list of common latin words used in the english language
List of Common Latin Words 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.
TRIVIA
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?
All Three Were Adept at Latin!
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.
List of Latin Words Used In English
A - C
abdomen
bellyacumen
ability to make good judgmentsabacus
ancient calculatoraffidavit
a sworn declaration of an oathagenda
list of things to be donealma mater
nourishing motheralpha
First of somethingalter ego
other selfaltruism
selfless concern for othersambiguous
a double meaningamor
loveapex
topappendix
supplementatrocity
cruel actavarice
greedbibulous
love of drinking alcoholbona fide
good faithcampus
plain land of somethingcelibate
abstaining from sex or marriagecerebrum
braincondign
worthy, appropriateconglomerate
different parts mixed as a unit while still distinctcrepuscular
pertaining to twilightcull
select from a variety of sourcesD - H
debilitate
weakende facto
of factdirigible
capable of being guidedetc.
and the restergo
thereforefacsimile
exact copyferrous
made of ironflux
in the process of flowingfutile
in vaingarrulity
loquaciousnessI - L
impecunious
poorimpromptu
spontaneousin absentia
in one's absenceincalculable
too great to be countedindefatigability
tirelessinsipid
lacking flavorintra
withinintrospection
looking within oneselflanguid
slow, relaxedlucubration
meditationM - O
major
greatmedia
middlemedicinae doctor (M.D.)
doctor of medicinememo
note to remembermodicum
small amountmoribund
near deathmundane
wordly as opposed to spiritualnaive
exhibiting lack of experienceobeisance
respectobvious
clearoculus dexter (O.D.)
In Ophthalmology, right eyeoculus sinister (O.S.)
In Ophthalmology, left eyeP - R
parvenu
celebrity from obscure originsper annum
annuallyper capita
individuallypercent
rate for hundredper contra
on the other handper se
by itselfperpetuate
preserveperturb
make anxiousplausible
probablepost meridiem (pm)
afternoonpost mortem
autopsypost script (PS)
after writing (in the end)precarious
uncertainpro rata
in equal partspuerile
childishly sillypulchritude
beautypusillanimity
showing a lack of couragequantum
amountrapport
close relationshiprecalcitrant
obstinaterenegade
a rebellious personreprisal
retaliationS - Z
sacrosanct
very importantstatus quo
situation in whichstereo
solidstipend
fixed allowancestultify
appear foolishsub nomine
under the name ofsuccumb
fail to resistsupra
abovetentative
provisionalturpitude
depravityubiquity
found everywhereultra
beyondversus
againstvia
a wayvice versa
reversedviz
Abbreviation for 'namely'