DICTIONARY OF LATIN PHRASES AND PROVERBS

- A -

2006-10-24T13:21:00.002-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: A

ab abusu ad usum non valet consequentia
Consequences of abuse do not aply to general use

ab actu ad posse valet illatio
From the past one can infer the future

ab aeterno
From the beginning of time

ab asino lanam
Wool from an ass (blood from a stone)

a bene placito
At pleasure

abest
S/he is absent

abeunt studia in mores
Pursuits change into habits (Ovid)

ab extra
From the outside

abiit ad maiores
S/he has gone to the ancestors (i.e., died)

abiit ad plures
S/he has gone to the majority (i.e., died)

abiit, excessit, evasit, erupit
He has departed, gone off, escaped, broken out (Cicero)

ab imo pectore
From the bottom of the heart

ab inconvenienti
From the inconvenience involved

ab incunabulis
From infancy (from the cradle)

ab initio
From the beginning

ab intra
From within

ab invito
Against the will; unwillingly

ab Iove principium
From Jove is my beginning (words of Aeneas, Virgil)

ab irato
From the angryman (i.e., unfair)

abnormis sapiens
A natural born philosopher (Horace)

ab origine
From the origin; from the first

ab ove maiori discit arare minor
From the older ox the younger learns to plow

ab ovo
From the egg (i.e., from the beginning)

ab ovo usque ad mala
From the egg to the apples (i.e., from the beginning to the end)

abscisio infiniti
Cutting off an infinite part

absense haeres non erit
The absent one will not be heir

absente febre
Without fever

absentem laedit cum ebrio qui litigat
To quarrel with a drunk is to wrong a man who is not even there

absente reo
The defendant being absent

absit invidia
May ill will be absent (i.e., no offense intended)

absit omen
May the omen be absent (i.e., God forbid)

absolvo
I absolve; I acquit

absque
Without; but for

absque hoc
But for this; apart from this

absque ulla nota
Without any marks

ab uno ad omnes
From one to all

ab uno disce omnes
From one example, learn all (Virgil)

ab urbe condita (A.U.C.)
From the foundation of the city (i.e., Rome; traditional date of foundation is 753 BC)

abusus non tollit usum
Abuse of a right does not invalidate use

abyssus abyssum invocat
Hells calls hell (the Vulgate translation of the Bible)

a capite ad calcem
From head to heel (totally, entirely)

accedas ad curiam
You may approach the court

accessit
S/he came near (i.e., a runner-up)

accipiunt leges, populus quibus legibus ex lex
They consent to laws which place people beyond the pale of the law

accusare nemo se debit, nisi coram Deo
No one is bound to accuse herself/himself, unless before God

acerbus et ingens
Fierce and mighty

ac etiam
And also

Acheruntis pabulum
Food for Acheron (i.e., food for the gallows)

a caelo usque ad centrum
From the sky to the centre of the earth

a cruce salus
Salvation [comes] from the cross

acta eruditorum
Contributions to a cause

acta est fabula
The drama has been acted out (Augustus)

acta sanctorum
Deeds of the saints (Jean Bolland)

actio ex delicto
Cause of action (i.e., reason for lawsuit)

actio personalis moritur cum personal
Personal action dies with the person

actum agere
To do what has already been done

actum est de re publica
It is all over with the republic/commonwealth

actum ne agas
Do not redo that which has been done

actus curiae
Act of the court

actus Dei
act of God

actus reus
The criminal act; the guilty act

a cuspide corona
From the spear a crown

ab absurdum
To the absurd

ad alium diem
At another day

ad amussim
According to a rule (i.e., accurately)

ad aperturam libri
At the opening of a book

ad arbitrium
At will (i.e., at pleasure)

ad astra
To the starts (i.e., to the top)

ad astra per aspera
To the stars through dificulties (motto of the state of Kansas)

a dato
From the date

ad baculum
To the rod (i.e., appeal to force, not reason)

ad augusta per angusta
To honour through difficulties

ad calendas Graecas
To the Greek calends (i.e., never, as Greeks did not have calends)

ad captandum
For the sake of pleasing

ad captandum vulgus
Appealing to the emotions of the crowd

ad clerum
To the clergy

ad crumenam
To the purse (i.e., appealing to self-interest)

ad damnum
To the damages (i.e., amount demanded)

addendum
Something to be added

adde parvum parvo magnus acervus erit
Add a little to a little and there will be a great heap (Ovid)

additur
Let it be increased

ad effectum
Until effectual

a Deo et rege
From God andthe king

adeo in teneris consuescere multum est
[It is] imperative to form habits in the early years (Virgil)

a Deo lux nostra
Our light comes from God

adesse
To be present

Adeste Fideles
Ocome, all ye faithful

ad eundem gradum
To the same degree (i.e., equal blame or praise)

ad extra
To the outside

ad extremum
To the extreme (i.e., to the end)

ad fidem
To faith (i.e., in allegiance)

ad filum aquae
To the center of the stream

ad filum viae
To the centre of the road

ad finem
To the end; at the end of the page

ad finem fidelis
Faithful to the end

ad gloriam
For the glory

ad gustum
To one's taste

ad hanc vocem
To this word

adhibenda est in iocando moderatio
One should employ restraint in his/her jests (Cicero)

adhibendus
To be administered

ad hoc
To this; for a specific occasion; impromptu

ad hominem
Personal attack relating to the individual

adhuc sub iudice lis est
The case is still before the court

ad hunc locum
At this place

ad idem
To the same point

a die
From that day

ad ignorantium
To ignorance [of the facts of an argument]

ad infinitum
Without an end; to infinity; without limit

ad initium
At the beginning

ad instar
After the fashion of...

ad instar omnium
In the likeness of all

ad interim
In the meantime; for the time being

ad internecionem
To extermination

ad invidiam
To envy; to prejudice

ad iudicium
To judgement; to common sense

adiuvante Deo labor proficit
With God's help, work prospers

ad libitum (ad lib)
At pleasure; extemporaneously or freely

ad limina apostolorum
To the thresholds of the apostles

ad litem
For the specific lawsuit

ad litteram
To the letter (i.e., precisely)

ad locum
At the place, at a specific location

ad majorem Dei gloriam
To the greater glory of God (motto of the Jesuits)

ad manum
At hand (i.e., ready and prepared)

ad meliora vertamur
Let us turn to better things

ad misericordiam
To pity (i.e., appealing to mercy)

ad modum
In the manner of

ad multos annos
After many years

ad nauseam
To the point of sickness; to the point of being disgusted

ad nocendum patentes sumus
We all have power to do harm (Seneca)

ad partes dolentes
To the painful parts

ad patres
To the fathers (i.e., dead)

ad paucos dies
For a few days

ad perpetuam rei memoriam
For the eternal/perpetual rememberance of the thing

ad personal
To the person; relating to the individual

ad populum
To the people

ad praesens ova cras pullis sunt meliora ad quem ad quod
Eggs today are better than chickens tomorrow

ad quem
To or for whom; to or for which

ad quod
To which; for which

ad quod damnum
To what damage

ad referendum
For reference; for further consideration

ad rem
To the thing; relevant to the present matter

ad saturatum
To saturation

adscriptus glebae
A person bound tothe soil; a serf

ad sectam
At the lawsuit of

adstante febre
When fever is present

adsum
I am present; to be present

ad summam
In short; in a word

adsummum
To the highest point

adulter
Corrupter; seducer

ad unguem
To the fingernail (i.e., with great precision)

ad unguemfactus
A highly polished work; to perfection

ad unguem factus homo
A man polished tothe nail (Horace)

adc unum omnes
All to one; in a unanimous fashion

ad usum
According to custom

ad usum Delphini
For the Dauphin's use; expurgated

ad usum externum
For external use

ad usum externum
For external use

ad utrumque paratus
Ready for anything; prepared for the worst

ad valorem
According to value

ad verbum
To the word; verbatim

ad verecundiam
Appeal to modesty in an argument

adversa
Things having been noted...

adversa virtute repello
I repel adversity by valor

adversaria
That which has been turned to; commentary

adversus
Against; contrary to

adversus bonos mores
Against good morals

adversus solem ne loquitor
Don't speak against the sun (i.e., an obvious fact)

ad vitam
For life; for the duration of a person's life

ad vitam aeternam
For eternal life; for all time

ad vitam aut culpam
For life or until a misdeed

ad vivum
To the life

advocatus diaboli
Devil's advocate

aedificatum
That which is built

aeger
To be sick; medical excuse of a British student

aeger amore
Love's sickness

aegra amans
Lover's sickness

aegrescit medendo
The disease worsens with treatment (Virgil)

aegri somnia vana
A sick man's dream; hallucination (Virgil)

aegrotat
S/he is sick; certificate denoting illness

aequabiliter et diligenter
Uniformly and diligently

aequales
Equal parts

aequam servare mentem
To preserve a calm mind; equanimity (Horace)

aequam memento rebus in arduis servare mentem
Remember to maintain a calm mind while doing difficult tasks (Virgil)

aequanimiter
With composure; with equanimity

aequilibrium indifferentiae
State of exact balance between two actions

aequitas sequitur legem
Equity follows the law

aequo animo
With a calm mind; with equanimity

aequo pulsat pede
[Pale Death] knocks with equal foot (Horace)

aere perennius
More durable than bronze; everlasting

aes alienum
Money belonging to another; a debt

aes triplex
Triple brass; a strong defense

aestimatio capitis
Estimation of the head; price of a man

aetatis
At the age of

aetatis suae
In the year of one's life

aeternum servans sub pectore vulnus
Nursing an everlasting wound within the breast (Virgil)

aeternum vale
Farewell forever

affinitas
Relationship by marriage

afflaltus
Breath; breeze; poetic inspiration

afflatus montium
Mountain air

afflavit Deus et dissipantur
God sent forth His breath and they were scattered (reference to the Spanish Armada)

a fortiori
With even stronger reason; all the more

a fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi
a precipice in front and wolves behind

age quod agis
Do what you are doing (i.e., pay attention to what you are doing)

aggrediente febre
When the fever increases

agita
Shake or stir

agita nate sumendum
Shake before taking

agnosco veteris vestigia flammae
I feel once more the scars of the old flame (Virgil)

Agnus Dei
The Lamb of God (portion of Catholic Mass)

a latere
From the side; with confidence

albae gallinae filius
Son of a white hen (i.e., auspicious event)

albo lapillo notare diem
To mark the day with a white stone

albus
White

albus liber
White book

alea iacta est
The die is cast (Julius Caesar, having made the decision to cross the Rubicon in 49 BC)

alere flammam
To feed the flames (Ovid)

alias
Otherwise; at another time

alias dictus
An assumed name; also known as

alia tendanda via est
Another way must be tried

alibi
Elsewhere

alieni appetens
Eager for another's property

alieni appetens sui profusus
Covetous of another's possession, lavish of his own (Sallust)

alieni generis
Of a different class

alieni iuris (alieni juris)
Subject to another law

alienum est onme quicquid optando evenit
What we obtain by asking is not really ours

alimenta
Means of support (i.e., food, clothing, shelter)

alio intuitu
From another point of view

aliquando bonus dormitat Homerus
Sometimes even good Homer sleeps

aliquant
An uneven part of the whole

aliquid
Something; somewhat

aliquis in omnibus, nullus in singulis
A somebody in general, nobody in particular

aliquot
An even part of the whole

alis volat propriis
She flies by her own wings (motto of Oregon)

alitur vitium vivitque tegendo
Vice is nourished by being concealed

aliunde
From another source; from outside

alma mater
Kind/bounteous/benign mother (i.e., protective institution, as referred to by its former students)

alter
Another person; personality ofanother

altercatio
Forensic argumentation; cross-examination

alter ego
One's second self; very close friend

alter ego est amicus
A friend is another self

alter idem
Another thing similar in all respects

alter ipse amicus
A friend is a second self

alteri sic tibi
[Do] to another as [you do] to yourself

alternis diebus
Every other day

alternis horis
Every other hour

alternis noctibus
Every other night

alterum alterius auxilio eget
One thing needs the help of another

alterum non laedere
Not to injure others

alterum tantum
As much again; twice as much

altiora peto
I seek higher things

altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labiuntur
The deepest rivers flow with the least sound (i.e., still waters run deep)

amabit sapiens, cupient caeteri
Wise men love, others are mere lechers

amans iratus multa mentitur sibi
An angry lover tells himself many lies

amantes sunt amentes
Lovers are lunatics (Terence)

amantium irae amoris integratio est
A lovers' quarrel renews love (Terence)

amare et saper vix deo conceditur
Even a god finds it difficult to love and to be wise at the same time

amari aliquid
Something bitter; a touch of bitterness

a maximis ad minima
From the largest to the smallest

ambigendi locus
Room for doubt

a mensa et toro
From table and bed (i.e., a legal separation)

amici probantur rebus adversis
Friends are proved by adversity (Cicero)

amicitiae immortales mortales inimicitias debere esse
Our friendships should be immortal, our enmities mortal (Livy)

amicitia semper prodest
Friendship is always of benefit

amicitia sine fraude
Friendship without deceit

amicus certus in re incerta cernitur
A friend in need is a friend indeed

amicus curiae
Friend of the court (i.e., impartial spokesperson)

amicus est tanquam alter idem
A friend is almost a second self

amicus humani generis
A friend of the human race (i.e., philanthropist)

amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas
Plato is my friend, but a greater friend is truth

amicus usque ad aras
A friend to the altars (i.e., a friend until death or until relilgious convictions prevent action)

a minori ad maius
From the lesser to the greater

amissum quod nescitur non amittitur
The loss that is unknown is no loss at all (Publius Syrus)

amor animi arbitrio sumitur, non ponitur
We choose to love, we do not choose to stop loving

amor gignit amorem
Love produces love

amor habendi
Love of possessing

amori finem tempus, non animus facit
Time, not the mind, puts an end to love

amoris vulnis idem sanat qui facit
The wounds of love are cured by love itself

ammor magnus doctor est
Love is a great teacher (St. Augustine)

amor nummi
Love of money

amor patriae
Love of one's country

amor proximi
Love of one's neighbour

amor sceleratus habendi
Accursed love of possessing (Ovid)

amor vincit omnia
Love conquers all things (Virgil)

amor vincit omnia et nos cedamus amori
Love conquers all things and let us yield to love (Virgil)

amoto quaeramus seria ludo
Setting games aside, let's get on to serious matters (Horace)

amo ut invenio
I love as I find

ancilla theologiae
The handmaid of theology (i.e., philosophy)

Angelus Domini
Angle of the Lord (a Morning Prayer)

anguis in herba
A snake in the grass (i.e., a hidden danger)

angulus ridet
That corner of the earth smiles (Horace)

angulus terrarum
Quiet corner of the world; place of repose ___

adversus solem ne loquitor
Don't speak against the sun (Don't argue what is obvious)

a fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi
A precipice in front, wolves behind (between a rock and a hard place)

alea iacta est
The die is cast. (Julius Caesar, when making the decision to cross the Rubicon in 49 BC)

amare et sapere vix deo conceditur
Even a god finds it hard to love and be wise at the same time

amicus humani generis
A friend of the human race (philanthropist)

amor vincit omnia
Love conquers all

animis opibusque parati
Prepared in minds and resources (ready for anything)

audaces fortuna iuvat
Fortune favours the brave

aut disce aut discede
Either learn or leave

aut viam inveniam aut faciam
I'll either find a way or make one

aut vincere aut mori
Either to conquer or to die

ave, Caesar, morituri te salutamus
Hail, Caesar, we who are about to die salute you

age quod agis!
Do what you are doing!

ars gratia artis
Art is the reward of art.

assiduus usus uni rei deditus et ingenium et artem saepe vincit. (M.Tullius Cicero).
Constant practice devoted to one subject often outdoes both intelligence and skill.

aliquando et insanire iucundum est.
It is sometimes pleasant even to act like a madman.

aliquisne domum est?
Is anyone home?

ab extra
From without

ab initio
From the beginning

ab ovo
From the egg

ab uno disce omnes
From one example you may judge the rest

ab urbe condita
From the founding of the city (Rome - 753 BC)

ad astra
To the stars

ad calendas graecas
At the greek calends (never, since the greek had no calends)

a deo et rege
From god and the king

ad finem
To the end/towards the end

ad hoc
For this purpose

ad hominem
To the man personally

a die
From that day

ad infinitum
To infinity

ad libitum
At pleasure

ad majorem del gloriam
For the greater glory of god

ad nauseam
To the point where one becomes sick/disgusted

ad rem
To the point

ad valorem
According to the value

aetatis suae
Of his or her age

a fortiori
With stronger reason

alma mater
Benign mother (old students about their university)

alter ego
One's second self

anno domini
In the year of our lord

anno mundi
In the year of the world

annus mirabillis
The year of wonders

ante bellum
Before the war

ante meridiem
Before noon

aqua vitae
Water of life

ars est celare artem
True art is to conceal art

ars longa vita brevis
Art is long life is short

audi alterem partem
Hear to the other side

ava atque vale
Hail and farewell

ab imo pectore
From the bottom of the chest (from the heart)

ab absurdo
From the absurd (proving the validity of your argument by pointing out the absurdity of your opponent's position)

abusus non tollit usum
Misuse does not nullify proper use

ad praesens ova cras pullis sunt meliora
Eggs today are better than chickens tomorrow (a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush)

aegrescit medendo
The disease worsens with the treatment (the remedy is worse than the disease)

aeternum vale
Farewell forever

altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labi
The deepest rivers flow with the least sound (still waters run deep)

amantes sunt amentes
Lovers are lunatics

amantium irae amoris integratio est
Lovers quarrels are the renewal of love

argumentum ad hominem
An argument against the man. Directing an argument against an opponent's character rather than the subject at hand.

asinus asinum fricat
The ass rubs the ass (two people flattering each other)

- B -

2006-10-24T13:21:00.001-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: B

balneum
Bath

Bancus Communium Placitorum
Court of Common Pleas

Bancus Regis
King's Bench

banni nuptiarum
The banns of matrimony

barbae tenus sapientes
Men wise as far as the beard; sciolistic

basis virtutum constantia
Constancy is the foundation of virtues

beatae memoriae
Of blessed memory

Beata Virgo Maria
Blessed Virgin Mary

beati pacifici
Blessed are the peacemakes (Beatitudes)

beati pauperes spiritu
Blessed are the poor in spirit

beati possidentes
Blessed are those who possess (legal doctrine, possession is nine points of the law)

Beatitudes
Pronouncements from the Sermon on the Mount

beatus
A blessed person

bella detesta matribus
Wars, the horror of mothers (Horace)

bella horrida bella
Wars, horrid wars (Virgil)

bellum domesticum
Strife/war among family members

bellum internecinum
Internecine war, a war of extermination

bellum letale
Lethal war, deadly war

bellum omnium in omnes
A war of all against all

bene decessit
S/he has left (died) well (a natural death)

Benedicite
Invocation of blessing (a prayer canticle)

benedictus qui venit
Blessed is he sho comes [in the Lord's name]

bene esse
Well-being

bene est tentare
It is well to try

bene exeat
Let him or her go forth. Of good character

beneficium
Kindness of favour

beneficium accipere libertatem est vendere
To accept a favour is to sell one's freedom

bene merenti
Success to those who deserve it

bene meritus
Having well deserved

bene orasse est bene studuisse
To have prayed well is to have pursued well

bene qui latuit bene vixit
S/he who has lived in obscurity has lived well

bene vale vobis
May you prosper

benigno numine
By the favour of the heavens (Horace)

bibamus, moriendum est
Let us drink, for we must die (Seneca)

bibere venenum in auro
To drink poison from a golden cup

biblia pauperum
Books of the poor

billa vera
True bill

Biographia Literaria
Literary Biography (Coleridge)

bis
Twice (to be repeated)

bis dat qui cito dat
S/he gives twice who gives quickly

bis in die
Twice a day

bis in nocte
Twice a night

bis in septem diebus
Twice in seven days/twice a week

bis peccare in bello non licet
It is not permitted to blunder twice in war

bis pueri senes
Old men are twice children

bis repetita placent
The things that please are those repeated

bis vincit qui se vincit in victoria
He conquers twice who conquers himself in victory (Publius Syrus)

bis vivit qui bene vivit
S/he lives twice who lives well

blandae mendacia linguae
The lies of a flattering tongue

bona
Good or Property

bonae fidei emptor
Purchaser in good faith

bona fide
In good faith, genuine, legitimate

bona fide polliceor
I promise in good faith (Cicero)

bona fides
Good faith or Documents proving identity

bona gratia
In all kindness

bona fiscalia
Public property

bonae memoriae
Of happy memory

bona mobilia
Moveable property

bona notabilia
Noteworthy things

bona peritura
Perishable goods

bona vacantia
Unclaimed property

bonis avibus
Under favourable signs

bonis nocet quisqus malis perpercit
Whoever spares the bad injures the good (Publius Syrus)

bonis quod bene fit haud perit
Whatever is done for good men is never done in vain (Plautus)

bono vinci satius est quam almo more iniuriam vincere
A good man would rather suffer defeat than defeat another by foul means (Sallust)

bonum omen
A good omen

bonum per se
Good in itself

bonum publicum
The public good

bon in lingua
An ox on the tongue (a heavy silence)

brevi manu
With a short hand (in a perfunctory manner)

brevis esse laboro, obscurus fio
In trying to become concise, I become obscure (Horace)

brevis ipsa vita est sed malis fit longior
Life is short but misfortunes make it longer

brutum fulmen
Harmless thunderbolt (a vain and empty threat)

bonum vinum laetificat cor hominis
Good wine gladdens a person's heart

bonitas non est pessimis esse meliorem
It is not goodness to be better than the worst.

- C -

2006-10-24T13:20:00.001-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: C

cacoethes
Irresistible urge

cacoethes carpendi
A compulsive habit for finding fault

cacoethes loquendi
A bad habit for compulsive talking

cacoethes scribendi
A bad habit for compulsive writing

cadit quaestio
The question falls, the issue collapses

caeca invidia est
Envy is blind (Livy)

caelitus mihi vires
My strength is from heaven

caeli enarrant gloriam Dei
the heavens display the glory of God (Psalms)

caelum non animum mutant qui mare currunt
Those who cross the sea change only their climate, not their minds (Horace)

calendae
Calends (the first day of the month in the ancient Roman calendar)

callida iunctura
Skillful joining, careful workmanship (Horace)

camera lucide
Bright chamber (a projection device using prism)

camera obscura
A darkened room; a device to project an image

Camera Stellata
The Star Chamber (renowned court of 16th century England)

Campus Martius
The Field of Mars (assembly ground in Rome)

candida pax
White-robed eace (Ovid)

candor dat viribus alas
Sincerity gives wings to strength

cane peius et angue
Worse than a dog or snake

canis in praesepi
A dog in the manger

Canis Maior
The larger dog (constellation near Orion)

Canis Minor
The lesser dog (constellation near Orion)

cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator
the poor wayfarer will sing in the presence of travelers (Juvenal)

Cantate Domino
Sing to the Lord (Psalm 98)

cantilenam eandem canis
You are singing the same old song (Terence)

cantillatio
The chanting portions of the Catholic Mass

cantoris
To be sung by the precentor (antiphoral song)

cantus firmus
Fixed son (Gregorian melody)

cantus planus
Plainsong (Gregorian chant)

capias ad audiendum
Writ ordering appearance in court

capias ad respondendum
Writ ordering the arrest of a person

capias ad satisfaciendum
Writ ordering satisfaction of an order

capiat qui capere possit
Let him/her take it who is able

captantes capti sumus
We catchers have been caught

captatio benevolentiae
Reaching after favour

captus nidore culinae
Caught by the aroma of the kitchen (Juvenal)

caput inter nubilia condo
I hide my head among the clouds (Virgil)

caput lupinum
The wolf's head (an outlaw or a renegade)

caput mortuum
Worthless residue remaining after a process

caput mundi
Head (capital) of the world (i.e., Rome)

caret initio et fine
It lacks a beginning and an end

carmen figuratum
Verse printed in the shape of an object

carmen solutum
A prose poem

carmen triumphale
A triumphal song

carpe diem
Seize the day (enjoy the moment) (Horace)

carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero
Enjoy the day, trusting little in tomorrow

carpent tua poma nepotes
Your descendants will pluck your fruit

carpere et colligere
To pluck and to gather

cassetur billa
Let the bill be terminated

casis tutissima virtus
Virtue is the safest helmet

castigat ridendo mores
One corrects customs by laughing at them

casus urbis Troianae
The fall of the city of Troy

causa
Cause, precipitating factor

causa causans
Cause that causes all things

causa causata
Cause resulting from a previous cause

causa efficiens
Efficient or effective cause

causa essendi
Cause of being

causa fiendi
Cause of becoming

causa finalis
Final cause

causa formalis
Formal cause

causa latet, vis est notissima
The cause is hidden, but its force is very well known (Ovid)

causa mali
Cause of evil

causa materialis
Material cause

causa mortis
Cause of death, an anticipation of death

causa movens
Reason for undertaking a particular action

causa proxima
Immediate cause

causa sina qua non
Fundamental reason, necessary condition

causa secunda
Secondary cause

causa sui
Cause of itself

causa vera
True cause

caveant consules
Consuls (of the Roman Senate) beware

caveant connsules ne quid detrimenti respublica capiat
Beware consuls that the commonwealth is not harmed

caveat
Let one beware, take caution

caveat actor
Let the doer beware

caveat emptor
Let the buyer beware

caveat venditor
Let the seller beware

caveat viator
Let the traveller beware

cave canem
Beware of the dog

cavendo tutus
Safe by taking heed

cave ne cadas
Take care so that you do not fall

cave quid dicis, quando, et cui
Beware of what you say, when, and to whom

cedant arma togae
Let arms yield to the toga (motto of Wyoming)

cede Deo
Submit to God

celari vult sua furta Venus
Venus desires her thefts to be concealed

celeritas et veritas
Promptness and truth

Cena Domini
The Lord's Supper

censor morum
A censor of morals

certamina divitiarum
Struggles of the riches (Horace)

certiorari
To be informed by an appellate review court

certum est quia impossible est
It is certain because it is impossible (Tertullian)

certum vot pete finnem
Set a definite limit to your desire (Horace)

cessante causa cessat effectus
Once the cause is removed, the effect will disappear

cessio bonorum
The surrender of goods

cetera desunt
The rest are lacking (the text is incomplete)

ceteris paribus
Other things being equal (other things remaining the same)

characteristica universales
Universal characters (ideographs)

chartae libertatum
Charters of liberties

chorea scriptorum
Writer's cramp

Christi crux est mea lux
The cross of Christ is my light

Christo et Ecclesiae
For Christ and for the Church

cicatrix manet
The scar remains

cineri gloria sera est
Glory paid to ashes comes too late (Martial)

cineri gloria sera venit
Fame to the dead comes to late

cingulum Veneris
The girdle of Venus

circa (ca.)
About (means uncertainty about a date)

circuitus verborum
A circuit of words (a circumlocution)

circulus in probando
A circle in proof (vicious circle in logic)

circulus in definiendo
A circle in definition (vicious circle)

circulus vitiosus
A vicious circle (a logical fallacy)

cito dispensetur
Let it be dispensed quickly

cito enim arescit lacrima, praesertim in alienis malis
A tear is quickly dried when shed for the misfortunes of others

cito maturum, cito putridum
soon ripe, soon rotten

civilitas successit barbarum
Civilization succeeds barbarism (motto of Minnesota)

civis Romanus sum
I am a Roman citizen (Cicero)

Civitas Dei
City of God (St. Augustine)

civitas diaboli
City of the devil

clarior e tenebris
(I shine) out of the darkness more brightly

clarum et venerabile nomen
Illustrious and venerable name (Lucan)

claves curiae
Keys of the court

clavis
A key; glossary in a text

clerici vagantes
Wandering scholars

cochleare magnum
A tablespoonful

cochleare medium
A dessert spoonful

cochleare parvum
A teaspoonful

codex
A volume of manuscripts; a code of laws

Codex Justinianus
the Justinian Code

codex rescriptus
A palimpsest; wooden writing surface

coetus dulce valete
Happy meetings, farewell (Catullus)

cogi qui potest nescit mori
S/he who can be forced has not learned how to die

cogitatonis poenam nemo
No one is punished for her/his thoughts

cogito, ergo sum
I think, therefore I am (Descartes)

cognati
Relations of the mother's side

cognovit actionem
S/he has acknowledged the action

collectanea
Collection of passages from various authors

collegium
Members of a group united by common interest

colluvies vitiorum
Vile medley of vices, pit of iniquity

collyrium
A medicinal eyewash

collubrem in sinu fovere
To cherish a snake in one's bosom

Columna Bellica
a column of war in ancient Rome

comes iucundus in via pro vehiculo est
A pleasant companion on the road is as good as the carriage (Publius Syrus)

comitas inter communitates
Comity (friendliness) of nations

comitas inter gentes
Comity (civility) between nations

comitia
Assembly of the Romans

commisce
Mix together

commune bonum
The common good

commune periculum concordiam parit
Common danger begets unity

communes loci
Commonplace ideas

communibus annis
In common years, the annual average

communi consensu
By common consent

compendia dispendia
Shortcuts are roundabout ways

compesce mentem
Control your temper

complexus
An embracing; aggregate of parts

componere lites
To settle disputes (Horace)

compos mentis
In a sound state of mind

compos sui
Master of one's self

compos voti
Having obtained one's wishes

compositus
Compounded of...

concedo
I admit, I concede

concio ad clerum
Discourse to the clergy

concordia discors
Harmony in discord (Horace)

concursus Dei
concurrent activity of God

condiscipulus
Classmate, fellow student

conditio sine qua non
Indispensable condition

Congregatio de Propaganda Fide
Congregation for the Propagation of Faith

coniunctis viribus
With united powers

conscia mens recti
Conscious of being right (Ovid)

conscientia mille testes
Conscience is as good as a thousand witnesses

consensus
By general agreement

consensus audacium
The agreement of rash men; a conspiracy

consensus facit legem
Consent makes the law

consensus gentium
Unanimity of nations; widespread agreement

consensus omnium
Agreement of all members

consequitur quodcunque petit
S/he attains whatever s/he attempts

consilio et animis
By wisdom and courage

consilio et prudentia
By wisdom and prudence

consilio manuque
By strategem and manual labor

consilio, non impetu
By deliberation, no impulse

constantia et virtute
By firmness andcourage

consuetudo est altera lex
Custom is another law

consuetudo pro lege servatur
Custom is held as the law

consuetudo quasi altera natura
Habit is second nature (Cicero)

consule Planco
In the consulship of Planco, i.e., in the good old days (Horace)

consummatum est
It is completed/finished (Christ's words on the cross)

coninuetur remedia
Let the medicine be continued

contra bonos mores
Contrary to good morals

contradictio in adiecto
Contradiction in terms

contra ius commune
Against common law

contra formam statuti
Against the form of the statute

contra ius gentium
Against the law of nations

contra mores
Contrary to morals

contra mundum
Against the world (i.e., an unpopular position)

contra naturam
Against nature

contra negantem principia non est disputandum
There is no disputing against one who denies the first principles

contra pacem
Against the peace

contraria contrariis curantur
Opposites are cured by opposites

copia fandi
Abundance of talk

copia verborum
Abundance of words

coram
Before [someone]; in the presence of

coram domino rege
Before our lord and king

coram iudice
In the presence of a judge with jurisdiction

coram nobis
Before us, in our presence

coram non iudice
Before a judge without proper jurisdiction

coram paribus
Before equals, before one's peers

coram populo
In the presence of the people

corona lucis
Crown of light; a large chandelier

corpora lente augescent cito extinguuntur
Bodies grow slowly and die quickly (Tacitus)

cornu copiae
The horn of plenty; abundance

corpus
The body; collection of law or writings

Corpus Christi
feast of the Body of Christ; Holy Eucharist

corpus delicti
Body of the crime; objective proof of crime

corpus iuris
Body of law

Corpus Juris Canonici
Body of religious law

Corpus Juris Civilis
Body of civil law

corpus omnis Romani iuris
Compendium of Roman laws

corpus sine pectore
A body without a soul

corpus vile
Worthless matter

corrigendum
Something to be corrected (pl. corrigenda)

corruptio optimi pessima
The curruption of the best is the worst

corruptisima re publica plurimae leges
In the most corrupt state are the most laws (Terence)

cor unum, via una
One heart, one way

cos ingeniorum
A whetstone for the wits

crambe repetita
Warmed-over cabbage (stale repetitions)

cras
tomorrow

cras credemus, hodie nihil
tomorrow we believe, but not today

cras mane
Tomorrow morning

cras mane sumendus
To be taken tomorrow morning

cras mihi
My turn [is] tomorrow

cras nocte
Tomorrow night

crassa negligentia
Gross negligence, criminal negligence

cras vespere
Tomorrow evening

credat Judaeus Apella
let Apella the Jew believe it (I won't) (Horace)

crede Deo
Trust in God

credendum
Things to be believed, articles of faith

crede quod habes, et habes
Believe that you have it, and you do

credite posteri
Believe it, future generations (Horace)

Credo
I believe; the apostles' (Nicene) Creed

credo quia absurdum est
I believe it because it is absurd

credo quia impossible est
I believe it because it is impossible

credo ut intelligam
I believe so that I may understand

credula res amore est
Love is a credulous thing (Ovid)

crescat scientia, vita excolatur
Let knowledge increase, let life be perfected (motto of the University of Chicago)

crescit amornummi quantum ipsa pecunia crescit
The love of money grows as our wealth increases (Juvenal)

crescite et multiplicamini
Increase and multiply (motto of Maryland)

crescit eundo
It grows as it goes (motto of New Mexico)

crescit sub pondere virtus
Virtue grows under oppression

crecitur amor nummi quantum ipsa pecunia crevit
The richer you beome the more youlove money (Juvenal)

crescentem sequitur cura pecuniam maiorumque fames
As money crows, care follows it and the hunger for more (Virgil)

cribro aquam haurire
To draw water in a sieve

crimen
Crime; criminal

crimen falsi
Crime of falsification; perjury

crimen innominatum
Nameless crime; crime against nature

crimem laesae maiestatis
Crime of high treason

cruce, dum spiro, fido
while I breathe, I trust the cross

cruce signati
Marked with a cross; the Crusaders

crux
Cross

crux ansata
A T-shaped cross with a loop at the top

crux commissa
The tau cross

crux criticorum
The puzzle of the critics

crux decussata
X-shaped cross of St. Andrew or St. Patrick

crux medicorum
The puzzle of doctors

crux mihi ancora
The cross is my anchor

crux spes unica
The cross is the only hope (motto of Notre Dame University)

crux stellata
The cross with stars on its arms

cucullus non facit monachum
The cowl does not make the monk

cui bono?
Whom will it benefit? Who stands to gain?

cui fortuna ipsa cedit To whom fortune herself yields (Cicero)

cuilibet in arte sua perito credendum est
Every skilled man is to be trusted in his own art

cui malo?
Whom will it harm?

cui placet obliviscitur, cui dolet meminit
We forget our pleasures, we remember our sufferings (Cicero)

cuique suum
To each his own

cuius
Of which

cuicus regio eius religio
He who owns the region, his is the religion

cuius libet
Of any that you please

cuius vis hominis est errare
It is natural for any man to make a mistake (Cicero)

culpa
Fault

culpae poenae par esto
Let the punishment fit the crime

culpa lata
Gross negligence

culpa levis
Ordinary negligence

culpam poena premit comes
Punishment presses hard onto the heels of crime(Horace)

cum
With

cum bona venia
With good favour

cum grano salis
With a grain of salt

cum laude
With praise; with distinction

cum multis aliis
With many others

cum notis variorum
With the notes of various critics

cum onere
With the burden [of proving a charge]

cum privilegio
With privilege; an authorized edition

cum tacent clamant
When they are silent, they cry out (Cicero)

cuneus cuneum trudit
A wedge drives a wedge

cupiditas ex homine, cupido ex stulto numquam tollitur
A man can be cured of his lust, but a fool can never be cured of his greed

cupido dominandi cunctis adfectibus flagrentior est
The lust for power inflames the heart more than any other passion (Tacitus)

curae level loquuntur, ingentes stupent
Slight griefs talk, great ones are speechless

cura facit canos
Care brings grey hairs

Cur ante tubam tremor occupat artus?
Why should fear seize the limbs before the trumpet sounds? (Virgil)

curia
A court of law

curia advisari vult
The court wishes to be advised

curia Domini
The Lord's court

curia regis
The king's court

curiosa felicitas
Painstaking spontaneity (Petronius)

currente calamo
With the pen running on; an afterthought

curriculum vitae
The courts of one's life; an academic resume

currus bovem trahit
The cart draws the ox

cursus curiae est lex curiae
The practice of the court is the law of the court

cursus honorum
Course of honours leading to a high position

curta supellex
Meager stock of furniture (Knowledge)

custodia legis
In the custody of law

custos
Guardian

custos morum
Guardian of the manners

custos incorruptissiumus
An incurruptible guardian

custos rotularum
Guardian of the rolls; justice of the peace

cyathus
Glassful

cyathus vinosus
Glassful of wine

cras amet qui nunquam amavit; quique amavit, cras amet
May he love tomorrow who has never loved before;
And may he who has loved, love tomorrow as well

cum grano salis
With a grain of salt

curae leves loquuntur ingentes stupent
Slight griefs talk, great ones are speechless (minor losses can be talked away, profound ones strike us dumb)

carpe diem
Seize the day (enjoy the present day)

casus belli
That which causes or justifies war (reason for war, grounds for a dispute)

ceteris paribus
Other things being equal

compos mentis
Of sound mind (sane)

corum populo
In the presence of the public

corpus delicti
The substance of the crime of offence

cui bono
To whose advantage is it - who is the gainer

Cito fit quod dei volunt.
What the gods want happens soon.

- D -

2006-10-24T13:19:00.002-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: D

dabit deushis quoque finem
God will bring an end to this (Virgil)

dabit qui dedit
S/he who has given once will give [again]

da fidei quae fidei sunt
Give to faith that which belongs to faith

da locum melioribus
Give way to your betters (Terence)

damna minus consulta movent
Losses to which we are accustomed affect us less deeply (Juvenal)

damnant quodnon intelligunt
They condemn what they do not understand

damnosa hereditas
Inheritance of damnation, ruinous legacy

damnum absque iniuria
Loss without injury, not subject to remedy

dante Deo
By the gift of God

dapes inemptae
Unbought feasts; homegrown produce

dare pondus idonea fumo
Fit only to give weight to smoke (Persius)

data et accepta
Things given and received; expenses and income

data fata secutus
Following what is decreed by fate (Virgil)

dat, donat, dicat
S/he gives, devotes, dedicates

date et dabitur vobis
Give and it shall be given unto you (the Vulgate translation of the Bible)

date obolum Belisario
Give a penny to Belisarius

dat veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas
The censures indulge the crows but harass the doves (Juvenal)

Davus sum, non Oedipus
I am Davus, not Oedipus (Terence)

de aequitate
In equity

de ambitu
In bribery

de asini umbra disceptare
To argue about the shadow of an ass (Disareli)

de auditu
From hearsay

De Beata Vita
On the Good Life (St. Augustine)

debellare superbos
To overthrow the proud (Virgil)

de bene esse
Subject to conditions or provisions

debitum
Debt

debitum naturae
Debt of nature (death)

de bona memoria
Of good memory (of a sound mind)

de bonis asportatis
Of the goods carried away

de bonis non administratis
Of the goods not yet administered

de bonis propriis
Out of his own goods

de bono et malo
Of good and bad; come what may

de bono gestu
For good behaviour

decani
To be sung by the dean (antiphonal music)

decanus
Dean; having supervision over ten people

decanta
Pour off

deceptio visus
A deception of vision; an optical illusion

decessit sine prole (DSP)
Died without children

decies repetita placebit
Though ten times repeated, it will continue to please (Horace)

decipimur specie rectie
We are deceived by the semblance of what is right (Horace)

decipi quam fallere est tutius
It is safer to be deceived than to deceive

decipi frons prima multos
The first appearance deceives many

De Civitate Dei
On the City of God (St. Augustine)

de claro die
By the light of day

decori decus addit avito
He adds honor to the ancestral honor

decretum
A decree; a mandate

decubitus
Lying down

decus et tutamen
Honour and defense

de die in diem
From day to day; continuously

de duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum
Of two evils, always choose the lesser one (Thomas à Kempis)

de facto
Existing by fact

defectus sanguinis
Failure to issue

deficit omne quod nasciture
Everything that is born passes away (Quintillan)

de fide
Of faith

de fide et officio iudicis non recipitur quaestio
No question can be allowed concerning the faith and duty of the judge

definitum
A thing defined

de fumo in flammam
Out of the smoke into the flame

degeneres animos timor arguit
Fear betrays ignoble souls

de gratia
By favour

de gustibus non est disputandum
In matters of taste, there is no argument

Dei gratia
By the grace of God

Dei iudicium
By the judgement of God

de integro
From the beginning; one more time

dei penates
Guardians of the household (household gods)

Dei plena sunt omnia
All things are full of God

Dei Sponsa
The Bride of God (poem by Patmore)

Dei sub numine viget
It flourishes under the will of God (motto of Princeton University)

delenta est Carthago
Carthage must be destroyed (Cato the Elder)

deliciae humani generis
The delight of mankind (Emperor Titus)

delictum
Offense

delineavit
S/he drew it

delirium tremens
Alcoholic distress; delusions and trembling

delphinum natare doces
You are teaching a dolphin to swim

delphinum silvis appingit, fluctibus aprum
He portrays a dolphin in the wods anda wild boar on the waves (Horace)

de lunatico inquiriendo
A writ to inquire into the insanity of a person

dementia
Insanity

dementia a potu
Insanity from drinking

dementia praecox
Insanity in adolescence

deme supercilio nubem
Remove the cloud from you brow

de minimis
Of the most insignificant things

de minimis non curat lex
The law does not concern itself with trifles

de mortuis nil nisi bonum
Of the dead [say] nothing but good (Horace)

de nihilo nihil
Nothing comes from nothing (Persius)

denique caelum
Heaven at last (battle cry of the Crusaders)

denique non omnes eadem mirantur amantque
All men do not admire and love the same things (Horace)

de novo
New, fresh, renewed, to begin again

dente lupus, cornu taurus petit
The wolf attackswith his teeth, the bull with his horns (Horace)

dente superbo
With a disdainful tooth (Horace)

dentur tales doses
Give of such doses

Deo adjuvante non timendum
God helping, nothing should be feared

Deo date
Give to God

deo dignus vindice nodus
A knot worthy of god to untie

Deo duce
With God as my leader

Deo duce, ferro comitante
With God as my leader and my sword as my companion

Deo et regi fidelis
Faithful to God and king

Deo favente
With God's favour

Deo gratias (D.G,)
Thanks be to God

Deo juvante
With God's help (motto of Monaco)

de omnibus rebus et quibusdam aliis
Concerning all things andcertain other matters (circumlocution)

de omni rescibili et quibusdam aliis
Concerning everything knowable and a few other things besides

Deo Optimo Maximo (D.O.M.)
For God, the best and greatest (motto of the Benedictines)

Deo, patriae, amicis
For God, motherland, and friends

deorum cibus est
It is food for the gods

deos enim religuos accepimus, Caesares dedimus
The gods were handed down to us, but we created the Caesars (i.e., the rulers) ourselves

dei fortioribus adsunt
The gods aid the stronger (Tacitus)

Deo volente (D.V.)
God willing

de pilo pendet
It hangs by a hair (reaching a critical stage)

de plano
With ease, without difficulty

de praesenti
For the present

deprendi miserum est
It is wretched tobe detected

De Profundis
From the depths; out of despair (Psalm 130)

de proprio motu
Of one's own motion (spontaneouly)

de rubus
Of things

De Rerum Natura
On the Nature of Things (Lucretius)

desideratum
A thing much desired or needed

Desideria
Longings (poem by Wordsworth)

designatum
That which is designated

desinit in piscem mulier formosa superne
A woman, beautiful above, with a fish's tail (Horace)

desipere in loco
It is sweet to relax at the proper time (Horace)

desuetudo
disuse, no longer active

desunt cetera
The rest of things is lacking; the remainder is lacking

desunt multa
Many things are lacking

de te fabula narratur
The story is told about you (Horace)

de tempore in tempus
From time to time

detur aliquando otium quesque fessis
Let ease and rest be sometimes granted to the weary (Seneca)

detur digniori
Let it be given to the more worthy

detur pulchriori
Let it be given to the more beautiful

Deum cole, regem serva
Worship God and serve the king

Deus avertat
God forbid

Deus det
God grant

Deus est regit qui omnia
There is a God who rules all things

Deus est summum bonum
God is the chief good

deus ex machina
god from a machine (a person who intervenes to solve a problem at the last minute)

Deus gubernat navem
God steers the ship

Deus lux Mea
God is my light (motto of the Catholic University of America)

Deus misereatur
May God have mercy (Psalm 67)

Deus nobiscum, quis contra?
God is with us, who can be against us?

Deus nobis fiducia
God is our trust (motto of George Washington University)

deus nobis haec otia fecit
God has brought for us this repose (Virgil)

Deus providebit
God will provide

Deus tecum
May God be with you (singular)

Deus vobiscum
May God be with you (plural)

Deus vult
God wills it (motto of the First Crusade)

de verbo in verbum
Word for word

de verborum signifacatione
On the significance of words

dextras dare
To give right hands (to shake hands)

dextro tempore
At the right time (Horace)

dicamus bona verba
Let us speak words of good omen (Terence)

dic bona fice
Tell me in good faith (Plautus)

dicere quae puduit, scribere iussit amor
What [modesty] forbade me to say, love has commanded me to write (Ovide)

dicitur
It is said (they say)

dictis facta suppetant
Let deeds correspond to words

dictum ac factum
[No sooner] said than done

dictum de dicto
Report upon hearsay

dictum de omni et nullo
Maxim of all and nothing

dictum sapienti sat est
A word of the wise is sufficient

diebus alternis
Every other day

diebus tertiis
Every third day

diem ex die
Day by day (continuously)

diem perdidi
I have lost (wasted) a day (Emperor Titus)

dies
Day, daily
Lunae
Monday
Martis
Tuesday
Mercurii
Wednesday
Iovis
Thursday
Veneris
Friday
Saturni
Saturday
Dominica
Sunday

dies a quo
Day from which

dies datus
A given day

dies dominicus
The Lord's day

dies faustus
A day bringing good fortune; auspicious day

dies infaustus
A day bringing bad fortune; an unlucky day

Dies Irae
Day of Wrath (hymn for the Requiem Mass)

dies juridicus
A day on which the court is in session

dies non
A day on which no business can be transacted

dies non juridicus
A day on which the court is not in session

difficiles nugae
Laborious trifles (Martial)

difficilia quae pulchra
Things that are excellent are difficult

digito monstrari
To be pointed out with fingers (Persius)

dignus vindice nodus
A knot worthy of such a liberator (Horace)

di (also dii)
gods (singular: deus)

di immortales virtutem approbare, non adhibere debent
We may expect the gods to approve virtue, but not to endow us with it

di maiores
The greater gods; men of eminence

di meliora
Heaven send us better times

dimidium facti qui coepit habet
He who has begun has the work half done (Horace)

dimidius
One-half

di minores
The lesser gods; men of lesser merit

di penates
The household gods

di pia facta vident
The gods see virtuous deeds (Ovid)

dirige nos Domine
Direct us, O Lord

dirigo
I direct (motto of the state of Maine)

diruit, aedificat, mutat quadrata rotundis
He pulls down, he builds up, he changes square things to round (Horace)

dis aliter visum
The gods thought otherwise (Virgil)

disce pati
Learn to endure

discere et docere
To learn and to teach

discere docendo
To learn through teaching

disciplina praesidium civitatis
Instruction is the safeguard of the state (motto of the University of Texas)

dis ducibus
Under the direction of the gods

disiecta membra
Scattered limbs; fragments of a work

disiecta membra poetae
Limbs of the dismembered poet (Horace)

dispendia morae
Loss of time (Virgil)

disputandi pruritus ecclesiarum scabies
An itch for disputation is the incurable disease of the church

ditat Deus
God enriches (motto of the US state of Arizona)

dives agris, dives positis in faenore nummis
rich in lands, rich in money lent out at interest (Horace)

divide in partes aequales
Divide into equal parts

divide et impera
Divide and rule or
Divide and conquer or
Divide in order to conquer

divide et regna
Divide and rule (Michiavelli)

divina natura dedit agros, ars humana aedificavit urbes
Divine nature gave us the fields, human skill built the cities (Terence)

divinae particula aurae
Particle of divine spirit (Horace)

divitiae virum faciunt
Riches make the man

dixi
I have spoken (I will say no more)

docendo discitur
One learns by teaching docendo

discimus
We learn by teaching

doce ut discas
Teach in order to learn

doctor utriusque legis
Doctor of both laws (canon and civil)

doctus cum libro
Learned with a book (having book learning)

doctus cum multis libris
Learned with many books (a polymath)

dolium volvitur
An empty cask is easily rolled

dolus
Deceit; fraud

dolus bonus
Permissable deceit

dolus malus
Unlawful deceit

Domine, dirige nos
Lord, direct us (motto of London)

Dominica palmarum
Palm Sunday

dominium eminens
Eminent domain

Domino Optimo Maximo (D.O.M)
To the Lord, best and greatest

Dominus
The Lord

Dominus illuminatio mea
The Lord is my light (motto of the University Oxford, England)

Dominus providebit
The Lord will provide

Dominus vobiscum
May the Lord be with you

domus et placens uxor
A home and a pleasing wife (Horace)

Domus Procerum
The House of Lords

donec eris felix, multos numerabis amicos
As long as you are fortunate, you will have many friends

dono dedit
S/he gives a gift

dormitat Homerus
[even] Homer sleeps

do ut des
I give so that you may give

do ut facias
I give so that you may do

dramatis personae
List of characters in a play

duabus sellis sedere
To sit in two saddles (to wear two hats)

duas tantum res anxius optat, panem et circenses
Two things only do the people earnestly desire, bread and the circus (Juvenal)

duces tecum
You shall bring it with you (subpoena)

ducit amor patriae
The love of country leads [me]

ductus
Style; manner

ductus figuratus
Figurative or indirect style

ductus simplex
Straightforward or simple style

ductus subtilis
Subtle or deceiving style

ducunt volentem fata, nolentem trahunt
Fate leads the willing soul, but drags along the unwilling one (Seneca)

dulce bellum inexpertis
War is sweet to those who have never fought

dulce est desipere in loco
It is sweet to relax at the proper time

dulce et decorum est pro patria mori
It is sweet and proper to die for one's country

dulce quod utile
What is useful is sweet

dulces moriens reminiscitur Argos
As he dies, he remembers his beloved Argos (Virgil)

dulce sodalicium
Sweet companionship; pleasant association

dulcis amor patriae
Sweet is the love of one's country

dulcis domus
Sweet home

dum
While; on condition that...

dum docent, discunt
While they teach, they learn (Seneca)

dum fortuna fuit
While fortune lasted

dum inter homines sumus, colamus humanitatem
So long as we live along human beings, let us cherish humanity (Seneca)

dum loquimor fugerit invida aetas
Even as we speak, time speeds swiftly away (Horace)

dum loquor, hora fugit
Time is flying while I speak (Ovid)

dum solus
While single

dum spiro, spero
While I breathe, I hope (a motto of South Carolina)

dum tacent clamant
Though they are silent, they cry aloud

dum vita est spes est
While there's life, there's hope

dum vitant stulti vitia in contraria currunt
In shunning vices, fools run to the oposite extreme (Horace)

dum vivimus, vivamus
While we live, let us live

duplici spe uti
To have a double hope

dura lex sed lex
The law is hard, but it is the law

durante
During

durante absentia
During [someone's] absense

durante bene placito
During good pleasure; as long as one wishes

durante dolore
While pain lasts

durante minore aetate
During minority; at an early age; while one is young

durante vita
During one's life

durate et vosmet rebus servate secundis
Carry on and preserve yourselvesfor better times (Virgil)

durum hoc est sed ita lex scripta est
This is harsh but the law is written

dux femina facti
A woman was the leader in the deed (Virgil)

dux gregis
Leader of the flock de duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum
Of two evils, the lesser is always to be chosen (choose the lesser of two evils)

de minimis non curat praetor/ de minimis non curat lex
A praetor/law does not concern himself with petty matters/with very small matters (don't bother me with small matters)

dura lex sed lex
The law is hard, but it is the law

diligentia maximum etiam mediocris ingeni subsidium
Diligence is a very great help even to a mediocre intelligence.

difficile est tenere quae acceperis nisi exerceas
It is difficult to retain what you may have learned unless you should practise it.

de gustibus non disputandum
One ought not argue about tastes/ there is no arguing about tastes

de facto
From the fact actual or actually

de jure
In law /by right

de mortuis nil nisi bonum
Speak nothing but good of the dead

de novo
Anew

deo volente
God willing

de profundis
Out of our depths

dramatis personae
Characters of the play

di te incolumem custodiant
May the Gods guard your safety (an official good-bye phrase)

- E -

2006-10-24T13:19:00.001-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: E

ecce
behold

ecce agnus Dei
behold the Lamb of God

ecce homo
behold the man (Christ in crown of thorns)

ecce quam bonum
behold how good (Psalm 133)

ecce quomodo moritur
behold the way of death

ecce signum
behold the sign; here is the proof

e contra
on the other hand

e contrario
on the contrary

editio cum notis variorum
an edition with notes of various writers

editio cum privilegio
a licensed and authorized edition of a book

editio princeps
first printed edition of a text

editio vulgata
the common edition for the majority

effectus sequitur causam
the effect follows the cause

effugere non potes necessitates, potes vincere
you cannot escape necessities, but you can overcome them (Seneca)

e flamma petere cibum ego et rex meus
to snatch food out of the flame (Terence)

ego et rex meus
my king and I (Cardinal Wolsey)

egomet mihi ignosco
I myself pardon myself (Horace)

ego spem pretio non emo
I do not purchase hope for a price (Terence)

eheu, fugaces labuntur anni
alas, the fleeting years go by (Horace)

ei incumbit probatio qui dicit non qui negat
the proof lies upon the one who affirms, not the one who denies

ejectamenta
ejected matter, worthless items

ejusdem farinae
of the same flour; persons of the same nature

ejusdem generis
of the same kind; of the same class

elapso tempore
the time having elapsed

elephantem ex musca facis
you are making an elephant out of a fly

elixir vitae
elixir of life

emeritus
one having served his time

emollit mores nee sinit esse feros
it makes gentle the character and does not allow it to be unrefined (Ovid)

empta dolore experientia docet
experience teaches when bought with pain

emptor
buyer, purchaser

emulsio
an emulsion

e necessitate
from necessity; having no alternative

enim vero di nos quasi pilas homines habent
the gods use mortals as their playthings

ens a se
a being in itself

Ens Entium
the Supreme Being

ense et aratro
with sword and plow

ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem
by the sword she seeks peaceful repose under liberty (motto of Massachusetts)

ens legis
a creature of the law

ens rationis
rational being

ens realissimum
the most real being

entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem
things are not to be multiplied unless necessary (Occam's Razor)

eo animo
with that intention

eo instante
at that moment

eo ipso
by that itself; by that fact

eo loco
at that very place

eo nomine
under the name

Epicuri de grege porcus
a hog from the grove of Epicurus; an exquisite meal (Horace)

e pluribus unum
one out of many (motto of the United States)

epulis accumbere divis
to recline at the feasts of the gods (Virgil)

e re nata
under the present circumstance

ergo
therefore

eripuit caelo fulmen sceptrumque tyrannis
he snatched the thunderbolt from heaven and the sceptor from tyrants (Benjamin Franklin)

errare est humanum
to err is human (Alexander Pope)

erratum
an error in printing or writing (pi. errata)

erubuit, salva res est
he blushed, the affair is safe (Terence)

eruditio et religio
learning and religion (motto of Duke University)

esse
to be; being; existence

esse est percipi
to be is to be perceived (Bishop Berkeley)

esse quam videri
to be rather than to seem (motto of North Carolina)

esse quam videri bonus malebat
he preferred to be good rather than to merely seem good (Sallust)

esse quid
to be; being thus so

est ars etiam male dicendi
there is an art even to malediction

est autem vis legem simulans
violence may also simulate the law

est brevitate opus, ut currat sententia
terseness is needed so that the thought may run free (Horace)

est deus in nobis
there is a god within us (Ovid)

est et fideli tuta silentio merces
loyalty has its reward secure (Horace)

est modus in rebus
there is a proper measure in things (Horace)

esto perpetua
may she live forever (motto of Idaho)

esto perpetuum
let it be everlasting

esto quod esse videris
be what you seem to be

est quaedam flere voluptas
there is a certain pleasure in crying (Ovid)

est unusquisque faber ipsae suae fortunae
every one is the creator of his own fortune

et alia; et alii (et al.)
and other things; and other people

et alibi
and elsewhere

et campose ubi Troia fruit
and the plains where Troy once was (Virgil)

et cetera (etc.)
and the rest; and so forth

et cum spiritu tuo
and with your spirit

et decus et pretium recti
both the ornament and reward of virtue

et discere et rerum exquire re causas
both to learn and to investigate the causes of things (motto of Georgia)

et ego in Arcadia
and I too (Death) have been in Arcadia

E Tenebris
Out of the Darkness (poem by Oscar Wilde)

et genus et formam regina pecunia donat
money, like the queen, gives them both rank and beauty (Horace

et genus et virtus, nisi cum re, vilior alga est
without substance, honor and valor are more worthless than seaweed (Horace)

et hoc genus omne
and everything of the kind

etiam atque etiam again and again

etiam peribant ruinae
even the ruins have perished (Lucan)

etiam sapientibus cupido gloriae novissima exuitur
the desire for glory is the last infirmity to be cast off even by the wise (Tacitus)

et id genus omne
and everything of the kind

et mihi res, non me rebus subjungere conor
I suit life to myself, not myself to life (Horace)

et nos quoque tela sparsimus
we too have hurled weapons

et nunc et semper
now and always

et passim
and everywhere; scattered thought

et sceleratis sol oritur
the sun shines even on the wicked (Seneca)

et sequens (et seq.)
and the following

et sic de ceteris
and so the rest

et sic de similibus
and so of similar things (or people)

et sic fecit
and he or she did so

et tollens vacuum plus nimio Gloria verticem
Vain glory, who lifts her proud head too high

et uxor (et ux.)
and wife

eventus stultorum magister
the result is the instructor of fools (Livy)

ex abrupto
without preparation

ex abundante cautela
from excessive caution

ex abundantia
out of the abundance

ex abusu non arguitur in usum
from the abuse of a thing there is no arguing against its use

ex acervo
out of a heap

ex adverso
from the opposite side

ex aequo et bono
according to justice and right

ex animo
from the heart; sincerely

ex auctoritate commissa
by virtue of my authority

ex bona fide
out of one's honor; from good faith

ex capite
out of the head; from memory

ex cathedra
from the seat; a position of authority

excelsior
ever higher (motto of the State of New York)

exceptio probat regulam de rebus non exceptis
the exception proves the rule as to things not excepted

exceptis exicipiendibus
things excluded which should be excluded

excerpta
selections or excerpts

excitari, non hebescere
to be excited, not dull

ex commodo
from convenience

ex concesso
from what has been conceded

ex contractu
matter arising out of a contract

excudit
he or she cast it

ex curia
from the court

ex delicto
matter arising out of the crime

ex dono
by gift of; donated by

ex dono Dei
by the gift of Cod

exeat
he or she may go out; allowing student to be absent

exegi monumentum aere perennius
I have raised a monument more durable than bronze (Horace)

exempla sunt odiosa
examples are odious

exempli gratia (e.g.)
odious for the sake of example

exemplum exequatur
sample; copy; model it may be executed

exeunt
they go out; the players leave the stage

exeunt omnes
all the players leave the stage

exercitatio optimus es magister
practice is the best teacher

ex facie
from the face of

ex facto
from the fact or act

ex facto jus oritur
the law arises out of the fact

ex fide fortis
strength through faith

ex granis fit acervus
many grains make a heap

ex gratia
as an act of grace; out of one's favor

exhibeatur
let it be given

exit
he or she goes out; player leaves the stage

exitus acta probat
the end justifies the means (Ovid)

ex lege
arising from the law

ex libris
from the library of (used on bookplates)

exlonginquo
from a distance

ex malis moribus bonae leges natae sunt
from bad usages, good laws have been born

ex mera gratia
through mere favor

ex mero motu
our of simple impulse; spontaneously

ex modo praescripto
as directed

ex more
according to custom

ex natura rei
from the nature of things

ex necessitate rei
from the necessity of the case

ex nihilo
from nothing

ex nihilo nihil fit
from nothing, nothing can be made (Lucretius)

ex officio
by virtue of one's office

Ex Ore Infantium
Out of the Mouth of Babies (Francis Thompson)

ex ore parvulorum veritas
out of the mouth of little children (comes) truth

exorire alquis nortis ex ossibus ultor
rise up from my dead bones, avenger (Virgil)

ex parte
from one side only; partisan

ex pede Herculem
to measure Hercules from his foot; from the sample we are able to estimate the whole

expende Hannibalem
weigh (the dust of) Hannibal (Juvenal)

experientia docet
experience teaches

experientia docet stultos
experience teaches fools

experimentum crucis
a crucial experiment

experto credito
trust in one who has experience

expertus metuit
having had experience, he is afraid (Horace)

explicit
it ends here

explorant adversa viros
misfortune tries men

ex post facto
after the fact; in retrospect

expressio unius est exclusio alterius
the expression of one thing excludes others

expressis verbis
in express terms

ex professo
in an open manner

ex proposito
of a set purpose; by design

ex propriis
from one's own resources

ex proprio motu
of one's own accord; voluntarily

ex quocunque capite
for whatever reason

ex relatione
reason upon relation or report

ex tacito
in a tacit manner

ex tempore
spontaneously, without preparation

ex silentio
in consequence of no contrary evidence

exinctus amabitur idem
the same one will be loved after he's dead

extortor bonorum legumque contortor
one who extorts good citizens and twists the laws (Terence)

extra modum
beyond measure

extra muros
beyond the walls

extra pecuniam non est vita
without money there is no life

ex turpi causa non oritur actio
no immoral matter can lead to a legal action

ex ungue leonem
from the claw (we may judge) a lion; from a sample we may judge the whole

ex uno disce omnes
from one, learn of all; deductive reasoning

eiurare patriam
to renounce one's country

ex usu
of use; advantageous

ex vi termini
from the force of the term

ex voluntate
as a volunteer, without obligation

ex voto
out of a vow; in pursuance of a vow

exegi monumentum aere perennius
I have raised a monument more durable than bronze (from Horace's Odes)

exitus acta probat
The result validates the deeds.

ejustden generis
Of the same kind

e pluribus unum
One out of many

et tu brute
And you too Brutus (Caesar's last words, actually were said in Greek)

ex curia
Out of court

exempli gratia
By way of example

- F -

2006-10-24T13:18:00.000-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: F

fabas indulcet fames
hunger sweetens beans

faber est quisque fortunae suae
every man is architect of his own fortune

fabula
a comedy or farce

fabula Atellana
Atellan farce

fabula crepidata
Roman tragedy based upon Creek models

fabulae amatoriae
love stories, often with tragic plots

fabulae palliatae
cloak comedy, as of Plautus and Terence

facere sacramentum
to take an oath

facere totum
to do everything

facies non omnibus una nec diversa tamen
the features are not the same in all respects, nor are they different (Ovid)

facile est inventis addere
it is easy to add to things already invented

facile largire de alieno
it is easy to be generous with things of another person

facile omnes quom valemus recta consilia aegrotis damus
when we are healthy, we all have advice for those who are sick

facile princeps
easily first; number one in the field

facilis descensus Averno
the descent to hell is easy (Virgil)

facilius est multa facere quam diu
it is easier to do many things than to do one thing for a long time

facinus quos inquinant aequat
guilt equates all who share in guilt

facio ut des
I do so that you may give

facio ut facias
I do so that you may do

facit indignatio versum
indignation produces verse (Juvenal)

facta armorum
facts of arms

fact non verba
deeds not words; action not speeches

facta sunt potentiora verbis
facts are more powerful than words

factotum
one who does everything; handyman

factum est
it is done, it is complete

factum infectum fieri nequit
a thing done cannot be undone

factum probandum
the fact of a case to be proved

factum probans
facts tending to prove other facts

fac ut sciam
make me know; make me aware

faenum habet in cornu, longe fuge
he has hay on his horn, keep your distance (reference to a charging bull) (Horace)

faex populi
the dregs of the people; the rabble (Cicero)

fallacia consequentis
fallacy of the consequence

fallentis semitia vitae
the narrow path of a private life (Horace)

falsa demonstratio
false designation; erroneous description

falsa lectio
false reading; erroneous interpretation

falsi crimem
the crime of falsification

falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus
false in one thing, false in everything

fama clamosa
noisy rumor; public scandal

fama mala quo non aliud velocius ullum
there is nothing swifter than an evil rumor (Virgil)

famam extendere factis
to make known his fame by deeds (Virgil)

fama nihil est celerius
nothing is switter than a rumor

fama semper vivat
may his or her good name live forever

fama volat
rumor flies (i.e., travels fast) (adapted from Virgil)

fames optimum condimentum
hunger is the best seasoning

familiares regis
persons of the king's household

famosus libellus
a slanderous or libelous letter

farrago libelli
miscellaneous contents of a book

fari quae sentiat
to say what one feels (Horace)

fas est et ab hoste doceri
it is right to learn even from an enemy

fasti
calendar of events

fasti et nefasti dies

Fata obstant
the Fates willed otherwise

Fata viam invenient
the Fates will find a way

Fata volentem docunt, nolentem trahunt
the Fates lead the willing and drag those who are unwilling

fatua mulier
a foolish woman; a prostitute

favete linguis
favor with your tongue; say nothing bad lest you displease the gods (Horace)

fax mentis incendium gloriae
the passion for glory is fire for the mind

fecit
he or she made it

felicitas habet multos amicos
prosperity has many friends

feliciter
happily; fortunately

felix culpa
fortunate fault

felix qui nihil debet
happy is he who owes nothing

felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas
fortunate is he who understands the causes of things (Virgil)

felo de se
one who kills himself doing an illegal act

ferae naturae
wild beasts; undomesticated animals

fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt
men readily believe what they want to believe (Julius Caesar)

ferrea non venerem sed praedam saecula laudant
the iron age celebrates not love but the acquisition of material possessions

fervens
boiling

fervens difficili bile tumet iecur
my liver (seat of passion) swells with burning wrath (Horace)

fervet opus
the work boils (Virgil)

fessus viator
tired traveler

festina lente
make haste slowly (Emperor Augustus)

fiat
let it be made

fiat Dei voluntas
may God's will be done

fiat experimentum in corpore
let one experiment on a body

fiat haustus
let a draught be made let

fiat justitia
let justice be done

fiat justitia, ruat caelum
let justice be done, even though the heavens fall

fiat lux
let there be light (Genesis)

fiat mixtura
let a mixture be made

fiat potio
let a portion be made

fiat voluntas tua
Thy will be done (Gospel of Matthew)

ficta voluptatis causa sint proxima veris
fictions should approximate the truth in order to please

fictilia
pottery

fictilis
made of pottery

fictio cedit veritati
fiction yields to the truth

fide et amore
by faith and love

fide et fortitudine
by fidelity and fortitude

fidei est coticula crux
the Cross is the touchstone of faith

Fidei Defensor (F.D.)
defender of faith (motto of the sovereigns of England since I lenry VIII)

fideli certa merces
to the faithful, reward is certain

fidelis ad urnam
faithful to the urn; faithful until death

fideliter
faithfully

fide, non armis
by faith, not by arms

fides ante intellectum
faith before understanding

fides, sed cui vide
trust, but watch out to whom

fides et justitia
faith and justice

fides et veritas
faith and truth

fides facit fidem
faith creates faith

fides non timet
faith does not fear

fides probata coronat
approved faith confers a crown

fides Punica
Punic faith; treacherous

fides servanda est
faith must be kept

fidus Achates
faithful companion (Virgil)

fidus et audax
faithful and courageous

fieri facias
writ authorizing execution of a judgment

figura causae
stylistic pattern of a speech

filius
a son

filius est pars patris
a son is part of the father

filius nullius
son of nobody; bastard

filius populi
son of the people

filius terrae
son of the earth; a serf

finem respice
look to the end; consider the end

finis coronat opus fit via vi flagrante bello flagrante delicto
the end crowns the work a way is made by force in the midst of the war in the heat of the crime

flamma fumo est proxima
fire is very close to smoke __

fortes fortuna iuvat
Fortune favours the brave

fortiter in re, suaviter in modo
Resolute/unhesitant in action, gentle in manner.

fallaces sunt rerum species
The appearances of things are deceptive.

favete linguis
Favour me with your tongues (be silent)

flat justitia ruat coelum
Let justice be done through the heavens fall

flat lux
Let there be light

fidei defensor
Defender of the faith

flagrante delicto
The very act

floreat
Let it flourish

fons et origo
The source and origin

fortasse
Maybe

- G -

2006-10-24T13:17:00.002-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: G

gaudeamus igitur
So let us rejoice

gloria in excelsis
Glory to god in the highest

- H -

2006-10-24T13:17:00.001-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: H

hic et ubique
Here and everywhere

hic jacet
Here lies

hinc illae lacrimae
Hence come those tears

hoc genus omne
And all that sort of people

honoris causa
For the sake of honour

- I -

2006-10-24T13:16:00.002-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: I

ignis internum
The fire within

ipsa scientia potestas est
Knowledge itself is power.

in pace, ut sapiens, aptarit idonea bello
In peace, like a wise man, he appropriately prepares for war

idem
The same.

id est
That is

in camera
In secret in a judges private room

index expurgatorius
A list of forbidden books

in excelsis
In the highest

in extenso
At full length

in extremis
At the point of death

infra dignitatem
Below ones dignity

in medias res
In the midst of things

in memoriam
In memory to the memory of

in re
In the matter of

in situ
In its original position

in statu pupillari
In the state of being a ward

integer vitae
Blameless of life

inter allia
Among other things

in toto
Entirely

in vino veritas
There is truth in wine
(truth is told by him who has drunk wine)

ipse dixit
He himself said it

ipsissima verba
The very words

ipso facto
In the fact itself

- L -

2006-10-24T13:16:00.001-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: L

lex non distinguitur nos non distinguere debemus
The law does not distinguish and so we ought not distinguish.

legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus
We are slaves of the law in order that we may be able to be free.

laborare est orare
Work is prayer

lapsus linguae
A slip of the tongue

lares et penates
Household gods

laudator temporis acti
One who praises past times

laus deo
Praise to god

lex talionis
The law of retaliation

locum tenens
A deputy

- M -

2006-10-24T13:15:00.002-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: M

mirabile dictu
Wonderful to relate

mirabile visu
Wonderful to see

male sanus (male sana)
Mad/inspired

mendacem memorem esse oportet
It is fitting that a liar should be a man of good memory
(liars should have good memories)

mens sana in corpore sano
A sound mind in a sound body

minima maxima sunt
The smallest things are most important.

morituri te salutamus
We who are about to die salute you.

magnum opus
A great work

male fide
With bad faith treacherously

mea culpa
By my own fault

memento mori
Remember that you will die

meo periculo
At my own risk

meum et tuum
Mine and thine

modus operandi
Plan of working

modus vivendi
A way of living

multum in parvo
Much in little (present standard for the pug dog breed includes this phrase)

mutatis mutandis
With necessary changes

mutantur omnia nos et mutamur in illis
All things change, and we change with them

- N -

2006-10-24T13:15:00.001-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: N

nemo liber est qui corpori servit
No one is free who is a slave to his body

nemo me impune lacessit
No one provokes me with impunity. (motto of the kings of Scotland)

non est vivere sed valere vita est
Life is not being alive but being well (life is more than just being alive)

non mihi, non tibi, sed nobis
Not for you, not for me, but for us

non semper erit aestas
It will not always be summer (be prepared for hard times)

non teneas aurum totum quod splendet ut aurum
Do not take as gold everything that shines like gold

nulli secundus /nulli secunda
Second to none

ne quid nimis
Nothing in excess.

nemo dat quod non habet
No one gives what he does not have.

non est ad astra mollis e terris via
There is no easy way from the earth to the stars.

ne plus ultra
Nothing further perfection

nil admirari
To admire nothing
(to be superior and self satisfied)

nil desperandum
Never despair

nolens volens
Whether he will or not

noli me tangere
Don't touch me

nolle prosequi
To be unwilling to prosecute

non compus mentis
Not of sound mind

nosce te ipsum
Know thyself

nota bene
Note well

noli intrare
Do not enter /keep out.

noli perturbare
Do not disturb

non
No.

nullo modo
No way.

- O -

2006-10-24T13:14:00.001-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: O

omnia mutantur nos et mutamur in illis
All things change, and we change with them

obiit
He or she died

obiter dictum
A thing said by the way

ora pro nobis
Pray for us

o sancta simplicitas
O sacred simplicity

o si sic omnia
Oh would that all had been done or said thus

o tempora o mores
O times, o manners!

omnia causa fiunt
Everything happens for a reason

- P -

2006-10-24T13:13:00.002-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: P

primum non nocere
Above all do no harm/ First do not harm

parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus
Mountains will be in labour, and an absurd mouse will be born
(all that work and nothing to show for it)

parva leves capiunt animas
Small things occupy light minds
(small things amuse small minds)

pessimum genus inimicorum laudantes
Flatterers are the worst type of enemies

possunt quia posse videntur
They can because they seem to be able to
(they can do it because they think they can do it - the power of positive thinking)

potius mori quam foedari
Rather to die than to be dishonoured
(death before dishonour)

praemonitus pramunitus
Forewarned, forearmed

proprium humani ingenii est odisse quem laeseris
It is human nature to hate a person whom you have injured

perfer et obdura; dolor hic tibi proderit olim
Be patient and tough; some day this pain will be useful to you.

per aspera ad astra!
Through difficulties to the stars!

pace
By leave of

panem et circenses
Give us bread and circenses (games at the Circus)
(request of the roman people)

pari passu
With equal pace together

peccavi
I have sinned

pinxit
He painted this

post hoc propter hoc
After this, therefore because of this
(false reasoning)

post mortem
After death

prima facie
On the first view

primus inter pares
First among equals

proxime accessit
He came next

perio
I'm lost.

- Q -

2006-10-24T13:13:00.001-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: Q

quod me nutrit me destruit.
What nurishes me also destroys me.

qui audet adipiscitur
S/he who dares wins (or: s/he who wins dares)

quem di diligunt, adolescens moritur
Whom the gods love die young (only the good die young)

qui scribit bis legit
He who writes reads twice

qui non est hodie cras minus aptus erit
He who is not prepared today will be less so tomorrow.

qui tacet consentire
Who is silent gives consent.

quid ni?
why not?

quid novi?
What's new?

quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Who will watch the watchers themselves?

quod erat demonstrandum
Which was to be proved

quod erat faciendum
Which was to be done

quot homines tot sententiac
So many men so many options

quod est inferius est sicut quod est superius, et quod est superius est sicut quod est inferius ( Tabula Smaragdina or The Table of Emerald by Hermes Trismegistus).
As above so below

- R -

2006-10-24T13:12:00.002-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: R

radix omnium malorum est cupiditas
The love of money is the root of all evil.
Avarice is the problem, money itself is not evil.

respice, adspice, prospice
Examine the past, examine the present, examine the future
(look to the past, the present, the future)

respondeat superior
Let the superior answer
(a supervisor must take responsibility for the quality of a subordinate's work)

repetitio est mater studiorum.
Repetition is the mother of studies.

rara avis
A rare bird

reductio ad absurdum
The reducing of a position to a logical absurdity

requiescat in pace
May he/she rest in peace

ruat coelum
Let the heaven fall

rus in urbe
The country in the town

- S -

2006-10-24T13:12:00.001-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: S

[Nomen] salutem plurimam dicit
[Name] sends many greetings (an official hello)

sapiens nihil affirmat quod non probat
A wise man states as true nothing he does not prove
(Don't swear to anything you don't know firsthand)

semper fidelis
Always faithful
(Motto of the United States Marine Corps)

semper paratus
Always ready
(Motto of the United States Coast Guard)

si fecisti nega!
If you did it, deny it (stonewall!)

si finis bonus est, totum bonum erit
If the end is good, everything will be good
(All's well that ends well)

si post fata venit gloria non propero
If glory comes after death, I'm not in a hurry
(If one must die to be recognised, I can wait)

stultorum calami carbones moenia chartae
Chalk is the pen of fools, walls (their) paper
(No Graffiti please. Apparently, graffiti is nothing new).

sumptus censum ne superet
Let not your spending exceed your income
(Live within your means)

sedit qui timuit ne non succederet.
He who feared he would not succeed sat still.

struit insidias lacrimis cum femina plorat.
When a woman weeps, she is setting traps with her tears.

satis verborum
Enough of words

sanun es?
Are you in your senses?

semper idem
Always the same

si vales, bene est, ego valeo
If you are sound, that is well; I'm sound (OR: if you are well, that is well, I am well)

sic transit gloria mundi
So passes away earthly glory

sic vis pacem para bellum
If you want peace prepare war

sine die
Without a day being appointed

sine qua non
Without which not an indispensable condition

status quo
The state in which things as they are now

stet
Let it stand
(Do not delete)

sub judice
Under consideration

sub poena
Under penalty

sub rosa
Under the rose (privately)

sub specie
Under the appearance of

suggestio falsi
A suggestion of something false

sul generis
Of its own kind peculiar

summum bonum
The chief good

sursum corda
Lift up your hearts

scisne latine?
Do you know Latin?

salve(te)!
Hello!

sic
Yes.

- T -

2006-10-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: T

tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito
Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them

timendi causa est nescire
Ignorance is the cause of fear.

tabula rasa
A blank tablet

tempora mutantur nos et mutamur in illis
The times are changing and we with them

tempus fugit
Time flies

tera incognita
An unknown land

tertium quid
A third something

tu quoque
You too

- U -

2006-10-24T13:10:00.000-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: U

una salus victis nullam sperare salutem
The one safety for the vanquished is to abandon hope of safety
(knowing that there is no hope can give one the courage to fight and win).

ut sementem feceris ita metes
As you sow so will you reap.

ubique
Everywhere

ultima thule
The utmost limit

ultra vires
Beyond ones powers

- V -

2006-10-24T13:08:00.000-07:00

Dictionary of Latin Phrases and Proverbs: V

vade in pace
Go in peace (one of the Roman "goodbye" expressions).

veni vidi vici
I came, I saw, I conquered
(Julius Caesar's report of victory in 47 B.C. over Pharnaces, king of Pontus)

veritas vos liberabit
The truth shall make you free

victis honor
Honour to the vanquished

vincit qui se vincit
He conquers who conquers himself.

vir sapit qui pauca loquitur
That man is wise who talks little
(know when to hold your tongue)

vita non est vivere sed valere vita est
Life is more than merely staying alive

Vocatus atque
non vocatus
Deus aderit
Invoked or not invoked, the god is present
(Inscription on Carl Jung's tombstone,
Flutern Cemetery; Fluntern (Zurich, Switzerland))
Source: http://corsinet.com/braincandy/graves.html

verbum sat sapienti
A word is enough for a wise man.

via media
A middle course

vice versa
The terms being reversed

videlicet
That is to say namely

vi et armis
By force and arms

virginibus puerisque
For girls and boys

viva voce
By the living voice (orally).

vox et praeterea nihil
A voice and nothing more

vox populi vox dei
The voice of the people is the voice of god

vale(te)!
Farewell!