Posts Tagged ‘latin phrases’

Latin words in English

April 26th, 2014 in Words

English has borrowed several words and phrases from Latin. Many of them have also become an integral part of English.

Here is a brief list of Latin phrases in English.

Ad hoc   – formed for a particular purpose

An ad hoc committee has been set up to study the situation.

Ad nauseam – to discuss something ad nauseam is to repeat it to the point of boredom.

The harmful effects of social media have been discussed ad nauseam.

Bona fide – real or genuine

She is a bona fide expert on the subject.

Caveat emptor – let the buyer beware

Used to suggest that the responsibility to ensure the quality of a product rests with the buyer

Circa – around

De facto – in reality or in fact

Ex gratia – out of kindness or grace

The employees who had been laid off received an ex gratia payment.

Habeas corpus

A court order that instructs that a person who is under arrest be brought before a judge

In situ       – in its original place

In vitro – taking place outside a living organism

For example, in vitro fertilization takes place in a test tube.

Per – for each

Per annum – for each year

Per capita – for each person

Per se – intrinsically, in itself/themselves; Post-mortem – medical examination of a body after death

Sine qua non – something that is indispensable

Status quo – the existing state of affairs Terra firma – land

Verbatim – in exactly the same words

Versus – against

Vice versa – the other way round