ab absùrdo
supposing that something absurd could occur; similar to reductio ad absurdum.

ab aeterno
since the beginning of time.

ab ante
in advance, before.

ab antiquo
since an ancient age.

ab extra
from without, from the outside.

ab hinc
from here on.

ab imis
from the foundations, from the depths.

ab imo pèctore
from one's heart; frankly speaking [from deep inside one's breast]

Drawn from Julius Caesar - 100-44 BC - general and later absolute ruler of Rome.

ab incunàbulis
from the the earliest stage [from infancy].

This expression is usually limited to references pointing to books published before the printing age based on moveable type (c. 1500 AD).

ab ìnferis usque ad sìdera
from deep inside the earth and as far as the stars up above.

ab initio
since the beginning, from inception.

ab intestato
from or by a person dying without having established a will.

ab inti
same as ab initio, above.

ab intra
from within, from the inside.

ab irato
juridical term invalidating acts performed without due lucidity of mind, such as giving riches away for the purpose of displeasing prospective heirs [in an enraged mood].

ab orìgine
since the origin.

ab ovo
from the beginning, from the origin [from an egg].

àbsit invìdia
no offence intended [may no inimical intention be there].

àbsit òmen
no omen intended [may any omen be absent].

absum
stating one's physical absence from a place; often implying unwillingness to meet a request (opposite statement is adsum) [I am not here].

ab uno disce omnes
from any of them, you understand them all [from one learn all] an alternative form is: et sic de similibus.

Drawn from poet Virgil (70-19 BC).

ab urbe còndita
since the foundation of Rome [since the city was built].

abùsus non tollit usum
something useful should not be banned as a result of it having been wrongly or excessively employed [Faulty use should not make correct use unlawful].

a contràrio
assuming that the opposite occurs [from a contrary position]

There seems to be no univocal understanding as to what that means (see below). Our own view is that an a contrario argument is based on the likelihood that two opposite scenarios are bound to produce opposite results, as in:
The nomination of judge xxx has been resisted by this lobby due to his uncompromising record. A contrario, judge yyy - whose flexibility and mediation ability are known to all - should be acceptable to them.

The Britannica encyclopaedia understands the expression as meaning that something is proved to be true by showing the falsehood of its contrary:

• A contrario: arguing from an accepted conclusion to the rejection of its contrary.

According to fr.answers.com:

• Se dit d'un raisonnement dont la forme est identique à celle d'un autre, mais dont l'hypothèse et, par conséquent, la conclusion sont les inverses de celui-ci.

Lexagone.com suggests:

• Par déduction du contraire du principe énoncé.

As to Webzinemaker, it maintains that:

• L’argument a contrario part de l’idée que des éléments opposés doivent être traités d’une manière opposée.
  Exemple :
  J’estime que les citoyens ayant un salaire modeste doivent être peu taxés, car ils ne peuvent vivre que modestement. Les citoyens aisés doivent être, quant à eux, taxés davantage, car ils peuvent vivre dans un certain luxe.

  A contrario is sometimes used as a synonym of of "otherwise said", as in CEMAC (Communauté Economique et Monétaire de l’Afrique Centrale) document pairac/eud/03.07 dated 04 September 2007:

• Le premier type de difficulté tient aux critères de valorisation retenus qui sont particulièrement délicats à mesurer et à certifier ... (A ce propos) certains opérateurs n’hésitent pas à évoquer les termes de « certificats de complaisance » et a contrario de « refus concurrentiel ».

acta est fàbula
the show has come to its end [the play has been performed].

Reportedly, these have been emperor Octavian Augustus' (63 BC - AD 14) deathbed words.

ad abundàntiam
in excess of what is strictly needed [with a view to providing abundance].

ad acta
for the record (a stamp on a document signaling that the matter has been dealt with) [file with what has been done with].

ad astra per àspera
to great achievements by way of arduous paths [to the stars through difficulties].

ad audièndum et referendum
said of a liaison official attending a panel, workshop or committee without being enabled to cast a vote - her/his mandate being limited to reporting to higher-rank decision-makers [with the purpose to listen and report].

ad augùsta per angùsta
to great achievements by way of arduous paths; was the password of plotters in French writer V. Hugo's (1802-1885) Hernani.

ad captandum vulgus
of something said or done in order to enhance one's popularity [with a view to attracting the approval of the rabble].

addenda
two or more things which are to be added.

addendum
something which is to be added (typically, an appended text with expanded information on a point made in the main text).

ad eùndem
formula whereby the degree obtained by an applicant in a different country or university is acknowledged on a par with a likewise local degree [to the same].

ad fontes
let us revert to our heritage's foundations [back to sources].

Motto of Renaissance (rebirth) Europe, when Medieval Church monopoly of culture subsided and artists as well as scholars experienced a keen interest in exploring anew the Greek / Roman Weltanshauung.

ad glòriam
in pursuit of glory.

ad hoc
meant for a specific purpose [for that].

ad hòminem
meant for a specific person [for that man].

ad honòrem
in honour of ...; to recognise the achievement obtained by ... [for honour's sake].

ad honòres
of something done by a volunteer, without seeking any reward [in pursuit of honours].

ad idem
to the same purpose [to the same].

Usually found int the expression "consensus ad idem": meeting of the minds of negotiationg parties about something specific.

ad impossibìlia nemo tenètur
nobody should be expected to achieve impossible results.

ad infinitum
and so on without end, continuing forever [to infinity]

Example: the series "3, 6, 9, 12 ..." continues ad infinitum.

ad ìnterim
for a limited time; to fill a temporary gap [in between].

ad kalèndas graecas
setting an unreal deadline, meaning never.

Kalendas was a Roman system for measuring dates, not Greek, therefore "Greek kalendas" is a meaningless expression.

ad lìbitum
with no limit, as much as one desires.

ad lìtteram
literally, letter by letter.

ad lucem
the motto of the University of Lisbon, Portugal (see image below) [striving towards the light].

ad maiòrem Dei glòriam
for the greater glory of God

The motto of the Society of Jesus, i.e. the order of Jesuits - founded in Spain by Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) with a view to protecting the Pope from Reformation’s Protestant attacks.

ad multos annos!
wishing many more years (of lifetime, success ...) [Many happy returns!].

ad nàuseam
inducing nausea, boring or disgusting to the highest degree.

ad nutum
said of a contract where one of the parties may freely recede, without providing any reason for the rescission.

ad persònam
meant for someone in particular, not for all [for the person].

USAGE
And he seemed to have solved his personal difficulties with a string of ad personam laws that secured his legal position and protected his business empire.
Yet ten weeks after the swearing-in of Mr Berlusconi’s new government, ... [such] government has put forward at least four ad personam measures.
[From The Economist, London, Berlusconi fiddles, Italy burns, 17 July 2008]

ad referendum
subject to reference [to be considered further].

According to the Business dictionary: term used in contracts to indicate that although material points have been agreed upon, some minor points remain to be decided.

ad rem
to the point; let us not divagate! [to the thing].

Example - Enough with generic statements! What I need is an ad rem reply.

adsum
stating one's physical presence before someone else; often implying willingness to meet a request (opposite statement is absum) [here I am].

ad usum Delphìni
modified for a special - in most cases egocentric, see below Cicero pro domo sua - purpose [to be used by the Dolphin].

The saying originates from what was meant for use by the heir apparent (usually the eldest son) of French kings, who carried the title of Dauphin (Dolphin) and whose schoolbooks were purged so that he would not be shocked or outraged.

ad valorem
said of a quantity defined as a percentage of an underlying monetary value (e.g., an ad valorem tariff levied on imported goods, as opposed to a tariff computed per kg or cubic metre) [based on its worth].

advèrsus
against or with reference to.

ad vitam
for life (e.g., to appoint someone to a tenure to be held ad vitam).

aegis
depending on context: protection, sponsorship [goatskin shield].

Found in the ready-made expression "under the aegis of ...". Examples:
A deranged person whose businesses are managed under the aegis of the courts.
A yearly festival held under the aegis of the municipality.

aegròto dum anima est, spes est
as long as the one suffering from ailment breathes, there is hope.

àere perènnius
said of a long lasting achievement [lasting longer than bronze].

From a line by poet Horace (65-8 BC): exegi monumentum aere perennius » I erected a monument due to last more than bronze(Odes, III, 30). Please note: in aere the "ae" part is not sounded "e" but "a+e".

aegri sòmnia
unrealistic hopes [dreams of a deranged person].

From a line in Ars Poetica (The Art of Writing Poems) by Horace (65-8 BC).

aèquitas
justice coupled with an effort to preserve equality among the members of society [benign impartiality].

aequo ànimo
with an unperturbed mind; unflustered [level-headed].

affidàvit
sworn written statement usable as evidence in court [he/she entrusted this to ...].

a fortiòri
all the more so; in particular [in a more forcible manner].

Example - If you feel sympathy for destitute people in general, a fortiori should you understand Margarethe's plight, because she is both destitute and ailing.

a frùctibus cognòscitur arbor
people should be judged according to what they do, not what they say [One can tell the tree from the fruits it bears].

agenda
things which are to be attended to.

age quod agis!
put your heart in what you do [do what you do].

a làtere
not the main one, in support of an incumbent (in case of a person) or argument[at the side of]

an a latere magistrate; an a latere consideration

àlea iàcta est (same as French "les jeux sont faits")
a fateful move has been made: all we can now do is wait and see what comes of it [the dice have been rolled].

Uttered by Julius Caesar (100-44 BC) after he made his army cross the Rubicon river, beyond which - as per age-old statutes - no one was allowed to head towards Rome bearing weapons.

àlias
otherwise.

Often used for pseudonym, nom de plume, nickname or another name under which the same individual is known to some people.

àlibi
elsewhere.

In a juridical context, the proof that someone was in another place at the time a crime took place and therefore could not perform it.

alienata mente
due to mental derangement [with her/his mind gone astray].

alis volat propriis
the motto of the State of Oregon, USA (see images below) [it flies with its own wings].

alma mater
idealised feminine, seen as fertility and source of life [bountiful mother].

alter ego
a counterpart of someone in different settings or age [another myself].

alumnus
former pupil of a learning institution (its feminine form is alumna)[suckling].

a mari usque ad mare
Canada's national motto, as engraved on her coat of arms (see image below). [from sea to sea]

It was drawn from the Bible, Psalm 72:8 which, in its Latin translation from Hebrew, reads: Et dominabitur a mari usque ad mare, et a flumine usque ad terminos terrae which was in turn translated by King James' version as: He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

amor fati
unconditional surrendering to the unfathomable forces (fatum) which determine the course of events during our lives [falling in love with fate].

anno (an.)
in the year ... .

anno regni
in the year of reign ... .

ànnuit coeptis
(God) approved what we undertook [nodded to what had just been undertaken]

Motto on the reverse of the US$1 bill.

annus Dòmini (A.D.)
in the year ... since the birth of Christ [the Lord's year].

annus horrìbilis
a horrible year, due to catastrophic occurrences

Hurricanes turned 2005 into an annus horribilis for New Orleans, LA.

annus miràbilis
an astonishingly wonderful year, due to stunning occurrences

1968 (first human landing on the moon) was an annus mirabilis for space exploration.

ante bellum
before the war.

ante Christum natum (A.C.)
in the year ... before the birth of Christ [before Christ was born].

ante lìtteram
before the real thing was available [before the letter].

Examples:
• Such device was used by the ancient Egyptians as an ante litteram telephone
• Painter Van Gogh may be seen as an ante litteram expressionist

This reference points to the "letters" in the caption written in order to explain an illustration when proof-reading a draft: something placed there before the actual picture is added.

ante mortem
before death.

ante merìdiem (A.M.)
before noon.

apèrtis verbis
restated in plain words [with open words].

apèrto libro
of something done without advance preparation [open book].

a posteriòri
in the light of subsequent information.

a priòri
what is taken for granted before we start (something we agree about so that an argument can be developed).

arguèndo
just as a mental exercise [for the sake of arguing]

Example - Let us suppose, arguendo, that he is guilty. Then ... .

argumentum ad captandum vulgus
a way of arguing aimed at pleasing the crowd (see also ad captandum vulgus).

argumentum ad hòminem
attacking the person rather than the point that person is making (for example, stating something negative about her/his past life or temperament) [argument against the man].

ars longa vita brevis
expertise requires lifetime learning [professionalism is long, life is short]

A maxim laid down by Hippocrates (circa 460-377 BC, Greek practitioner seen as the one who set medecine on a scientific footing) as translated into Latin by Roman poet Horace (65-8 BC). By "ars" Hippocrates meant "medicine", but the aphorism - as used today - applies to any field of knowledge or elaborate skill.

àrtium baccalàureus (B.A.)
bachelor - meant as "knight of the lowest order" - with respect to word-based disciplines (see also Ph.D., M.A., M.Sc., B.Sc.).

àrtium magister (M.A.)
master of word-based disciplines (see also Ph.D., B.A., M.Sc., B.Sc.).

audàces fortùna juvat
fortune sides with those who dare [fortune favours those who dare].

audeàmus
dare, we will! [let us dare]

Motto of the Students' Association at the Otago University, New Zealand, whose own motto prompts: "dare be learned!" (sapere àude).

àudio vìdeo disco
I hear, I see, I learn.

àurea mediòcritas
the rare ability of striking middle ground, avoiding unbalanced views [the golden mean]

From Odes II, 10 by poet Horace (65-8 BC).

àuri sacra fames
an uncontrollable yearning to possess gold [gold's sacred hunger]

Drawn from Virgil's - the foremost Roman poet (70-19 BC) - Aeneid, III, 57.

àuribus tenere lupum
to be caught in an uncomfortable situation [to hold a wolf by both ears].

Drawn from dramatist Terence (190?-159 BC).

àut àut
either something or something else[or ... or].

Title of a work by Danish philosopher S. Kierkegaard (1813-1855), where he rejects the dialectical reconciliation (G. Hegel's "synthesis") of opposites, maintaining instead that we are faced with the choice of either being somebody or an utterly different kind of person.
The aut aut expression is also commonly found as synonymous of "diktat": e.g., "The aut aut was between accepting the assignment or quitting the job".

aut Caesar aut nihil
a make-or-break disposition of mind [aiming to be either the absolute ruler or nothing].

Motto of Cesare Borgia (1475-1507) - Italian cardinal and military leader; model for The Prince, the influential book by N. Machiavelli (1469-1527) which departed from the ideal of the ruler as anointed by God, seeing the ruling task as embedded in human nature and requiring the ability of playing countervailing powers one against the other as the sole means to stay afloat.
To be noted: here "Caesar" is synonym of "emperor" - after a use of the term based on Julius Caesar having successfully pursued absolute rule in Rome and ushered in the sequel of Roman emperors.

aut concìlio aut ense
there are two options when differences are to be overcome: either reaching consensus or fighting to impose a unilateral view [either by agreement following a discusssion or by the sword].

Motto of Chile, later replaced by post tenebras lux.

aut via invèniam aut fàciam
[either I'll find a way or I'll make one].

Hannibal (247-182 BC), Carthaginian general who crossed the Alps and defeated the Romans.

avàro òmnia dèsunt, ìnopi pàuca, sapiènti nìhil
The hoarder yearns all things, the poor a few, the wise none [all appears to be missing to the miser, a little to the poor, nothing to the wise one].

ave atque vale
formal Roman salute [Hail and farewell!]

From poet Catullus (84-54 BC), Carmen 101, as a post mortem salute to his brother.

ave Caesar morituri te salutant
salute addressed to the Roman emperor by gladiators in the circus = as reported by historian Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus (ca. 69/75 - after 130) [Hail, emperor! Those who are to die bid you farewell!]

beàti monòculi in terra caecòrum
everything needs a benchmark for being evaluated [happy the one-eyed ones in the land of the blind]

The saying dates from the Middle Age.

bella gerant alii
[let others wage war]

Saying reflecting the strategy adopted by the Austrian Habsburg dynasty in 1477 and 1496, when powerful alliances were secured through marriages. (The full saying is Bella gerant alii; tu, felix Austria, nube! (let others wage war; you, felicitous Austria, marry!)

bellum òmnium contra omnes
a chaotic human society, lacking law and order (see also homo homini lupus) [everyone at war against everyone else]

Expression used by English philosopher Th. Hobbes (1588 - 1679) in his works justifying the need for states and governments.

bis dat, qui cito dat
giving fast is giving twice.

bona fide
in good faith, fairly.

bona fides
honest intention.

bona offìcia
helpful intermediation

Example - The border controversy between Argentina and Chile was finally settled thanks to the bona officia rendered by the Vatican.

brevi manu
said of something conveyed or transferred informally, without requesting due receipt [by quick hand].

busìllis
something arcane, a riddle which cannot be solved.

It originates from the inability of some students of Latin to understand the expression in diebus illis (meaning "in those days", with "dièbus" = days and "illis" = those) because - on hearing it from their teacher - they constructed it as in die busillis, whose translation "in the day of ..." they were unable to finalise due to the term busillis not showing in their dictionary.

caeci caecos ducèntes
with leaders not knowing more than the led ones, the undertaking is bound to fail[blind people leading other blind].

càrpe dìem
enjoy the present [grab the day].

casus belli
an incident susceptible of triggering a war (or debate).

càusa mortis
whatever caused death in a particular instance (illness, accident ...).

cave
beware!

càveat
a warning prompting to pay attention to something.

càveat emptor
it is up to the one who buys to inspect if the item is worth the price [the buyer should take care].

cave canem
beware of the dog (sign on garden gates, to warn trespassers).

cedant arma togae
wishing to stave off a violent conflict by opting for an arbitrated settlement: "let weapons aside and address an arbiter instead" [let weapons by replaced by the toga (the garment worn by judges in ancient Rome)]

By politician, lawyer and writer Cicero (106-43 BC).

cètera desunt
(found at the end of a listing:) no more items are available [the remaining items are missing].

cèteris pàribus (cet. par.)
under the same conditions.

Cìcero pro domo sua
implying that Cicero (106 - 43 BC) - a Roman lawyer, politician, and the writer who produced the most elegant Latin ever - was often pledging in pursuit of his own interest; trying to hoodwink listeners [Cicero for his own home].

circa (c. or ca.)
approximately

cìrculus vitiòsus
a fallacy resulting from lack of consistent reasoning - due to the fault reported below under petitio principii. [faulty circle / reasoning in circle].

cìtius, àltius, fòrtius
faster, higher, stronger: the motto of the olympic games.

cògito, ergo sum
the initial statement from which French mathematician and philospher R. Descartes (latinised as Cartesius, 1596 -1650) derived his explanation of reality. [I think, therefore I am].

compos sui
being in a healthy state of mind [master of her/himself]

Example - When he killed his wife he was not compos sui (he was deranged).

condìcio sine qua non
something without which what is being envisaged cannot be done [a condition without which ... is not feasible].

This form is in classical Latin (i.e., as written in the age of Cicero, Virgil, Ovid, Terence, Livy and other paramount authors - roughly from 150 BC to 200 AD). The "-cio" ending was later transformed into "-tio", and hence this quotation may also be found as conditio sine qua non.

cònfer (cf. or cfr.)
refer to, compare.

contemptus mundi
disregard of benefits obtainable from life on earth [disdain of the world]

Typically evoked with reference to contemplative, mystical personalities.

contra
against.

contra omnes
against everybody.

coram Deo
in the presence of God [standing before God].

coram pòpulo
in front of everybody [before the whole population].

corpus
collection of writings on a specific subject [body]

They dismissed the problem from the corpus of economic studies not by solving it but by not mentioning it (paraphrased from J.M Keynes, "The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money", 1936).

corpus delìcti
evidence proving that a crime occurred [the body / substance of the crime].

corrùptio òptimi pèssima
that the best among us be found to have given in to corruption is the worst ever imaginable evil.

cui bono?
same as cui prodest? (below) [whose advantage?]

The question detectives and judges ask when determining who is likely to be indicted after a crime has taken place.

cui pròdest?
who benefits from this? [for whom is this beneficial?]

cùius regio, èius relìgio
the religion of the king is of necessity also the religion of his subjects; societies are shaped by the ruling élite.

cum grano salis
to be handled with a bit of common sense [with a pinch of salt]

It originates from the encyclopaedic natural history by Pliny the Elder (23 - 79), where he states that a remedy for poisoning was effective only if a pinch of salt was added to it.

cùpio dissolvi
a yearning of losing one's own identity [I vehemently wish to dissolve]

Expression found in Christian missionary St. Paul's (c. 10 - c. 67) letter to the Philippians 1.23-24, where he avows his desire to die in order to partake in Christ's identity but, on the other hand and for the sake of his mission, he accepts that he must live on.

cura ut vàleas!
take care! [make sure to preserve your good health]

currìculum vitae (CV)
résumé [life's path]

damnàtio memòriae
sentence voted by Rome's Senate ostracising anything related to the condemned, down to her/his images and mentions in public records [memory's demonisation].

dat vèniam corvis, vexat censùra colùmbas
censorship leaves the aggressive ones unruffled and only harasses the meek [censorship forgives the crows, harasses the doves]

From a line by the satirical poet Juvenal (60 - 140).

data
pieces of evidence (singular is "datum").

datum
one piece of evidence (plural is "data") [something given].

de auditu
from hearsay; knowing something indirectly, from someone else (who, in some cases, might have witnessed what is being reported).

decet imperatòrem stantem mori
it is convenient for an emperor to die in a standing position.

A remark made by emperor Vespasian (9 - 79), the one who began the construction of the Colosseum.

de facto
as a matter of fact; actually; see also de jure.

de gùstibus non est disputàndum
there is no point in arguing about tastes [do not quarrel about tastes].

de hoc satis
enough of this (let us discuss something else).

de jure
according to the law, by full right.

Sometimes it is found contrasted with de facto, as in:
De jure our department is answerable to Mrs. Phillips, de facto her secretary is the one who runs it.

delènda Carthàgo
bringing something home [Carthage is to be razed].

From Roman senator Cato the Elder (234 - 149 BC), who always ended his speeches with ceterum censeo: delenda Carthago (Furthermore, my opinion is that Carthage must be destroyed) with a view to reminding that Rome would be unsafe until the threat posed by Carthage loomed from across the Mediterranean Sea.

de mìnimis non curat praetor
when making important decisions, just look at the big picture [magistrates don't busy themselves with petty details].

de òmnibus rebus, et quibusdam àliis
label pointing to an overly pretentious attitude [(I'll expose ...) ... everything, and something else as well].

When Italian humanist Giovanni Pico della Miràndola (1463 - 1494; mainly remembered for his prodigious memory and his Oration on the Dignity of Man, a manifesto laying down the principles of Renaissance) published a work titled De omni re scibili ("About everything which can become known"), his fellow scholars poked fun at what they saw as ludicrous ambition by coining the expression reproduced here.

de profundis
[from the depths].

The opening words of Psalm 129 in the Vulgate translation of the Bible. Irish writer Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) and French poet Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867) so titled two compositions claiming utter distress.

Charles Baudelaire

desiderata
something considered to be necessary [desired requirements].

Example given by Wordweb: the desiderata for a vacation are time and money.

dèsinit in pìscem
of a good start which aborted [it ends as a fish tail].

From poet Horace (65 - 8 BC) who, on discussing poetic art, likened any imperfect work to a siren, i.e. to the body of a woman ending as a fish tail.

Deus ex màchina
a "coup de théatre", one of those contrivances on stage allowing a seemingly inextricable situation to be solved before the play ends. [God being brought in by means of a machine].

In early days, an actor impersonating a god or goddess was brought down from the ceiling thanks to ropes and pulleys, cogwheels or whatever. Now the expression applies to any solution for disentangling an intricate issue, not necessarily connected to theatre acting.

Deus vult!
war cry of the Crusaders when invading Palestine in order to free it from Islamic rule; seen as an epitome of fanaticism [God wants it!].

de visu
upon visual inspection [from sight].

e.g.: The identity of the victim was ascertained de visu.

dicta
authoritative declarations by a judge, governor ... (singular is "dictum").

dictum
depending on context, a saying or an authoritative declaration by a judge, governor ... (plural is "dicta") [past participle from dìcere - to say: something said].

dìes ìrae
a time for settling scores [the day of rage].

dìes natalis
birthday [the day of the birth].

distìnguo
a qualifying annotation pointing to a difference [I separate, I divide, I distinguish]

Example - I broadly agree with what you say but with one "distinguo", that is ....

dìvide et ìmpera
keep the people in disagreement among themselves, so that you can take advantage from their lack of union [divide and rule].

dixi
expression marking the end of a response to a query in some medieval documents - implying that no more is to be added to the argument [I have spoken].

docendo dìscitur
having to teach something compells us to better understand it [by teaching, one also learns].

By statesman and philosopher Seneca (c. 4 BC - 65 AD).

do ut des
a trade-off [I give to you so that you give to me].

dràmatis personae
heading before the list of characters performing in a play [the persons acting in a drama >> actors of the play]

When referring to only one character playing the key role in a given situation, use the singular form:dramatis persona.

dulcis in fundo
and finally ... (said ironically before mentioning the last mishap in a list of unfortunate events) [and, at the end of it, something sweet ...].

dura lex, sed lex
laws are to be complied with regardless (severe law, but law notwithsanding).

dux
leader [the one who leads].

e converso
reciprocally, on the other hand [conversely].

e fructu àrbor cognòscitur
we can tell the tree from its fruits [the tree is known from its fruit].

eiùsdem gèneris
the opposite of sui generis [of the same kind].

emèritus
honorary [having merit].

eo ipso
because of that [by that very fact].

e plùribus unum
the national motto of the United States took shape in 1782, at the end of the Independence War against Britain (see image below) [one from many]

The motto was then changed to "In God is our trust" towards the end of the 1812 war and contracted further into "In God we trust" during the Civil War (in 1864), but the inscription within the Great Seal has stayed the same.

erràre humanum est, perseverare àutem diabòlicum
to make mistakes belongs to human nature, to keep making the same ones fits the nature of the devil [while erring is human, persevering in it is devilish].

errata còrrige
check what needs amending (usually as heading for a list of typos found after a document has been printed).

est modus in rebus
all must be done with sense of proportion [there is a way of doing things].

estòte paràti
be prepared (said to more than one person).

et alii (e.a., or also et al.)
and the rest, and other authors of the book.

et cetera (etc.)
and the rest, and other items of the same kind.

et hoc genus omne
and all other things like this/these [and this kind of things as a whole].

We move into a world where prices are governed by the quantity of money, by hoarding, by forced saving, by inflation et hoc genus omne (paraphrased from J.M Keynes, "The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money", 1936)

et sequèntes (et seqq.)
and the following ones.

et sic de cèteris
and so on for the remainder as well.

et simìlia
and all other things of this same kind or serving the same purpose.

EXAMPLE
What they found in the Pharaonic tomb were toiletry implements, clothes, jewels et similia.

et sic de simìlibus
and so on for similar items (akin to ab uno disce omnes).

ex abrupto
suddenly, unexpectedly.

ex abstracto
theoretically speaking.

ex aequo
at the same level, with the same merit.

ex ante
before the event.

ex càthedra
from the fullness of authority [from the teacher's desk].

excèptio firmat règulam
exceptional outcomes do not invalidate the underlying rule [an exception confirms the rule].

excursus vitae
résumé; same as CV [life's path]

excusàtio non petìta, accusàtio manifèsta
who produces excuses before being charged of wrongdoing betrays some degree of guilt thereon; supplying a non requested justification implies an admission of responsibility [an unsolicited excuse is tantamount to patent self-accusation].

exempli gratia (e.g.)
for example.

ex falso sèquitur quòdlibet
starting from a false premiss, one can get anywhere [from false, anything may result].

ex lege
required by law.

ex libris
from the books (of an author being discussed).

ex nìhilo
from nothing.

ex novo
making a clean sweep and starting again.

ex nunc
from the present time onward (see also ex tunc).

ex officio
mandated by the competency being held [stemming from the duties being discharged].

e.g.: The review of company accounts is an ex officio assignment of the audit department.

ex post
after the event.

ex profèsso
avowedly, intentionally [according to what was declared].

e.g.: I have never written ex professo on the subject (British Prime Minister W.E. Gladstone - 1809-1898 - as quoted by E. Cobham Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, 1898).

ex tempore
(also written extempore in English texts) with no forethought nor planning [from the time, moment].

extrema ratio
a means of last resort.
Alternate form is ùltima ràtio.

ex tunc
from that time onward (see also ex nunc).

faber est suae quisque fortùnae
everyone can make or break his/her destiny [rearranging: quisque est faber suae fortunae » everybody is a blacksmith forging her/his own success or lack of it].

facìlius per partes in cognitiònem totìus addùcimur
recommended approach to undestanding complex truths: decompose them into modules and then reassemble them [we are best led to grasp the whole through its parts]

By Seneca (c. 4 BC - 65 AD)..

fac sìmile (fax, when referring to the office device or its output)
annotation requesting to reproduce something[do similarly].

fama volat
rumours spread anywhere in no time.

fecit (fec.)
made by ... (etched for example on the outer shell of a lute, violin) [so and so made it].

felix Àustria!
see bella gerant alii.

felix culpa!
applied to something which, albeit objectionable per se, has produced excellent results [happy fault!].

fèriunt celsos fùlmina colles
the higher one climbs the social ladder, the larger becomes the risk of being hit by misfortune [the lightning mainly strikes at the mountain top]

May also be quoted under the form:
feriùntque summos fùlmina montes.

fèstina lente
be determined without losing sight of what matters [hurry up quietly; by emperor Augustus].

fìat
Let it happen, be done.

fide, sed cui vide
be trustful, but only after evaluating whom you are going to trust [have faith! but check in whom]

Rearranging: fide, sed vide cui, with cui being the dative case of quis = English who; cui = English to whom.

finis
the end.

finis coronat opus
the aim being pursued qualifies what is being done [the end crowns the work].

finis terrae
the extreme borders of the world (in the age of the Roman empire, that was set at Gibraltar).

fl.
see floruit hereunder.

flagrante delicto
the situation wheby someone is caught red-handed while perpetrating a crime or reprehensible acts.

flòruit
(abbreviated as fl.) used before a time span identifying the most productive period in somebody's life[blossomed].

forma mentis
way of thinking, of looking at things [the shape of the mind].

fortis et liber
the motto on the coat of arms of Alberta, the Canadian province [strong and free].

frangar, non flectar
I break, but do not bend

by Roman poet Horace (65 - 8 BC) in praise of those ready to pay a heavy toll for staying coherent.

fluctuat nec mergitur
it floats, does not sink (City of Paris' motto, coat of arms reproduced below).

furor arma ministrat
when people are driven to despair, they somehow find a way to revolt [outrage supplies the weapons].

genitàlia
organs for sexual reproduction; another word to the same effect is ìnguina [things needed for generating].

gènius loci
that particular way of perceiving reality that accounts for culture as developed in a given region, as if inspired by a local genie [the genie of the place].

gladius legis custos
might must be at the service of justice; motto of the Conciergerie (the Palace of Justice of Paris, France, see below) [the sword is the one which protects the law]

Graecia capta ferum victorem cepit
moral superiority cannot by quashed by overwhelming force alone [conquered Greece subdued her fierce conqueror]

The Romans conquered Greece but then sent their children to Greece's schools to learn art, mathematics, philosophy and - for short - a civilised life.

grosso modo
broadly speaking, approximately.

gutta cavat làpidem
persevering goes a long way [a drop of water carves a rock].

Alternate form is: gutta cavat lapidem non vi, sed sæpe cadendo » a trickle carves a rock not because of the brunt of its blow, but because it drips a great number of times.

hàbeas corpus
words at the beginning of an edict (Habeas corpus ad subiciendum ...: may your body stay available for your free use) issued in 1679 by the English King Charles II which recognises to citizens the right of being informed of the charges being brought against them and of being tried by a judge [you'll have the body for yourself].

Hànnibal ad portas
no time to relax or to indulge in squabbling [Hannibal is at the town's gates].

Based on the scare aroused by the Carthaginian army, repeatedly invading Rome's territories under Hannibal's (247 - 182 BC) leadership.

hic et nunc
right away [here and now].

hic manèbimus òptime
we'll be fine here; said by those rejecting the proposal of moving the goverment of Rome elsewhere after the Gauls had burned the city in 390 BC; their resolve was to re-build Rome in the same place and this quotation underscores the resolve to stand one's ground.

hic Rhodus, hic salta
calling bluffs off [This is Rhodes, jump then!].

Based on a Greek tale of an athlete boasting everywhere that he had jumped a record distance when in Rhodes and, on landing one day on that island, was invited by someone who recognised him to repeat his exploit in front of all.

hic sunt leònes
label employed by ancient geographers to mark on a map lands which were not inhabited and pointing to unknown dangers [there are lions here].

història rerum gestarum
the list of achievements by someone during her/his life [list of accomplished things].

Res Gestae Divi Augusti is the funerary heading on the tomb of Octaviànus Augustus (63 BC - AD 14), the first emperor of Rome, followed by a list of deeds.
See also res gestae.

hoc erat in fatis
this is something which was bound to happen [this was foreordained by divine will].

hoc erat in votis
this is something we hoped for [this was in our wishes].

homo faber
human beings as able to produce commodities, to experiment with innovative technologies [man as blacksmith].

homo hòmini lupus
instinctively, people are prone to abusing other people [any human is set as a wolf against all other humans]

Coined by scriptwriter Plautus - 253? - 184 BC - and borrowed by English philosopher Th. Hobbes (1588 - 1679) - wishing to portray the state of nature before laws and governments were agreed upon = see also bellum omnium contra omnes.

homo lùdens
human beings as prone to amuse themselves, intellectually or physically.

homo oeconòmicus
human beings as capable to cater to their needs, providing themselves with food, shelter, defence and in general social organisation.

homo sum, humàni nihil a me aliènum puto
being human, I cannot consider anything belonging to humanity to be alien to me; by poet Terence - 190?-159 BC.

homo sapiens
human beings as capable to build upon what had been learned earlier and progress towards an ever wider comprehension of reality [man as knowledgeable].

honòris càusa
because of demonstrated excellence.

hora fugit, stat jus
amidst ever changing events, situations, beliefs, one thing stays the same: telling right from wrong [the hour elapses, juridical foundations remain unaltered].

horas non nùmero nisi serenas
engraving found on sundials and other timepieces, referring to the hours of one's life [I only keep track of the good hours].

horrìbile dictu
a despicable, outrageous statement (the opposite of mirabile dictu).

horror vàcui
fright of open spaces, absolute silence (may be evoked also in sociology, where it is posited that as soon as a government system fades a new regime takes responsibility for law and order) [horror of emptiness].

hortus conclùsus
a restricted circle of artists, thinkers and, in general, any exclusive group [fenced garden].

ìbidem (ibid.)
in the same place.

id
in psychoanalysis, the term denotes the most unconscious and instinctive dimension of one's psyche.

"Id" is a Latin pronoun corresponding to English "it". In English, "it" is often understood as one of the personal triad "he", "she", "it". When so, "it" stands for nouns which are neither masculine nor feminine (like noun "bone" in the example: "his leg bone broke when "it" was hit by the fender of the incoming car). But "it" can also support impersonal expressions like "it rains", "it was widely believed that ...". Latin "id" is mainly found used in this sense.
Freud employed id to designate something which is out there but cannot be precisely defined by us. We have no direct apprehension of it, as we can only infer its existence from the effects it induces in our own behaviour.

idem
the same thing (often found in a listing, not to repeat a phrase which has been inserted above the line(s) carrying idem).

id est (i.e.)
that is.

ignòti nulla cupìdo
we don't long for what we are not aware of [no desire for what is not known].

ignotus (ign.)
not known.

imprimatur
an official approval [let it be printed].

From usage long followed in Roman Catholic regions, whereby the local bishop added his imprimatur seal on books in order to certify their compliance with orthodoxy.

impròmptu
of something performed without previous planning or consideration

Her impromptu remark was ... ; a witty impromptu must not sound premeditated

in absèntia
not being there [in the absence].

Example: the suspect was tried and sentenced in absentia (as it hadn't been possible to locate and apprehend him).

in artìculo mortis
at the moment of death.

in càuda venènum
said of something which is attractive but, once attained, hurts us [poison is in the tail].

in còrpore vili
quoted to point to experiments which entail suffering by people or animals whom experimenters view as undeserving consideration [in a worthless body].

incredìbile dictu
exclamation pointing to an unbelievable or amazing statement [couched in quite unbelievable tems].

incredìbile visu
exclamation pointing to an unexpected, unbelievable sight [So surprising a sight!].

in dièbus illis
in those days, back to a distant past.

in dùbio pro reo
if in doubt, let the indicted be free [when in doubt, favour the one suspected of guilt].

in extènso
as a whole, reproduced in full [in extended form].

in extremis
at the very end; one instant before too late.

in fìeri
in the process of becoming.

in fine
finally, summing up, by way of conclusion ... and other formulas for ending an essay, a letter [at the end].

in illo tèmpore
at that time, back to a distant past.

in itìnere
while things are still ongoing [along the way].

in lìmine
at the border, on the threshold.

in loco
on the spot; in that place.

in mèdias res
halfway, occurring or observed while the relevant event has begun but not yet terminated [in the middle of things].

in mèdio stat virtus
the right stance is in between; expressing mistrust towards clearcut explanations or extreme views [virtue is found in the middle].

in memòriam
in remembrance.

in mente Dei
of something theoretical, not yet performed or observable [in God's mind].

in nuce
at the very early stage or in a very concise form [in a nutshell].

in pàrtibus infidèlium
among those who don't share this view [where the unbelievers are found].

in parvo
in miniature.

in pèctore
within one's heart, something wished but not yet disclosed to others [within the breast].

in perpètuum
forever.

in pleno
in full.

in primis
first and foremost [among the first things].

in princìpio
in the beginning.

in re
concerning the matter at hand [in the thing].

insalutàto hòspite
of a guest leaving without anybody noticing.

in se
in itself.

insìgnia
official emblem [objects representative of ..., being signs of ...].

in situ
in place, being there.

in spècie
in kind; or also in its own shape.

intelligènti pàuca
a clever one need not be given plenty of details [to the intelligent mind, little is enough].

inter àlia
among other things [within others].

The annexe takes note, inter alia, of these explorations and results ... (from A.K. Sen, "On Economic Equality", 1973, Preface to the enlarged 1997 edition)

inter arma sìlent leges
in time of war, no rules hold [amidst the clash of arms, laws are not heard of].

ìnterim
depending on context: provisional, temporary, the intervening time [meanwhile].

Examples
[Used as an adjective] Interim measures were enacted while waiting for a more permanent solution.
[Used as an adverbial] A local request to declare the range a protected environment was filed in 2000, but not approved by the government in Lima until 2005. In the interim, the government had included the area in an oil and gas concession ... (The Economist, "Whose Jungle is It?", Mar. 19th 2009)

inter nos
off the record, unofficially, confidentially [among us].

inter primis
among the most important things.

inter vivos
juridical expression certifying that a deed was signed when the beneficiaries were alive [among those who are still alive]..

in toto
thoroughly, in its entirety [taking the whole of it].

intra vires
within the capacity, not unduly nor arbitrarily [within the power] see also ultra vires.

intùitu persònae
depending on how a person is expected to behave [based on an intuitive feeling of a given individual].

in vacuo
in an empty space; if found in a scientific context: in a space from which air has been removed) [in a vacuum].

in vino vèritas
wine brings the truth forth [the truth is the wine].

Most often, people reveal themselves when they are high.

in vitro
artificially, in a test tube [inside a glass].

in vivo
in the thick of things; on the field; also found with reference to experiments effected by means of living entities [within a living organism].

ipse dixit
he himself said that (Medieval Scholastic philosophers - by whom Aristotle was considered the greatest philosopher - appealed to his authority whenever objections had to be forestalled; today it is ironically referred to someone who pontificates).

ipso facto
as a result and without delay.

ira furor brevis est
rage is a temporary madness [ire is a shortlived insanity].

jus primae noctis
total power over fellow human beings [the right of the first night].

The saying recalls barbarian habits found in primitive societies (such as some fiefs in Dark Ages' Europe) where the defloration of newly wed brides had to be effected by the seigneur of the land.

lapsus
same as lapsus linguae (see two lines down)

lapsus càlami
a typo [a slip-up of the pen].

lapsus linguae
an involuntary quid pro quo made when speaking [a slip-up of the tongue].

lapsus memòriae
failure in remembering [a slip-up of the tongue].

lato sensu
broadly speaking, approximately.

laudatores tèmporis acti
those who tarry with yesterday [praisers of time past].

legenda
header for a list of clarifications or explanations [Things which should be read].

leve fit quod bene fertur onus
when an issue is correctly tackled, it can be managed [Light is the burden which is carried with the appropriate grip].

From poet Ovid (43 BC - 17 AD).

levis sit tibi terra
may the earth be light on you (found on tombstones, wishing rest to the dead).

lex loci
contract clause stating that, should a conflict arise as to its implementation, it should be handled according to local law [the law of the place].

lex talionis
law of retribution [law of retaliation].

The default instrument for repressing crime in early legal systems, it is thus summarised in the Bible: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, an arm for an arm, a life for a life.

licet
giving the green light [it is allowed].

loco citàto (loc. cit.)
at the above mentioned place.

longa manus
of somebody who acts - usually in shady ways - on behalf of someone else [long hand].

lupus in fàbula
originates from a tale where the showing up of a wolf made everybody dumb, speechless; the quotation recalls the silence ensuing the sudden arrival of the very person people were talking about until then [the wolf in the fairy tale].

magna charta
a set of fundamental rules [great basic text].

The expression recalls he royal charter of political rights granted to rebellious English barons by King John in 1215 AD, seen as the reversal from despotism to democracy since 4th century BC's Athenian republic.

magna cum làude
formula added to the score of those who graduate with highest honours [with utmost praise].

magna pars
constituting a large part of [large part].

magnum opus
a major achievement, often referring to the main book or composition written by an author [large, or grand, work].

maiòra premunt
higher things are pressing (no time left for dealing with trifles).

mala fide
of something done fraudulently, by stealth [in bad faith].

mala tèmpora currunt
we are living through difficult times [bad times are unfolding before us].

manu militàri
forcibly, exerting physical constraint [by military hand].

manus Dei
something happening as a result of an all-encompassing design defying our understanding; providence [the hand of God].

manus manum lavat
two of a kind shall always support one another [a hand washes the other hand].

From satirist Petronius Arbiter (died 66 AD).

mare nostrum
what Romans called the Mediterranean Sea [our sea].

margarìtas ante porcos
giving something of value to someone who can't appreciate its worth [(laying) pearls before the pigs].

maximum
largest quantity or highest degree.

mea culpa
the admission of one's responsibility, guilt [my fault].

mèdice, cura te ipsum
reprimand for those who systematically find faults in other people [doctor, treat yourself first].

Drawn from a Jewish midrash, the is an investigation into a Bible text with a view to showing its relevance for day-to-day living.

mèdicus curat, natùra sanat
the physician treats (the disease, wound) but it is nature which heals (it).

memento mori
remember that you are to die (paraphrase of Tertullian's maxim).

memorabìlia
items which symbolise an age past or in general an event worth remembering [memorable things].

memoranda
written texts being kept as records [things to be remembered].

memorandum
written text being kept as a record [something to be remembered].

mens sana in còrpore sano
smart minds only thrive within healthy bodies (take care of your food, sleep and material needs, without which you can't think straight).

millènnia
several thousand year periods.

millènnium
a thousand year period.

minimum
least quantity or lowest degree.

minus
subtracting, or the downside of the situation.

minùtia (plural: minùtiae)
small or minor detail.

They had memorized the many minutiae of the legal code. (Example drawn from WordWeb)

miràbile dictu
said of an utterance of value, carrying wisdom, exceptionally well crafted or unveiling a truth. Might be used ironically.

mòdicum
a little bit, a touch of.

A modicum of understanding on your part is recommendable in this matter.

modus agèndi
a particular way of behaving.

modus operàndi
a particular way of doing things. The plural form is "modi operandi".

modus vivèndi
finding a compromise whereby two opposing parties can get on with their businesses or lives without the prospect of clashing.

moratòria
plural form of moratorium, below.

moratòrium
postponement or suspension.

more maiòrum
after to the way our ancestors did it.

more sòlito
the usual or customary way.

more uxòrio
as if they were husband and wife (although they were not).

mors tua vita mea
your death lends me a chance to survive; pointing to those situations where extremely hard decisions are made.

mortalem te esse memento
remember that you are a mortal being.

By Christian writer Tertullian (160-230) -- se also memento mori.

motu proprio
same as sua sponte and, in addition, the name of some legally binding decisions issued by Roman Catholic popes [out of one's own initiative]

multa pàucis
conveying many - or thick - notions within a few words [many within few]

mutàtis mutàndis
once what needs changing has been changed; quoted to show that, beyond apparently different circumstances, a situation identical to one discussed beforehand appears to be there.

natùra non facit saltus
nature only changes gradually; reality doesn't suddenly jump from one scenario to a totally different one [nature does not leap].

ne bis in idem
juridical maxim forbidding to indict someone of a crime again if she/he already stood a fair trial on that count [not twice for the same].

nec plus ultra (also: non plus ultra)
the inscription believed to have been carved by Hercules on the rock of Gibraltar, warning that the world ended there and travelling further would lead nowhere; today it refers to something which is the best of its kind; exceeding it is not possible .

nemo ante mortem beàtus
as long as people are alive, they might disappoint you [no one should be glorified before her/his death]

nemo judex in càusa sua
no one is to judge her/his own case [nobody is (a suitable) judge in matters of personal concern]

nemo me impùne lacèssit
(wha daur meddle wi' me in Gaelic) engraved within Scotland's coat of arms - see image below [no one struck me with impunity]

nemo repente fuit turpìssimus
developing bad leanings takes a long time [no one ever became deadly all of a sudden]

By satirist Juvenal (60-140).

ne quid nimis
nothing too much (an invitation to be moderate).

nihil làcrima cìtius arèscit
nothing dries out as fast as tears.

nihil òbstat
nothing is against it (giving a pass, clearance).

nihil novi sub sole
there is nothing new under the sun.

nomen est omen
our destiny is hidden in our name (remark done when something happens to somebody whose name has an aura of predestination with respect to it). [a name is a hint]

There might be far more to it, if the Roman society shared the same beliefs of the Ismailis in the Indian state of Gujarat, who carefully consult their community's wisest before choosing names for their offspring.

non èxpedit
not permissible

Words uttered by a pope to ban a certain behaviour from among Catholics; now generally taken for a categorical denial.

non licet
not allowed.

non licet òmnibus adìre Corìnthum
each one can do some things but not others [it is not within the means of everyone to visit Corinth].

The saying recalls that, in antiquity, Corinth was known for its high prices.

non olet
it doesn't smell.

Reply given by emperor Vespasian (9 - 79) to his son Titus who was critical of a tax levied on the use of public WCs. Its meaning: the money received by the state through this tax doesn't smell bad, although WCs do; the quotation applies to situations where a higher advantage carries the day in spite of problems. Alternate form is: pecunia non olet, (pecunia = money)

non omnis mòriar
not all of me shall die

Line by Horace (65-8 BC) showing confidence that his poems would outlive him.

non sèquitur
something illogical; a fault [it doesn't follow (from what has been posited at the onset)].

non ut edam vivo, sed ut vivam edo
I do not live for the purpose of eating, but eat so that I stay alive.

nosce te ipsum
know thyself.

Latin rendering of a maxim by Greek philospher Socrates (470 - 399 BC), as later engraved on the façade of the temple of Delphi, Greece (reproduced below; its transliteration from the Greek alphabet reads: gnôthi seautón).

nulla dies sine lìnea
quotation recommending perseverance and method [not one day without a stroke].

The saying originates from a Greek painter which never let a day go by without practising with his brushes.

nulla poena sine lege
no punishment may be applied unless prescribed by law [no punishment without law].

numerus clausus
restricted number [closed number].

òbiter dictum
of something said in passing; as a side comment or parenthetical remark [said along the way].

obtòrto collo
unwillingly; under duress [with a twisted neck].

òderint, dum mètuant
better to be unpopular than not worthy of notice [let them hate me as long as they fear me]

a favourite remark by Caligula (12 - 41), one of the emperors who ended up assassinated.

odi et amo
by poet Catullus - 84 - 54 BC - emphasising the ambivalence of human sentiments [I hated and yet now love].

odi profanum vulgus et àrceo
expressing the aristocratic solitude of one's soul [I hate the unholy crowd and stay away from them].

From poet Horace (65-8 BC), Book III, ode i, verse 1.

omissis
missing part [with omitted things in between].

It serves the same purpose of the "..." notation, when same parts of a text or speech are not reported.

òmnia fert aetas
time takes everything away [time carries all].

Drawn from poet Virgil (70-19 BC).

òmnia mea mecum porto
valuable possessions take little space [all I have I do carry with me at all times]

Based on a Greek tale reporting that, as a vessel was sinking at sea, all but one were in a craze to haul ashore as many of their belongings as they could. When all was over, the one who hadn't rescued anything was invited to explain his behaviour. He pointed one finger to his forehead and answered: all which matters I carry in here.

òmnia munda mundis
perversion is in the eye of the beholder [to those who are virtuous, nothing is tainted].

òmnia vincit amor
love overcomes everything.

òmnibus viis Romam pervènitur
all roads lead to Rome; when something is really important, it won't be missed [one gets to Rome by way of any road].

onus probandi
the burden of supplying evidence [burden of proving that something is true]..

ope legis
as an effect of the law [by work of law].

òpere citato (op. cit.)
within the work which was quoted earlier.

opus citatum (op. cit.)
refer to the work which was quoted earlier.

o tèmpora, o mores
damn the time, damn the habits (from an oratio written by lawyer and statesman Cicero - 106 - 43 BC - pleading that Roman society should amend its ways).

pace
let someone accept the inevitability of something [with peace of ...]

This excerpt from a scholarly essay supplies an example:
Yet, the fundamental role of narrative does not imply (pace Bartholomew) that it should be privileged ...
where Bartholomew is an author supporting a different point of view.

pacta sunt servànda
Agreements must be honoured [pacts are to be kept].

panem et circènses
bread and entertainment: according to poet Juvenal (60 - 140), as long as rulers can provide both to their subjects, these will let them rule over themselves.

par
state of equality ("on a par"); accepted standard ("up to par"); equality between the market value of a financial asset and its face value ("at par") or, if inequality recurs: "above par", "below par" [equal].

par condìcio
being treated the same way as someone else, being placed on the same level [condition among peers].

pari passu
at the same rate of change [with the same step].

parva sed apta mihi
of something which is disparaged by those who overlook its benefits [small but befitting me]

The beginning of an inscription placed on the threshold of his house in the Garfagnana region by Italian poet Ludovico Ariosto (1474-1533). Inscription goes on as follows: Parva, sed apta mihi, sed nulli obnoxia, sed non sordida ... (Small but befitting me, nobody else can claim rights on it, it is not dilapidated ...)

passim
in several places, here and there or all through.

pater familias
a wise and caring family head.

The standard taken by Roman judges to tell fortuitous mishap from wilful negligence. If the event originating the case could have occurred in spite of all precautions a typical pater familias would have taken, then the defendant was acquitted.

pàucis verbis
in short, summing up [in a few words].

pendente lite
while disagreement is still unsettled.

pensum
assignment, allotted task, or also a piece of work imposed as a punishment [something hanging]

In origin: the daily amount of wool any worker of a spinning factory was expected to spin.
The usage of the additional expression post pensum (after the assignment) is not clear at the moment and will be added as soon as figured out.

per absùrdum
a way of assuming that something which the speaker considers false is the case, in order to show that such supposition leads to a logical impasse [via an absurd assumption].

Example: "Let us suppose,per absurdum, that Mary was at home when that happened. If so, then ... which is clearly impossible".

per àccidens
by accident [by hazard].

Expression found in Medieval Latin, such as the one written by Scholastics who, being followers of ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, distinguished substantia (necessary elements to be recognised as, e.g., a dog) from accidentes (fortuitous elements as, e.g., in a dog with a missing ear).

per àspera ad astra
difficulties must be met in order to reap a commensurate prize [stomping through rough terrain on the way to the stars].

per annum
per year, yearly.

per càpita
for each person being counted; same as pro capite [per head].

per centum (per cent)
every hundred units.

per contra
by way of contrast.

per diem
the daily subsistence allowance (covering hotel and restaurant) paid by a company to the staff sent on a mission [for each day, by the day].

per fas et nefas
through right or wrong.

per mensem
monthly.

per mille
every thousand units.

per se
by itself; because of itself.

persòna
a character as outlined in a script, play [person, seen as a particular instance of humankind].

persòna non grata
of a foreigner due to be deported because the local government no longer allows her/him to stay in the country.

petìtio princìpii
circular reasoning; meaningless argument due to question-begging (see two examples) [want of a starting point].

philosophìae doctor (Ph.D.)
highest-degree master in academic knowledge (see also M.A., M.Sc., B.A., B.Sc.).

pìetas
beyond dutifulness or fairness: a lifetime commitment to the fulness of the human nature (to be used only in formal academic papers) [more than English "piety", and not necessarily limited to the religious sphere].

Example:
• The pietas of this author was already evident in the human depth of the main character of her first novel.

placèbo
neutral substance given to an ailing person believing that it may treat her/his ailment (its purpose being statistical control for effects other than psychological) [they'll like me].

placet
an official agreement to a course of action, a proposal being submitted ... (opposite to veto) [it pleases].

pluràlis maiestàtis
the use of the plural form by a singular entity to enhance one's prestige, as was routinely done in the past by Western kings and queens as well as religious leaders.

plus
adding, or the upside of the situation.

post factum
of something occuring after the event (or fact) being discussed took place.

post merìdiem (P.M.)
after noon.

post mortem
of something occurring after death and, in everyday English, also the dissection (autopsy) aimed at determining the cause of death.

post òbitum
after death.

post partum
after childbirth.

post scriptum (P.S.)
a formula introducing extra text added to documents, either as second thoughts or for elaborating further on some points stated in the main text [after the writing].

post tènebras lux
there is always an end to bad times.[light is found after darkness].

Motto of the Republic of Chile.

prima fàcie
at first look; on cursory inspection.

primus inter pares
the most authoritative within a group of peers [first among those carrying the same dignity].

pro bono
to the advantage of (usually followed by a qualifier as in the two expressions which follow). When used as an adjective or adverb (e.g., "a team which provided legal advice ... pro bono for ... the Paralympics in Beijing" - The Times, Sept. 18 2008) it means "for the public good, without receiving any reward" [for the good].

pro bono pacis
for the sake of peace, coexistence.

pro bono pùblico
for the good of the whole community.

pro càpite
for each person being counted; same as per capita [per head].

pro die
for each day, daily.

pro et contra
for and against (when weighing pros and cons of something).

pro forma
a provisional invoice or receipt, to be perfected later on [for the form].

promoveàtur ut amoveàtur
let us appoint him/her to a higher job, so that she/he gets removed from here (hints to the political manoeuvring whereby someone is removed from a prestigious post in a way that saves her/his face).

pro quànto
"within the measure which ...", see also "pro tànto", below.

pro rata
in proportion to the value [by the proportion].

pro tànto
"in the same measure"; when linked to "pro quànto": the more ... the more.[within so much].

• The reduction in the workers' wages will diminish the need for cash and it will therefore reduce pro tanto the liquidity demanded by the community as a whole (paraphrased from J.M Keynes, "The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money", 1936)
• Pro quanto his standing improves, pro tanto the number of options available to him increase (The more his standing improves, the more options open up for him)

pro tèmpore
for a limited time or for the time being.

qua
in so far as, from the point of view of ..., being considered in the light of ... [being what it/she/he is].

Examples:
1. The most senior member, qua President of the club, mediated the dispute.
2. The task of reading, qua interpretation, will be precisely to fulfil the reference. [Excerpt from works by philosopher P. Ricoeur, where "reference" is understood in the sense laid out by F. De Saussure].

quae singula non prosunt collecta juvant
some things which are useless when taken in isolation, turn out to be helpful when taken together [what doesn't help individually, does so collectively (when in conjunction with other elements)].

quaesìtum
the object of a quest; the needed explanation [what is being sought].

Our present object is to discover what determines at any time the national income ... [that is] ... the factors whose changes mainly determine our quaesitum. (J.M Keynes, "The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money", 1936).

qualis pater, talis filius
the son being the same as the father, with ideantical good and bad points due to the education received by him.

quantum satis
just as much as needed.

quàsi
as if.

qui bene amat, bene castìgat
the one who truly loves knows when the loved one(s) are to be chastised [who loves well also punishes well].

quid pro quo
depending on context: to give "this in exchange of that", or to mistake "something for something else"[this at the place of that].

quìdquid agis, prudènter agas, et rèspice finem
whatever you do, do it in a prudent way without losing sight of your ultimate end.

quid rides mutato nòmine de te fàbula narratur
do not ever assume to be above the crowd [Why are you laughing? Albeit under another name, this story is about yourself].

By poet Horace (65-8 BC).

quièta non movère
if ain't broke, don't fix it; do not disrupt the present set-up if nobody complains about it [don't stir what is at rest].

quis custòdiet custòdem?
who keeps an eye on the watchman? (quotation meant to show that nothing can be under absolute control; in spite of the surveillance in place, corruption remains possible).

qui tacet, consentire videtur
remaining silent is tantamount to agreeing.

quo ànimo?
animated by what state of mind or intent?

quo fata ferunt
wherever destiny makes us head towards.

quod erat demonstràndum (q.e.d.)
usually at the end of a logical or mathematical process, after the solution was stated [which was what we set out to prove].

quorum
a percentage indicating the threshold of those participating in an assembly or approving a motion for the assembly to be empowered with decision-making or the approval of the motion to be enforceable [... of those (short for "xxx% of those")]

Example - In order to be represented in the German parliament, a political party must reach a quorum of 5% of the ballots having been cast in a national election.

quot càpita, tot sentèntiae (also; tot capita, tot sententiae)
each one has her/his own view on the matter [as many heads as views].

quoùsque tandem
enough is enough [for how long]

In extenso, this quotation from statesman Cicero (106 - 43 BC) reads: Quousque tandem abutère, Catilìna, patièntia nostra? (» Until when will you, Catilina, take advantage of our patience towards you?), with Catilina being someone whom Cicero was thereby accusing of plotting against the government of Rome.

rara avis
someone with an uncommon aspect or characteristic, for example an honest person in a corrupt environment [a rare bird].

ràtio decidendi
the ground for deciding one way rather than another [reason for deciding].

ràtio legis
the ultimate purpose being pursued by a law; the rationale behind its enacting [reason of the law].

rationale
the reason justifying a behaviour or decision [what makes it reasonable].

re
referring to [what (thing) this is about].

rebus sic stàntibus
under the same circumstances, with no change made [the things staying as they are now].

redùctio ad absùrdum
also called proof by contradiction, is a logical method positing the opposite of what is to be proved in order to show that an absurdity ensues [making an absurdity patent]

It is typically found in mathematics, whenever only either proposition A or proposition not A may occur - with no possibilities in between. A may be proved to be true by showing that not A involves a logical contradiction.
In less stringent reasoning, as noted by don-lindsay-archive, "if the issues are razor-sharp, it is a good way to (disprove your opponent's) argument. However, if the waters are ... muddy, ... you will only succeed in showing that your opponent's argument does not apply in all cases".

redux
the one coming back from a military campaign and - more in general - anyone who reverts to a prior way of life [the one who returns].

referendum
something to be submitted to others and, in everyday English, the process of having a community vote for approval or rejection of a proposal [to be referred].

relàta rèfero
said by someone who can't be absolutely certain something is true [I'm reporting what was reported to me]. Alternative formulations are: de relato rèfero, de relatis rèfero.

rem tene verba sequentur
as long as you master the subject, you'll be able to make your case properly [hold the thing tight in your grasp, the words will flow by themselves].

By Roman senator Cato the Elder (234 - 149 BC).

repetìta jùvant
once is good, twice is better [it is helpful to repeat things].

res gestae
achievements [things accomplished].

Res Gestae Divi Augusti is the funerary heading on the tomb of Octaviànus Augustus, the first emperor of Rome (63 BC - AD 14), followed by a list of deeds.
See also historia rerum gestarum.

res judicata
said of an issue which has been settled - possibly after lengthy and thorough debate [a judicial verdict has been filed with regard to this].

res nullìus
something which may be appropriated by anyone because no current owner can be identified [thing of nobody].

res pùblica
the republic [the public thing].

rex et sacerdos
a title of the Germanic emperors until around 1100 AD, when they accepted that temporàlia be separated from spirituàlia and that the Pope be the only one competent for handling the latter [king and priest].

rigor mortis
the body stiffness which occurs shortly after death [rigidity of death].

risus abùndat in ore stultòrum
laughter is usually seen on the lips of fools (an invitation not to take the matter lightly).

sapere àude
see audeàmus [dare to acquire learning!].

scièntiae baccalàureus (B.Sc.)
bachelor - meant as "knight of the lowest order" - with respect to numeracy-based disciplines (see also Ph.D., M.A., M.Sc., B.A.).

scièntiae magìster (M.Sc.)
master of numeracy-based disciplines (see also Ph.D., M.A., B.Sc., B.A.).

scìlicet (sc.)
that is to say.

secundis àvibus
with favourable omens [with the birds assisting]

Seers looked at the way some birds were flying in order to divine future developments. (See also sinistris avibus.)

semel in anno licet insanìre
once a year, it's ok to behave like a fool (we are all human and as such we lapse sometimes, but that should not happen frequently).

semper fidèlis
the motto of the US marine corps since 1871, when it superseded the previous "first to fight" [always faithful].

senatòres boni viri senàtus mala bestia
taken one by one, senators are honourable men but, as a group, they are harmful [senators are good guys, the senate is a deadly beast].

senàtus populùsque romànus (S.P.Q.R.)
the senate and people of Rome (as seen on the insignia of Roman republic's sculptures).

sensu lato
same as lato sensu.

sensu stricto
same as stricto sensu.

scìlicet (sc.)
that is to say.

seriàtim
in sequence [arranged as a series].

sero molunt deòrum molae
divine justice takes its time but gets there [the mills of the the gods grind slowly].

This ancient proverb got a second life, as today's Germans say likewise: Gottes Mühlen mahlen langsam - adding sometimes to it und die der Behörden kaum schneller (and the mills of the bureaucrats hardly faster).

sic
added to parts in a text that the reader might believe to be typos, in order to confirm that the writing was done on purpose - maybe while reproducing some original document [so, exactly like this].

sic et simplìciter
just like that, without taking consequences into account [simply like this].

Example - You cannot just say "I miscalculated" - sic et simpliciter; you are also expected to pay for the damage.

sic passim
thus everywhere [this way throughout]

simìlia simìlibus curàntur
dangerous elements may be serviceable (e.g. a poison might be the antidote offsetting another poison) [something gone awry needs treating by means of similar substances].

simìliter atque senis bàculus
a serviceable, unassuming person [similar to an old man's walking stick].

sine dìe
postponing without setting any deadline [no day added].

sine qua non
something absolutely indispensable [without it, the matter at hand cannot be solved].

sine spe ac metu
This lays out the fundamental condition for a judge to pass correct judgements: the judging one must not hope to receive a reward (from the winning party) or to be harmed (by the losing party) once her/his judgement is made public [with neither expectation nor fear].

sinistris àvibus
with adverse omens [with sinister birds]

Seers looked at the way some birds were flying in order to divine future developments. (See also secundis avibus.)

si vis pacem para bellum
if you want peace, stay ready for a fight (no lasting accommodation is possible without some balance of countervailing powers).[if you want peace, prepare for war].

By Vegetius, a sort of ante litteram von Clausewitz who wrote about military science towards the end of the 4th century AD. More details.

sol òmnibus lucet
nature's gifts are free to all [the sun shines for all].

By satirist Petronius (died in 66 AD).

solvet et coàgulat
the process of disbanding in order to regroup in a more effective arrangement [it dissolves and coagulates]

E.g., a political commentator may resort to solvet and coagulat to concisely refer to the event whereby parties pursuing similar agendas disband in order that their supporters cohere into a new common formation.

spirituàlia
affairs regarding the spiritual dimension and the behaviour to be followed vis-à-vis God; see also rex et sacerdos [things related to one's spirit as opposed to material body].

spoliàtis arma sùpersunt
the trodden upon have but one option: revolt [to the oppressed, weapons are the only means left].

stare decìsis
keeping one's commitment [stand by decisions].

status quo (also statu quo)
freezing things as they are now (the French quote it in the form: statu quo).

status quo ante
the last situation before change occurred (the French quote it in the form: statu quo ante).

stricto sensu
meant with precision and accuracy; no approximation.

sua sponte
of something done spontaneously, without coercion [out of free will].

sub iùdice
of something which is still under scrutiny, awaiting to be settled or verified [entrusted to a judge].

sub poena
under penalty of law and, more specifically, a writ issued by Anglo-Saxon courts to compel the attendance of a witness at a judicial proceeding [under threat of penalty].

sub spècie aeternitàtis
of a way of looking at things unrelated to a specific place and age [from the point of view of eternity].

sùi gèneris
of its own kind.

summum jus, summa iniùria
a rigid, mechanical law-enforcement may result in justice not being done [extreme law is tantamount to extreme injustice].

From the writings of lawyer and statesman Cicero (106-43 BC).

suos cuìque mores
everyone has her/his habits and customs .

From the writings of Aulus Gellius (ca. 125 - after 180), author and grammarian.

super partes
above the struggle, said of persons or institutions (e.g., a court of law) considered to be levelheaded and impartial, not swayed by intimidation or corruption [above the opposing parties]. [above the opposing parties].

e.g.: The president is super partes and as such cannot take sides.

sursum corda!
cheer up! don't let yourselves down! [hearts up!].

sùtor, ne supra crèpidam!
don't get out of your way, stay within bounds! [cobbler, not above the shoe!].

Evocative of an ancient Greek story, where a painter sought a cobbler's professional opinion on the shoe he had just painted within a wider picture. As soon as the cobbler began to comment on the rest of the picture, the painter stopped him with the words reported here.

tàbula rasa
removing everything from memory or a situation [clean slate].

taèdium vitae
fatigue due to having lived long enough [dislike of life]

A notion first defined and investigated by Roman stoic philosopher Seneca (4BC - 65AD). Irish playwright Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) so titled one of his compositions.

tarde venièntibus ossa
late comers will have to do without [to late comers, just the bones].

temporàlia
daily affairs related to organising one's life and administering human coexistence; see also rex et sacerdos [things unfolding through time].

tèmpora mutàntur et nos mutàmur in illis
few certitudes, if any, defy the flow of time [times change, and so do we do within them].

tempòribus illis
at that time, usually a time elapsed long ago; in a distant past.

tempus fugit non àutem memoria
[time flies, memory stays].

terra firma
mainland, ashore.

terra incògnita
unknown land.

terra nova
Newfoundland.

terra nullìus
no man's land; a yet undiscovered or not reclaimed land.

tèrtium non datur
either this is true or its opposite is [there is no third possibility].

tèstis unus, tèstis nullus
at least two independent witnesses are required in a court of justice [one witness, no witness].

tìmeo Dànaos et dona ferèntes
dangerous people are all the more so when the appear to have shed their bad habits [I fear the Greeks, even when they come bringing gifts]

Line from Aeneid - poet Virgil's (70-19 BC) main epic.

tìmeo hòminem unìus libri
I am wary of those who are guided by one theory only [I fear the man who only knows one book].

tres fàciunt collègium
it only takes three people to have plurality [three make a gang].

tu quoque!
expression marking surprise at finding out that the person being addressed has a particular leaning, problem or is among those who support a particular cause. [even you!]

Reported as the last words of general and statesman Julius Caesar (100-44 BC), who died at the hands of conspirators accusing him of having brought the freedoms of the Roman republic to an end. Such words were uttered as the dying Caesar saw that his adopted son Brutus was among his assassins: Tu quoque, Brute, filii mi! - "You too, Brutus, my own son!".

ubi bene, ibi patria
home is where one feels comfortable [fatherland is anywhere you feel at ease].

ubi consìstam
a starting point; something which can be relied upon in order to develop an argument. [where I should rest]

From physicist Archimedes' (287-212 BC) remark: da mihi ubi consistam, terramque movebo - give me a point where a lever may lean upon, and I'll lift the whole world.

ubi màior minor cessat
where a higher (person, argument) exists, all other (persons, options) become negligible. [where the bigger, the smaller has no say].

ubìque
everywhere.

ubi tu Gàius, ibi ego Gàia
the formula performing Roman weddings [wherever you - Gaius - will be, there shall I - Gaia - be].

ùltima ratio
same as extrema ratio [a means of last resort].

ùltima ratio regum
French minister Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642) had this inscription etched into cannons [kings' means of last resort].

ùltima Thule
the northernmost region of the habitable world as thought of by ancient geographers; a distant territory or destination and, by extension, a remote goal or ideal.

ultra posse nemo obligàtur
no one should be held responsible for not doing what cannot done no one is to be pressed into acting beyond limits.

ultra vires
beyond the powers or legal authority, unduly or arbitrarily [beyond the power] see also intra vires.

una salus victis nullam sperare salutem
when there is no way out of a deadly situation, people - freed from the restraint linked to hoping that a miracle may rescue them - can sometimes achieve the unthinkable [the one safety for the vanquished is to abandon any hope of safety].

una voce
unanimously, without dissent [with one voice only].

unicuìque suum
give everybody what he/she is entitled to [to everybody her/his own].

unum necessàrium
the only thing which counts [the one which is really necessary]

From Vulgate* Christian Gospels (Luke 10:42), reporting how Jesus refuses to reprimand Martha's sister for not helping with household chores because her attention was focused on matters concerning God.

*Vulgate: translation into Latin from Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible effected mainly by St. Jerome at the end of the 4th century AD.

urbi et orbi
worldwide [to the city of Rome and the whole world; typically found in connection with the Roman Pontiff leading a ceremony].

ut àmeris, amàbilis esto
if you wish to be loved, make yourself worth of being loved.

ut infra
formula for pointing to text found further down in a written work (opposite to ut supra) [as below].

uti, non abùti
avail yourself of something within bounds [use things, don't abuse them].

ut supra (ut sup.)
formula for pointing to text found at an earlier stage of a written work (opposite to ut infra) [as above].

vade mecum
something to be kept on oneself for ready use [walk with me].

vae victis!
the losers be damned!

Latin rendering of words uttered by Brennus who, after having been appointed chief of the Gauls (Celtic tribes in Gallia), challenged and destroyed Rome in 146 BC.

veni, vidi, vici
the account by military general Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BC) of a campaign he had just waged in Gallia - a region which included what is now northern Italy, France, Belgium, part of Germany and the Netherlands [I came, looked, won » I arrived, appraised the situation, defeated the enemy].

verbàtim
word by word; faithful quoting [exactly as said].

verba volant, scripta manent
spoken words fly away, written words stay.

vèritas òdium parit
speaking the truth is likely to arouse animosity [the truth engenders hatred].

Alternate form is veritas odium parit, obsèquium amìcos » ... and flattery gains friends.

verso
the reverse of something

versus (vs.)
opposed to ...

veto
denial of concurring, of approving a proposal being submitted (opposite to placet) [I prohibit].

vexàta quaestio
an unsettled issue around which debate is still ongoing.

vìa
by means of; by way of [through this road].

vice versa
the other way round [change to the opposite direction].

vide (v.)
see.

vidèlicet (viz.)
namely; introduces items specifying a point being made.

vìdeo meliòra probòque, deteriòra sèquor
I see what is right, and approve of it, but end up doing the opposite [I see the best and acknowledge it, follow however a faulty path].

From poet Ovid's (43 BC - AD 17) Methamorphoses.

vide supra
refer to what was stated earlier, in a previous text within the same document.

vim vi repèllere
said about an emergency calling for active resistance [to repel force (directed towards us) by opposing our force against the aggressor].

vim vi repèllere licet
a different version of the above dictum [to violence force to violence is permissible].

vir sapit qui pauca lòquitur
it is a wise man who speaks little [the man who's thick says few words].

vis còmica
an innate sense of humour.

vis inèrtiae
resistance to change due to the weight of habit, unwillingness to innovate, fear of unpredictable consequences.

vis màior
an overriding force, something which cannot be resisted.

viva voce
live (as opposed to written, recorded).

vòlens nòlens
willy-nilly; something is to be done, regardless of how we feel about it.

vox pòpuli
universal consensus [the voice of the people].

Alternate form is: vox populi vox Dei » the voice of the people is the voice of God » universal consensus among the people is to be taken seriously.

vùlnerant omnes, ùltima necat
engraving found on sundials and other timepieces, referring to the hours of one's life [all of them do damage, but the last kills].

vùlnus
breach, very serious damage (to be used only in formal academic papers) [wound].

Examples:
• Their reckless handling of the affair has brought about a vulnus in the trusting relationship we had enjoyed for so long.
• The flaw she discovered in the theory of their school of thought caused a vulnus in their credibility, from which they were unable to recover.