phrases Flashcards
Dum Tacent Clamant
Though they are silent, they cry aloud - Their silence speaks loudly
E Fungis Nati Homines
Men born of mushrooms - Upstarts
e se finxit velut araneus
he spun from himself like a spider - he relied on his own resources
ecce iterum Crispinus!
here’s that Crispinus again! - said of someone who shows up at every event
ecce signum
behold the sign - here is the proof
elephantem ex musca facis
you are making an elephant out of a fly - making a mountain out of a molehill
emeritus
a veteran - an honorary title for a person who has retired from official duties
emunctæ naris
of nice scent - discernment
Epicuri de grege porcus
a hog from the drove of Epicurus - a glutton
equis virisque
with horse and foot - with all one’s might
et sic de similibus
and so of the like - this also applies in similar cases
etiam periere ruinæ
even the ruins have perished - there is nothing left
ex mero motu
from a mere motion - of one’s own volition
ex officio
by virtue of office - as a matter of duty
ex ungue leonem
from a claw, the lion - the lion is known by its claws
ex uno disce omnes
from one learn all - from one we judge the rest
ex urna resurgam
I shall rise again from the urn - from the tomb
excessit ex ephebis
he exceeds twenty years - he has come to the age of manhood
excitabat fluctus in simpulo:
he was stirring up billows in a ladle - a tempest in a teapot
exercitatio potest omnia
perseverance conquers all things - practice makes perfect
experimentum crucis
the experience of the cross - a guidepost for others; also, truth elicited by force, such as torture
expertus metuit
the expert is afraid - once burnt, twice shy
fac simile
do the like - a close imitation of an original
facile princeps
easily the first - an undisputed leader
facinus majoris abollæ
a crime of a very deep dye - one committed by a respected person
factotum
a “do everything” - a jack-of-all-trades
favete linguis
favor with your tongues - be respectful; be silent
felix hora
a lucky occasion - a golden opportunity
fidelis ad urnam
faithful to the urn - until death
fides Punica
Punic faith - treachery
fides sit penes auctorem
credit this to the author - let the person supplying the facts be responsible for their accuracy
filius nullius
the son of no one - a bastard son
filius terræ
the son of the earth - a person of low birth
finem respice
look to the end - consider the outcome
flagrante bello
while the war blazes - during hostilities
flagrante delicto
while the crime blazes - caught in the act
flebile ludibrium
a farce to weep at - a tragic farce
fossoribus orti
sprung from ditch diggers - from humble origins
fugit hora
the hour flies - time flies
fuimus
we have been - we have made our mark
fuimus Troës
we were once Trojans - our day is over
fuit Ilium
Troy was - its day is over
fulmen brutum
a harmless thunderbolt - an empty threat
gaudet tentamine virtus
virtue rejoices in trial - in being tested
gens togata
the nation with the toga - Rome
gloria virtutis umbra
glory is the shadow of virtue - its attendant and companion
gratis asseritur
brought forth for nothing - it is asserted without being proved
graviora manent
more grievous perils remain -
the worst is yet to come
Hannibal ad portas
Hannibal is at the gate - the enemy is close at hand
haud ignota loquor
I speak of things by no means unknown - I speak of well-known events
helluo librorum
a devourer of books - a book worm
hic finis fandi
here was an end to the discourse - here the speech ended
hic hæret aqua!
here the water stops! - here is the difficulty!
hic jacet lepus
here lies the hare - here lies the difficulty
hiera picra
the sacred bitter - a medicine
hoc age
this attend - concentrate
hoc indictum volo
I wish this unsaid - I withdraw the statement
hoc opus, hic labor est
this is the task, this is the toil - there’s the rub
hodie mihi, cras tibi
today for me, tomorrow for thee - Mine today, yours tomorrow
homo multarum literarum
a man of many letters - of great learning
homo trium literarum
a man of three letters - a thief
hora fugit
the hour flies - time flies
hypotheses non fingo
I frame no hypothesis - I deal entirely with the facts
hysteron proteron
the last put first - to put the cart before the horse
iam iam
now now - forthwith
idoneus homo
a fit man - a person of proven ability
ignis fatuus
a foolish fire - a will-o’-the-wisp
imponere Pelion Olympo
to pile Pelion on Olympus - to attempt to scale heaven
in aqua scribis
you are writing in water - it is without effect
in arena ædificas
you are building on sand - it is in vain
in cauda venenum
in the tail is poison - beware of danger
in cœlum jacularis
you are aiming at the heavens - your anger is in vain
in medio virtus
virtue lies in the mean - the middle course
in se ( ipso ) totus, teres, atque rotundus
perfect in himself, polished, and rounded - a well-rounded man
in utramvis dormire aurem
to sleep on both ears - to sleep soundly
in vino veritas
in wine is truth - under wine’s influence, the truth is spoken
incudi reddere
to return to the anvil - to revise or retouch
inest et formicæ sua bilis
even the ant has its bile - even ants become angry
inter canem et lupum
between dog and wolf - at twilight
inter sacrum saxumque sto
standing between the knife and the victim - between the hammer and the anvil
invita Minerva
Minerva being unwilling - lacking inspiration
irremeabilis unda
the river from which there is no return - the river Styx
isthæc in me cudetur faba
that bean will hit me - I shall have to suffer for this
jam jam
now now - forthwith
judicium Dei
the judgment of God - trial by ordeal
juncta juvant
things united aid each other - union is strength
juniores ad labores
the younger men for labors - for the heavier work
kalendae graecae
the greek calends- never
lacrimae simulatae
simulated tears- crocodile tears
laudator temporis acti
a praiser of times past- one who prefers the good old days
Kalendæ Græcæ
the Greek calends - never; the Greek calendar did not mark the calends
lacrimæ simulatæ
simulated tears - crocodile tears
laudator temporis acti
a praiser of times past - one who prefers the good old days
leonina societas
partnership with a lion - a “lion’s corporation” in which the whole of the profits is controlled by the strongest and most powerful member
leporis vitam vivit
he lives the life of a hare - always full of fear
ligonem ligonem vocat
he calls a hoe a hoe - to call a spade a spade
limæ labor
the labor of the file - polishing and revising one’s work
litera canina
the canine letter - the letter R, when pronounced very hard
Literæ Bellerophontis
a Bellerophon’s letter - a letter requesting that the bearer be dealt with summarily for an offense
longe aberrat scopo
he wanders far from the goal - he is wide of the mark
lucernam olet
it smells of the lamp - of late night toil
ludus, luctus, luxus
gambling, grief, debauchery - the fruits of drunkenness
lumenque juventæ purpureum
the light of purple youth - the radiant bloom of youth
lupus in fabula
the wolf in the fable - speak of the devil
Magnus Apollo
Great Apollo - a great oracle
majores pennas nido
wings greater than the nest - to rise above the position to which one is born
mali principii malus finis
the bad end of a bad beginning - bad beginnings have bad endings
malis avibus
with bad birds - with a bad omen
malum prohibitum
a prohibited evil - a crime because it is forbidden by law
manliana
a Manlian - a harsh and severe sentence; a reference to Titus Manlius, who ordered his son to be scourged and beheaded for defying his orders
manu e nubibus
with a hand from the clouds - help from above
manum de tabula!
hand of the picture! - hold!, enough!; do not touch up!
mature fias senex
may you early prove an old man - may you learn wisdom beyond your years
mediocria firma
the middle course is most secure - moderation is safer than extremes
mendici, mimi, balatrones, et hoc genus omne
beggars, actors, buffoons, and all that sort of people - a group of contemptible folk
mens sibi conscia recti
a mind conscious of its own integrity - a good conscience
mentis gratissimus error
a most delightful reverie of the mind - an hallucination
micat inter omnes
it shines among all - it outshines all
minor jurare non potest
a minor cannot swear - serve on a jury
mobilium turba Quiritium
a crowd of fickle citizens - Romans
mone sale
advise with salt - with discretion
morior invictus
I die unconquered - death before defeat
mors tua, vita mea
your death, my life - you die that I might live
mugitus labyrinthi
the bellowing of the labyrinth - a weak and predictable theme from an amateur writer
mox nox
soon night - night is approaching
multum abludit imago
the picture is by no means like - there is no real resemblance here
mus in pice
a mouse in tar - struggling in vain
nati natorum
the children of our children - posterity
natura non facit saltum
nature makes no leaps -
there are no gaps in nature
nec obolum habet unde restim emat
neither has he a penny left to buy a rope - he doesn’t even have money enough to hang himself
nec caput nec pedes
neither head nor tail - in confusion
nec male notus eques
a knight of no stigma - of good repute
nec obolum habet unde restim emat
neither has he a penny left to buy a rope - he doesn’t even have money enough to hang himself
nec pluribus impar
not equal to many - a match for the whole world
nemo solus sapit
no one is wise alone - by himself
nil dicit
he says nothing - he has no defense to make
nil nisi bonum
nothing unless good - say nothing but good about the dead
nolens volens
whether willing or not willing - willy-nilly
nomen atque omen
a name as well as an omen - an omen in a name
non deficiente crumena
the purse not failing - while the money holds out
non olet
it has not a bad smell - money, no matter its source
non vultus, non color
there is neither the countenance nor the color - these two do not compare
nosce tempus
know your time - make hay while the sun shines
noscitur a sociis
he is known by his companions - by the company he keeps
novacula in cotem
the razor against the whetstone - he has met his match
novus homo
a new man - a person who has risen from obscurity
nox senatum dirimit
night breaks upon the session - the meeting is called on account of darkness
nulla dies sine linea
no day without a line - no day without something done
nullum sine nomine saxum
no stone without a name - without a tale to tell
nunquam dormio
I never sleep - I am always on guard
nunquam non paratus
never unprepared - always ready
obiter cantare
to sing by the way - to sing as one goes along
occupet extremum scabies
let the plague seize the last - the Devil take the hindmost!
odium theologicum
theological hatred - the animosity engendered by differences of theological opinion
olet lucernam
it smells of the lamp - late-night work
oleum addere camino
to add fuel to the flame - to make things worse
oleum et operam perdidi
I have lost both oil and labor - to lose both time and trouble
olla male fervet
the pot boils badly - it does not look hopeful
omnem movere lapidem
to move every stone - to leave no stone unturned
omnes composui
I have laid them all to rest - in the grave
omnia ejusdem farinæ
all things are of grain - of the same stuff
ore rotundo
with a round mouth - With polished speech; a well-turned phrase
pabulum Acherontis
food for Acheron - marked for death; bound for hell
par negotiis, neque supra
equal to his business and not above it - he is suited to his work
pari passu
with equal steps - neck and neck
patriæ infelici fidelis
faithful to my unhappy homeland - it is my country, wrong or right
pauca sed bona
few things, but good - quality, not quantity
Pelio imponere Ossam
to pile Ossa on Pelion - to attempt to scale heaven
per inæqualem motum, respectu totius
by an unequal movement in respect to the whole - the differing speeds of planetary movements
periculosæ plenum opus aleæ
a work full of dangerous hazard - a business pregnant with danger
popularis aura
the popular breeze - popular favor
preces armatæ
armed prayers - with weapons to back them up
primum mobile
the first motion; the prime mover - that which sets everything else into motion
Primus Motor
the First Mover - the Creator
principiis obsta
stop it from the first - nip the evil at the bud
prior tempore, prior jure
first by time, first by right - first come, first served
pristinæ virtutis memores
mindful of ancient valor - of former days
pro aris et focis
for our altars and our hearths - for civil and religious liberty
pro rege, lege, et grege
for king, law, and the people
- for ruler, rule, and ruled
psyches iatreion
a physic for the mind - books
pugnis et calcibus
with fists and heels - with all one’s might
quam non terret hyems
which winter does not frighten - nip with cold
qui pro quo
who for whom - one instead of another
quid nunc?
what now? (- a newsmonger
quid pro quo
one thing for another - tit for tat
quod avertat Deus!
which may God avert! - God forbid!
rara avis (in terris)
a rare bird (on earth) - a prodigy
rari nantes
swimming here and there - one here and another there
rectus in curia
upright in the court - innocent of the charges
redire ad nuces
to return to the nuts - to resume childish interests
remis velisque
with oars and sails - with all one’s might, or with all available power
rem acu tetigisti
you have (or he has) touched it with a needle - you have hit the nail on the head
remis ventisque
with oars and wind - with all one’s might, or with all available power
res in cardine est
the matter is on the hinge - at a point of crisis
retinens vestigia famæ
retracing the footsteps of fame - the achievements of an honorable ancestry
ridere in stomacho
to laugh inwardly - in one’s sleeve
ruat cœlum
though the heavens fall - let the heavens fall)
sal Atticum
Attic salt - a keen wit
salva conscientia
with safety to conscience - without compromising one’s conscience
salva fide
with safety to faith - without compromising one’s faith or promise
salva dignitate
with safety to dignity - without compromising one’s dignity
sapientem pascere barbam
to nurse a wise beard - to appear outwardly wise, as in the philosopher
sardonicus risus
a sardonic laugh - a forced or scoffing laugh
sat pulchra, si sat bona
beautiful enough, if good enough - beauty is as beauty does
satis superque (est)
enough and more than enough - enough and some to spare
satis verborum
enough of words - enough said
sed post est occasio calva
but opportunity is bald behind - has passed us by
serus in cælum redeas
late may you return to heaven - long may you live
serva jugum
preserve the yoke - preserve the bond of love
serviendo guberno
I govern by serving - by ruling I serve
sic itur ad astra
thus is the way to the stars - thus the way to immortal fame
sic passim
thus in passing - occurring throughout the pages of a book
simplex munditiis
simple in elegance - elegant but not gaudy
sine cura
without care - to receive a salary for an office that requires no work
sine qua non
without which not - an indispensable condition
sol occubuit; nox nulla secuta est
the sun is set; no night has followed - your greatness shines brighter than your predecessor
stans pede in uno
standing upon one leg - done without effort
stylo inverso
with stylus inverted - erasing or revising what has been written
sub Jove
under Jove - in the open air
sub reservatione Jacobæo
with St. James’s reservation - if the Lord wills
sub specie æternitatis
under the aspect of eternity - as a particular manifestation of a universal law
summum jus, summa injuria
extreme law, extreme injury - the law, strictly interpreted, may be the greatest of injustices
tam Marte quam Minerva
as much by Mars as by Minerva - as much by war as by wisdom; or, as much by courage as by genius
tam Marti quam Mercurio
as much for Mars as for Mercury - qualified as much for war as for trade
tangere ulcus
to touch a sore - to reopen a wound; to renew one’s grief
tanquam ungues digitosque suos
as well as his nails and fingers - at his fingers’ end
tecum habita
live with yourself - live within your means
telum imbelle sine ictu
a feeble dart (or spear) thrown to no effect - a weak and ineffectual argument
teres atque rotundus
polished smooth and rounded - a polished and well-rounded person
terminus a quo
the point from which it begins - the starting point
terminus ad quem
the point at which it ends - the ending point
terræ filius
a son of the earth - a person of low or unknown origin
tetigisti acu
you have touched it with a needle - you have hit the nail on the head
timor Domini initium sapientiæ
the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom - humorously, the fear of the master/lecturer is the beginning of wisdom
totus mundus agit histrionem:
all the world plays the actor - all the world’s a stage
totus teres atque rotundus
entire, smooth, and round - complete in itself
ubi reddunt ova columbæ
where the pigeons lay their eggs - the roosts of eminence
ultima ratio regum
the last argument of kings - military force
unguibus et rostro
with talons and beak - tooth and nail
unguis in ulcere
a claw in the wound - a knife in the wound
usque ad aras
to the very altars - to the last extremity
ut canis e Nilo
like a dog by the Nile - drinking and running
utile dulci
the useful with the delightful - with the agreeable
vade mecum
go with me - a constant companion
vel prece vel pretio
with either prayer or price - for either love or for money
velis et remis
with sails and oars - by all possible means
vendere fumos
to sell smoke - to make empty promises
verba rebus aptare
to fit words to things - to call something what it is
verba togæ sequeris
you follow words of the toga - the language of the cultured class
virtus semper viridis
virtue is always green - virtue never fades
virum volitare per ora
to fly through the mouths of men - to spread like wildfire
volventibus annis
with revolving years - as the years roll on
vox et præterea nihil
a voice and nothing more - sound without sense
vox faucibus hæsit
the voice stuck in the throat - dumbstruck
zonam perdidit
he has lost his money belt he is ruined!; all is lost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
a cuspide corona
from a spear a crown - honor for military exploits
ab ovo usque ad mala
from the egg to the apples - from appetizer to dessert; from beginning to end
ab urbe condita
from the founding of the city - Rome
abiit ad plures
he is gone to the majority - he has died
Acherontis pabulum
food for Acheron - marked for death; bound for hell
actum est de me
it is all over with me! - all is lost!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ad captandum vulgus
to catch or capture the rabble - something offered for the entertainment of the masses
ad Græcas kalendas
at the Greek calends - never; there is no Greek calends
ad kalendas (or calendas) Græcas
at the Greek calends - never; there is no Greek calends
ad vitam aut culpam
for life or fault - till some misconduct be proved
æquam servare mentem
to preserve an equal mind - - even temper
age quod agis
do what you are doing - attend to the work you have at hand; mind your own business
albæ gallinæ filius
the son of a white hen - a lucky person
album calculum addere
to give a white stone - to cast a favorable vote
ales volat propriis
a bird flies to its own - birds of a feather flock together
amicus curiæ
a friend to the court - an impartial adviser in a case
amicus usque ad aras
a friend as far as the altar - a friend in everything save religion; or, a friend to the point of sacrifice or death
annus mirabilis
the wonderful year - a year filled with wonders
ante tubam trepidat
he trembles before the trumpet sounds - he cries before he is hurt
aperto vivere voto
to live with unconcealed desire - to live life as an open book or as an honest person
apio opus est
there is need of parsley - someone is dying, parsley being strewn over a person’s grave
aranearum telas texere
to weave spiders’ webs - spinning a tall tale or weaving an intricate argument
arbiter bibendi
the judge of the drinking - the master of the feast
arbiter elegantiarum
the judge of elegant affairs - the master of ceremonies
arena sine calce
sand without cement - an unconnected or disjointed speech
ars artium omnium conservatrix
the art of preserving all other arts - printing
arte perire sua
to perish by one’s own trickery - to be caught in one’s own trap
asinum sub fræno currere docere
to teach an ass to obey the rein - to labor in vain
asinus ad lyram
an ass at the lyre - to be unmusical or all thumbs
asinus asinum fricat
the ass rubs the ass - one fool rubs another fool’s back; mutual praise
asinus in unguento
an ass among perfumes - one who cannot appreciate the finer things
asinus inter simias
an ass among apes - a fool among people who make a fool of him
astutior coccyge
craftier than a cuckoo - a bird that lays its eggs in another bird’s nest
Augiæ cloacas purgare
to cleanse the Augean stables - to accomplish a difficult and disagreeable work
aura popularis
the popular breeze - popular favor
aureo hamo piscari
to fish with a golden hook - gold is the surest of lures
auribus teneo lupum
I hold a wolf by the ears - I am in desperate trouble
avi memorantur avorum
my ancestors recall their ancestors - my ancestral line is long
avito viret honore
he flourishes upon ancestral honors - his honor is not of his own doing
bellua multorum capitum
the many-headed monster - the mob
bos in lingua
an ox on the tongue - hush money: certain coins in Athens were imprinted with an ox
brutum fulmen
a harmless thunderbolt - an empty threat
canina facundia
dog eloquence - snarling
caput inter nubila condit
it hides its head amid the clouds - fame
caput mortuum
dead head - the worthless remains; a numbskull
caput mundi
the head of the world - Rome
carpe diem
seize the day - make the most of the present
castigat ridendo mores
it corrects manners by laughing at them - comedy
cedant arma togæ
let arms yield to the toga - let the military yield power to civil authority
concordia discors
harmony in discord; a dissonant harmony - agreeing to differ
concussus surgo
though shaken, I rise - when struck I rise
confido in probitate
I trust in my probity - honesty or uprightness
consensus audacium
an agreement of rash men - a conspiracy
consule Planco
when Plancus was consul - in my younger days; in the good old days
contra stimulum calces
you kick against the goad - your opposition is in vain
crambe repetita
warmed-over cabbage - the same old thing
credo ut intelligam
I believe so that I might understand - belief precedes knowledge
cujus regio, ejus religio
whose region, his religion - the faith of the people is determined by their king
creta an carbone notandum
whether to be marked with chalk or charcoal - as good or bad
cujus regio, ejus religio
whose region, his religion - the faith of the people is determined by their king
cum grano salis
with a grain of salt - with some allowance or room for doubt
cum tacent, clamant
with their silence, they cry out - silence speaks louder than words
currente calamo
with a running pen - quickly or fluently
curta supellex
scanty supply of furniture -meager stock of knowledge
dapes inemptæ
dainties unbought - home produce
dare cervices
give the neck - submit to the executioner
dare pondus idonea fumo
to give weight to smoke - to give importance to trifles
de fumo in flammam
out of the smoke into the flame - out of the frying pan and into the fire
de lana caprina
concerning goat’s wool - a worthless matter
decet imperatorem stantem mori
an emperor ought to die standing - at his post
deliramenta doctrinæ
the madness of scholars - delirious with too much learning
deo dignus vindice nodus
a knot worthy of a god to unloose - a great dilemma
Deo monente
with God’s warning - a warning from God
dextras dare
to give right hands - to greet one another or to promise mutual support
dictum factum
said and done - no sooner said than done
diem perdidi
I have lost a day - I have done nothing of worth
dignus hoc indice nodus
a knot worthy to be untied by such hands - a difficulty calling for experienced hands
discors concordia (or, concordia discors)
harmony in discord; a dissonant harmony - agreeing to differ
dormitat Homerus
even Homer nods off - sometimes even the best of us is caught napping
dulce sodalicium (or, dulce sodalitium)
sweet society - sweet association of friends
ab asino lanam
blood from a stone, something impossible, wool from an ass
ab incunabulis
from infancy
ab intra
from within
ad irato
unfair, unprovoked
absit invida
no offense intended
absit omen
may this not be an omen
absolvo
I acquit
ab uno disce omnes
from one example learn all about
absus non tollit usum
misuse does not nullify proper use
abyssus abyssum invocat
one misstep leads to another
a capite ad calcem
throughly
acessit
honorable mention
acheruntis pabulum
food for the gallows
ad arbitrium
at pleasure
ad augusta per angusta
to honors through difficulties
ad clerum
to the clergy
ad eundum gradum
to the same degree
ad gustum
to ones taste
adhuc sub iudice
the case is still before the court
ad limina apostolorum
to the highest authority
ad litem
for the suit or action
ad litteram
to the last jot
ad patres
dead
ad perpetuam rei memoriam
for the perpetual remembrance of the thing
ad praesens ova cras oullis sunt meliora
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
eggs today are better than chickens tomorrow
ad quod damnum
to what damage
ad referendum
for further consideration
ad rem
to the matter at hand
ad unum omnes
unanimously
ad usum delpini
expurgated
ad urtumaque paratus
prepared for the worst
ad valorem
in proportion to value
ad verbum
verbatim
adversa
things noted
adversaria
a journal
adversus solem ne loquitor
dont waste your time arguing the obvious
ad vitam
for life
ad vitam aeternum
forever
advocatus diaboli
devils advocate
aegrescit medendo
the remedy is worse than disease
aegri somnia
a sick mans dreams, hallucinations
aegrotat
a note from the doctor
aere perennius
everlasting
aetatis suae
of his age
aeternum vale
farewell forever
a fortiori
with stronger reason
age quod agis
pay attention to what you are doing
albae gallinae filius
a lucky devil
albo lapillo notare diem
to mark a day with a white stone
alias dictus
otherwise called
alieni generis
of a different kind
alieni iuris
subject to another’s authority
aliquando bonus dormitat homerus
you cant win em all
lit. sometimes even good homer dozes
alter ego
bosom pal
alter idem
another self
altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labi
still waters run deep
lit. the deepest rivers flow with the least sound
amantes sunt amentes
lovers are lunatics
amantun irae amoris integratio est
lovers quarrels are the renewal of love
a maximis ad minima
from the greatest to the least
a mensa et toro
a legal seperation
amor nummi
cupidity
amor patriae
patriotism
amor proximi
love of ones neighbor
animal bipes implume
a human being
anno hegirae
in the year of the hegira
anno mundi
in the year of the world (A.M.)
ante partum
before childbirth
apage satanas
away with thee, satan
apoogia pro vita sua
a defense of his life
a posteriori
from effect to cause
apparatus criticus
critical matter
a priori
from what is already known
aqua pura
distilled water
aqua vitae
whiskey
a quo
from which
arbiter bibendi
a toastmaster
arcades ambo
two of a kind
arcanum arcanorum
secret of secrets
argumentum
an argument or proof or appeal
argumentum ad crumenam
argument over money
argumentum ad invidam
an appeal to envy or other undesirable human traits
argumentum ad rem
a relevant argument
argumentum baculinum
an appeal to force
arrectibus auribus
on the alert
arts artium
logic
arte perire sua
to trip oneself up
artes perditae
lost arts
a tergo
from behind
auctor ignotus
an unknown author
audi alteram partem
there are two sides to every question
aura popularis
temporary celebrity
aurea medicritas
moderation in all things
aureo hamo piscari
money talks, to fish with a golden hook
auri sacra fames
money-mad
auspicium melioris aevi
an omen of better time
aut bibat aut abeat
youre either for us or against us
aut caesar aut nihil
all or nothing
aut viam inveniam aut faciam
where theres a will theres a way
aut vincere aut mori
victory or death
a verbis ad verbera
from words to blows
a vinculo matromonii
an absolute divorce
beatae memoriae
of blessed memory
beati pacifici
blessed are the peacemakers
beati pauperes spiritu
blessed are the poor in spirit
beati possidentes
possession is nine points of the law
lit. blessed are those who possess
beneficium accipere libertatum est vendere
to accept a favor is to sell ones freedom
bis repetita placent
a little originality, please
bis vivit qui bene vivit
he lives twice who lives well
bonis avibus
under favorable signs
bonum vinum laetificat cor hominis
good wine gladdens a persons heart
cacoethes carpendi
a mania for finding fault
cadit quaestio
the argument collapses
carli enarrant gloriam dei
the heavens bespeak the glory of god
caetera desunt
the rest are missing
campus martius
the field of mars
caput mortuum
worthless residue
caput mundi
the Big Apple
the capital of the world
castigat ridendo mores
laughter succeeds where lecturing wont
casus foederis
a situation triggering action under a treaty
causa sine qua non
a necessary condition
cave quid dicis quano et cui
beware of what you say when and to whom
certiorari
to be made certain
certum est quia impossible est
it is certain because it is impossible
cessante causa cessat et effectus
when the cause is removed the effect disappears
cetera desunt
the rest are missing
codex
code of laws
compos sui
master of himself
confiteor
I confess
coniunctis viribus
with United powers
consensus audacium
a conspiracy
consenus facit legem
consent makes law
consensus gentium
widespread agreement
consensus omnium
agreement of all
consolio manuaye
by strategem and manual labor
consule planco
in the good old days
consummatum est
It is completed
contra bonos mores
against the best interest of society
contraria contrariis curantur
opposites are cured by opposites
coram iudice
before a judge with jurisdiction
coram nobis
before us
coram populo
in public
corpus iuris
body of law
credi quia absurdum est
I believe because it is unreasonable
cuius regio eius religo
the ruler of a territory chooses its religion
curae leves loquuntur ingentes stupent
minor losses can be talked away, profound ones strike us dumb
custos morum
censor
dabit deus his quoque finem
god will grant an end even to these troubles
dabit qui dedit
he who has given will give
damnum absque iniuria
sorry, no basis for a lawsuit
de asini umbra disceptare
little things affect little minds
de bono et malo
come what may
deceptio visus
an optical illusion
de die in diem
continuously
de duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum
choose the lesser of two evils
de integro
anew
delineavit
he drew this
delirium tremens
overindulgence in drinking
de minimis non curat praetor
dont bother me with petty matters
de novo
anew
de omni re scibili et quibusdam aliis
I known everything worth knowing and more
desipere in loco
to play the fool on occasion
diem ex die
continously
dies faustus
an auspicious day
dies irae
day of wrath
dii penates
guardians of the household
disiecta membra
fragments
disputandi pruitus ecclesiarum scabies
the theologian’s urge to debate is an incurable disease
doctus cum libro
having book learning
donec eris felix, multos numerbis amicos
when youre successful, everyone wants to be your friend
ducit amor patriae
love of country guides me
dulce est desipere in loco
sweet is it to relax at the proper time
dum tacent clamant
their silence speaks volumes
dura lex sed lex
the law is hard, but it Is the law
ecce homo
behold the man
ecce signum
look at the proof
e contrario
on the contrary
editio cum notis variorum
an edition with the notes of various persons
editio princeps
first edition
editio vulgata
common edition
eheu fugaces labuntur anni
alas, the fleeting years glide by
eiusdem farniae
birds of a feather
ense et arato
serving in war and peace
et hoc genus omne
and all that sort
etiam atque etiam
again and again
et nunc et semper
from now on
et sic de similibus
and that goes for the others too
ex aequo et bono
equitably
exceptio probat regulam
the exception establishes the rule
excudit
made it
exituss acta probat
the end justifies the means
ex mero motu
spontaneously
ex parte
from one side only
ex pedem herculem
from a sample we can judge the whole
experto credite
trust me
ex proprio motu
voluntarily
ex ungue leonem
from a sample we can judge the whole
fabas indulcet fames
hunger makes everything taste good
facile princeps
number one
fama semper vivat
may his good name live forever
fama volat
rumor travels fast
fames optimum condimentum
hunger is the best seasoning
fata obstant
the gods willed otherwise
favete linguis
hold your tongue
felix qui nihil debet
happy is he who owes nothing
felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas
fortunate is he who has been able to learn the causes of things
fiat iustitia ruat caelum
let justice be done though the heavens fall
fiat voluntas tua
thy will be done
fidus achates
bosom pal
finem respice
look to the end
fons et origio
the source and origin
fronti nulla fides
never judge a book by its cover
fugaces labuntur anni
you wake up one morning and find you are old
fugit irrparabile tempus
we cannot stop time in its tracks
fuit ilium
troy has had it
gesta romanorum
deeds of the romans
gradus ad parnassum
a step to parnassus
huad ignota loquor
you know well that I…
hinc illae lacrimae
so that’s what’s eating you!
hoc age
get with it
hoc erat in votis
this is what I longed for
hoc est vivere bis vita posse priore frui
to live twice is to make useful profit from ones past
hoc genus omne
all this sort
hoc opus, hic labor est
this is the hard part
hoc colo, sic iubeo, sit pro ratione voluntas
the fact the I wish it is reason enough for doing it
hodie mihi cras tibi
mine today, yours tomorrow
homo homini lupus
man’s inhumanity to man
honoris causa
honorary
horas non numero nisi serenas
I do not count the hours unless they are bright
horresco refrens
I shrudder to relate
hostis humani generis
enemy of the human race
ianuis clausis
behind closed doors
id genus omne
all that sort
ignis aurum probat, miseria fortes viros
life is not a bowl of cherries
ingoti nulla cupido
we dont want what we cant see
in articulo mortis
at the point of death
in causa venenum
watch out for the part you can’t see
incidis in scyllam cupiens vitare charybdim
out of the frying pan into the fire
index librorum prohibitorum
list of prohibited books
in esse
in being
in extenso
word for word
lit. in full
in medio tutissimus ibis
you shall go in the middle course
in naturalibus
stark nature
in omnia paratus
ready for anything
in partibus infidelium
in the lands of infidels
in pectore
in secret
in praesenti
in present
in saecula saeclorum
forever and ever
insalutato hospite
without saluting ones host
insanus omnis fuere credit ceteros
every madman thinks everybody else is mad
instar omnium
worth all of them
integer vitae
blameless of life
intelligenti
pauca
in tempore opportuno
at the opprtune time
inter pocula
over drinks
interregnum
period between rulers
inter vivos
between living persons
intra vires
within the powers
intra mruos
between the walla (of city)
in vacuo
isolated
invita minerva
uninspired
in vitro, in vivo
same as in situ
ipsa quidem pretium virtus sibi
virtue is its own reward
ipse dixit
an unsupported assertion
ipsissima verba
verbatim
ira furor brevis est
anger is brief madness
laudator temprotis acti
a praiser of time past
laudem virtutis necessitati damus
we give necessity the praise of virtue
lex loci
the law of the place
lex non scripta
the unwritten law
licentia vatum
poetic vatum
ligonem ligonem vocat
he or she calls a spade
lis sub iudice
a case not yet decided
litterae humaniores
the humanities
locus classicus
the most authoritative cited passage
locus delicti
the scene of the crime
locus in quo
the place in the question
locus poenitentiae
a place for repentance
lucri causa
for the sake of grain
locus a non lucendo
a paradoxical or absurb etymology
lupus est homo homini
man is a wolf to man
lusus naturae
a freak
magis mutus quam piscis
silent as the grave
magisters artis ingeniique largitor venter
necessity is the mother of invention
magister ludi
schoolteacher
magni nominis umbra
an unworthy descendant of an illustrious family
magnum opus
one’s crowing achievement
maior e longinquo reverentia
no man is a hero to his valet
mala fide
in bad faith
mala in se
inherently bad
malesuada fames
hunger that leads to crime
malo animo
with evil intent
malis avibus
under unfavorable signs
manibus pedibusuque
with all ones might
manu propria
with ones own hand
mare clausum
a closed sea
navigable water entirely within the jurisdiction of a nation
mare liberum
an open
margaritas ante porcos
pearls before swine
mater dolorosa
sorrowful mother
materia medica
substances used as medcine
medio tutissimus ibis
avoid extremes
membrum virile
the male member
memento, homo, quia pulvis es et in pulverem revertis
remember man that dust thou art and to dust shalt thou return
mendacem memorem esse oportet
liars should have good memories
minima de malis
choose the lesser of two evils
miserocordia
mercy
mobile perpetuum
something perpetually in motion
mors tua, vita mea
you must die so that I may live
mortis causa
in the prospect of death
mortui non mordent
dead man carry no tales
mox nox in rem
lets get it on with
multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi
many are called, but few are chosen
mundus vult decipi
there’s a sucker born every minute
mutato nomine
with the name changed
nascentes morimur
every day we a little
naturam expelled furca tamen usque recurret
the leopard cannot change its spots
natura non facit saltum
nature makes no leaps
ne aesopum quidem trivit
he doesnt know beans about anything
