Commonly used Latin words

Agenda. Things to be done. Logically identified with a to-do list usually recorded in a schedule or notebook.

Alias (dictus). Otherwise (stated)

Alibi. Elsewhere. A suspect providing proof of having been elsewhere in respect of a crime scene when the crime was committed may be reasonably cleared of any charge.

Ave. Hail! A Latin greeting addressed to an individual or group of individuals upon encountering them; still in use in modern-day Italian. Also found in that well known prayer, “Hail Mary”.

Bacus. An incorrectly Latinised word. Originally the word was bac, properly meaning “bug”. It subsequently acquired an extended meaning in Italian to designate a worm. Its further evolution in Italian unaccountably led it to acquire the unjustified suffix “-us”. It is not recorded in any Latin dictionary.

Bis! Again! Once more! Especially addressed to a performer at the end of a performance to denote appreciation and request an encore.

Deficit. Lack of; a falling short (of quality or quantity). Commonly used in Italian speech to underscore a scarcity or a deficiency, such as iron deficiency anemia (low red blood cell & haemoglobin count) or a budget deficit.

&. An abbreviation of the Latin conjunction et. Western printers deem it one of the most elegant and versatile characters in their arsenal of graphic symbols. Variously appearing in different guises and texts. Universally employed to denote a business partnership or association, joining the names of its various members. A close cousin of the abbreviated rendition of the English preposition “at” (@), a particle commonly used to make up e-mail addresses.

Ex. From. In some cases it may also mean “formerly”, especially when used as a hyphened prefix to indicate someone’s previously exercised function, position, or status in general.

Exequatur. It is executed or performed.

Expedit. All is well!

Extra. Out. Commonly used to refer to something out of the ordinary or non-routine, such as a request that exceeds accepted standards.

Gratis. Free-of-charge.

Ictus. Stroke. In the clinical context it refers to the effects of vascular clogging, often fatal.

Idem. The same individual; the same thing.

Imprimatur. Printable. An authorisation to publish. Akin to nihil obstat. A permission often granted by an ecclesiastical authority.

XVII. 17. Number or word? Ancient Romans would cringe at number 17, for it was considered an ill-omen. In Roman numerals, in fact, XVII is the anagram of the past participle of the verb “to live”, and namely VIXI, that is “lived”, such as “I lived”, in the sense of “I once lived”, with its ominous suggestion of now no longer being alive, of being dead!

Lapsus. A fall; a slip-up; an involuntary blunder. Commonly called on to excuse an error in speech or writing (lapsus linguae: slip-of-the-tongue; lapsus calami: literally “slip- of-the-pen”).

Media. The plural of medium (see next entry), used universally to refer to large-scale and systemic means of communication and persuasion.

Medium. The singular of the previous entry, literally meaning “that which stays in the middle”, that is “in between”. In logic, it refers to the intermediate proposition or middle term of a syllogism. In séances the medium is the go-between with the spiritual world, the spokesperson of voices presumed to come from the world of the occult.

Memento. Remember.

Memorandum. Literally, “to be remembered”. In English a record of events or notes regarding topics to be discussed.

Miramur. Literally, “We are astonished!”. Jargon of ecclesiastical officialdom. The term expresses a superior’s reproachful astonishment at an opinion or behaviour of a subordinate that albeit not forbidden under cannon law is considered improper or next to illicit. Its use in the plural underscores the admonishing authority’s weight and worthiness.

Omissis. Having being omitted. Used in a legal context in reference to facts or other information not taken into account and thus left out of documents because irrelevant to the proceedings.

Post. After. A word that has survived in English with its original meaning essentially unaltered.

Placebo. Literally, “I shall be liked!”. It derives from the Latin placere and refers to what may be improperly termed a medicinal preparation. It is in fact ineffectual as such and relies on the patient’s powers of self-conviction for any beneficial effect it may have.

Prosit! Literally, “Be it good for you!”. Traditionally said to a minister upon returning to the sacristy at the end of a service. It has acquired an extended use and is often said at the end of a meal or even when glasses are raised in a toast.

Salve. A greeting literally wishing the person/s to whom it is addressed good health. In the artillery context and in Italian it refers to blank shells fired as a salute on state or official occasions. Widely used by Italians as an informal greeting, even though when addressed to more than one person the plural Salvete! would be more appropriate and correct.

Satis. Enough. Not often used, yet its incisive brevity bodes well for its increased colloquial usage in the future.

Snob. An unusual and clipped merger of two Latin words meaning “without nobility” (sine nobilitate). Over time its original meaning has faded and it now refers to someone deemed to be eccentric, self-centred, flippant and deliberately provocative, even somewhat irritating because of a tendency to affected refinement. In a word, a snob!

Super. Above. Especially referred to someone exhibiting qualities and even powers out of the ordinary.

Ultimatum. Last. Final terms, proposition or statement by one party to another not amenable to any negotiation.

Ultra. Beyond. Beyond a given spatial or temporal point of reference or border, but also something falling outside standard parameters and hence extreme, excessive, out of bounds. In Italy “hooligans” are referred to as “ultras”.

Vademecum. Come with me. A manual with guidelines and practical advice concerning any subject.