Latin Phrases

Here's a list of Latin phrases and sayings that are used in English often enough to have
become part of the language.
A cappella
[Music] in church [style], i.e. unacompanied voices.

A priori
From what comes before.

Ad absurdum
To the point of absurdity.

Ad hoc
For this purpose.

Ad infinitum
Without limit - endlessly.

Ad nauseam
To a sickening extent.

Alma Mater
One's old school (literally 'bounteous mother').

Alter ego
Other (alternative) self.

Annus horribilis
A horrible year.

Agnus Dei
Lamb of God.

Aqua pura
Pure water.

Aqua vitae
Alcoholic spirit, e.g. brandy/whisky. Literally 'water of life'.

Ave Maria
Hail Mary.

Carpe diem
Seize the day (More literally translated as 'enjoy the day, pluck it when it is ripe').
Caveat emptor
Let the buyer beware.

Cogito ergo sum

I think, therefore I am.

Corpus Christi
The body of Christ.

De facto
In fact - in reality.

Dei Gratia
By the grace of God.
Deo Optimo Maximo
For God, the best and greatest (motto of the Benedictines)

E Pluribus Unum
One from many.

Et cetera (etc.)
And the rest.

Et tu, Brute
And you, Brutus.

Ex libris
'Out of the books', i.e. from the library.

Gloria in excelsis deo

Glory to God in the highest.

Habeas corpus
You must have the body (in court).

In absentia
In one's absence.

In camera
In private chamber.

In flagrante delicto
In the act of committing an offence.

In loco parentis
In the place of a parent.
In vitro
In a test tube (literally 'in glass').

Ipso facto
By that very fact.

Magnum opus
A great work.

Mea culpa
My fault.

Modus operandi (m.o.)

Mode of operating.

Nota bene
Note carefully

Nolens volens
Willingly or unwillingly (see also, willy-nilly).

Post partum
After childbirth.

Praemonitus, praemunitus Forewarned is forearmed.

Prima facie
At first sight; on the face of it.

Pro bono
Without charge - for the public good.

Opus Dei
The work of God.

Pontifex Maximus (Pope)

Greatest High Priest, bridge builder; originally a pagan title

Quid pro quo

Something for something, i.e. a favour for a favour.

Quo vadis?
Where are you going?

Requiescat in pace
Rest in peace (R.I.P.)
Rigor mortis
The rigidity of death.

Semper fidelis
Always faithful.

Sine qua non

Indispensable.

Status quo
The current state of affairs.

Sub judice
Before a court.

Tempus fugit
Time flees.

Terra firma
Solid ground.

Urbi et orbi
To the city and to the globe.

Veni vidi vici

I came, I saw, I conquered.

Vice versa
The other way around.

Vivat Regina
Long live the queen.

Vox populi
The voice of the people.

Remember this while learning any language: Ars longa, vita brevis (Skill takes time to
acquire, but life is short).

This article was brought to you by Acts 2:38. Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins," ...