Latin Words In English Language

Latin Words In English Language

N.S. Gill is a Latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and Latin. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise.

Gill, N.S. "Latin Words and Expressions in English." ThoughtCo, Jan. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/latin-words-and-expressions-in-english-119422.
Gill, N.S. (2020, January 28). Latin Words and Expressions in English. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/latin-words-and-expressions-in-english-119422
Gill, N.S. "Latin Words and Expressions in English." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/latin-words-and-expressions-in-english-119422 (accessed October 14, 2022).

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Why Learn About Latin Words and Expressions in English?:

Some excellent reasons you might want to know more about Latin words and expressions in English are:

It's confusing to hear that English doesn't come from Latin because there are so many Latin words and expressions in English, but vocabulary is not enough to make one language the daughter language of another. Romance languages, including French, Italian, and Spanish, come from Latin, an important sub-branch of the Italic branch of the Indo-European tree. The Romance languages are sometimes called daughter languages of Latin. English is a Germanic language, not a Romance or Italic language. The Germanic languages are on a different branch from the Italic.

Just because our English language doesn't come from Latin doesn't mean all our words have a Germanic origin. Clearly, some words and expressions are Latin, like ad hoc . Others, e.g., habitat , circulate so freely that we're not aware they're Latin. Some came into English when Francophone Normans invaded Britain in 1066. Others, borrowed from Latin, have been modified.

There are many Latin words in English. Some are more obvious than others because they are italicized. Others are used with nothing to set them apart as imported from Latin. You may not even be aware they're Latin, like "veto" or "etc."

Latin Words Incorporated in English Words:

In addition to what we call borrowing (although there is no plan to return the borrowed words), Latin is used to form English words. Often English words contain a Latin word as a prefix. These Latin words are most often Latin prepositions. Many Latin words come into English with the preposition already attached to the verb. Sometimes the ending is changed to suit the needs of English; for instance, the verb may be converted to a noun.

Some of these sayings are familiar in translation; others in their original Latin (or Greek). Most of them are profound and worth remembering (in either the classical or modern language).

Words and Ideas, edited by William J. Dominik, contains word-building techniques for those who want to learn how to combine bits of Latin or Greek to form proper words in English or for those interested in the meaning of those word components.

Since English doesn't come from Latin it follows that the internal structure or grammar of English is different from Latin. But English grammar as it is taught in classes on grammar is based on Latin grammar. As a result, some official rules make limited or no sense. One that is familiar, in its violation, from the Star Trek series, is the rule against a split infinitive. The Star Trek sentence contains the split infinitive "to boldly go." Such a construction simply can't happen in Latin, but is obviously easy to do in English, and it works. See William Harris on how we wound up with the Latin grammar albatross.

77 Common Latin Words and Phrases Used in English That You Should Know.
It’s guaranteed that you have or will run into some of these Latin terms in anything including the lightest reading. That’s because they’re everywhere. In newspapers, textbooks, manuals, et cetera . They are used in, inter alia , academic writing, text messaging, and, quite extensively, law documents. So, they are, ipso facto , very important to know. Ergo , we thought it’s a good idea to combine these Latin words and phrases in one place and explain what they mean so that when you run into some of them next time, you go like, ha! I have seen this word somewhere and I know what it means. So, let’s get down to it.
A belief or conclusion based on assumptions or reasoning of some sort rather than actual experience or empirical evidence. Before actually encountering, experiencing, or observing a fact.
A fact, belief, or argument that is based on actual experience, experiment, or observation. After the fact.
For a particular situation, without planning or consideration of some broader purpose or application.
Directed to a particular person rather than generally, such as an attack on a person rather than a position they are espousing.
Short for ad libitum. As you desire, at one’s pleasure. To speak or perform without preparation.
Repetition that has become annoying or tiresome.
Nourishing, kind, bounteous mother. School from which one graduated.
Also known as. Otherwise known as. Less commonly as the proper meaning of at another time, otherwise.
In another place. Elsewhere. Reason one couldn’t have been in a location where an act was committed.
Other self. Another side of oneself.
short for anno Domini. In the year of our Lord. Number of years since the birth of Jesus Christ.
Short for ante meridiem. Before midday (noon.) Morning.
Spirit, mind, courage anger. Animosity. Intense opposition and ill will towards something, somebody, or some social group, commonly emotional, passionate, and mean-spirited. Hatred.
Before. Earlier. In a Supreme Court opinion, ante refers to an earlier page of the same opinion.
Genuine. Real. With no intention to deceive.
Short for circa. Around. About. Approximately. Relative to a certain year.
Seize the day or moment. Make the best of the present rather than delay or focus on the future.
Warning, caution, disclaimer, or stipulation.
Short for confer. Compare to. In reference to, as a comparison.
I think, therefore I am — Descartes.
Agreement. General or widespread agreement.
Body, especially of written or textual matter such as books and papers.
Race. Course of a race. Path of a race. Subjects comprising a course of academic study.
Short for curriculum vitae. The course of one’s life. Resume. List of significant academic and professional accomplishments, achievements, awards, education, and training.
True or matter of fact as it is, regardless of intent, good reason, authority, or official reason for being such.
Something said. Noteworthy, authoritative statement or principle. Common wisdom.
Short for et alia (neuter plural) or et alii (masculine plural) or et aliae (feminine plural). And others. And all of the others.
Short for e xempli gratia. For the sake of example. For example.
Short for ibidem or ib idem. In the same place. For a citation, indicates that it is from the same place as the preceding citation.
short for idem. From the same source. For a citation, indicates that it is from the same source, but not from the same location in that source. In contrast to ibidem ( ibid. ) which means the same location or place in the same source as the preceding citation.
Short for id est. That is. In other words.
In chambers. In private, commonly for legal proceedings, in the judge’s office (chambers.) before digital photography cameras were little “chambers.”
Unknown. With one’s identity concealed. This is actually an Italian word, derived from the Latin word incognitus.
By nodding. Implied. Indirectly implied. Suggested. Oblique allusion.
Within. In a Supreme Court opinion, refers to a decision of another court, typically an appeals court.
By that very fact or act. Therefore.
Common language in a multi-language environment. Technically, it’s Italian.
Great work. Greatest work. Masterpiece.
short for modus operandi. Mode or method of operation. How you do things.
short for nota bene. Note well. It is worth noting that.
Per person, for each person, of a population. Individually, but not for any particular person.
or percent short for per centum. For each one hundred.
By itself. Intrinsically. Specifically.
short for post meridiem. After midday (noon.) Afternoon.
After. Later. In a Supreme Court opinion, post refers to a later page of the same opinion.
On its face. Accepted on its face. Accepted as true based on initial impression. Accepted as true unless proven false.
short for post scriptum. Written after. After what has been written. In addition to what has been written. In addition.
As if. As though. Resembling. Similar but not quite exactly the same. Having many but not all the features of.
This for that. An exchange of goods or services. A barter transaction. Any contractual transaction.
or [sic]. So, this. The previous word should be taken literally even if it is not correct or appropriate.
or stat short for statim. Immediately. Now. without delay.
The existing state of affairs. As it is. As things are.
or sensu stricto. In a narrow, tight, or strict sense. Strictly speaking.
Of its own kind. Unique. Outside of existing categories. In law, outside of existing law.
Above. From the previous cited source.
Clean slate. Blank slate. Absence of any preconceived notions, ideas, goals, or purpose.
short for versus. Against. In opposition to. As opposed to. In contrast to.
As well as the two immediately preceding subjects of a statement reversed. The same either way. The other way around.
short for videre licet or videlicet. Namely. That is.
These are just great. Keep going Nerds – you provide a great service. Thank you.
A question: given the presence of Latin in English why is it not considered a member of the Romance languages?
English branched out from Germanic languages picking up structures, phones, and other characteristics of the language group, though most vocabulary came from Latin and other romantic languages, it still is not considered one as changes came after when trades and globalisation happened and not originally from the English language.
OMG — Did you actually misspell “ad nauseam”? lol
Dear Nerds, pleae note the small spelling error: it should read „ad nauseam“.
Keep up the good work!
You could include “stet”, meaning “let it stand”. It is a term used in editing, and means “disregard the correction that was made previously”.
The list is incomplete. You missed QED. Quod errat demonstrandum. It has been proved/shown;-)
Excellent keep up the good work Nerds
Best to write AM / PM in capital letters. (‘periods’ are out of fashion) and it’s harder to read.
a.m. / p.m. and quicker to type.
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Home / Uncategorized / An A-Z List of Common Latin Words Used in the English Language
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Many commonplace English words can be traced back to Latin, which probably will take you by surprise because you actually use them daily while conversing. So, let's not keep you waiting and instead list out the common Latin words and their meanings used in the English language.
Many commonplace English words can be traced back to Latin, which probably will take you by surprise because you actually use them daily while conversing. So, let’s not keep you waiting and instead list out the common Latin words and their meanings used in the English language.
Winston Churchill, Teddy Roosevelt, and Benjamin Franklin … when you read these three great names together, does it ring a bell? Ok, what’s common between them?
Latin words and phrases are most commonly used in medicine, science, and legal documents, which also brings to light the fact that these words are normally used while writing rather than speaking. However, we’d like to contradict a bit by telling you that we actually use a lot of Latin words while speaking too, such as alias, via, agenda, alibi, etc. For that matter, even abbreviations like i.e. (that is) and (etcetera) etc., come from Latin. Surprised, eh? Oh, there’s more! Alter ego, vice versa … okay, let’s do this. We’ll list them all out for you.
Find here a list of common Latin words used in English, some of which you will be very familiar with, while some may be there at the back of your mind, but you haven’t come across for long. So refresh your memory, or so to say vocabulary, as you go through the Latin words below.
abdomen :- belly acumen :- ability to make good judgments
affidavit :- a sworn declaration of an oath agenda :- list of things to be done alma mater :- nourishing mother alpha :- First of something alter ego :- other self altruism :- selfless concern for others ambiguous :- a double meaning amor :- love apex :- top appendix :- supplement atrocity :- cruel act avarice :- greed
bibulous :- love of drinking alcohol
bona fide :- good faith campus :- plain land of something celibate :- abstaining from sex or marriage cerebrum :- brain condign :- worthy, appropriate conglomerate :- different parts mixed as a unit while still distinct crepuscular :- pertaining to twilight cull :- select from a variety of sources
de facto :- of fact dirigible :- capable of being guided etc. :- and the rest ergo :- therefore facsimile :- exact copy ferrous :- made of iron flux :- in the process of flowing futile :- in vain garrulity :- loquaciousness
impecunious :- poor impromptu :- spontaneous in absentia :- in one’s absence incalculable :- too great to be counted indefatigability :- tireless insipid :- lacking flavor intra :- within introspection :- looking within oneself languid :- slow, relaxed
major :- great media :- middle medicinae doctor (M.D.) :- doctor of medicine memo :- note to remember modicum :- small amount moribund :- near death mundane :- wordly as opposed to spiritual naive :- exhibiting lack of experience obeisance :- respect obvious :- clear oculus dexter (O.D.) :- In Ophthalmology, right eye oculus sinister (O.S.) :- In Ophthalmology, left eye
parvenu :- celebrity from obscure origins per annum :- annually per capita :- individually percent :- rate for hundred per contra :- on the other hand per se :- by itself perpetuate :- preserve
plausible :- probable post meridiem (pm) :- afternoon post mortem :- autopsy post script (PS) :- after writing (in the end) precarious :- uncertain pro rata :- in equal parts puerile :- childishly silly pulchritude :- beauty pusillanimity :- showing a lack of courage quantum :- amount
recalcitrant :- obstinate renegade :- a rebellious person reprisal :- retaliation
sacrosanct :- very important status quo :- situation in which stereo :- solid stipend :- fixed allowance stultify :- appear foolish sub nomine :- under the name of
tentative :- provisional turpitude :- depravity ubiquity :- found everywhere ultra :- beyond versus :- against via :- a way vice versa :- reversed viz :- Abbreviation for ‘namely’
So, these were some Latin-derived words which we commonly use. Not only words, but many of the prefixes and suffixes have also come from this ancient language. It all together forms the base of our grammar. Keep reading and increasing your vocabulary!
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