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Latin Phrases

Latin Phrases not in Vocabulary.com:
carpe diem; in memoriam; in medias res
36 words 46 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

  1. ad hoc
    for or concerned with one specific purpose
  2. ad hominem
    appealing to personal considerations rather than to reason
  3. a fortiori
    with greater reason
  4. a posteriori
    involving reasoning from facts or particulars to general principles or from effects to causes
  5. bona fide
    not counterfeit or copied
  6. caveat emptor
    the principle that the buyer takes on the risk of a purchase
  7. corpus delicti
    the body of evidence that constitute the offence
  8. de facto
    existing, whether with lawful authority or not
  9. de jure
    by right; according to law
  10. ex gratia
    as a favor; not compelled by legal right
  11. ex libris
    a label or plate in a book identifying its owner
  12. ex post facto
    affecting things past
  13. habeas corpus
    a writ ordering a prisoner to be brought before a judge
    Literally means: "You shall have the body"
  14. in loco parentis
    in place of the parents
  15. in situ
    in the original or natural place or site
  16. inter alia
    among other things
  17. in vitro
    in an artificial environment outside the living organism
  18. memento mori
    a reminder (as a death's head) of your mortality
    Literally means: "Remember you must die."
  19. modus operandi
    an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
  20. modus vivendi
    a manner of living that reflects the person's values and attitudes
  21. per annum
    every year; by the year
  22. persona non grata
    an individual who for some reason is not wanted or welcome
  23. post-mortem
    an examination and dissection of a dead body to determine cause of death or the changes produced by disease
  24. pro rata
    in proportion
  25. quid pro quo
    something given in exchange for something else
  26. rigor mortis
    temporary stiffness of joints and muscles after death
    translates from Latin: "stiffness of death."
  27. sine qua non
    a prerequisite
    Literally means: "Without which, not." Though this may sound like gibberish, it means more or less "Without (something), (something else) won't be possible.
  28. terra firma
    the solid part of the earth's surface
  29. terra incognita
    an unknown and unexplored region
    Literally means: "Unknown Territory."
  30. vox populi
    a belief or sentiment shared by most people
  31. hoi polloi
    the common people generally
    Literally means: "the many."
  32. per se
    with respect to its inherent nature
  33. pro bono
    done for the public good without compensation
    In Latin, pro bono publico means: "for the public good."
  34. pro forma
    in a set manner without serious attention
  35. en route
    on a route to some place
  36. locus classicus
    an authoritative and often-quoted passage
    The locus classicus of this new contention is Oscar Wilde's essay of 1891, The Critic as Artist. P. 79, "Criticism: An Art or a Craft?", A Jacques Barzun Reader.
Created on Thu May 16 14:24:44 EDT 2013 (updated Sat Jun 01 20:04:32 EDT 2013)

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