance to your speech. Here are some of the most common Latin phrases and words: Carpe diem (pronounced "kahr-pee dee-em"): This phrase means "seize the day." It's a reminder to live in the present moment and make the most of ...
