Latin Quoter · Latin Today
Latin You Already Speak
From e.g. and etc. to agenda, quorum and placebo: the Latin words, phrases and abbreviations hiding in everyday English – what they mean, where you meet them and how to use them correctly.
New entries are added regularly.
A
Ad hominemAttacking the person making an argument instead of the argument itself.AddendumAn extra section added to a book, contract or document.AgendaThe list of items to be discussed at a meeting – or someone's hidden aims.AlumniFormer students of a school or university (singular: alumnus, alumna).
B
C
Circa c., ca.Used before a date or number that is only approximate, as in "c. 1500".Confer cf."Compare": points the reader to a source or idea worth comparing.
E
EmeritusAn honorary title for someone retired, especially a professor: "professor emeritus".Ergo"Therefore": signals a conclusion, often with a touch of irony.ErrataA list of corrections to mistakes found after a text was printed.Et sequentes et seq."And the following (pages or sections)", as in "pp. 45 et seq.".
I
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M
O
P
PlaceboA dummy treatment with no active ingredient – and the effect it can still have.Post meridiem p.m.The "p.m." in times like 3 p.m.: any time after noon and before midnight.Post mortemAn examination of a body after death – and, by extension, a review of what went wrong.Pro tempore pro temTemporarily; acting in a role for now.
Q
Quod vide q.v.A cross-reference: "look this up elsewhere in the same work".QuorumThe minimum number of members needed for a meeting to make valid decisions.
R
Recto and versoThe front and back of a page: recto is the right-hand page, verso the left-hand page.
S
Sic [sic]Placed in square brackets to show that an error comes from the original, not from you.StetA proofreading mark: ignore the correction, keep the original text.SubpoenaA court order to appear as a witness or hand over documents, with a penalty for refusing.
V
Versus vs., v."Against": in sports fixtures, comparisons and court cases.VetoThe right to block a decision – or the act of blocking it.Via"By way of": through a place or by means of something.Videlicet viz."Namely": introduces an exact list or explanation of what was just mentioned.Vox populi vox popPublic opinion – and, in broadcasting, quick street interviews ("vox pops").