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