Latinisms
Ancient Roman expressions
Latinisms are words, phrases, or grammatical constructions borrowed from or modeled on Latin.
English is full of them—some naturalized (versus, et cetera, vice versa), others still feeling foreign (inter alia, mutatis mutandis).
Legal and academic writing leans heavily on Latinisms: habeas corpus, pro bono, alma mater.
The term can carry slight disapproval, suggesting unnecessary formality or pretension when simpler English would serve.
Academic argument requiring defense
- dissertationExtended academic treatise
- curriculumEducational program's content plan
- alumniFormer school members
- alma materOne's former institution
emeritus · cum laude · magna cum laude · summa cum laude · opus · addendum · errata · ibid
Writ requiring testimony
- affidavitSworn written statement
- habeas corpusWrit challenging lawful custody
- certiorariHigher court's review order
- mandamusWrit ordering statutory duty
pro bono · de facto · de jure · prima facie · mens rea · in camera · modus operandi · bona fide
In an artificial environment
- in vivoWithin living tissue
- in situAt original location
- genusTaxonomic rank above species
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
phylum · specimen · stimulus · apparatus · equilibrium · momentum · inertia · nucleus
Indicates additional unspecified items
- viaBy way of
- versusIn opposition to
- vice versaIn reverse order also
- per capitaFor each individual
per annum · pro rata · interim · alibi · alias · agenda · bonus · campus
Grasp the present moment
- veni vidi viciLatin victory proclamation
- ad astraTo the stars
- tempus fugitLatin for fleeting time
- memento moriArtistic death reminder
thesis
Academic argument requiring defense
- dissertationExtended academic treatise
- curriculumEducational program's content plan
- alumniFormer school members
alma mater · emeritus · cum laude · magna cum laude · summa cum laude · opus · addendum · errata · ibid · et al
subpoena
Writ requiring testimony
- affidavitSworn written statement
- habeas corpusWrit challenging lawful custody
- certiorariHigher court's review order
mandamus · pro bono · de facto · de jure · prima facie · mens rea · in camera · modus operandi · bona fide · caveat emptor
in vitro
In an artificial environment
species · phylum · specimen · stimulus · apparatus · equilibrium · momentum · inertia · nucleus · stratum
et cetera
Indicates additional unspecified items
- viaBy way of
- versusIn opposition to
- vice versaIn reverse order also
per capita · per annum · pro rata · interim · alibi · alias · agenda · bonus · campus · census
carpe diem
Grasp the present moment
- veni vidi viciLatin victory proclamation
- ad astraTo the stars
- tempus fugitLatin for fleeting time
memento mori · cogito ergo sum · sic semper tyrannis · excelsior
amen
Solemn spoken agreement
- requiemMass for the deceased
- magnificatMary's song of praise
- credoGuiding personal doctrine
ex cathedra · pontiff · cardinal · diocese · cathedral · Mass · vespers · matins · liturgy
Latinismsplain English
Unadorned, accessible wording
colloquialisms · everyday words · slang · street language · informal vocabulary