Your Right To Writ The Right Writ Right

YOUR RIGHT TO WRIT THE RIGHT WRIT RIGHT
ANOTHER FREE MOORISH SELF IMPROVEMENT RESOURCE FROM YOUR

MoorishDirectory.com
A Moor’s Practical How To Manual For Constructing Effective Writs
General Prefix Index

WITH CLICKABLE HYPERLINKS
* PREFACE: AUTHOR’S NOTE TO THE READER
* ABOUT THE AUTHER
* IN MY OWN WORDS
* THE SCIENCE OF LAW - LAW IS A SCIENCE
* PURPOS FOR HAVING WRITTEN THIS BOOK
THE RIGHT WRIT

HOW TO USE THIS RESEARCH TOOL: In the following INTERACTIVE indexed list of Writs, you may (after locating any particular
writ of interest) simply click upon the desired Writ to be taken to the section in which that particular Writ is explained. Once done, simply click
the handy “RETURN TO INDEX” bookmark positioned at the bottom of each page for your easy return to this Home INDEX section. You’ll
find a number of similar such interactive aids employed throughout this device, e.g. a large number of comprehensive Word Definition Callouts
applied to certain new or unfamiliar terms and other helpful study (study, study) aids. With us having used Black Law’s Dictionary (Unabridged)
4th Edition in our development of this unique application, you’ll surely come to appreciate it as being one of your most Important, Dependable
and Trustworthy INVESTMENTS, a truly reliable (go-to) Reference Tool you’ll enjoy using for many decades to come. [ As you may have
already noticed, HOVERING over highlighted items reveal helpful learning devices. ]
With time being such a valuable and extremely limited commodity for most folks these days, this entire Legal Study Aid has been specifically
designed to maximize both your comprehension as well as retention potential while optimizing with key efficiency your limited study time while
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CLICK TO RETURN TO INDEX
also accelerating greatly each particular individual’s own unique natural learning curve. This Moorish Study Guide is a truly evolutionary break-
INDEX OF GENERAL WRITS
WRIT - HISTORY Prerogative Writs WRIT OF ASSOCIATION WRIT OF EJECTMENT
Writ of Prevention WRIT DE BONO ET MALO WRIT OF ATTACHMENT WRIT OF ENTRY
Alias Writ WRIT DE EJECTIONE FIRM(AE) WRIT OF CONSPIRACY WRIT OF ERROR
Concurrent Writ WRIT DE H(AE)RETICO COMBURENDO WRIT OF COVENANT WRIT OF ERROR CORAM NOBIS
Judicial Writs WRIT DE HOMINE REPLEGIANDO WRIT OF DEBT Writ of Election
Junior Writ WRIT DE ODIO ET ATIA WRIT OF DECEIT LARIN TRANSLATIONS
Original Writ WRIT DE RATIONABILI PARTE BONORUM WRIT OF DELIVERY CIRCLE 7 HOLY KORAN
Patent Writ WRIT OF AD QUOD DAMNUM WRIT OF DETINUE Moorish Science Temple of America
Peremptory Writ WRIT OF ASSISTANCE WRIT OF DOWER Prophet Noble Drew Ali
through in learning technology!

Please Note: When accessing external Internet Hyperlinks, you’ll find using FireFox as your primary DEFALT BROWSER work best!
2
INDEX CONTINUED
GENERAL QUICK REF

Clicking on any of the following subjects will take you to the location in which that material has been provided.
. YOUR MOORISH LATIN PHRASE TRANSLATIONS

. COMMON WRITS
. WRIT OF ERROR
. WRIT OF ENTRY
. WRIT OF CONSPIRACY
. WRIT: IN ITS MOST BASIC SENSE
. WRIT: IN COMMON LAW
. Rationalization of writs
. Prerogative Writs
. Habeas Corpus
. Quo Warranto
. Writ of Mandamus
. WRIT OF PROCEDENDO
. “STANDING”
. Racism
. King’s Council
. United States Code (Federal Statutory Law)
. REMEDY
Return To Index
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Preface: Author’s Note to the

Reader
Yes, You Should Read This Preface!
4
“Far beneath the foundation of your intellect, your CULTURE lays out the template
for your worldview upon the core belief systems that define your perception of exist-
ence. The basic assumptions that support your notion of reality are not seen by you
as assumptions at all - they are totally accepted, without question, as the most solid of
all facts. That is simply the nature of culture - belief at the bone and sinew level of
your awareness.”
With our Native (Aboriginal and Indigenous) CULTURE usurped, our Family Names
and true identities striped away along with our most profound identity anchors, our under-
standing of Self and our Natural Connection to our understanding of our Creator (the source
and governing Law(s) of all which is, ever was and/or ever will be) there exists a profound
need for us to reestablish our contemporary arsenal of Trustworthy Educational Resources
created in a manner which takes into account our Moorish Community’s lack of resources
which do justice to re-institutionalizing the integrity of our common understandings of Self,
as they (our reemerging resources) go about the task of restoring the knowledge they im-
part. This book will hopefully be one which serves as an example as to the manner in
which a much higher degree of rich Moorish creativity may be employed in such learning
vehicles now being designed with the express purpose, design and objectives of not only
re-stimulating our uniquely inherent intellects (in which we have been so graced;) but in
fact also substantially aid in the actual recalibration of our physical and spiritual beings in
tandem equally. With each successful attempt of this kind, we propel ourselves closer to
returning to the “Mindset of Our Ancient Forbearers” as our Honorable Prophet Professor
Noble Drew Ali directed.
5
Most folk lack interest in, or patience for lengthy prefaces or forwards and fall victim to
their eagerness to hastily zip past the preliminaries and immediately dive directly right into
sinking their teeth into the meat of a book; often without even pausing to question wether
or not they should take the time in seeing if there may be something of critical importance
in the usually boring intros which might offer any significant added value to their reading
experience or even the longer lasting walk-away wisdoms a book may have to impart.
Well, as fact will demonstrate, although our anticipation and expectations may push us to
get on with or/to what we may feel is the REAL and more important factual parts of a
Reference Book, its diagrams, examples and/or its important How To elements, we having
been so thoroughly programmed over time into a miss-wired Western Cultured Goal Ori-
ented Endpoint Driven frame of mind that we often bypass the experience of enjoying the
journey along the way.
Such a misappropriation of emphasis often squanders rich opportunities for the reason that
more often than not, the tastiest and most nourishing parts of life lies in experiencing the
process, not in attaining the goal. There’s truth in the Old Moorish saying: “The Beer’s
Better Than The Burp.” So, I encourage you to take your time in your reading and enjoying
this treatise. Despite this book being a Reference Guide, it is also a Labor of Love in which
I have taken my time to make as enjoyable as it is informative. You will no doubt find in
really quick order that this book is ….. well….. very different than most books of its kind.
And as such, it requires a very different approach. The preface you are now reading is an
integral part of the story. Yes, I said story and JOURNEY! Hopefully an adventure which
will leave you wanting to read it again or at a minimum encouraging others to take the ride
you yourself have just enjoyed. Because this work blazes an original trail often far off the
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beaten path as a means of driving home important insights which will hopefully stay with
you forever being always available to your instant recall, understanding the unique manner
in which this book has been constructed and the technological devices utilized in making
it a unique and deferent sort of lasting experience, will help you in squeezing every penny
of value out of your read just as it should be for any item in which you’ve invested your
time, energy and Fiat! After all, even though there’s no real money, you still have to work
just as hard not to have it. And as you continue, you’ll find that you have in no manner
wasted any hard earned resources and hopefully find it to have been quite a bargain and
well worth while investment. One you will refer to and continue using for many years to
come.
First I would like to begin this book with an appropriate and very sincere
Thank You
to all of you who have relinquished your hard earned monetary resources purchasing your
authorized edition of “THE RIGHT WRIT” ( A Moor’s Practical How To Manual For Construct-
ing Effective Writs.) As one who has for quite some time avidly despised Shady Packet Deal-
ers ripping off our community, selling boiler plate packets which offer little if any mean-
ingful lasting insights and/or and true and significant intrinsic value as to the actual nature
and/or greater functional utility of the hodgepodge packages they peddle. And as equal to
my distrain for these Ripoff Artist is the pride I have in having created this particular ac-
complishment. Being able to manifest and finally provide an actual Reference Guide on
this extremely important and much needed subject matter has been quite fulfilling. A cre-
ative endeavor which I sincerely hope will stand respected in our community as a resource
of real and sustaining value to many for quite some time to come.
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This Reference Guide is written in a manner which will not only provide you with a very
handy and easy to understand vehicle for looking up particular Legal Writs, gathering use-
ful insights as to their particular usage as well as a means of quickly placing your hands on
a plethora of meaningful real-world instruments and examples you may trust to aid anyone
interested in knowing the Right Writ To Write when one needs to construct an EFFEC-
TIVE document to meet the unique needs of a given situation which you may have encoun-
tered or need to confront head-on in the future.
This book you will find provides a very straight and forward thinking common sense ap-
proach to real-world scenarios in a manner which will afford its reader easy to use time-
saving mechanized in the form of active hyperlinks positioned throughout which will help
you quickly locate every subject and issue in short order, easily without breaking your flow
of thought, interest and/or comprehension in the material being provided. HERE’S ONE
EXAMPLE which may help you understand how this Guide is structured. Further, clicking
upon the Bright Blue Links such as THIS ONE will either act as an Internal Bookmaker
Link capable of transporting you to another related area within this same book e.g. THE
INDEX or may act as an Active External-Hyperlink connection vehicle
transporting you to the sources of further valuable reference material existing elsewhere on
the (WWW) Internet.
8
After your reading of this book, you should feel significantly at ease in the task of Con-
structing An EFFECTIVE Writ! If read correctly, this book should also be a source of
significant personal growth. This is a book in which you should pace yourself by depth of
comprehension rather than by percent of completion. Avoid the temptation of rushing
from concept to concept the way an over-indulged child pursues presents Christmas Morn-
ing. Take Your Time. The information, concepts and reasonings contained contained in
this book is information you’ll want to throughly absorb to an extent that it will be well
rooted in your long term memory; not simply stored temporarily in the short term regions
of your brain. You will find there to be a profound difference between relegating the im-
portant concepts you will find here to your physical Brain’s short term memory, apposed
to registering them securely within your conscious MIND’s (cognitive) Long Term prov-
inces, where true comprehension resides, consistently ensuring you an ever present acces-
sibility to instant recall of this invaluable information. And if you are of a nature which
will allow you the indulgence of ingesting the information contained here in the manner as
intended, profound changes will occur in your familiar assumptions, beliefs and reality
paradigms to a point of serious evolution of maturity.
I’ll also employ here what I call “Side- Bars” identified by the icon “V” icon:
(shown above) which will serve to afford me the opportunity of instilling certain historical
and/or hopefully useful narrative insights along the way. These Side-Bars will provide not
only a means of driving home certain particulars often hidden within important underlying
message; but also, as a means of reconnecting certain important related concepts which
9
(due to decades and even centuries of very intentional mind altering “miss” and disinfor-
mation programing) have reconditioned us with an almost natural disconnect betweenez
certain contrived or Matrix-designed realities and historical and/or sociological facts which
otherwise might remain allusively appearing to be unrelated to one’s conscious compre-
hensions.
With that having been said, this Reference Tool was of course first and format effectuated
as a means of providing you an extremely handy and quite user friendly vehicle for finding
the right answers to questions you may have regarding WITS in general.
Your First (EXAMPL) Side Bar
What Ever Happened To The Constitution & CIVICS?
CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO

I am of an age in which I remembered quite vividly Civics being taught in school as an
important nonelective/mandatory prerequisite for all elementary grade-school students. It
was not until the ever escalating number of Body Bags from
America’s Vietnam debacle brought home in “Technicolor” a profound change in the gen-
eral citizenries’ long-held naiveté. This became even more profound within the public’s
fertile festering social unrest following the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr., and
the Kennedy Brothers (President John F. and Mass. State Senator Robert or Bobby, Ken-
nedy). With these socially traumatizing events captivatingly placing America’s actions
(perhaps for the first time) squally in a new light of reveal, one which as never before began
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bringing about a newfound awareness in the minds of the general public that “They” were
(for the first times in their minds) no longer being viewed as “THE GOOD GUYS”; a
Moral Dilemma began manifesting which (in the minds of the Powers To Be) needed to be
quickly arrested. With this, the Public School System began its stealth replacement of
teaching Civics. You see, . . . “CIVICS” educated children on the subject of what they
should know and understand regarding their God Given Inalienable Rights and their natu-
ral/innate Power (as “THE PEOPLE”) over Government. What replaced it (it being CIVICS) was
an ALL NEW and completely counter Paradigm called "Social Studies”; which focused
on the Structure of Government and Government’s POWER OVER THE PEOPLE in
which it was created to serve. Basically, The Constitution was far more than simply on its
way out. Within one generations’ reprograming having been so successfully drilled into
the minds of all primary-school aged children as being the new mandatory way of think-
ing via the new curriculum “Social Studies”, Constitutional Norms and the citizenries’
understanding of their God Given Unalienable/Inalienable Rights became quickly a thing
of the past. So much so
that even before this generation was old enough to have children of their own, even the
word CIVICS had fallen from the average American’s common lexicon of familiar terms.
And now, in this third generation since occurrence of that major Social Paradigm Shift
most people are actually surprised when learning of or about the God Given Rights they
have always possessed but know nothing of, other than perhaps as a vague or foggy
memory of something they think they may have heard one afternoon in eliminatory school
during the reading of the U.S. Constitution.

End of Side Bar Example
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The above illustrative Side-Bar example was this Preface’s way of interjecting a histori-
cally relevant social paradigm shift appropriately to not only convey more meaningfully
the content but even more so to interject the proper context of the biological, psychological
and impactive sociological changes (Phycological Warfare) purposely perpetrated upon the
actual anatomy of the Citizenries children’s, physically rewiring their actual Brain Matter
in a manner which would serve to obliterate and eradicate the heretofore commonly under-
stood Constitutionally Guaranteed God Given Inalienable Rights from the Minds of the
Postwar Generation to follow.
So, as illustrated, this Preface provides a guide as to a means of reaping (and hopefully
absorb like a sponge, every drop) with maximum comprehension the
full benefit(s) within even the most subtle nuances of what’s about to be imparted. Be-
cause, these subtle nuances (once understudied) will surely prove to be of great value in
not only knowing How To Write An Effective Writ, but also becoming well versed in your
own knowing best to whom or to what (as well as when) which writ or combination of
writs should be written to best serve your given scenario. You’ll come to find that there
are even Writs (such as Writs of Prevention) which can and should be written preemptively
before an event even occurs which if effectuated correctly (as I will demonstrate) has the
power to ensure no further Writs are required!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jonathan Bey, the Author of this Practical Manual To Constructing Effective Writs served
nearly 30 years as The Executive Legal Professional at one of America’s Top 10 Intellec-
tual Property Law Firms (Twenty-nine to be exact). Two years of the 30 was spent as a
transitional period following his Honorable Discharge and completion of his two terms of
Coast Guard (Humanitarian )Military Service, working at the Law Offices of Browdy and
Neimark, a Law Firm in South West Washington, DC where he honied his research skills
within the field of Intellectual Property Law (I.P. (Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and
Entertainment Contract Law.))
In My Own Words:
Having worked as a member of the Coast Guard’s 5th Distric’s Public Affairs Office, not
long after that particular Office was created as a testament to the exceptional creative skills
of my predecessor, the Coast Guard’s first Chief Journalist and renowned author of the
book ROOTS, Alex Hallie; I found the carer shift from being a Military Researcher with a
Top Secret Clearance to conducting Highly Confidential Intellectual Property Research to
be (for me) a very natural transition. Both required an extremely serious and detailed ori-
ented work ethic, a well grounded sense of morality and a sincere and honest eagerness to
work extremely long hours within a discipline requiring an elevated degree of trustworthi-
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ness, and above all else the ability to work under enormous degrees of stresses for excep-
tionally long periods of time. After all, as the Senior Paralegal and Managing Director of
The Technology Research Departments for Armstrong’s main Washington, D.C. (K-
Street) Office as well as the firm’s Baltimore, Detroit, Pittsburgh and Tokyo Offices, I had
not only the final say, but also, the Ultimate Responsibility of saying wether or not Millions
of Dollars would be spent on securing proposed Patents on future technologies and even
much more expended on the actual development, manufacturing and marketing of emerg-
ing products for such client companies as Honda, SONY, Panasonic Bosh & Lomb, several
major Pharisaical and Agricultural conglomerates and a large number of other Globally
Iconic Brands Name
Corporations. In addition to it being my sole responsibility to make the call as to wether
or not these companies should proceed with their very significant (multi-
million-dollar) funding allocations of these major capital technology investments, I was
also The Firm’s Senior Partner’s and Head of Litigation’s Right Arm responsible for lo-
cating the singular key elements to winning cases before U.S. Patent Office’s Patent &
Trademark Board of Appeals, The Library of Congress Tribunal and The U.S. Federal
Trade Commission. Over my 29 years with the firm we never lost a case!
Although my day job was my Bread and Butter means of meeting my personal financial
responsibilities; paying off mortgages, car loans, putting kids through collage and the rest
of what it takes to ensure a reasonable existence for my family; my true passion was in
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building the EMMY Award Winning Music Production and Multimedia Company USAu-
dio, Inc. serving as its Founder and CEO for the same number of years until selling the
company, Proclaiming my Nationality and moving to Florida where I now reside and spend
the lion’s share of my time managing the affairs of The MoorishDirectory.com, Ac-
tiveMoors.com and developing the future Moorish e-community platform Moorbook
among other civic minded endeavors, i.e. developing the Free Moor App currently availa-
ble through both Google Play and Apple Store, The Moorish History Timeline Platform
and a number of other socially important Aboriginal and Indigenous Community Based
Projects.
In addition to authoring several books prior to the one you are currently reading, I have
published a large number of PDF-ebooks, International Publish Moorish
Newsletters and continue with vigor the expansion of my ongoing Moorish Informational
Video Series MoorTalk.
15
THE SCIENCE OF LAW - LAW IS A SCIENCE
The introduction offered within Sheldon Amos’ 1888 authoring of: “THE SCIENCE OF
LAW” (shown above from my personal library of books on this subject) provides important
insight in its distinguishing the long history which may be attributed to The Science of
Jurisprudence and (in that particular treatment and/or any others of its kind) addresses first
the relevance of its
distinguished historical evolution which begin (for all intent) in Ancient Egypt, and later
finding new forms of accepted interpretation(s) evolving to form what would over the
course of time become its English/Scottish Masonic Roots and
Orders, which in turn shaped the base foundations of our current day America’s Colonial
Legal System. Or wether, to give greater immediate focus to not as much its history, but
16
to the Nature and reasoning of its Nature, Power and Limitations. Fortunately, this
(“THE RIGHT WRIT”) is not a book of that kind, but is rather much more so one
which will focus on the Practical Modern Day Real-World Aspects of only one of the
major cornerstones and tools of the trade, WRITS.
The purpose however of mentioning the above work by Amos was to give emphasis to the
fact that Jurisprudence is a “SCIENCE”, in that it is based upon a set of firm Rules and
Methodologies, which in fact are of a Cosmic Origin called Divine Law. But that inter-
esting fact is one which could easily take an entire book on its own to unfurl. Because I’ve
already taken the time to detail with a much grater degree of specificity the importance of
“METHODOLOGIES” in its relationship to all of the many recognized Formal Sciences
in my most previously authored book “A MOOR’S GUIDE TO A PRACTICAL MORE
HASSLE FREE EXISTENCE”, (in which this book may in fact (once completed) be
merged) here, I will leave it suffice-to-say Methodologies Give Uniform Structure To
Processes. And the Science of Law is simply a series of
formalized process which are carried out under a strict discipline of Methodologies.
Methodology | ˌmeTHəˈdäləjē |
noun (plural methodologies)
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A system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity: a methodology for in-
vestigating the concept of focal points | courses in research methodology and practice; as
in Moorish Science: Click To View Video
With the key term above being the word “PRACTICE” as in an Attorney’s LAW PRAC-
TICE, it is important to note that although LAW is a Science, it is more so respected as an
Art, or device which is practiced yet never mastered for the simple reason of the fact that
their is and always will remain but only one Master of ALL LAW (Allah).
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS YOUR CIRCLE 7 HOLY KORAN
LAW,
AS A MATTER OF PRACTICE
With the subject of LAW being a matter made up of a vast array of disciplines covering
virtually every profession and cause and action man could possibly devise, it is not difficult
to see why their are entire Internationally Renown Libraries Dedicated to the subject, with
the Library of Congress just being one. Further, each of the individual disciplines which
make up the mammoth compilation of Practices, from Maritime Law, to Contract Law,
18
Intellectual Property Law, Commerce Law, International Trade Law, Insurance Law, Re-
tirement Benefits Law, Tax Law, Criminal Law, and I could go on and on in encomium to
dwell for pages on the subject, rather to save you from that ordeal will simply say that each
area of the Law is Specific onto itself. Case in point, one would be ill-advised to seek help
from one who may be a relative expert jurist on the arena of Maritime Law or Entertain-
ment Law when the issue at hand is (let’s say) an area of the Law which pertains to perhaps
something specific to the finer legalities which may be relative to a particular municipali-
ties’ Zoning Issues or Legally Sanctioned High-rise Building Construction Requirements.
An Entertainment Lawer would most likely not have a clue, even if he or she were born
and rase in the same city or town in question. That’s all to say that, simply because one
may be an expert in one particular discipline makes them in no
manner a worthy source of reliable information in all. Law is both simultaneously Broad
and Specific! And that one overriding reality is one of the main reasons as to why it has
taken me so long to write this book. As well as why I recognize it to be so important to
stress the fact that this book nor any of the example in it should be misinterpreted as me
having provided legal advice. And even further, NO BOOK ON THIS SUBJECT should
ever be considered to have the last say on the subject, nor stand to be considered as a work
which has provided an assured panacea or catchall remedy to all Legal issues which may
arise. And although I may in fact have been the key factor as to why we the firm I worked
for never lost a case over the 30 years in which I was in charge of their Professional Liti-
gation Research Staff, I still keep on my bed-side night stand (in addition to Black Law’s
19
4th Edition and the full Edition of Bouviers Constitutional Legal Dictionary) a copy of
Oxford Press’ “Law 101”.
With that required disclaimer having been said, I can assure you that the material you will
receive in the course of your reading here will be of significant value to anyone wanting to
know the answer to the question How Do I Write An EFFECTIVE Writ, as well as
acquire enough general information to afford one a reasonable understanding as to how
one might best go about determining exactly which sort or kind of Writ To Right.
THE PURPOSE AND REASON FOR HAVING WRITTEN

“THE RIGHT WRIT”
AS
A Moor’s Practical How To Manual For Constructing Effective Writs
This book has come into begin to answer that all important
NUMBER ONE QUESTION SO MANY HAVE.
How Do I Write An EFFECTIVE Writ?
When I look back over the course of all of my many entrepreneurial ventures there exists
a common thread which binds them all. “A NEED EXISED” which I recognized myself
qualified to address. The same stands true with respect to this endeavor. There existed a
20
clear and definitive need in our community for a handy reference which the average indi-
vidual could pick up, read and understand that they too have it within their ability to Write
An Effective Writ.
Out of all of the many questions received over my years as a Active Moorish Community
Activist, the one question which in all its many forms and permutations always inevitably
seems to resurface; be it by e-mail, Letters, Phone Conferences, Internet Blogs and/or Live
Community Seminars as well is: “Can I provide the name of a reliable reference source
which will show me How To Write A Writ”, when a better question would be: Can I
provide the name of a
reliable reference source which will detail for me How To Write An EFFECTIVE Writ”
The easy answer is: Thoughtfully!
This singular burning issue weighing heavily on the minds of so many newly enlightened
Moors is a matter which should be examined as would any critically important and Scien-
tific Methodology, in that Writs (or at least well constructed effective writs) are, as you
will come to find, the Key and Cornerstone Aspects to any well laid legal strategy. And
not a matter to be taken lightly in ANY MANNER! Writs are also however (unfortunately)
a topic which in comparison to their importance are just as equally misunderstood by many.
So, with that fact its is best that we start at the very basics of first, What is A WRIT, next,
21
how should one view “A WRIT”, What are some of the various more important forms of
A WRIT and lastly HOW DO I WRITE AN EFFECTIVE WRIT.
Now we’ll take a look at what a “WRIT” is, the many various kinds of which exist and
their particular usage, which is the most critical element to understand as you build and
develop the various skillsets required in the art of crafting truly EFFECTIVE writs.
In its most literal form, a “Writ” is:
1
| rit |
A noun
a form of written command in the name of a court or other legal authority to act, or ab-
stain from acting, in some way.
• (one's writ) one's power to enforce compliance or submission; one's authority: you have
business here which is out of my writ and competence.
ORIGIN
Old English, as a general term denoting written matter, from the Germanic base of write.
2
| rit |
22
As A verb
archaic past participle of write.
PHRASES
writ large
clear and obvious: the unspoken question writ large upon Rose's face.
• in a stark or exaggerated form: bribing people by way of tax allowances is the paternal-
istic state writ large.
In its simplest form:
A WRIT IS ANYTHING WHHICH IS WRITTEN!
A Grocery List, A Reminder Note To Self, A Letter To A Friend, Family, Associate,
Company or Governmental Agency are all Writs.
Some are simply personal and/or non-specific notes or letters, while others tend to be far
more specific in nature and must adhere to a plethora of form and formality with factually
correct detailed legal reasoning of all manner which cover the entire breath of disciplines
spanning the entire gambit and spectrum of LAW. Many kinds well known and frequently
utilized, with others being extremely archaic (yet no less effective) in nature.
In Legal Terms a WRIT is:
23
A precept in writing, coupled in the form of letter, run-ing in the name of the king, presi-
dent, or state, issuing from a court of justice, and sealed with its seal, addressed to a sheriff
or other officer of the law, or directly to the person whose action the court desire to com-
mand, either as the commencement of a suit or there proceedings or as incidental to its
progress, and requiring the performance of a specified act, or giving authority and com-
mission to have it done.
A mandatory precept issuing from your of justice. Poirier v. East Coast Realty Co., 84 N.H.
461, 154 A. 612, 613. Process. State ex rel. Walling v. Sullivan 245 Wis. 180, 13 N.W.
2d 550, 555.
As for the subject of Legal and Lawful Writs there are many. The following the this next
immediate fact of generalities is a list of some of the more readily known instruments:
A BRIEF HISTORY OF: WRIT

The development of writs as a means of commencing a court action was a form of "off-
the-shelf" justice designed to enable the English law courts to rapidly process lawsuits by
allocating each form of complaint into a standard category which could be dealt with by
standard procedures. The complainant simply applied to the court for the writ most relevant
to his complaint to be sent to the wrongdoer, which ordered him under royal authority to
attend a royal court to answer for his actions. The development was part of the establish-
ment of a Court of Common Pleas, for dealing with commonly made complaints by sub-
jects of the crown, for example: "someone has damaged my property". The previous system
of justice at the royal court of Chancery was tailor-made to suit each case and was thus
highly time-consuming. Thus eventually the obtaining of a writ became necessary, in most
cases, to have a case heard in one of the Royal Courts, such as the Kings Bench or Common
Pleas. Some franchise courts, especially in the Counties Palatine , had their own system
of writs which often reflected or anticipated the common law writs. The writ was "served"
24
on (delivered in person to) the wrongdoer and acted as a command that he should appear
at a specified time and date before the court specified in the writ, or it might command
some other act on the part of the recipient.
Where a plaintiff wished to have a case heard by a local court, or by an Eyre if one hap-
pened to be visiting the County, there would be no need to obtain a writ. Actions in local
courts could usually be started by an informal complaint. However, if a plaintiff wished to
avail himself of Royal — and by implication
superior — justice in one of the King's courts, then he would need a writ, a command of
the King, to enable him to do this. Initially for common law, recourse to the King's courts
was unusual, and something for which a plaintiff would have to pay. For most Royal
Courts, the writ would usually have been purchased from the Chancery, although the court
of the Exchequer, being in essence another government department, was able to issue its
own writs.
In COMMON LAW, a writ (Anglo-Saxon gewrit, Latin breve) is a formal written order issued
by a body with administrative or judicial jurisdiction in modern usage, this body is generally a
court. Warrants, prerogative writs
25
SOME COMMON WRITS
Six writs are traditionally classified as prerogative writs:
• certiorari, an order by a higher court directing a lower court to send the record in a given
case for review;
• habeas corpus, demands that a prisoner be taken before the court to determine whether
there is lawful authority to detain the person;
• mandamus, an order issued by a higher court to compel or to direct a lower court or a gov-
ernment officer to perform mandatory duties correctly;
• prohibition, directing a subordinate to stop doing something the law prohibits;
• procedendo, to send a case from an appellate court to a lower court with an order to pro-
ceed to judgment;
• quo warranto, requiring a person to show by what authority they exercise a power.
Additionally, scire facias, one of the extraordinary writs, was once known as a prerogative writ.
and subpoenas are common types of writ, but many forms exist and have existed.
Writ in Common Law: CONTINUED
In its earliest form a writ was simply a written order made by the English monarch to a specified
person to undertake a specified action; for example, in the feudal era a military summons by the
king to one of his tenants-in-chief to appear dressed for battle with retinue at a certain place and
time. An early usage survives in the United Kingdom and Canada in a writ of election, which is
a written order issued on behalf of the monarch (in Canada, the Governor General) to local offi-
cials (High Sheriffs of every county in the historical UK) to hold a general election. Writs were
used by the medieval English kings to summon persons to Parliament,[3] (then consisting primar-
ily of the House of Lords) whose advice was considered valuable or who were particularly influ-
ential, and who were thereby deemed to have been created "barons by writ".
Origins
26
The writ was a unique development of the Anglo-Saxon monarchy, and consisted of a brief ad-
ministrative order, authenticated (innovately) by a seal. Written in the vernacular, they generally
made a land grant, or conveyed instructions to a local court. William The Conqueror took over
the system unchanged, but was to extend it in two ways: first, writs became mainly framed in
Latin, not Anglo-Saxon; second, they covered an increasing range of royal commands and deci-
sions. Writs of instruction continued to develop under his immediate successors, but it was not
until Henery the Second that writs became available for purchase by private individuals seeking
justice, thus initiating a vast expansion in their role within the common law.
Writs could take two main forms, open (patent) for all to read, and 'letters close' for one or more
specified individuals alone.
The development of writs as a means of commencing a court action was a form of "off-the-shelf"
justice designed to enable the English law courts to rapidly process lawsuits by allocating each
form of complaint into a standard category which could be dealt with by standard procedures.
The complainant simply applied to the court for the writ most relevant to his complaint to be sent
to the wrongdoer, which ordered him under royal authority to attend a royal court to answer for
his actions. The development was part of the establishment of a Court of Common Pleas, for
dealing with commonly made complaints by subjects of the crown, for example: "someone has
damaged my property". The previous system of justice at the royal court of Chancery was tailor-
made to suit each case and was thus highly time-consuming. Thus eventually the obtaining of a
writ became necessary, in most cases, to have a case heard in one of the Royal Courts, such as
the King's Bench or Common Pleas. Some franchise courts, especially in the Counties Palatine,
had their own system of writs which often reflected or anticipated the common law writs. The
writ was "served" on (delivered in person to) the wrongdoer and acted as a command that he
should appear at a specified time and date before the court specified in the writ, or it might com-
mand some other act on the part of the recipient.
Where a plaintiff wished to have a case heard by a local court, or by an Eyre if one happened to
be visiting the County, there would be no need to obtain a writ. Actions in local courts could
usually be started by an informal complaint. However, if a plaintiff wished to avail himself of

Royal — and by implication superior — justice in one of the King's courts, then he would need a
writ, a command of the King, to enable him to do this. Initially for common law, recourse to the
King's courts was unusual, and something for which a plaintiff would have to pay. For most
Royal Courts, the writ would usually have been purchased from the Chancery, although the court
of the Exchequer, being in essence another government department, was able to issue its own
writs.
While originally writs were exceptional, or at least non-routine devices, Maitland suggests that
by the time of King Henry II (1154-1189), the use of writs had become a regular part of the sys-
tem of royal justice in England.
At first, new writs were drafted to fit each new situation, although in practice the clerks of the
Chancery would use wording from previously issued writs, with suitable adjustments, often
27
taken from reference books containing collections of forms of writ, much as in modern times
lawyers frequently use fixed precedents or boilerplate, rather than re-inventing the wording of a
new legal document. The problem with this approach was that a plaintiff's rights and available
forms of action at his disposal, would be defined, and in most cases limited, by the limited vari-
ety of writs available to him. Thus the power to create new writs was akin to the power to create
new rights, a form of extra-parliamentary legislation. Moreover, a writ, if one could be found fit-
ting the plaintiff's case, provided the legal means to remove the dispute from the jurisdiction of
28
Writ of Rights: CONTINUED
• Assize of Novel Disseisin

• Assize of Mort D’ancestor
• Writ of Entry Sur Dissessin in the per and cui
• Writ of besaiel
• Writ of quake impedit
• Ejectment
Over time, the royal courts began to take notice of other cases. These early writs were in the praecipe form: they commanded that the defendant perform a certain act or
else appear and explain why he had not done so. Examples include the writs of covenant, debt and account. Such writs demanded something as of right.[2] The royal courts
were initially only concerned with complaints of wrong if the wrong involved a forcible breach of the King's Peace. Such wrongs were enforced by a writ of trespass vi et
armis contra pacem regis. During the 14th century the royal courts gradually allowed actions which did not involve breaches of the King's Peace. Instead, the plaintiff
would set out his 'special case' in an extra clause, specifying the damage sustained which justified the bringing of an action. This was known as a trespass on the case. From
the trespass on the case developed many other forms of action. Apart from the actions which dealt with real property, other significant forms of action include:
• Action of covenant
• Action of debt sur obligation ("Debt on an obligation")
• Action of debt sur contract ("Debt on a contract")
• Action of detinue
• Action of account
• Trespass vi et armis contra pacem regis ("Trespass with force and arms against the King's peace")
• Trespass sur la case ("Trespass on the case" or "action on the case")
◦ Conversion
◦ Nuisance
◦ Negligence
◦ Deceit
◦ Action on the case for words (Defamation, Slander)
◦ Assumpsit
▪ Special assumpsit
▪ Indebitatus assumpsit
▪ Action for money had and received to the plaintiff’s use
▪ Action for money paid to the defendant's use
▪ Quantum meruit
▪ Quantum valebant
Many actions developed from the action on the case during the later history of the common law. The three most significant of these were:
• The action of assumpsit, the rapid expansion of which is traced to Slade’s Case (1602). The medieval law of contract developed in a fractured way
through the old actions of covenant, debt and account. In the 1500s litigants began to use the action on the case to enforce contractual agreements (with the exception of
contracts under seal, for which debt sur obligation was required), a shift vindicated in Slade's Case. The modern Law of Contract then gradually began to take shape.
• The action of indebitatus assumpsit. Following the recognition in Slade's Case (1602) that assumpsit could be brought in lieu of debt sur contract,
a form of action known as indebitatus assumpsit took shape. This action developed several sub-forms known as the common money counts. These actions were initially
used to enforce what we would call contractual liability, but they rested on the court implying that a defendant had promised to pay a sum of money to the plaintiff. This
promise initially reflected reality, but came to be used fictitiously. Thus where A mistakenly paid money to B, the law would imply a promise by B that B would repay
the money: A could then bring an action for money had and received and recover the mistaken payment. The defendant's obligation was not consensually undertaken, but
imposed by law. From such actions came the Law of Quasi-Contract. This area of law is now known as the Law of Unjust Enrichment.
• The action on the case for negligence, the rapid expansion of which is traced to Donoghue v. Stevenson [1932]. The tort of negligence lies at the
heart of the modern law of tort Law of Tort, which also includes obligations enforced via the old actions of trespass (to the person, to goods, and to land), actions on the
case, conversion, deceit, and defamation.
England
the local court, often controlled by a lesser noble, and instead have it heard by the King's judges.
29
The nobility thus saw the creation of new writs as an erosion of their influence.
Over time, opposition to the creation of new writs by the Chancery increased. For example, in
1256 a court was asked to quash a writ as "novel, unheard of, and against reason" (Abbot of
Lilleshall v Harcourt (1256) 96 SS xxix 44). Ultimately in 1258 the King was forced to accept
the Provisions of Oxford, which among other things, prohibited the creation of new forms of writ
without the sanction of the King's council. New writs were created after that time only by the ex-
press sanction of Parliament and the forms of writ remained essentially static, each writ defining
a particular form of action. It was the role and expertise of a solicitor to select on his client's be-
half the appropriate writ for the proposed legal action. These were purchased from the court by
payment of a fee. A barrister would then be hired by the solicitor to speak for his client in court.
Rationalization of writs
With the abolition of the Forms of Action in 1832 and 1833, a profusion of writs was no longer
needed, and one uniform writ came into use. After 1852 the need to state the name of the form of
action was also abolished. In 1875 the form of writ was altered so that it conformed more to the
subpoena used in the Chancery. A writ was a summons from the Crown, to the parties to the ac-
tion, with on its back the substance of the action set out, together with a 'prayer' requesting a
remedy from the court (for example damages). In 1980 the need for writs to be written in the
name of the Crown was ended. From that time, a writ simply required the parties to appear.
Writs applied to claims that were to be heard in one of the courts which eventually formed part
of the High Court of Justice. The procedure in a County Court, which was established by statute,
was to issue a 'summons'.
In 1999 the Woolf Reforms unified most of the procedure of the Supreme Court and the County
Court in civil matters. These reforms brought in the Civil Procedure Rules. Under these almost
all civil actions, other than those connected with insolvency, are now commenced by the comple-
tion of a 'Claim Form' as opposed to the obtaining of a 'Writ', 'Originating Application', or 'Sum-
mons' (see Rules 7 and 8 of the Civil Procedure Rules).
Writ of Election
In some Westminster systems, for example Canada and some other parliamentary systems, the
phrase 'dropping the writ' refers colloquially to a Dissolution of Parliament and the beginning of
an election campaign to form a new one. This phrase derives from the fact that to hold an elec-
tion in such a system a writ of election must be issued on behalf of the monarch ordering the
High Sheriffs of each county to set in motion the procedure for elections.
30
United States early law

Early law of the United States inherited the traditional English writ system, in the sense of a rigid
set of forms of relief that the law courts were authorized to grant. The All Writs Act[9] authorizes
United States federal courts to "issue all writs necessary or appropriate in aid of their respective
jurisdictions and agreeable to the usages and principles of law." However, the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure, adopted in 1938 to govern civil procedure in the United States district courts,
provide that there is only one form of action in civil cases, and explicitly abolish certain writs by
name. Relief formerly available by a writ is now normally available by a lawsuit (civil action) or
a motion in a pending civil action. Nonetheless, a few writs have escaped abolition and remain in
current use in the U.S. federal courts:
• The writ of habeas corpus, usually used to test the legality of a prisoner's detention, has
expressly been preserved. It is explicitly mentioned in the United States Constitution
(Art. 1, § 9, cl. 2). In the United States federal courts, the writ is most often used to re-
view the constitutionality of criminal convictions rendered by state courts. The writ's ap-
plication does not stop there: the Supreme Court has held the writ of habeas corpus open
to all individuals held by the federal government, including Guantanamo Bay detainees.
See Boumediene v. Bush.
31
Part III—Court Officers and Employees

For example:
• Chapter 41: Administrative Office of United States Courts

Contents
• Chapter 42: Federal Judicial Center
•• Chapter 43: United States
1 Part I—Organization Magistrate Judge
of Courts
•• Chapter 44: Alternative
2 Part II—Department of Dispute
Justice Resolution
•• Chapter 45: Supreme
3 Part III—Court Court
Officers and Employees
•• Chapter 47: Courts of Appeals
4 Part IV—Jurisdiction and Venue(also called circuit courts)
•• Chapter 49: District Courts
5 Part V—Procedure
•• Chapter 50: [Omitted]Proceedings
6 Part VI—Particular
•• Chapter 51:links
7 External United States Court of Federal Claims (hears non-tort monetary claims against the U.S. government)
Part III—Court Officers and Employee (continued)
Part I—Organization of Courts

• Chapter 53: [Repealed] (United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals)
• Chapter 55: Court of International Trade
The part establishes United States federal courts.
• Chapter 57: General Provisions Applicable to Court Officers and Employees
•• Chapter
Chapter58: United States
1: Supreme Court Sentencing Commission
Includes provisions setting the number of justices at 9 and defining a quorum as any 6, setting the terms of court, and determining salaries
Part IV—Jurisdiction and Venue
• Chapter 3: Courts of Appeals
Includes
This provisions
part deals withrelating to the composition
jurisdiction and venue. of circuits, the creation, composition and terms of courts, and the selection and employment conditions of judges
• Chapter 5: District Courts
Describes
• for each state
Chapter 81: the layout of
Supreme districts, divisions etc; describes the creation and composition of courts and the selection and employment conditions of judges; provides for replacement
Court
of•judges inChapter
cases of 83:
biasCourts
or prejudice
of Appeals
•• Chapter85:
Chapter 6: Bankruptcy judges Jurisdiction
District Courts;
•• Chapter87:
Chapter 7: United States
District CourtVenue
Courts; of Federal Claims
•• Chapter89:
Chapter 9: United States
District CourtRemoval
Courts; of Customs
ofand Patent
Cases Appeals
from State(repealed
Courts October 1, 1982)
•• Chapter90:
Chapter 11: [Omitted]
Court of International Trade
•• Chapter91:
Chapter 13: United
Assignment of judges
States Court toofother courts
Federal Claims
•• Chapter93:
Chapter 15: [Repealed]
Conferences (United
and councils of judges
States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals)
•• Chapter95:
Chapter 17: Court
Resignation and retirement
of International of justices and judges
Trade
•• Chapter97:
Chapter 19: Jurisdictional
Distribution of reports and digests
Immunities of Foreign States
•• Chapter99:
Chapter 21: General
General provisions
Provisionsapplicable to courts and judges
• Chapter 23: Civil justice expense and delay reduction plans

Part V—Procedure
Part II—Department of Justice
This part establishes criminal procedure and civil procedure for the federal courts. The Supreme Court, pursuant to the Rules Enabling Act and upon recommendations
from the Judicial Conference of the United States, promulgates the more detailed Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
The part establishes the United States Department of Justice.
• Chapter 111: General Provisions

• Chapter 31: The Attorney General
• Chapter 113: Process
• Chapter 33: Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Chapter 114: Class Actions
• Chapter 35: United States Attorneys
• Chapter 115: Evidence; Documentary
• Chapter 37: United States Marshals Service
• Chapter 117: Evidence; Depositions
• Chapter 39: United States Trustees
• Chapter 119: Evidence; Witnesses
• Chapter 40: Independent Counsel
• Chapter 121: Juries; Trial by Jury
• Chapter 40A: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• Chapter 123: Fees and Costs
32
• By statute, the Supreme Court of the United States uses the writ of certiorari to review
cases from the United States courts of appeals or from the state courts.
• In extraordinary circumstances, the United States court of appeals can use the common
law writ of prohibition under the All Writs Act to control proceedings in the district
courts.
• Some courts have held that in rare circumstances in a federal criminal case, a United
States district court may use the common law writ of error coram nobis under the All
Writs Act to set aside a conviction when no other remedy is available.
• The United States district courts normally follow state- in the United States federal courts
but are almost never used in practice. In modern times, the All Writs Act is most com-
monly used as authority for federal courts to issue injunctions to protect their jurisdiction
or effectuate their judgments.
The situation in the courts of the various U.S. states varies from state to state but is often similar
to that in the federal courts. Some states continue to use writ procedures, such as quo warranto,
that have been abolished as a procedural matter in federal courts.
In an attempt to purge Latin from the language of the law, California law has for many years
used the term writ of mandate in place of writ of mandamus, and writ of review in place of writ
of certiorari.
Prerogative Writs
Main article: Prerogative writ
The "prerogative" writs are a subset of the class of writs, those that are to be heard ahead of any
other cases on a court's docket except other such writs. The most common of the other such pre-
rogative writs are habeas corpus, quo warranto, prohibito, mandamus, procedendo, and
certiorari. Be sure to view above: Quo Warranto, Writ of Mandamus and Procedendo. These
particular writs (as you will note) are explained in even greater detail within this treat-
ment.
The due process for petitions for such writs is not simply civil or criminal, because they incorpo-
rate the presumption of non-authority, so that the official who is the respondent has the burden to
prove his authority to do or not do something, failing which the court has no discretion but to de-
cide for the petitioner, who may be any person, not just an interested party. In this they differ
from a motion in a civil process in which the burden of proof is on the movant, and in which
there can be a question of standing.
Other writs
• A writ of attachment permits the arrest of a person or the seizure of private property.
• A writ of audita querela inhibits the unconscionable use of a lawful judgment because of
matters arising subsequent to the judgment.
33
• A writ of capias directs an officer to take into custody the person named in the writ or or-
der.
• A writ of coram nobis corrects a previous error "of the most fundamental character" to
"achieve justice" where "no other remedy" is available, e.g., when a judgment was ren-
dered without full knowledge of the facts.
• A writ of elegit orders the seizure of a portion of a debtor's lands and all his goods (ex-
cept work animals) towards satisfying a creditor, until the debt is paid off.
• A writ of error is issued by an appellate court, and directs a lower court of record to sub-
mit its record of the case laid for appeal.
• A writ of exigent (or exigend) commands a sheriff to summon a defendant indicted for a
felony, who had failed to appear in court, to deliver himself up upon pain of outlawry or
forfeiture of his goods.
• A writ of fieri facias (colloquially "fi fa") commands a sheriff to take and auction off
enough property from a losing party to pay the debt (plus interest and costs) owed by a
judgment debtor.
• A writ of mittimus orders either (1) a court to send its record to another or (2) a jailor to
receive the accused in his or her custody at any point during the investigative or trial pro-
cess.
• A writ of ne exeat restrains a defendant from fleeing the country or jurisdiction.
• A writ of praemunire instructs a sheriff to order someone to appear in court to answer for
any of a number of different crimes.
• A writ of scire facias revives a dormant judgment.
• A writ of supersedeas contains a command to stay the proceedings at law.[14]
• A writ of venire facias summons jurors to appear in court.[15]
Indian law
Note: This section is not to be mistaken as referring to the (So Called) American India, but is in
fact relative to the land in which individuals who are actually from the Nation: “INDIA” and is
only revival here to provide one a greater appreciation of the far-reaching nature of WRITS and
how WRITS in general have often been MISUED as a means and vehicle to provide a facsimile
of LAW as a means of creating FALSE LEGAL STANDING for a group of individuals desire to
steal (property and/or the legitimate God Given Rights) from others, as history shows as being
fact. This particular subject is relative to the British Colonization of Sovereign Contry of India.
Under the (SO CALLED) Indian legal system, jurisdiction to issue 'prerogative writs' is given to
the Supreme Court, and to the High Courts of Judicature of all Indian states. Parts of the law re-
lating to writs are set forth in the Constitution of India. The Supreme Court, the highest in the
country, may issue writs under Article 32 of the Constitution for enforcement of Fundamental
Rights and under Articles 139 for enforcement of rights other than Fundamental Rights, while
High Courts, the superior courts of the States, may issue writs under Articles 226. The
34
Constitution broadly provides for five kinds of "prerogative" writs: habeas corpus, certiorari,
mandamus, quo warranto and prohibition.
• The writ of prohibition is issued by a higher court to a lower court prohibiting it from tak-
ing up a case because it falls outside the jurisdiction of the lower court. Thus, the higher
court transfers the case to itself.
• The writ of habeas corpus is issued to a detaining authority, ordering the detainer to pro-
duce the detained person in the issuing court, along with the cause of his or her detention.
If the detention is found to be illegal, the court issues an order to set the person free.
• The writ of certiorari is issued to a lower court directing that the record of a case be sent
up for review, together with all supporting files, evidence and documents, usually with
the intention of overruling the judgement of the lower court. It is one of the mechanisms
by which the fundamental rights of the citizens are upheld.
• The writ of mandamus is issued to a subordinate court, an officer of government, or a cor-
poration or other institution commanding the performance of certain acts or duties.
• The writ of quo warranto is issued against a person who claims or usurps a public office.
Through this writ the court inquires 'by what authority' the person supports his or her
claim.
While originally writs were exceptional, or at least non-routine devices, Maitland suggests
that by the time of King Henery II (1154-1189), the use of writs had become a regular part
of the system of royal justice in England.
A Brief But Important Side Bar
With the mentioning of Maitland (above) I though here would be a very propriety place for
the placement of one of my sidebar junkets relative to IMPORTANT “PARADIGMS” OF
REALITY. With one of the most important paradigms of all modern ages being the subject
of race relations as it pertains to RACISM, its important to understand how this subject
35
impacts so insidiously on every aspect of todays America and its most recent (300 years or
so) history.
The development of Racism as a Social Engineering Phenomena is at its very base level
Psychological Manipulation. An effective form of social influence designed to effect a
change in the perception or behavior of others through for the most part deceptive and/or
even abusive tactics. By advancing the interests of the manipulator, most often at another’s
expense, such coercive methods are most often exploitative, abusive, deviant and corrosive
in nature.
All Things Have Their Beginning!
The transmutation of the word “BLACK” from an adjective to a noun and then de-
velopment of operative classification as an attempt to scientifically identify a so called
“Race” did not simply come into being on its own.
This mechanism like many “isms” was specifically designed and developed as a vehicle to
support the proliferation of very specific insidious agendas; tweaked and fine tuned as to
appear scientific in nature, than employed with the aim of being accepted (as it has been)
36
as logical fact of reality to be vigorously utilized as a key social engineering tool across the
vast spectrum of our Global social construct.
The concept of there being a “Race” (a competition between opponents having a singular
goal, defeating the opponent) was initiated as a deceptive device invented and further en-
hanced and reinforced under the false color of science logic by the following three Euro-
peans:
François Bernier
Carl Linnaeus
Johann Friedrich Blumenbach
• François Bernier (1625 – 22 September 1688) Born at Joué-Etiau in Anjou was a

French who proclaimed himself to be a physician, traveller and personal physi-
cian of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for around 12 years during his stay in In-
dia.
• Carl Linnaeus (23 May 1707 – 10 January 1778), was a Swedish botanist physi-
cian, and zoologist, who laid the foundations for the modern biological naming
scheme of binomial nomenclature which is a formal system of naming species of
living things.
37
• Johann Friedrich Blumenbach (11 May 1752 – 22 January 1840) was a German
physician, naturalist, physiologist and anthropologist who was said to be one of
the first to explore the study of mankind as an aspect of natural history. His teach-
ings in comparative anatomy were applied to the classification of what he called
human race’s’ of which he determined there to be five.
The above three named individuals are the Originators, INVENTORS and first De-
velopers of the popularly accepted misnomer known as the
THE
“RACE PARADIGM”
This contrived anomaly as a world view underlying the theories and insidious methodol-
ogy of this so called “scientific” subject has defined within it Four Specific Classification
Qualifiers.
The competitors were to be identified/classified by the following Four Elements:
1.) Skin Tone
2.) Facial Features
3.) Hair Texture
4.) Cranial Size.
38
It is significantly important to grasp, understand and begin to appreciate the signifi-

cance of these ethnic characteristic classifiers having nothing to do with National
Origins nor geographical ancestry of any sort.
It is also key to note that although all of the above four fabricated qualifiers were estab-
lished and available; since that time the subjects impacted upon most negatively have his-
torically been classified as Negro, Black or Colored (NBC) and other derivations within
the U.S. Government Census Bureau’s Department of Records and Vital Statistics and
classified as such by a singular paradigm . . . [*]
IMPORTANT NAVIGATION NOTE:

Seeing a [bracketed] (Singular) Asterisk Symbol such as this: [*] (and the one above) will indicate that you may click upon the Asterisk to
Jump Directly to the location where the continuance of the material being read is located and clicking upon its counterpart, the DOUBLE [**]
Asterisk Symbol may be used to return to the location within this document where you were prior to clicking upon the first signal Asterisk Symbol. [**]
SKIN TONE.
[*]
"RACE PARADIGM”
Continued
The importance of knowing ones Nationality lies in understanding that as long as

one is identified as having NO Nationality (as is the case in the matter of accepting the
BRAND African American, because just as the BRANDS “Black”, “Negro” and col-
ored are not Nationalities, (Africa is “NOT” a NATION) that individual or people as
a group have no legal standing in law (and with that fact expected to be treated as
such).
39
The proper designation for the individuals who historically have been purposefully
misidentified as NEGRO, COLORED, BLACK and other unsuitable derivations which
have impacted negatively upon us i.e. African Americans is: MOOR as clearly noted in
The Congressional Record.
In Greek the term Moor was often used synonymously at times as denoting BLACK, how-
ever it again here is quite important to note that the Greeks are not the originators of the
word MOOR (The word is much much older).
So the question is when and why did the Greek Meaning Come about?
In the Burba Languages Moors Means Land and was also understood to represent those
skilled in the nautical seafaring crafts associated with Navigation and the in-depth scien-
tific understanding of astrological cosmology – knowledge of the stars similar to that of
the Magi (Magi means Wise, as in the Biblical Reference: “The Three Wise Men”).
With an understanding of Etiology (causal), The History, Origin and TRUE Meaning of
Words, Language, Labels, a Semanticist would look at how the meanings come into being
over a period of centuries.
• [Recommendation: An excellent on-line Moorish Educational Resource for further in-

formation on etymology and other topics of interest: MoorishCiviletter.com, rvbeypubli-
cations.com and of of course “YOUR” MoorishDirectory.com.]
When we first venture to investigate a word such as “Moor” one should first have a
knowledge of the fact that Europeans never developed any root words, they only in
40
fact transmuted previously existing words and phrases from already well established lan-
guages.
A term Moor Transmigrated and Trans-enumerated from the word Miygread by the
Greeks. Similarly the modern term Black derived from the Indo-European term bhleg
which comes from the transliterated Greek term phlegein (the Greek ph is transliterated
from the “Moorish” Latin term. Flagrare also utilized by Danish or Dutch in the form of
the term blaker as in blaker Moor.
All of the above is of key importance in securing a greater appreciation of the fact that
the term Black is not based upon skin color, it, “the term: BLACK”, denotes ones
LEGAL Status or more correctly a lack thereof; simply a denotation of Fabricated or
Contrived Status as is the term White which denotes those individuals as claiming them-
selves to be Sovereign or the historically FREE Majority. Wherein accepting the term
MINORITY (meaning “LIKE A MINOR”) denotes one’s inability to represent them-
selves or legally what is known as CIVILLITER MORTUUS or Civilly Dead; [*] [**]
[**][*]
RACE PARADIGM
Continued
one who is considered LEGALLY as having no standing in Law, as if they were naturally dead,
so far as their legal rights are concerned… Dead In The Eyes of The Law. This is one reason
why when a “MINORITY” is murdered by a so called “official” it is only considered a Civil
Rights VIOLATION, A VIOLATION OF CODE OR STATUTE, NOT A CRIME UNDER
THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW OF THE LAND.
HOW CAN YOU EXPECT TO SECURE A CRIMINAL INDICTMENT IN A MATTER IN WHICH NO CRIME “BY LAW” HAS OCCURRED?
When one takes the time to decodify the legal facts buried beneath the so called Mysteries of
certain injustices which “BLACK” leaders continue to proclaim will be overcome SOME DAY,
our conscious awareness of Self becomes mores far more pronounced.
41
End of Side Bar
WRITS: In General (continued)
At first, new writs were drafted to fit each new situation, although in practice the clerks of the
Chancery would use wording from previously issued writs, with suitable adjustments, often taken
from reference books containing collections of forms of writ, much as in modern times lawyers
frequently use fixed precedents or boilerplate, rather than re-inventing the wording of a new legal
document. The problem with this approach was that a plaintiff's rights and available forms of ac-
tion at his disposal, would be defined, and in most cases limited, by the limited variety of writs
available to him. Thus the power to create new writs was akin to the power to create new rights, a
form of extra-parliamentary legislation. Moreover, a writ, if one could be found fitting the plain-
tiff's case, provided the legal means to remove the dispute from the jurisdiction of the local court,
often controlled by a lesser noble, and instead have it heard by the King's judges. The nobility thus
saw the creation of new writs as an erosion of their influence.
Over time, opposition to the creation of new writs by the Chancery increased. For example, in
1256 a court was asked to quash a writ as "novel, unheard of, and against reason" (Abbot of
Lilleshall v Harcourt (1256) 96 SS xxix 44). Ultimately in 1258 the King was forced to accept the
Provisions of Oxford, which among other things, prohibited the creation of new forms of writ
without the sanction of the King’s council. {CLICK THE HIGHLIGHTED TO VIEW IMPORTANT NOTE} King’s Council
New writs were created after that time only by the express sanction of Parliament and the forms
of writ remained essentially static, each writ defining a particular From of Action. It was the role
and expertise of a solicitor to select on his client's behalf the appropriate writ for the proposed
42
Legal Action. These were purchased from the court by payment of a fee. A barrister would then
be hired by the solicitor to speak for his client in court.
Re.: Forms of Action
The substantive law lay buried beneath the various actions: medieval practitioners and judges
thought procedurally, not substantively. Rights and duties which we would consider to be
part of the law of property, tort, contract or unjust enrichment were not conceptualized as
such.
In the early medieval period, justice was administered at a local level. Following the Norman
conquest of England in the 11th century, a system of royal central justice gradually took
shape. The principal royal courts were King's Bench, Common Pleas, and Exchequer. These
royal courts were initially only interested in matters relating to the feudal system: that is, to
land law. Accordingly, many of the earliest writs dealt with real property.
IMPORTANT NAVIGATION NOTE
For the sake and benefit of providing such interjected material, and affording (you the reader) clarity of
continuity, the Continuance of Inserts (which may be broken into sections) will (as a visual aid) also be contained
within a BOX (such as the one you are now viewing) to assist you with your the proper compartmentalization of the
information being presented.
Rationalization of Writs
With the abolition of the Forms of Action in 1832 and 1833, a profusion of writs was no longer
needed, and one uniform writ came into use. After 1852 the need to state the name of the form of
action was also abolished. In 1875 the form of writ was altered so that it conformed more to the
subpoena used in the Chancery. A writ was a summons from the Crown, to the parties to the action,
with on its back the substance of the action set out, together with a 'prayer' requesting a
43
remedy from the court (for example damages). In 1980 the need for writs to be written in the name
of the Crown was ended. From that time, a writ simply required the parties to appear.
Writs applied to claims that were to be heard in one of the courts which eventually formed part of
the High Court of Justice. The procedure in a County Court, which was established by statute,
was to issue a 'summons'.
In 1999 the Woolf Reforms unified most of the procedure of the Supreme Court and the County
Court in civil matters. These reforms brought in the Civil Procedure Rules. Under these almost all
civil actions, other than those connected with insolvency, are now commenced by the completion
of a 'Claim Form' as opposed to the obtaining of a 'Writ', 'Originating Application', or 'Summons'
(see Rules 7 and 8 of the Civil Procedure Rules).
Writ of Election
In some Westminster Systems, for example Canada and some other parliamentary systems, the
phrase ‘dropping the writ’ refers colloquially to a Dissolution of Parliament and the beginning
of an election campaign to form a new one. This phrase derives from the fact that to hold an
election in such a system a “Writ of Election” must be issued on behalf of the monarch ordering
the High Sheriffs of each county to set in motion the procedure for elections.
United States LAW
Early law of the United States (Law of the United States) inherited the traditional English writ
system, in the sense of a rigid set of forms of relief that the law courts were authorized to grant.
44
Because the next paragraph ventures into an area in which further self research may be desired,
the following BRAKE-aside is being provided here to provide you (the reader) a pre-consolidated
list as a helpful place to begin researching such matters further. The majority of this
brief BRAKE-aside has been obtained from an online research resources which this author dose
not necessarily recommend for new researchers, in that their are (in my personal opinion) far, far
to many instances of overly Eurocentric and at time down-right racist entries through-out, in which
a novas/non-skilled researcher would not catch as being either misleading or as being outright
falsehoods and/or LIEs (with that source being: Wikipedia). With the following INTERJEC-
TION being for the most part simply a compiled list of historically correct chronological time-
lined event entries or dyarchy material, it serves as a means of saving you a great deal of time.
United States Code (Federal Statutory Law)
With there being much dispute regarding what is and what is not “LAW” when it comes to Codes
and Statues, and there existing a great number of on-line resources and websites which cover this
topic extensively i.e. R.V.BeyPublications.com in which Moors may visit and acquire informative
substantial as to How and/or Whether or Not and to what extent (if any) such U.S. Codes and
Statues apply to our community, this section will simply dedicate itself to providing what has been
considered standard information most commonly accepted as curriculum on this important subject.
The Code of Laws of the United States of America (variously abbreviated to Code of Laws of
the United States, United States Code, U.S. Code, U.S.C., or USC) is the official compilation
and codification of the general and permanent Federal Statutes of the United States which we will
also cover here. It contains 53 titles (Titles 1–54, excepting Title 53, it being reserved). The main
edition is published every six years by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the House of
Representatives, and cumulative supplements are published annually. The official version of those
laws not codified in the United States Code can be found in United States Statutes at Large.
45
Codification
Process
The official text of an Act of Congress is that of the "enrolled bill" (traditionally printed on
parchment) presented to the President for his signature or disapproval. Upon enactment of a law,
the original bill is delivered to the Office of the Federal Registry (OFR) within the National Ar-
chives and Records Administration (NARA). After authorization from the OFR, copies are dis-
tributed as “slip laws” by the Government Printing Office (GPO). The Archivist assembles an-
nual volumes of the enacted laws and publishes them as the United States Statues at Large. By
law, the text of the Statutes at Large is "legal evidence" of the laws enacted by Congress. Slip
laws are also competent evidence.
The Statutes at Large, however, is not a convenient tool for legal research. It is arranged strictly
in chronological order so that statutes addressing related topics may be scattered across many
volumes. Statutes often repeal or amend earlier laws, and extensive cross-reference is required to
determine what laws are in force at any given time.
The United States Code is the result of an effort to make finding relevant and effective statutes
simpler by reorganizing them by subject matter, and eliminating expired and amended sections.
The Code is maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel (LRC) of the U.S. House of
Representatives. The LRC determines which statutes in the United States Statutes at Large
should be codified, and which existing statutes are affected by amendments or repeals, or have
simply expired by their own terms. The LRC updates the Code accordingly.
Because of this codification approach, a single named statute (like the Taft-Hartley Act) or the
Embargo Act) may or may not appear in a single place in the Code. Often, complex legislation
bundles a series of provisions together as a means of addressing a social or governmental prob-
lem; those provisions often fall in different logical areas of the Code. For example, an Act
providing relief for family farms might affect items in Title 7 (Agriculture), Title 26 (Tax), and
46
Title 43 (Public Lands). When the Act is codified, its various provisions might well be placed in
different parts of those various Titles. Traces of this process are generally found in the Notes ac-
companying the "lead section" associated with the popular name, and in cross-reference tables
that identify Code sections corresponding to particular Acts of Congress.
Usually, the individual sections of a statute are incorporated into the Code exactly as enacted;
however, sometimes editorial changes are made by the LRC (for instance, the phrase "the date of
enactment of this Act" is replaced by the actual date). Though authorized by statute, these
changes do not constitute (what is known as) Positive Law.
Legal status
The authority for the material in the United States Code comes from its enactment through the
legislative process and not from its presentation in the Code. For example, the United States
Code omitted 12 U.S.C.§ 92 for decades, apparently because it was thought to have been re-
pealed. In its 1993 ruling in U.S. National Bank of Oregon v. Independent Insurance Agents of
America, the Supreme Court ruled that § 92 was still valid law.
Here is a good a place as any to remind those who may have had opportunity to read the Moor-
ishDirectory.com's republishing of The New York Times Article: “Final Word on U.S. Law
Isn’t, Supreme Court Keeps Editing”, that even when you think history defines the reality as
to what is or was, or should be considered (UNDER LAW) as being FACTUAL MATTERS is
(as explained in that extremely important article) NOT! Click the above red underlined title to
read the article.
By law, those titles of the United States Code that have not been enacted into positive law are
“prima facie” evidence"of the law in effect. The U.S. Statues at Large remains the ultimate au-
thority. If a dispute arises as to the accuracy or completeness of the codification of an uneducated
title, the courts will turn to the language in the United States Statutes at Large.
47
In case of a conflict between the text of the Statutes at Large and the text of a provision of the
United States Code that has not been enacted as positive law, the text of the Statutes at Large
takes precedence.
In contrast, if Congress enacts a particular title (or other component) of the Code into positive
law, the enactment repeals all of the previous Acts of Congress from which that title of the Code
derives; in their place, Congress gives the title of the Code itself the force of law. This process
makes that title of the United States Code "legal evidence” of the law in force. Where a title has
been enacted into positive law, a court may neither permit nor require proof of the underlying
original Acts of Congress.
The distinction between enacted and uneducated titles is largely academic because the Code is
nearly always accurate. The United States Code is routinely cited by the Supreme Court and
other federal courts without mentioning this theoretical caveat. On a day-to-day basis, very few
lawyers cross-reference the Code to the Statutes at Large. Attempting to capitalize on the possi-
bility that the text of the United States Code can differ from the United States Statutes at Large,
Bancroft-Whitney for many years published a series of volumes known as United States Code
Service (USCS), which used the actual text of the United States Statutes at Large.
Uncodified Statutes
Only "general and permanent" laws are codified in the United States Code; the Code does not
usually include provisions that apply only to a limited number of people (a private law) or for a
limited time, such as most appropriation acts or budget laws, which apply only for a single fiscal
year. If these limited provisions are significant, however, they may be printed as "notes" under-
neath related sections of the Code. The codification is based on the content of the laws, however,
not the vehicle by which they are adopted; so, for instance, if an appropriations act contains sub-
stantive, permanent provisions (as is sometimes the case), these provisions will be incorporated
into the Code even though they were adopted as part of a non-permanent enactment.
48
Versions and history
Early compilations
Early efforts at codifying the Acts of Congress were undertaken by private publishers; these were
useful shortcuts for research purposes, but had no official status. Congress undertook an official
codification called the Revised Statutes of the United States approved June 22, 1874, for the
laws in effect as of December 1, 1873. Congress re-enacted a corrected version in 1878. The Re-
vised Statutes were enacted as positive law, but subsequent enactments were not incorporated
into the official code, so that over time researchers once again had to delve through many vol-
umes of the Statutes at Large.
According to the preface to the Code, "From 1897 to 1907 a commission was engaged in an ef-
fort to codify the great mass of accumulating legislation. The work of the commission involved
an expenditure of over $300,000, but was never carried to completion." Only the Criminal Code
of 1909 and the Judicial Code of 1911 were enacted. In the absence of a comprehensive official
code, private publishers once again collected the more recent statutes into unofficial codes. The
first edition of the United States Code (published as Statutes at Large Volume 44, Part 1) in-
cludes cross-reference tables between the U.S.C. and two of these unofficial codes, United States
Compiled Statutes Annotated by West Publishing Co. and Federal Statutes Annotated by Ed-
ward Thompson Co.
Official code
During the 1920s, some members of Congress revived the codification project, resulting in the
approval of the United States Code by Congress in 1926.
The official version of the Code is published by the LRC as a series of paper volumes. The first
edition of the Code was contained in a single bound volume; today, it spans several large vol-
umes. Normally, a new edition of the Code is issued every six years, with annual cumulative
49
supplements identifying the changes made by Congress since the last "main edition" was pub-
lished.
Digital and Internet versions
Both the LRC and the GPO offer electronic versions of the Code to the public. The LRC elec-
tronic version used to be as much as 18 months behind current legislation, but as of 2014 it is one
of the most current versions available online. The United States Code is available from the LRC
at uscode.house.gov in both HTML and XML bulk formats.
Annotated Codes
Practicing lawyers who can afford them almost always use an annotated version of the U.S.
Code from a private company. The two leading annotated versions are the United States
Code Annotated, abbreviated as U.S.C.A., and the United States Code Service, abbreviated
as U.S.C.S. The U.S.C.A. is published by West and U.S.C.S. is published by LexisNexis,
which purchased the publication from the Lawyerrs Co-operative Publishing Co. in 1997
as a result of an antitrust settlement. These annotated versions contain notes following
each section of the law, which organize and summarize court decisions, law review articles,
and other authorities that pertain to the code section, and may also include uncodified pro-
visions that are part of the Public Laws. The publishers of these versions frequently issue
supplements that contain newly enacted laws, which may not yet have appeared in an offi-
cial published version of the Code, as well as updated secondary materials such as new
court decisions on the subject. When an attorney is viewing an annotated code on an online
50
service, such as Westlaw or LexisNexis, ALL the citations in the annotations are hy-
VERY IMPORTANT
Although NO Legal Advice is provided anywhere within this complication, instances of com-
mon sense personal opinion from an individual with 30 years of Legal Research Expertise may
be found throughout; of which, one of the most important may be:
Should you ever find yourself in a situation in which you are being held against you will under
“Color of Law” wrongly facing prosecution, one of the most important devices I would request
EQUAL ACCESS to would be LESIS/NEXIS and all West Law utilities.
With that Equal Acess being an equal amount of utilization time to those extremely im-
portant Legal Research aids as is available to the Prosecution.
perlinked to the referenced court opinions and other documents!

Organization
Divisions
The Code is divided into 53 titles (listed below), which deal with broad, logically organized areas
of legislation. Titles may optionally be divided into subtitles, parts, subparts, chapters, and sub-
chapters. All titles have sections (represented by a §), as their basic coherent units, and sections
are numbered sequentially across the entire title without regard to the previously-mentioned divi-
sions of titles. Sections are often divided into (from largest to smallest) subsections, paragraphs,
subparagraphs, clauses, subclauses, items, and subitems. Congress, by convention, names a par-
ticular subdivision of a section according to its largest element. For example, "subsection
(c)(3)(B)(iv)" is not a subsection but a clause, namely clause (iv) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph
(3) of subsection (c); if the identity of the subsection and paragraph were clear from the context,
one would refer to the clause as "subparagraph (B)(iv)".
51
Not all titles use the same series of subdivisions above the section level, and they may arrange them in different order. For example, in Title 26 (the tax code), the order
of subdivision runs:
• Title
◦ Subtitle
▪ Chapter
CONTINUED
▪ Subchapter
▪ Part
▪
Subpart
▪ Continuing in descending order as seen on the left.
Section
▪
Subsection
▪
Paragraph
▪
Subparagraph
▪
Clause
And further continue:
Sub-clause
Item
Subitem
The "Section" division is the core organizational component of the Code, and the "Title" division
is always the largest division of the Code. Which intermediate levels between Title and Section
appear, if any, varies from Title to Title. For example, Title 38 (Veteran's Benefits) the order runs
Title – Part – Chapter – Subchapter – Section.
The word "title" in this context is roughly akin to a printed "volume," although many of the larger
titles span multiple volumes. Similarly, no particular size or length is associated with other subdi-
visions; a section might run several pages in print, or just a sentence or two. Some subdivisions
52
within particular titles acquire meaning of their own; for example, it is common for lawyers to
refer to a “Chapter 11 Bankruptcy” or a "Subchapter S corporation" (often shortened to “S Corp”).
A Corporation is a company or group of people authorized to act as a single entity

(A LEGAL PERSON) and recognized as such in law. Early incorporated entities were estab-
lished by charter (i.e. by an ad hoc act granted by a monarch or passed by a parliament or legisla-
ture). Most jurisdictions now allow the creation of new corporations through registration.
Corporations come in many different types but are usually divided by the law of the jurisdiction
where they are chartered into two kinds: by whether they can issue stock or not, or by whether
they are formed to make a profit or not.
Where local law distinguishes corporations by the ability to issue stock, corporations allowed to
do so are referred to as "stock corporations", ownership of the corporation is through stock, and
owners of stock are referred to as "stockholders" or "shareholders". Corporations not allowed to
issue stock are referred to as "non-stock" corporations; those who are considered the owners of a
non-stock corporation are persons (or other entities) who have obtained membership in the corpo-
ration and are referred to as a "member" of the corporation.
Corporations chartered in regions where they are distinguished by whether they are allowed to be
for profit or not are referred to as "for profit" and "not-for-profit" corporations, respectively.
There is some overlap between stock/non-stock and for-profit/not-for-profit in that not-for-profit

corporations are always non-stock as well. A for-profit corporation is almost always a stock cor-
poration, but some for-profit corporations may choose to be non-stock. To simplify the explana-
tion, whenever “Stockholder(s)” or "Shareholder" is used in the rest of this article to refer to a
stock corporation, it is presumed to mean the same as "member" for a non-profit corporation or
for a profit, non-stock corporation.
53
Registered corporations have legal personality and are owned by shareholders whose liability is
generally limited to their investment. Shareholders do not typically actively manage a corporation;
shareholders instead elect or appoint a Board of Directors to control the corporation
in a fiduciary capacity. In most circumstances, a shareholder may also serve as a director or officer
of a corporation.
In American English, the word corporation is most often used to describe large business corpora-
tions. In British English and in the Commonwealth countries, the term company is more widely
used to describe the same sort of entity while the word corporation encompasses all incorporated
entities. In American English, the word company can include entities such as partnerships that
would not be referred to as companies in British English as they are not a separate legal entity.
Despite not being individual human beings, corporations, as far as US law is concerned, are legal
person, and have many of the same rights and responsibilities as natural persons do. For example,
a corporation can own property, and can sue or be sued. Corporations can exercise HUMAN
RIGHTS against real individuals and the state, and they can themselves be responsible for human
rights violations. Corporations can be "dissolved" either by statutory operation, order of court, or
voluntary action on the part of shareholders. INSOLVENCY may result in a form of corporate
failure, when creditors force the liquidation and dissolution of the corporation under court order,
but it most often results in a restructuring of corporate holdings. Corporations can even be con-
victed of criminal offenses, such as FRAUD and manslaughter. However, corporations are not
considered living entities in the way that humans are.
Late in the 19th century, a new form of company having the limited liability protections of a cor-
poration, and the more favorable tax treatment of either a sole proprietorship or partnership was
developed. While not a corporation, this new type of entity became very attractive as an alternative
for corporations not needing to issue stock. In Germany, the organization was referred to as Ge-
sellchaft mid beschrankter Hafung or GmbH. In the last quarter of the 20th Century this new form
of non-corporate organization became available in the United States and other countries, and was
54
known as the Limited Liability Company or LLC. Since the GmbH and LLC forms of organization
are technically not corporations (even though they have many of the same features), they will not
be discussed further in this particular work (“The Right Writ”).
Moving On:
Title 28 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) is the portion of the U.S. Code (federal
statutory law) that governs the Federal Judicial System.
It is divided into six parts:
• Part I: Organization of Courts

• Part II: Department of Justice
• Part III: Court Officers and Employees
• Part IV: Jurisdiction and Venue
• Part V: Procedure
• Part VI: Particular Proceedings
PLEASE NOTE:
With the following being medicated to the aforementioned list of Judiciary and Judicial Procedural terms (IN THE BLUE BOX
ABOVE: which as stated have been compiled from a secondary source) which again as stated used its own external hyperlinked structure
for cross-referencing the material contained therein, an Internet connection will be required to follow or use the secondary references to
which those hyperlinks are connected.
Even if however you happen not to have access to the Internet, the following list should still nevertheless prove quite helpful.
55
Part V Continued:
• Chapter 125: Pending Actions and Judgments

• Chapter 127: Executions and Judicial Sales
• Chapter 129: Money Paid into Court
• Chapter 131: Rules of Court
• Chapter 133: Review—Miscellaneous Provisions
Part VI—Particular Proceedings
• Chapter 151: Declaratory Judgments

• Chapter 153: Habeas Corpus
• Chapter 154: Special Habeas Corpus Procedures for Capital Cases
Part VI—Particular Proceedings (continued)
• Chapter 155: Injunctions; Three-Judge Courts

• Chapter 157: Surface Transportation Board Orders; Enforcement and Review
• Chapter 158: Orders of Federal Agencies; Review
• Chapter 159: Interpleader
• Chapter 161: United States as Party Generally
• Chapter 163: Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures
• Chapter 165: United States Court of Federal Claims Procedure
• Chapter 167: [Repealed]
• Chapter 169: Court of International Trade Procedure
• Chapter 171: Tort Claims Procedure
• Chapter 173: Attachment in Postal Suits
• Chapter 175: [Repealed]
• Chapter 176: Federal Debt Collection Procedures
• Chapter 178: Professional and Amateur Sports Protection
• Chapter 179: Judicial Review of Certain Actions by Presidential Offices
• Chapter 180: Assumption of Certain Contractual Obligations
END OF 3RD PART REFERENCE LIST
As we proceed you will no doubt see why the above interjected list was inserted at that particular juncture of this resource as to
provide you a more proper context of the material being afforded. Such non-mandatory reading INTERJECTIONS which you
56
may find helpful as you proceed are not however required for your overall understanding of the material being presented.
The All Writs Act authorizes United States FEDERAL Courts to "issue all writs necessary or
appropriate in aid of their respective jurisdictions and agreeable to the usages and principles of
law." However, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted in 1938 to govern civil procedure
in the United States District Courts civil procedure in the the U.S. district court, provide that there
is only one form of action in civil cases, and explicitly abolish certain writs by name. Relief
formerly available by a writ is now normally available by a lawsuit (civil action) or a motion in a
pending civil action. Nonetheless, a few key writs have escaped the abolition and remain common
in current use in the U.S. federal courts:
We will explore these more common forms of writs immediately following this next Side Bar on:
FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (officially abbreviated Fed. R. Civ. P.; colloquially FRCP)
govern civil procedure (i.e. for civil lawsuits) in U.S. District (Federal) Courts. The FRCP are
promulgated by the U.S. Supreme Court pursuant to the Rules Enabling Act, and then the U.S.
Congress has seven months to veto the rules promulgated or they become part of the FRCP. The
Court's modifications to the rules are usually based upon recommendations from the Judicial Con-
ference of the United States, the federal judiciary's internal policy-making body. Although federal
courts are required to apply the substantive law of the states as rules of decision in cases where
state law is in question, the federal courts almost always use the FRCP as their rules of procedure.
(States may determine their own rules, which apply in state court, although most states have
adopted rules that are based on the FRCP.)
The Rules, established in 1938, replaced the earlier procedures under the Federal Equity Rules
and the Conformity Act (28 USC 724 (1934)) merging the procedure for cases, in law and equity .
57
The Conformity Act required that procedures in suits at law conform to state
practice usually the Field Code and Common Law pleading systems. Signifi-
cant revisions have been made to the FRCP in 1948, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1980,
1983, 1987, 1993, 2000, and 2006. (The FRCP contains a notes section that
details the changes of each revision since 1938, explaining the rationale behind
the language). The revisions that took effect in December 2006 made practical
changes to Discovery Rules to make it easier for courts and litigating parties to manage elec-
tronic records.
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure were amended in 1966 to unify the civil and Admiralty
procedure, and added the Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims (now
Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture Actions .
Re.: Federal Rules of Civil Procedure - TITLES
Titles of Rules
There are 86 rules in the FRCP, which are grouped into 11 titles.
Listed below are the Most commonly Used Categories and Rules.
Title I – Scope of the FRCP
Rules 1 and 2.
Title I is a sort of "mission statement" for the FRCP; Rule 1 states that the rules "shall be construed
and administered to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action." Rule
2 unifies the procedure of law and equity in the federal courts by specifying that there shall be one
form of action, the “civil action”.
Title II – Commencement of Suits
58
Rules 3 to 6.
Title II covers commencement of civil suits and includes filing, summons, and Service Process .
Rule 3 provides that a civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court. Rule 4 deals
with procedure for issuance of a summons, when the complaint is filed, and for the service of the
summons and complaint on the defendants. Rule 5 requires that all papers in an action be served
on all parties and be filed with the court. Rule 6 deals with technical issues, which concern the
computation of time, and authorizes the courts to extend certain deadlines in appropriate circum-
stances.
INTERJECTION Re.: SERVICE RETURN TO CONTENT
59
Contents Re.: SERVICE

• 1 Service
• 2 Manner of Service
◦ 2.1 Substituted Service
◦ 2.2 Service by Mail
◦ 2.3 Voluntary Acceptance of Service (United States)
◦ 2.4 Personal Service by Process Server
◦ 2.5 Common Law Systems in The United States
◦ 2.6 Civil Law Systems
◦ 2.7 International Service
• 3 Agent For Acceptance of Service

• 4 Return of Service
• 5 Process Serving Laws (United States)
◦ 5.1 Jurisdiction
◦ 5.2 Trespassing
Service
Each jurisdiction has rules regarding the appropriate service of process. Typically, a summons
and other related documents must be served upon the defendant personally, or in some cases
60
upon another person of suitable age and discretion at the person's residence or place of business
or employment. In some cases, service of process may be effected through the mail as in some
Small Claims Courts procedures. In exceptional cases, other forms of service may be authorized
by procedural rules or court order, including service by publication when an individual cannot be
located in a particular jurisdiction.
Proper service of process initially establishes PERSONAL JURISDICTION of the court over the
person served. If the defendant ignores further pleadings or fails to participate in the proceedings,
then the court or administrative body may find the defendant in default and award relief to the
claimant, petitioner or plaintiff. The defendant may contest the default in his or her home state.
Service of process must be distinguished from service of subsequent documents (such as plead-
ings and motion papers) between the parties to litigation. RETURN TO CONTENT
AN IMPORTANT NOTE Re.: “JURISDICTION”
Personal Jurisdiction is a court's jurisdiction over the parties to a lawsuit, as opposed to

subject-matter jurisdiction, which is jurisdiction over the law and facts involved in the
suit. If a court does not have personal jurisdiction over a party, its rulings or decrees cannot
be enforced upon that party, except by comity; i.e., to the extent that the sovereign having
jurisdiction over the party allows the court to enforce them upon that party. A court that
has personal jurisdiction has both the authority to rule on the law and facts of a suit and
the power to enforce its decision upon a party to the suit. In some cases, Territorial Ju-
risdiction may also constrain a court's reach, such as preventing hearing of a case concern-
ing events occurring on foreign territory between two citizens of the home jurisdiction.
RETURN TO CONTENT
International Principles
61
Since there is no world government which all countries recognize to arbitrate disputes over
jurisdiction, sovereign powers can find themselves in conflict over which is the more ap-
propriate venue to hear a case, or which country's laws should apply.
These conflicts are sometimes resolved de facto by physical factors, such as which country
has physical possession of a defendant or property, or sometimes by use of physical police
or military force to seize people or property. A country with loose RULE OF LAW – for
example an absolute monarchy with no independent judiciary – may arbitrarily choose to
assert jurisdiction over a case without citing any particular justification. Such assertion can
cause problems, such as encouraging other countries to take arbitrary actions over foreign
citizens and property, or even provoking skirmishes or armed conflict.
In practice, many countries operate by one or another principles, either in written law or in
practice, which communicate when the country will and will not assert jurisdiction:
• treaty jurisdiction — An international treaty explicitly decides the issue.

• territorial principle— A country asserts jurisdiction over people, property, and
events taking place on its own territory.
• Nationality Principle — A country asserts jurisdiction over the conduct of its citi-
zens, anywhere in the world.
• Passive Personality Principle — A country asserts jurisdiction over acts commit-
ted against its citizens, anywhere in the world.
• Protective Principle — A country asserts jurisdiction over issues that affect its in-
terests, such as conspiracies to overthrow its government, or resources critical to its
economy (such as access to an international waterways)
• Universal Jurisdiction— A country asserts jurisdiction over certain acts commit-
ted by anyone, anywhere in the world. Usually reserved for exceptionally serious
crimes, such as war crimes and CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.
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Different principles are applied by different countries, and different principles may be ap-
plied by the same country in different circumstances. Determination of whether or not a
court has jurisdiction to hear a case is the first stage of a conflict of laws proceeding, po-
tentially followed by choice of law to determine which jurisdiction's laws apply. Executive
prosecutorial authority and foreign policy also play a role in scope and practical impact of
jurisdiction choices.
Any assertion of jurisdiction based on anything other than the territorial principle is known
as extraterritorial jurisdiction. Prosecution of a case against an out-of-territory defendant
is known as assertion of long-arm-jurisdiction.
When a person commits a crime in a foreign country against the laws of that country, usu-
ally the host country is responsible for prosecution. The Vienna Convention on Consular
Relations requires that the host country notify the foreign embassy, potentially allowing
the foreign country to assist in legal defense and monitor conditions of detention. (Most
countries protect their citizens against foreign powers in general.)
Foreign diplomats enjoy diplomatic immunity in many countries based on the Vienna Con-
vention on Diplomatic Relations or bilateral agreement, and foreign military personnel may
be subject to the jurisdiction of their home country based on a status of forces agreement
or Visiting Forces Agreement.
If a person is not physically present in the country which wishes to prosecute a case, that
country may either wait until the person enters the national territory, or pursue extradition
by legal or extralegal means, and with or without a general extradition treaty. Some coun-
tries (like China) prefer to prosecute their own citizens for crimes committed abroad rather
than extradite them. Other countries defer to the host country.
63
When a crime is committed outside the territory of any country, such as in Antarctica (for
example), on watercraft in international waters on aircraft in international airspace, and on
spacecraft , jurisdiction is usually determined by the nationality of defendants or victims,
or by the Flag State of the vessel. This is determined by the admiralty law of the countries
involved and in international agreements.
History in English and U.S. law
The concept of personal jurisdiction in English law has its origin in the idea that a monarch
could not exercise power over persons or property located outside of his or her kingdom.
To some degree, this was a de facto rule; the monarch's men could not arrest people or
seize property outside the kingdom without risking physical conflict with the soldiers and
police of other kingdoms. Slowly this principle was incorporated into written law, but prob-
lems arose in cases where property owners could not be sued because they had left the
kingdom or had died and therefore were not present within the kingdom at the time they
were being sued. To solve this problem, the courts created another type of jurisdiction,
called quasi in rem, that is, jurisdiction over the land itself, even if the person who owned
the land was not in the country. However, this jurisdiction was limited to the settlement of
debts owed by the owner of the land.
In the United States, the exercise of personal jurisdiction by a court must both comply with
Constitutional limitations, and be authorized by a statute. In the United Kingdom, the ex-
ercise of personal jurisdiction does not need a statutory basis, since the United Kingdom
does not have a written constitution.
United States
64
CIVIL PROCEDURE DOCTRINES
Principles of personal jurisdiction
Three fundamentals of personal jurisdiction constrain the ability of courts in the United
States to bind individuals or property to its decisions: consent, power, and notice.
Consent
The United States legal system is an adversarial system. Civil suits cannot be initiated by
third parties, but must be filed by the aggrieved party who seeks redress. Generally, the
action is initiated in the jurisdiction where the event occurred, where the defendant can be
served or where the parties have agreed to have the case located. The filing of a complaint
or prayer for relief is a voluntary action by the person aggrieved, and as a necessity of this
request, the person seeking relief consents to be bound by the judgment of the court. The
doctrine of consent is also extended to defendants who attend and litigate actions without
challenging the court's personal jurisdiction. Consent may also derive from a pre-litigation
agreement by the parties, such as a forum selection clause in a contract (not to be confused
with a choice of law clause). Doctrines such as CLAIM PRECLUSION prevent re-litiga-
tion of failed complaints in alternative forums. Claim preclusion does not, however, pre-
vent the refiling of a claim that was filed in a court that did not have personal jurisdiction
over the defendant.
Power
65
In cases where a defendant challenges personal jurisdiction, a court may still exercise per-
sonal jurisdiction if it has independent power to do so.This power is founded in the inherent
nature of the State: SOVEREIGNTY over affairs within its territory.
Notice
The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution preserve the right of the
individual to due process. Due process requires that notice be given in a manner "reasona-
bly calculated" to inform a party of the action affecting him. Originally, "Notice" (and the
power of the State) was often exercised more forcefully, the defendant in a civil case some-
times being seized and brought before the court under a writ of capias ad respondendum.
Notice in such a case is inferred from consent of the defendant to go with the officer. Now-
adays, when exercising power over an individual without consent, notice is usually given
by formal delivery of suitable papers to the defendant (service process).
Historical background: territorial jurisdiction
Originally, jurisdiction over parties in the United States was determined by strict interpre-
tation of the geographic boundaries of each state's sovereign power. In Pennoyer v. Neff,
the Supreme Court discussed that though each state ceded certain powers (e.g. foreign re-
lations) to the Federal Government or to no entity at all (e.g. the powers that are eliminated
by the protections of the bill of rights), the states retained all the other powers of sover-
eignty, including the exclusive power to regulate the affairs of individuals and property
within its territory.
Necessarily following from this, one state's exercise of power could not infringe upon the
sovereignty of another state. Thus, Constitutional limitations applied to the validity of state
court judgments.
66
Three types of jurisdiction developed, collectively termed territorial jurisdiction because

of their reliance upon territorial control: in personam jurisdiction, in rem jurisdiction, and
quasi in rem jurisdiction. Some sources refer to all three types of territorial jurisdiction as
personal jurisdiction, since most actions against property (in rem jurisdiction) bear, in the
end, upon the rights and obligations of persons. Others continue to recognize the traditional
distinction between personal jurisdiction and jurisdiction over property, even after Shaffer
v. Heitner (discussed below).
In personam jurisdiction referred to jurisdiction over a particular person (or entity, such as
a company). In personam jurisdiction, if held by a state court, permitted that court to rule
upon any case over which it otherwise held jurisdiction. Under territorial jurisdiction, pure
in personam jurisdiction could only be established by serving notice upon the individual
while that individual was within the territory of the state.
In rem jurisdiction referred to jurisdiction over a particular piece of property, most com-
monly real estate or land. Certain cases, notably government suits for unpaid property
taxes, proceed not against an individual but against their property directly. Under territorial
jurisdiction, in rem jurisdiction could be exercised by the courts of a state by seizing the
property in question. Since an actual tract of land could not literally be brought into a
courtroom as a person could, this was effected by giving notice upon the real property
itself. In rem jurisdiction was thus supported by the assumption that the owner of that prop-
erty, having a concrete economic interest in the property, had a duty to look after the affairs
of their property, and would be notified of the pending case by such
seizure. In rem jurisdiction was limited to deciding issues regarding the specific property
in question.
Quasi in rem jurisdiction involved the seizure of property held by the individual against
whom the suit was brought, and attachment of that property to the case in question. This
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form of territorial jurisdiction developed from the rationale of in rem jurisdiction, namely
that seizure of the property was reasonably calculated to inform an individual of the pro-
ceedings against them.
Once a valid judgment was obtained against an individual, however, the plaintiff could
pursue recovery against the assets of the defendant regardless of their location, as other
states were obligated by the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the Constitution to recog-
nize such a judgment (i.e. had ceded their power to refuse comity o fellow states of the
Union). Violations by a rogue state could be checked via collateral attack: when a plaintiff
sought recovery against a defendant's assets in another state, that state could refuse judg-
ment on the grounds that the original judgment was invalid.
Difficulties in applying Pennoyer territorial jurisdiction
Following Pennoyer, extreme applications of territorial jurisdiction revealed imperfections

in the doctrine, and societal changes began to present new problems as the United States'
national economy became more integrated by increasingly efficient multi-state transporta-
tion technology and business practices.
While determining the physical location of an individual for the purposes of in personam
jurisdiction was easy enough, applying the same principle to non-physical entities became
difficult. Courts were presented with the question of where a company was
present and amenable to service for the purpose of in personam jurisdiction over the com-
pany.
Extension of quasi in rem jurisdiction led to extreme results that threatened the justification
for the jurisdiction. Bearing in mind that territorial jurisdiction existed in a pre-industrial
society where transportation across the country was difficult, long, and potentially treach-
68
erous, and consider the hypothetical wherein Alice owes Bob money, and Bob owes Car-
mel, a resident of New York, money. Carmel seeks to recover on Bob's debt to Carmel,
however cannot do so because Bob avoids Carmel by traveling to California. Alice, how-
ever, happens to travel through New York. Carmel serves notice upon Alice, and attaches
Alice's debt to Bob (considered to be property within the state) to the proceeding. Alice
can no more certainly provide notice to Bob in California than Carmel could provide, and
the transient and involuntary exposure of Bob to being hauled into court in New York by
this attachment seems to erode the original rationale of quasi in rem jurisdiction.
The US Supreme Court largely abolished the exercise of jurisdiction on the basis of quasi
in rem in Shaffer v. Heitner except in exceptional circumstances, which sometimes would
arise while dealing with real property such as land, and when the owner of the land cannot
be found.
Modern Constitutional doctrine: International Shoe doctrine
In the modern era, the reach of personal jurisdiction has been expanded by judicial re-
interpretation and legislative enactments. Under the new and current doctrine, a state court
may only exert personal jurisdiction over an individual or entity with "sufficient minimal
contacts" with the forum state such that the particular suit "does not offend
'traditional notions of fair play and justice.’" The "minimum contacts" must be purpose-
fully directed towards the state by the defendant. This jurisdiction was initially limited to
the particulars of the International Shoe Co. v. Washington holding, that is to jurisdictional
inquiries regarding companies, but was soon extended to apply to all questions of personal
jurisdiction. When an individual, or entity, has no "minimum contacts" with a forum State,
the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits that State from acting
69
against that individual, or entity. The lack of "minimum contacts" with the owner of prop-
erty also constitutionally prohibits action against that property (in rem jurisdiction) even
when the property is located within the forum state.
What constitutes sufficient "minimum contacts" has been delineated in numerous cases
which followed the International Shoe decision. For example, in Hanson v. Denckla, the
Court proclaimed the "unilateral activity of those who claim some relationship with a non-
resident cannot satisfy the requirement of contact with the forum State. The application of
that rule will vary with the nature and quality of the defendant's activity, but it is essential
in each case that there be some act by which the defendant purposefully avails itself of the
privilege of conducting activities within the forum State, thus invoking the benefits and
protection of its laws."
The additional requirement of "'purposeful availment' ensures that a defendant will not be
hauled into a jurisdiction solely as a result of 'random,' 'fortuitous,' or 'attenuated' contacts,
or of the unilateral activity of another party or a third person”. Jurisdiction may, however,
be exercised, under some circumstances, even though the defendant never physically en-
tered the forum State.
In addition, the claim must arise from those contacts that the defendant had with the forum
state. In addition to the minimum contacts test asserted in International Shoe, the
assertion of specific personal jurisdiction must be reasonable. The court in World-Wide

Volkswagen Corp. v. Woodson asserted a five-part test for determining if the assertion of
personal jurisdiction in a forum state was reasonable. This test considers: the burden on the
defendant from litigating in the forum state; the interest of the forum state in having the
case adjudicated there; the interests of the plaintiff in adjudicating in the forum state; the
interests of the inter-state judiciary—that is, that a court's assertion of personal jurisdiction
over an out-of state defendant would not overreach and preempt the interests and judicial
70
sovereignty of another state and; the interests in preserving the judicial integrity of the
several states—that is, ensuring one court's assertion of personal jurisdiction over an out
of state defendant does not violate the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
In another recent case of Goodyear Dunlop Tires Operations, S. A. v. Brown, Justice Gins-
burg held that for the exercise of general jurisdiction in personam, the defendant must be
"essentially at home." This applies when the defendant has contacts with the forum state,
but the claim that arises is not related to those contacts. For example, if Harrods (a British
store) sets up an office in California to export and sell goods there, and because of that
someone gets injured, it would be amenable to suit in California for that injury. On the
other hand, if someone is injured in Harrods in London and for some reason finds that
California law is more favorable and decides to sue in California, the suit would not be
maintainable since the contacts that Harrods has is not continuous and systematic, and they
are not "essentially at home" in California.
This holding was reaffirmed in 2014 by the Supreme Court in Daimler AG v. Bauman.
Statutory Authorization
While the Pennoyer and later Shoe doctrines limit the maximum power of a sovereign state,
courts must also have authorization to exercise the state's power; an individual state may
choose to not grant its courts the full power that the state is Constitutionally permitted to
exercise.Similarly, the jurisdiction of Federal courts (other than the Supreme Court) are
statutorily-defined. Thus, a particular exercise of personal jurisdiction must not only be
permitted by Constitutional doctrine, but be statutorily authorized as well. Under Pennoyer,
personal jurisdiction was authorized by statutes authorizing service of process, but these
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methods of service often lacked because they required such service to be effected by offic-
ers of the state, such as sheriffs – an untenable method for defendants located outside of
the state but still subject to jurisdiction due to their contacts with the state. Subsequent to
the development of the Shoe Doctrine, states have enacted so-called long-arm statutes, by
which courts in a state can serve process and thus exercise jurisdiction over a party located
outside the state. The doctrine of International Shoe applies only in cases where there is no
presence in the forum state. For example, if A committed a tort in State X. He is sued by
B and B serves him with process just before he leaves State X before the flight was took
off, the service would be valid and State X would have jurisdiction over A. If A did not
comply with the final judgement passed by the courts of State X, B could enforce that
judgement in the state where A resides under the full faith and credit clause of the US
Constitution. There was one case where a defendant was served while the airplane was in
the air over the forum State, and the federal district court held that this was valid service,
since at law the territory of a state includes the airspace above the State. Grace v. MacAr-
thur, 170 F. Supp. 442 (E.D. Ark. 1959).
Relationship to Venue
Venue and personal jurisdiction are closely related for practical purposes. A lawyer should
usually perform joint analysis of personal jurisdiction and venue issues. Personal jurisdic-
tion is largely a constitutional requirement, though also shaped by state long-arm statutes
and Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, while venue is purely statutory.
It is possible for either venue or personal jurisdiction to preclude a court from hearing a
case. Consider these examples:
• Personal jurisdiction is the limiting factor. In World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. v.

Woodson, the plaintiffs sued, in an Oklahoma state court, an automobile dealership
based in New York for damages from an explosion that occurred on June 11, 1977,
72
as the plaintiffs drove the car through Oklahoma. Had the plaintiffs sued in U.S.
federal court sited in Oklahoma, personal jurisdiction against the dealership would
have been unavailable, as the dealership did not have minimum contacts with the
forum state. Venue, however, would have been proper under 28 U.S.C. § 1391, the
general federal venue statute, because Oklahoma was a state in which a substantial
part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred. However, the
United States Supreme Court found that the defendants (World-Wide Volkswagen
Corp.) did not have the minimum contacts with Oklahoma necessary to create per-
sonal jurisdiction there. [World-Wide Volkswagen was one of the "defendants"; the
case cited is WWV Corp (original defendant) v. Woodson (the Oklahoma state
judge) ]
• Venue is the limiting factor. Suppose Dale resides in California. Peter from Nevada
wants to sue Dale for battery which Dale committed against Peter in California.
Peter knows Dale is going to a week-long conference in South Carolina. Peter real-
izes that Dale would settle a suit that would take place in South Carolina, because it
would be too expensive to defend. So, during Dale's trip, Peter serves Dale with
process for an action filed in South Carolina federal court. The federal court has
personal jurisdiction, based on Dale's presence in South Carolina at the time process
was served (transient service of process). However, venue is improper under § 1391.
End on Note Re.: JURISDICTION
CONTINUANCE OF SERVICE PROCESS

Service of process in cases filed in the U.S. Distric Courts is governed by Rule 4 of the Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure. In England and Wales, the rules governing service of documents are
73
contained within Part 6 of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998. In Canada the rules vary from province
to province and can be governed differently depending on what the type of case (i.e. family, small
claims, criminal, etc.).
Service on a defendant who resides in a country outside the jurisdiction of the Court must comply
with special procedures prescribed under the Hague Service Convention, if the recipient's country
is a signatory. Service on defendants in many South American countries and some other countries
is effected through the letter rogatory process. Where a defendant's whereabouts are unknown, the
Court may permit service by publication, usually in a newspaper.
In the past in many countries, people did not have the right to know that there were legal proceed-
ings against them. In some cases, they would only find out when magistrates showed up with the
sheriff and seized their property, sometimes throwing them into debtor’s prison until
their debts were paid. The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution
prohibit the federal and state governments from depriving any person of life, liberty or property
without due process of law. Therefore, the process server is "serving" the recipient with notice of
their constitutional right to due process of the law.
In ancient times, the service of a summons was considered a royal act that had serious conse-
quences. It was a summons to come to the King's Court and to respond to the demand of a loyal
subject. In ancient Persia, failure to respond to the King's summons meant a sentence of death.
Today the penalty for ignoring a summons may be entry of a default money judgment that can
subsequently be enforced.
Manner of Service
Substituted Service
When an individual party to be served is unavailable for personal service, many jurisdictions allow
for substituted service. Substituted service allows the process server to leave service documents
74
with another responsible individual, called a person of suitable age and discretion, such as a co-
habiting adult or a teenager. Under the U.S. Federal Rules, substituted service may only be made
at the abode or dwelling of the defendant. California, New York, Illinois, and many other United
States jurisdictions require that in addition to substituted service, the documents be mailed to the
recipient. Substituted service often requires a serving party show that ordinary service is imprac-
ticable, that due diligence has been made to attempt to make personal service by delivery, and that
substituted service will reach the party and effect notice.
Another method of substituted service is "service by publication" also called "constructive service"
in some jurisdictions. Service by publication is used to give "constructive notice" to a defendant
who is intentionally absent, in hiding, or unknown (as a possible descendant of a former land-
owner), and only when allowed by a judge's order based on a sworn declaration of the inability to
find the defendant after "due diligence" (trying hard). Service by publication is
commonly used in a divorce action to serve a spouse who has disappeared without leaving a for-
warding address. Service by publication usually involves placing the petition for divorce and the
summons to a missing spouse in a local newspaper.
In divorce cases, most states that permit service by publication will require "due diligence" to
locate the missing spouse to include: verifying with the post office that there is no forwarding
address; contacting in writing all friends, relatives, and former employers of a spouse who may
know his or her current address; checking all jails and prisons for any record of a spouse; and
checking military records for a spouse.
In addition, in some jurisdictions, substituted service may be effected through motion and public
notice, followed by sending the documents by certified mail.
Courts in at least two Canadian provincial jurisdictions have allowed for substituted service via
Facebook. RETURN TO CONTENT
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Service by Mail
Service by mail is permitted by most U.S. jurisdictions for service on defendants located in other
U.S. states or foreign countries. Service by mail is not available if the country of destination has
filed objections to service by mail pursuant to the multinational Hague Service Convention. In
California, "Any person providing the [California Department of Motor Vehicles] with a mailing
address shall … consent to receive service of process …”. RETURN TO CONTENT
Voluntary Acceptance of Service (United States)
As a substitute for personal service by a process server, some jurisdictions may allow voluntary
acceptance of service, also called waiver of service. It means that the served party agrees to
voluntarily acknowledge receipt of the complaint or petition without the need to engage a process
server.
Acceptance or waiver of service is encouraged by some court systems, especially U.S. federal
courts. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(d)(2), when a defendant refuses to waive service
"without good cause", the defendant can be held liable for the cost of personal service.
However, in general, individual service by a process server is the best way to effect service of
process, as it completely avoids having to litigate the collateral issue of whether the defendant
actually had good cause (or not) to not waive service.
RETURN TO CONTENT
Personal Service by Process Server
Personal service is service of process directly to the (or a) party named on the summons, complaint,
or petition. In most lawsuits in the United States, personal service is required to prove service.
Most states allow substituted service in almost all lawsuits unless a corporation, LLC, LLP, or
other business entity is being served; in those cases, personal service must be achieved by serving
(in hand) the documents to the "registered agent" of a business entity. Some states, e.g. Florida,
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do not require that the documents actually be handed to the individual. In California and most other
states, the documents must be visible to the person being served, i.e., not in a sealed envelope. If
the individual refuses to accept service, flees, closes the door, etc., and the individual has been
positively identified as the person to be served, the documents may be "drop served" (placed as
close to the individual as possible); this is considered a valid service. In the U.S., personal service
of process has been the hallmark for initiating litigation for nearly 100 years, primarily because it
guarantees actual notice to a defendant of a legal action against him or her.
RETURN TO CONTENT
Common Law Systems In The United States
Most jurisdictions require or permit process to be served by a court official, such as a sheriff,
marshal, constable, or bailiff. There may be licensing requirements for private process servers,
as is the case in New York City, Alaska, Arizona, California, Illinois, Montana, Nevada, and Ok-
lahoma. Arizona process servers are required to apply for certification with the Clerk of the Supe-
rior Court in county in which they reside (residents only). Non resident applicants may apply in
any county. Applicants must pass a written examination, state and federal criminal records check
and be approved by the Presiding Judge or their designee. Applicants renewing their certification
must file certificates of attendance of approved Continuing Education training totaling no less than
thirty hours (ten hours per year). Texas process servers are currently certified by order of the Su-
preme Court and are regulated through the Process Server Review Board, consisting of members
of the industry authorized by the Supreme Court.
Other jurisdictions, such as Georgia, require a court order allowing a private person to serve pro-
cess. Many private investigators perform process serving duties. Texas and Florida also have a
required training course which must be completed prior to certification.
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An example of such a license would be in Rhode Island, where an applicant must complete 90
days of training with a constable that has 'full powers'. Once the 90 days of training is complete, a
test is given at the local courthouse from the laws included in the constable manual. Once an ap-
plicant passed the written exam, one will be scheduled for an oral interview with the disciplinary
board. If they find the applicant to be competent, they will pass a recommendation to the chief
judge who will then swear in one with 'limited power'. These constables can only serve within the
county they are appointed. After one year, a limited power constable can apply for his/her full
powers to arrest, evict, and be able to serve statewide.
In New York State, personal process is required in divorce and similar matrimonial law actions,
absent court permission. Specific practice is that:
The defendant must be personally served with the divorce papers, unless the court grants some
other means of service. Note that there are special requirements for service of process in a divorce
action.
See CPLR 308 and DRL 232. RETURN TO CONTENT
Civil Law Systems
In civil law jurisdictions, which include all of Continental Europe and most Asian countries, ser-
vice of process is generally performed by the court. This may be done in person by a bailiff, or by
mail, depending on the jurisdiction.
International Service
Main article: Hague Service Convention

International service of foreign judicial and extrajudicial documents is governed in general by the
1965 Hague Service Convention. Prior to the enactment of the Hague Service Convention, service
of process in civil cases was generally effected by a letter rogatory, a formal request from the
78
court in the country where proceedings were initiated or underway to a court in another country
where the defendant resided. This procedure generally required the use of consular and diplomatic
channels as the request had to be made to the foreign minister (Secretary of State in the United
States) of the defendant's country by the foreign minister of the originating court.
Since 1965, member states designate a central authority for service of process and requests go
directly there. In addition, many states allow some type of service directly by mail or personal
service by a person otherwise authorized to service process without involvement of local courts.
RETURN TO CONTENT
Agent For Acceptance of Service
In some instances, delivery to an agent for acceptance of service or "registered agent" can sub-
stitute for personal service on the principal party to be served. The Registered Agent is a person
or company authorized in advance to accept service on behalf of the served party. For example,
most corporations are required by local law to maintain a local agent of record for acceptance of
service in each jurisdiction where they actively conduct business with the public. The identity of
the agent for service can usually be ascertained by searching company filings with appropriate
state corporate records or business registration agencies (often the business entity division of a
state's Secretary of State. Generally, these business registration records are searchable by the pub-
lic on the Secretary of State's website.
In the UK an agent for acceptance of service is generally known as a process agent and is a con-
tractual relationship rather than a statutory one.
RETURN TO CONTENT
Return of Service
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Once service of process has been effected, the responsible officer or process server must typically
file a return of service or proof of service or "Affidavit of Service" with the court (or convey one
to the plaintiff to file with the court). The return of service indicates the time and place at which
service was effected, the person served, and any additional information needed to establish that
service was properly made. It is signed by the process server, and operates as prima facie evidence
that service of process was effectively made. Arizona Court Rules also require that any return or
affidavit of service filed by a process server other than a sheriff or constable shall clearly state the
county in which the process server is registered. Many Arizona process servers include their Cer-
tification Number on their returns/affidavits. Certification Numbers are assigned by the Clerk of
the Superior Court in each county.
RETURN TO CONTENT
Process Serving Laws (United States)
Many states have process serving laws that govern the way service of process is effected, the li-
censing requirements to effect service, the forms to be used and the time deadlines that service of
process may be accomplished upon individual respondents and corporations. These differences
may be vast. For example, in New York, service of process may require licensing of the process
server; in Pennsylvania, process may only be served by the sheriff or a sheriff's deputy in most
cases (except in Philadelphia, where process may be served "by any competent adult”); and in New
Jersey, process is effected if, after making an affidavit that diligent efforts to effect personal service
had failed, the party sends two copies of the pleading by mail—one by regular mail and one by
certified mail, return receipt requested—and either the certified mail receipt is returned signed or
the certified mail envelope is returned unclaimed and the regular mail is not returned to the sender.
Generally, there are specific procedures and rules for most courts, from local small claims courts
to United States District courts. Each court has specific rules, forms, guidelines and procedures
which must be followed in order to successfully effect service of process. Failure to follow these
guidelines may deem the attempted service improper. Indeed, many defendants in court hearings
use the affirmative defense of "I was not served" as an often successful line of defense in any
lawsuit. Not surprisingly, this defense tends to be effective in many cases because service of pro-
cess upon defendant did not follow legal procedure. As for United States federal courts, service of
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process rules are in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, upon which most state service of process
laws are based.
RETURN TO CONTENT
Jurisdiction
It is universal that the laws of service of process must follow the laws that apply to the court that
issues the process. A bias or confusion occurs in many jurisdictions where service is made. In
Florida, for example, process servers seem to suggest Florida laws apply to all service of process
made within the territory of Florida. In this reference, section 48.195 implies an authority of
Florida process servers to serve foreign process. This was added to allow sheriffs to serve foreign
process within limitations as the section provides, but it does not, and cannot give exclusivity, to
state sanctioned licensed approved process servers to foreign process. This interpretation, how-
ever prevalent and beneficial to Florida process servers, is false.
Florida governs only those processes that are issued from Florida courts. An example would be a
Wisconsin court process to be served upon a person in Florida. Wisconsin statutes would dictate
the service requirements to the Florida participant. Simply, a person must be uninterested, a resi-
dent of Florida, and over the age of 18. This is not a popular position as many process servers who
have a local Florida license prefer, for reasons of economics, to be considered the only legitimate
process server for such a cause. This Wisconsin example is in the majority for all states in the US
regarding out of state service in their jurisdiction. There are however a small number of states,
such as Arizona, that permit a person of one state (e.g. Arizona) to serve another person in another
state (e.g. Florida). The aforementioned Arizona rule is an exception to the majority of other
states that require a process server to be 18 and over and an uninvolved party to serve its process
in another state. Arizona law has never been challenged on the grounds of sovereignty as Arizona's
statutes appears to give its courts legislative and judicial authority for its people to serve a person
in a foreign state government.
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It should be noted that in states where Indian reservations are located, the state generally has no
legal jurisdiction over Indian Territory as recognized tribes enjoy legal status as a sovereign nation.
Thus a process server certified under the authority of the state (i.e. Arizona) cannot serve a party
to a case while that person is on the reservation unless the tribal council consents to permit service.
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Trespassing
In nearly every state of the United States, process servers are restricted from trespassing on prop-
erty as a means of serving process. Such invasions, no matter how innocuous, are regarded
as not only invalid, but illegal and may result in penalties for offenders. Gated communities and
apartment buildings have created a difficulty for process servers; however, most are required to
allow process servers to enter them. However, this fact may be overcome where the process server
is in the direct employment of a law enforcement agency, such as the U.S. Marshall's Service, a
county sheriff's Department, or other law enforcement agency having responsibility to serve doc-
uments.
In California, "Registered Process Servers" are granted "...a limited exemption against trespassing
in gated communities." This allows servers to enter a private property for a reasonable period of
time to attempt service of process. In California, gated communities which are "...staffed by a
security guard, or where access is controlled, must allow a Registered Process Server to enter for
service of process upon presenting valid identification, and indicating to which address the process
server is going." This does not prevent the security guard from contacting the resident and alerting
them that a process server is on his way to their residence. § 415.21 Access to gated communities.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person shall be granted access to a gated
community ... for the purpose of performing lawful service of process, upon identifying to the
guard the person or persons to be served, and upon displaying a current driver's license or other
identification, and one of the follow: (1) a badge [applies to sheriffs and marshals] (2) evidence of
current registration as a process server... '(b)This section shall only apply to a gated community
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which is staffed, at the time service of process is attempted, by a guard or other ... personnel
assigned to control access...it does not apply to a private residence that has posted no trespassing
signs'
In Washington, "Registered Process Servers" are granted a limited exemption or affirmative de-
fense against trespassing:
The actor was attempting to serve legal process which includes any document required or allowed
to be served upon persons or property, by any statute, rule, ordinance, regulation, or court order,
excluding delivery by the mails of the United States.
This defense applies only if the actor did not enter into a private residence or other building not
open to the public and the entry onto the premises was reasonable and necessary for service of the
legal process.
— RCW 9A.52.090 (4)
RETURN TO CONTENT
Deadlines
Most states have a deadline for completing service of process after filing of the summons and
complaint. In New York, for example, service must be completed in 120 days after filing for almost
all cases, and Hawaii State Circuit Court rule 28 requires service in a civil lawsuit must be effected
within 6 months from commencing suit.
Dies Non Juridicum
Some states prohibit the delivery or serving of documents on Sundays, holidays, and/or election
days (dies non juridicum). However, some states will allow the service of documents under special
circumstances. One such circumstance is when the service of process is pursuant to a court order.
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According to various laws, service of process cannot be performed on Sundays in Florida (unless
with a court order), Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee
(unless with a court order), Texas, Virginia, or West Virginia. It can also not be performed on
election days or at a place of religious service on Sunday in Michigan, or on holidays in Minnesota.
Finally, in New York, process cannot be served on Saturday upon a person who keeps Saturday as
holy time.
RETURN TO CONTENT
GPS Certification
New York’s City Council passed a bill toughening rules for entities that hunt down people and
serve them with legal papers, including a requirement that they electronically log every attempt.
The legislation also ensures that deceitful process servers who dump papers instead of serving
them — a trick known as “Sewer Service" — could be liable if the people they were supposed to
serve then turn and sue them.
Under the new legislation, process servers must pass an exam showing they understand the law.
They also must electronically log their attempts to serve papers using some kind of GPS device,
and keep those records in a database for seven years
RETURN TO CONTENT
END of INTERJECTION Re.: Service
Title III – Pleadings and Motions
Rules 7 to 16.
Title III covers pleadings, motions, defenses, and counterclaims. The plaintiff's original pleading
is called a complaint. The defendant's original pleading is called an answer.
Rule 8(a) sets out the plaintiff's requirements for a claim: a "short and plain statement" of jurisdic-
tion, a "short and plain statement" of the claim, and a demand for judgment. It also allows relief in
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the alternative, so the plaintiff does not have to pre-guess the remedy most likely to be accepted
by the court.
Rule 8(b) states that the defendant's answer must admit or deny every element of the plaintiff's
claim.
Rule 8(c) requires that the defendant's answer must state any affirmative defenses.
Rule 8(d) maintains that each allegation be "simple, concise, and direct" but allows "2 or more
statements of a claim or defense alternatively or hypothetically." If a party makes alternative state-
ments, the pleading is sufficient if any one of them is sufficient. A party may state inconsistent
(even mutually exclusive) claims or defenses.
Rule 10 describes what information should be in the caption (the front page) of a pleading, but
does not explain how such information should actually be organized in the caption. The FRCP is
notoriously vague on how papers should be formatted. Most of the details missing from the FRCP
are to be found in local rules promulgated by each district court and in general orders by each
individual federal judge. For example, federal courts in most West Coast states require line num-
bers on the left margin on all filings (to match local practice in the courts of the states in which
they sit), but most other federal courts do not.
Rule 11 requires all papers to be signed by the attorney (if party is represented). It also provides
for sanctions against the attorney or client for harassment, frivolous arguments, or a lack of factual
investigation. The purpose of sanctions is deterrent, not punitive. Courts have broad discretion
about the exact nature of the sanction, which can include consent to in personam jurisdiction, fines,
dismissal of claims, or dismissal of the entire case. The current version of Rule 11 is much more
lenient than its 1983 version. Supporters of tort reform in Congress regularly call for legislation
to make Rule 11 stricter.
Rule 12(b) describes pretrial motions that can be filed.
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1. lack of subject matter jurisdiction

2. lack of personal jurisdiction
3. improper venue
4. insufficient process
5. insufficient service of process
6. failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted; and
7. failure to join a party under Rule 19
The Rule 12(b)(6) motion, which replaced the common law demurrer, is how lawsuits with in-
sufficient legal theories underlying their cause of action are dismissed from court. For example,
assault requires intent, so if the plaintiff has failed to plead intent, the defense can seek dismissal
by filing a 12(b)(6) motion. "While a complaint attacked by a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss
does not need detailed factual allegations, a plaintiff's obligation to provide the grounds of his
entitlement to relief requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the
elements of a cause of action will not do. Factual allegations must be enough to raise a right to
relief above the speculative level, on the assumption that all the allegations in the complaint are
true (even if doubtful in fact)." Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 127 S.Ct. 1955 (No.
05-1126) (2007) (citations, internal quotation marks and footnote omitted). 12(b)(6) is the second
of three procedural "hurdles" a cause of action must surmount before it gets to a trial (the first are
the two jurisdictional dismissals, found in 12 (b)(1) and (2), and the third is summary judgment,
found in Rule 56). A 12(b)(6) motion cannot include additional evidence such as affidavits. To
dispose of claims with insufficient factual basis (where the movant must submit additional facts to
demonstrate the factual weakness in the plaintiff's case), a Rule 56 motion for Summary
Judgment is used.
Rules 12(g) and 12(h) are also important because they state that if 12(b)(2)-12(b)(5) motions are
not properly bundled together or included in an answer/allowable amendment to an answer, they
are waived. Additionally, because 12(b)(1) motions are so fundamental, they may never be waived
throughout the course of litigation, and 12(b)(6) and 12(b)(7) motions may be filed at any time
until trial ends.
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Rule 13 describes when a defendant is allowed or required to assert claims against other parties to
the suit (joinder). The law encourages people to resolve all their differences as efficiently as pos-
sible; consequently, in many jurisdictions, counterclaims that arise out of the same transaction or
occurrence (compulsory counterclaims) must be brought during the original suit, or they will be
barred from future litigation (preclusion).
Rule 14 allows parties to bring in other third parties to a lawsuit.
Rule 15 allows pleadings to be amended or supplemented. Plaintiffs may amend once before an
answer is filed, a defendant can amend once within 21 days of serving an answer, and if there is
no right to amend, seek leave of court ("leave shall be given when justice so requires.")
Title IV – Parties
Rules 17 to 25.
Rule 17 states that all actions must be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest, that is,
the plaintiff must be person or entity whose rights are at issue in the case.
Rule 18 – Joinder of Claims and Remedies – states that a plaintiff who may plead in a single civil
action as many claims as the plaintiff has against a defendant, even if the claims are not related,
and may request any remedy to which the law entitles the plaintiff. Of course, each claim must
have its own basis for jurisdiction in the court in which it is brought or be subject to dismissal.
Rule 19 – Compulsory Joinder of Parties – if a person who is not a party to the suit is "necessary"
to just adjudication of the action, under the criteria set forth in subsection (a), then upon motion of
any party that person shall be made a party, served with suit, and required to participate in the
action. If the person cannot be made a party for any reason, such as lack of jurisdiction, inability
to be located, etc., then the court uses the criteria in subsection (b) to determine if the absent party
is "indispensable". If so, the action must be dismissed.
Rule 20 Permissive Joinder of Parties. Joinder of parties at common law was controlled by the
substantive rules of law, often as reflected in the forms of action, rather than by notions of judicial
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economy and trial convenience. Permissive joinder of plaintiffs allows the plaintiffs having an
option to join their claims when they were not joint. (Ryder v. Jefferson Hotel Co.)
Rule 22 governs the procedure for interpleader. It allows an interpleader to be brought by a plain-
tiff who is subject to multiple liability even though 1. the claims or title they are based on lack
common origin, are independent and averse and 2. the plaintiff denies any of the claims in whole
or part. A defendant exposed to similar liability may also seek interpleader.
Rule 23 governs the procedure for class action litigation. In a class action, a single plaintiff or
small group of plaintiffs seeks to proceed on behalf of an entire class who have been harmed by
the same conduct by the same defendants. Court approval is required for this procedure to be used.
Rule 23.1 governs derivative suits in which a plaintiff seeks to assert a right belonging to a cor-
poration (or similar entity) in which the plaintiff is a shareholder, on behalf of the corporation that
is not pursuing the claim itself. Rule 23.2 governs actions by or against unincorporated associa-
tions.
Title V – Discovery
Rules 26 to 37.
Title V covers the rules of discovery. Modern civil litigation is based upon the idea that the parties
should not be subject to surprises at trial. Discovery is the process whereby civil litigants seek to
obtain information both from other parties and from non parties (or third parties). Parties have a
series of tools with which they can obtain information:
1. Document requests (Rule 34): a party can seek documents and other real objects from par-
ties and non parties
2. Interrogatories (Rule 33): a party can require other parties to answer 25 questions
3. Requests for admissions (Rule 36): A party can require other parties to admit or deny the
truth of certain statements
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4. Depositions (Rule 30): A party can require at most 10 individuals or representatives of

organizations to make themselves available for questioning for a maximum of one day of
7 hours, without obtaining leave of court.
FRCP Rule 37 oversees the possible sanctions that someone may seek if a failure to preserve data
takes place and outlines how courts interpret if one party is at a disadvantage.
Federal procedure also requires parties to divulge certain information without a formal discovery
request, in contrast to many state courts where most discovery can only be had by request. Infor-
mation covered by this initial disclosure is found in Rule 26(a)(1)(A), includes information about
potential witnesses, information/copies about all documents that may be used in the party's claim
(excluding impeachment material), computations of damages, and insurance information. Infor-
mation about any expert witness testimony is also required.
Notable exceptions to the discovery rules include impeachment evidence/witnesses, "work prod-
uct" (materials an attorney uses to prepare for the trial especially documents containing mental
impressions, legal conclusions, or opinions of counsel), and experts who are used exclusively for
trial prep and will not testify.
FRCP Rule 26 provides general guidelines to the discovery process, it requires the plaintiff to
initiate a conference between the parties to plan the discovery process.[4] The parties must confer
as soon as practicable after the complaint was served to the defendants—and in any event at least
21 days before a scheduling conference is to be held or a scheduling order is due under Rule 16(b).
The parties should attempt to agree on the proposed discovery plan, and submit it to the court
within 14 days after the conference.[4] The Discovery Plan must state the parties' proposals on
subject of the discovery, limitations on discovery, case management schedule and timing deadlines
for each stage of the discovery process, including:
• End-date of the discovery. This should be at least 60 days before the trial. The trial target
date is usually 6 months to 2 years after the conference.
• Amendments to the deadlines for filing pleadings under FRCP 7&15, if any.
• Deadline for amending pleadings. Normally it is at least 30 days before the discovery ends.
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• Deadline for joining claims, remedies and parties (FRCP 18&19). Normally it is at least
30 days before the discovery ends.
• Deadline for initial expert disclosures and rebuttal expert disclosures. Normally it is at least
30 days before the discovery ends.
• Deadline for dispositive motions. Usually it is at least 30 days after the discovery end-date.
• Deadline for Pre-trial order. If any dispositive motions are filed, the Joint Pretrial Order
can be filed at least 30 days after the last decision on the merits.
Unless all parties agree otherwise, the parties should submit to each other the initial disclosures
under Rule 26(a) within 14 days after the conference.[4] Only after the initial disclosures have been
sent, the main discovery process begins which includes: depositions, interrogatories, request for
admissions(RFA) and request for production of documents(RFP). As stated above, there is a lim-
itation on number of interrogatories and depositions, but there is no limitation on RFAs and RFPs.
Some states, like California, have different limitations set in their Local Rules. FRCP requires that
the party to whom the request for Interrogatories, RFA or RFP is directed must respond in writing
within 30 days after being served, otherwise the requestor can file a motion to compel discovery
and for sanctions.
Title VI – Trial
Rules 38 to 53.
Title VI deals generally with the trial of civil actions, although some other topics are also included.
Rules 38 and 39 deal with the parties' right to a trial by jury and the procedure for requesting a
jury trial instead of a bench trial and trials by an advisory jury. These rules must be construed in
light of the Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution, which preserves a right to jury
trial in most actions at common law (as opposed to equity cases). Rule 40 deals in general terms
with the order in which cases will be scheduled for trial and has little significance in practice.
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Rule 41 deals with dismissal of actions. An action may be voluntarily dismissed at any time by the
plaintiff prior to the defendant's filing of an Answer or Motion for Summary Judgment.[6] In such
an instance, the court retains jurisdiction only to award attorneys fees or costs (in rare circum-
stances). With certain exceptions (e.g. class actions), an action may also be dismissed at any time
by agreement of the parties (e.g. when the parties reach a settlement). An action may also be in-
voluntarily dismissed by the court if the plaintiff fails to comply with deadlines or court orders.
Rule 42 deals with consolidation of related cases or the holding of separate trials. Rule 43 addresses
the taking of testimony, which is to be taken in open court whenever possible. Rule 44 governs
authentication of official records.
Rule 45 deals with subpoenas. A subpoena commands a person to give testimony, to produce doc-
uments for inspection and copying, or both. Although included in the Chapter headed "trials,"
subpoenas can also be used to obtain document production or depositions of non-parties to the
litigation during the pre-trial discovery stage.
Rule 46 provides that formal "exceptions" to court rulings are no longer necessary so long as a
sufficient record is made of the objecting party's position.
The next several rules govern jury trials. Rule 47 provides for the selection of jurors and rule 48
governs the number of jurors in a civil case. A civil jury must consist of between six and twelve
jurors (six jurors are presently used in the vast majority of federal civil trials; juries of twelve are
still required in federal criminal cases). Rule 49 provides for use of "special verdicts" in jury trials,
under which the jury may be asked to respond to specific questions rather than just finding liability
or non-liability and determining the amount of the damages, if any. Rule 50 addresses situations
in which a case is so one-sided that the court may grant "judgment as a matter of law" taking the
case from the jury. Rule 51 governs jury instructions.
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Rule 52 provides procedure for the judge to hand down findings and conclusions following non-
jury trials. Rule 53 governs masters, who are typically lawyers designated by the court to act as
neutrals and assist the court in a case.
Title VII – Judgment
Rules 54 to 63.
Rule 56 deals with summary judgment. It is considered the last gate-keeping function before
trial, answering the question of whether the claim could even go to a jury. A successful summary
judgment motion persuades the court there is no "genuine issue of material fact" and also that the
moving party is "entitled to judgment as a matter of law."
The moving party can show that the disputed factual issues are illusory, can show a lack of genuine
issue by producing affidavits or can make a showing through discovery. The movant can point
either to the other side's inadequacies or can affirmatively negate the claim.
The moving party has the burden of production; it has to come up with some evidence that there's
no genuine issue of material fact. Then the burden shifts to the non-moving party, which has to
show that the claim is adequate to let it get to the jury. The non-movant can submit affidavits,
depositions, and other material.
The burden shifts again to the moving party, which must say that there's still no genuine issue of
material fact. A court grants summary judgment when there is no way the movant can lose at trial.
When the moving party is the plaintiff, then it has to show that there's no way that a jury could
find against it.
(A partial summary judgment usually pertains only to certain claims, not the whole case.)
Rule 50 also deals with judgments as a matter of law, however Rule 50 decisions take place after
a jury has been empaneled. A motion under Rule 50(a) generally takes place immediately after
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the opposing party has finished presenting its case and must take place before the case is submitted
to the jury. Importantly, to keep open the option of moving for a "judgment notwithstanding the
verdict," or "judgment non obstante verdicto" after the jury has returned a verdict, one must file a
Rule 50(a) motion. Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the two are not separate motions,
the JNOV motion is simply a renewed Rule 50(a) motion. A renewed 50(a) motion must be filed
within 28 days of verdict entry.
Rule 50 also covers motions for a new trial. These motions can be granted, denied, conditionally
granted, or conditionally denied. Conditional grants or denials cover what will happen if the case
is reversed on appeal. For instance, a case that ends with a successfully renewed Rule 50(a) motion
to overturn the jury verdict may also include a conditional grant of a new trial. If the losing party
wins their appeal, the trial will start over again. A motion for a new trial is a Rule 59(a)(1) motion
and is generally filed simultaneously and as an alternative to a renewal of a Rule 50(a) motion.
The FRCP were completely rewritten, effective December 1, 2007, un-

der the leadership of a committee headed by law professor and editor of Black's Law Dictionary,
Bryan A. Garner, for the avowed purpose (as it was said) of making them easier to understand.
The style amendments were not intended to make substantive changes in the rules.[1]
Effective December 1, 2009 substantial amendments were made to rules 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 23, 27,
32, 38, 48, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 59, 62, 65, 68, 71.1, 72 and 81. While rules 48 and 62.1 were
added. Rule 1 (f) was abrogated. The majority of the amendments affect various timing require-
ments and change how some deadlines are calculated. The most significant changes are to Rule 6.
Before the FRCP were established, common-law pleading was more formal, traditional, and par-
ticular in its phrases and requirements. For example, a plaintiff bringing a trespass suit would have
to mention certain key words in his complaint or risk having it dismissed with prejudice.
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In contrast, the FRCP is based upon a legal construction called notice pleading, which is less for-
mal, is created and modified by legal experts, and is far less technical in requirements. In notice
pleading, the same plaintiff bringing suit would not face dismissal for lack of the exact legal term,
as long as the claim itself was legally actionable. The policy behind this change is to simply give
"notice" of grievances and to leave the details for later in the case. This acts in the interest of equity
by concentrating on the actual law rather than the exact construction of pleas.
Thirty-five states have adopted procedural codes based on the Federal Rules, but sometimes there
are slight variations.
In addition to notice pleading, a minority of states (e.g., California) use an intermediate system
known as code pleading, which is a system older than notice pleading and which is based upon
legislative statute. It tends to straddle the gulf between obsolete common-law pleading and modern
notice pleading. Code pleading places additional burdens on a party to plead the "ultimate facts"
of its case, laying out the party's entire case and the facts or allegations underlying it. Notice plead-
ing, by contrast, simply requires a "short and plain statement" showing only that the pleader is
entitled to relief. (FRCP 8(a)(2)). One important exception to this rule is that, when a party alleges
fraud, it must plead the facts of the alleged fraud with particularity. (FRCP 9(b)).
(The Field Code, which was adopted between 1848 and 1850, was an intermediate step between
common law and modern rules, created by New York attorney David Dudley Field. Field's code,
among other reforms, merged law and equity proceedings.)
List of Titles & Respective Subject Matter
Title 1 General Provisions
Title 2 The Congress
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Title 3 The President
Title 4 Flag and Seal, Seat of Government, and the States
Title 5 Government Organization and Employees*
Surety Bonds
Title 6
(Enacted into positive law by the 80th Congress in 1947; combined into Title 31 when it was enacted into positive law.)
Title 6 Domestic Security
Title 7 Agriculture
Title 8 Aliens and Nationality
Title 9 Arbitration
Title 10 Armed Forces (including the Uniform Code of Military Justice)
Title 11 Bankruptcy
Title 12 Banks and Banking
Title 13 Census
Title 14 Coast Guard
Title 15 Commerce and Trade
Title 16 Conservation
Title 17 Copyrights
Title 18 Crimes and Criminal Procedure*
Title 19 Customs Duties
Title 20 Education
Title 21 Food and Drugs
Title 22 Foreign Relations and Intercourse
Title 23 Highways
Title 24 Hospitals and Asylums
Title 25 Indians
Title 26 Internal Revenue Code
Title 27 Intoxicating Liquors
Title 28 Judiciary and Judicial Procedure
Title 29 Labor
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Title 30 Mineral Lands and Mining
Title 31 Money and Finance
Title 32 National Guard
Title 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters
Title 34 Navy (repealed all of Title 34 in 1956 when Navy was moved into Title 10 subtitle C)
Title 34 Crime Control and Law Enforcement
Title 35 Patents
Title 36 Patriotic Societies and Observances
Title 37 Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services
Title 38 Veterans' Benefits
Title 39 Postal Service
Title 40 Public Buildings, Properties, and Works
Title 41 Public Contracts
Title 42 The Public Health and Welfare
Title 43 Public Lands
Title 44 Public Printing and Documents
Title 45 Railroads
Title 46 Shipping
Title 47 Telecommunications
Title 48 Territories and Insular Possessions
Transportation
Title 49
(enacted into positive law in stages; Title IV in 1978, Title I in 1983, and Titles II, III, and V-X in 1994)
Title 50 War and National Defense
Title 51 National and Commercial Space Programs
Title 52 Voting and Elections
Title 54 National Park Service and Related Programs
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Title VIII – Provisional and Final Remedies
Rules 64 to 71.
This Title deals with remedies that may be granted by a federal court – both provisional remedies
that may be ordered while the action is pending as well as final relief that may be granted to the
winning party at the end of the case.
Rule 64 is captioned "Seizure of Person or Property" and authorizes procedures such as Prejudg-
ment attachment, replevin, and garnishment. In general, these remedies may be awarded when they
would be authorized under the law of the state in which the federal court is located – a rare instance
in which the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, generally designed to promote uniformity of prac-
tice in the federal districts throughout the country, defer to state law.
Rule 65 governs the procedure on applications for preliminary injunctions and temporary restrain-
ing orders.
Rule 65.1 addresses security and suretyship issues arising when the court orders a party to deposit
security such as a bond.
Rule 66 deals with receivership.
Rule 67 deals with funds deposited in court, such as in interpleader actions.
Rule 68 governs the offer of judgment procedure under which a party may make a confidential
offer of settlement in an action for money damages.
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Rules 69 and 70 deal with execution of judgments and orders directing a party to take a specific
act. Rule 71 deals with the effect of judgments on persons who are not parties to the action.
Title IX – Special Proceedings
Rules 71.1 to 76.
Chapter IX currently deals with special types of litigation that may take place in the federal courts.
A former version of Chapter IX, contained in the original Rules of Civil Procedure, dealt with
appeals from a District Court to a United States Court of Appeals. These rules were abrogated in
1967 when they were superseded by the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, a separate set of
rules specifically governing the Courts of Appeals.
Rule 71.1 deals with procedure in condemnation actions.
Rule 72 sets forth procedures for matters before United States magistrate judges, including both
"dispositive" and “non-dispositive" matters, and provides for review of the magistrate judge's de-
cision by a District Judge.
Rule 73 provides that Magistrate Judges may preside over certain trials consistent with statute and
upon the consent of all parties.
At present, there are no rules numbered 74 through 76.
Title X. District Courts and Clerks: Conducting Business; Issuing Orders
Rules 77 to 80
Title XI. General Provisions
Rules 81 to 86
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Title XIII – Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset
Forfeiture Actions
Rule A outlines the scope and application of the supplementary rules in respect to certain remedies
under admiralty and maritime claims, forfeiture actions in rem, and the procedure in statutory
condemnation proceedings analogous to maritime actions.
Rule B deals with attachment and garnishment in in personam actions.
Rule C applies to actions in rem to enforce maritime liens or pursuant to federal statute which
provides for a maritime actions in rem.
Rule D deals with possessory, petitory, and partition actions in admiralty actions.
Rule E applies to actions in personam with process of maritime attachment and garnishment, ac-
tions in rem, and petitory, possessory, and partition actions.
Rule F relates to limitation of liability actions in relation to vessel owners.
Rule G deals with forfeiture actions in rem arising from federal statute
BACK TO: More Common Writs
• The writ of habeas corpus, usually used to test the legality of a prisoner's detention, has
expressly been preserved. It is explicitly mentioned in the United States Constitution (Art.
1, § 9, cl. 2). In the United States federal courts, the writ is most often used to review the
constitutionality of criminal convictions rendered by state courts. The writ's application
does not stop there: the Supreme Court has held the writ of habeas corpus open to all indi-
viduals held by the federal government, including Guantanamo Bay detainees. See
Boumediene v. Bush.
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• By statute, the Supreme Court of the United States uses the writ of certiorari to review
cases from the United States courts of appeals or from the state courts.
• In extraordinary circumstances, the United States court of appeals can use the common law
writ of prohibition under the All Writs Act to control proceedings in the district courts.
• Some courts have held that in rare circumstances in a federal criminal case, a United States
district court may use the common law writ of error coram nobis under the All Writs Act
to set aside a conviction when no other remedy is available.
• The United States district courts normally follow state- in the United States federal courts
but are almost never used in practice. In modern times, the All Writs Act is most commonly
used as authority for federal courts to issue injunctions to protect their jurisdiction or ef-
fectuate their judgments.
The situation in the courts of the various U.S. states varies from state to state but is often similar
to that in the federal courts. Some states continue to use writ procedures, such as quo warranto,
that have been abolished as a procedural matter in federal courts.
In an attempt to purge Latin from the language of the law, California law has for many years used
the term writ of mandate in place of writ of mandamus, and writ of review in place of writ of
certiorari.
Prerogative writs
Main article: Prerogative writ

The "prerogative" writs are a subset of the class of writs, those that are to be heard ahead of any
other cases on a court's docket except other such writs. The most common of the other such pre-
rogative writs are habeas corpus, quo warranto, prohibito, mandamus, procedendo, and certiorari.
The due process for petitions for such writs is not simply civil or criminal, because they incorporate
the presumption of non-authority, so that the official who is the respondent has the burden to prove
his authority to do or not do something, failing which the court has no discretion but to decide for
the petitioner, who may be any person, not just an interested party.
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In this they differ from a motion in a civil process in which the burden of proof is on the movant,
and in which there can be a question of standing.
Other writs
• A writ of attachment permits the arrest of a person or the seizure of private property.
• A writ of audita querela inhibits the unconscionable use of a lawful judgment because of
matters arising subsequent to the judgment.
• A writ of capias directs an officer to take into custody the person named in the writ or
order.
• A writ of coram nobis corrects a previous error "of the most fundamental character" to
"achieve justice" where "no other remedy" is available, e.g., when a judgment was rendered
without full knowledge of the facts.
• A writ of elegit orders the seizure of a portion of a debtor's lands and all his goods (except
work animals) towards satisfying a creditor, until the debt is paid off.
• A writ of error is issued by an appellate court, and directs a lower court of record to submit
its record of the case laid for appeal.
• A writ of exigent (or exigend) commands a sheriff to summon a defendant indicted for a
felony, who had failed to appear in court, to deliver himself up upon pain of outlawry or
forfeiture of his goods.
• A writ of fieri facias (colloquially "fi fa") commands a sheriff to take and auction off
enough property from a losing party to pay the debt (plus interest and costs) owed by a
judgment debtor.
• A writ of mittimus orders either (1) a court to send its record to another or (2) a jailor to
receive the accused in his or her custody at any point during the investigative or trial pro-
cess.
• A writ of ne exeat restrains a defendant from fleeing the country or jurisdiction.
• A writ of praemunire instructs a sheriff to order someone to appear in court to answer for
any of a number of different crimes.
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• A writ of scire facias revives a dormant judgment.

• A writ of supersedeas contains a command to stay the proceedings at law.
• A writ of venire facias summons jurors to appear in court.
Before formally introducing you to all of various WRITS, and familiarizing you with each
of their individual usages and associative applications, it would only be appropriate to first
provide you with some important information on the individual most deserting credit for
the existence of this Reference Device Learning Tool. If not for this dynamic individual’s
LOVE this tool would not exist.
Noble Drew Ali

Founding Sheik of The Moorish
Science Temple of America. Born Timothy Drew or
Thomas Drew; January 8, 1886 – July 20, 1929, Noble Drew Ali
was a Moorish American Civic and Spiritual leader who
founded the The Moorish Sci-
ence Temple of America. Un-
Contents [Clicks The Links] derstood to be a prophet by his
community, in 1913 Noble
• 1 Early Life Drew Ali organized an Educa-
tional Islamic Fellowship in
• 2 Spiritual Formation
Newark, N.J. before relocating
• 3 Founding The Moorish Science Temple to Chicago, where he gained a
following of thousands of Na-
◦ 3.1 Internal Split & Murder tive Moors. Drew Ali taught that
Moorish Americans were in
• 4 Death
• 5 Legacy
102
fact individuals of pure Aboriginal Moorish descent who through the mind ravaging effects
of their savage European American enslavers become (over time) ignorant of their true
Native identity.
The Prophet, Noble Drew Ali preached a doctrine of Love and formal educational curric-
ulum of Moorish American Pride which advocated an embracing of higher spiritual Islamic
values. Following the murder of a fellow Moorish Science Temple leader by those set on
destroying the then thriving Moorish American community, Noble Drew Ali was arrested
(yet never charged) and sent to prison where he was tortured to the point of his subsequent
death in 1929.
Drew Ali founded the first recognized Islamic denomination in American History, and is
considered by most to be the first Modern American-born Islamic religious leader. With
all of the so called Original Founding Fathers of The United States of America being them-
selves in fact Islamic Theists and Deist (Masons) The United States of America’s roots
were originally founded in Islamic traditions. This is evidenced by such events as General
George Washington being elected to stand as not only President of his New Republic, but
also as the most Senior Masson of his day, and Thomas Jefferson having been sworn into
his Presidency using the Quran not the King James Bible.
Although membership and uniformity within the Moorish Science Temple of America has
largely declined since his time, Noble Drew Ali's legacy remains quite significant and is
recognized as having influenced the founding and much of the positive ideologies of the
organization which(by the powers-to-be) was allowed to come into existence and flourish
following his untimely assassination, the Nation of Islam which usurped much of the MST
of A’s influence over and within the Moorish Community and was successful in elevating
the legacy of their leadership over that of the individual who had reestablish ISLAM to
America, Noble Drew Ali.
Early Life
There are some details of Noble Drew Ali's early life which are not as well documented as many
wish they were, and some information has over time became mixed with that of legend within
the community. The most common account is that the Prophet Noble Drew Ali was born Timo-
thy Drew, on January 8, 1886, in North Carolina. Sources differ as to his background and up-
bringing: reportedly he was the orphaned son of two former enslaved Moors of the Cherokee
tribe. Another report describes him as the son of a Moroccan Muslim Father and Moorish Cher-
okee Mother. One version of his life, common among family within of the Moorish Science
Temple holds that Noble Drew Ali was raised by a reportedly abusive aunt, who once threw him
into a furnace.
103
This version holds that he left home at 16 and joined a group of Hindi travelers who took him
overseas to Egypt, Morocco, and several parts of the Middle East. It has also been said that No-
ble Drew Ali worked in the circus for some time as well as a Merchant Seaman, before his trav-
els to Egypt. Although its said he never received what we would call a formal education, he
came to acquire a profound Adept knowledge of Eastern philosophy and other deeper wisdoms
of Esoteric Mysticism.
In 2014, a completely different understanding of Drew Ali's early life was presented with the
publication of an article in the online Journal of Race Ethnicity and Religion. The article was
reported to have presented acquired evidence (census records, newspaper ads, newspaper arti-
cles, and a World War I draft card, and street directory records) which appeared to link Noble
Drew Ali to one "Thomas Drew," born on the same date as "Timothy Drew" however originating
from Virginia, apposed to the former more commonly accepted geographic region of North Car-
olina.
Spiritual Formation
During Noble Drew Ali’s overseas travels in Egypt, he was said to have been befriended by a
High Priest of Egyptian wisdoms. In one section of Noble Drew Ali's colorful biography, it was
stated that the Egyptian High Priest came to believe Noble Drew Ali to be a reincarnation of his
faith’s founder. In other accounts its said that the priest considered him a reincarnation other
former prophets. According to the biography, the high priest trained Ali in Eastern Mysticism
and gave him a formally "lost section" of the Quran.
This text came to be known as the Holy Koran of the Moorish Science Temple of America (not to
be confused with the Islamic Holy Quran of the East). It is also known as the Holy Quran Circle
Seven by some and "Circle Seven (Holy) Koran” because of its cover, which features a red "7"
surrounded by a blue circle. The first 19 chapters are similar to The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus
the Christ published in 1908 attributed to the esoteric Ohio evangelist Levi Dowling which also
described Jesus’s/Yashua’s earlier (pre-New Testament) travels in India, Egypt and Palestine
during the years of his childhood, youth and as a younger man before the accounts written of
within the New Testament.
Chapters 20 through 45 are borrowed are similar to the Rosicrucian literature know as Unto
Thee I Grant, which are instructions on the proper way of living as well as the proper education
and moral duties of individuals within a proper society.
In the final four chapters of the Circle Seven Holy Koran Noble Drew Ali wrote:
“The fallen sons and daughters of the Asiatic Nation of North America need to learn to love in-
stead of hate; and to know of their higher self and lower self. This is the uniting of the Holy Ko-
ran of Mecca for teaching and instructing all Moorish Americans, etc.
104
The key of civilization was and is in the hands of the Asiatic Nations. The Moorish, who were
the ancient Moabites, and the founders of the Holy City of Mecca.”
Noble Drew Ali educated his community in the understanding of “Jesus/Yashua and Moors of
the Americas were in fact Asiatic." ("Asiatic" a term Noble Drew Ali used for all dark or olive
and/or coper colored people; and reframed from using the term whites when referring to Europe-
ans and those of European decent. He educated the community in an understanding that all Asi-
atics should be allied.) Noble Drew Ali taught those in his greater Moorish community who
considered themselves to be African Americans (as they were been made to believe from their
former enslavers) that they were in fact Moors Indigenes to America and defendants of the an-
cient Moabites tribes relative to pre-pandemic Northwest Africa. Noble Drew Ali help to edu-
cate his community on the positive merits of Islam and its teachings as being beneficial to their
earthly salvation, and that their 'true nature’ (as well know of course know) had simply been hid-
den from them. In the traditions he founded, male members of the Temple wear a fez or turbans
as head covering; and women also wore modest turbans.
Noble Drew Ali greatly encouraged "Moorish-Americans" to become better citizens and well
educated in Civics. In one of his many notable talks put to script entitled: "A Divine Warning
By the Prophet for the Nations", he urged the Moorish Community at large to reject derogatory
labels, such as “Black, Colored and Negro” as well as urged Americans of all races to reject hate
and embrace love. Noble Drew Ali was also credited for his professing that a day would come
when all would know of Chicago as become a second Mecca for the faithful.
It has been reported that Noble Drew Ali crafted Moorish Science ideology from a variety of
sources, a "network of ultra-positive alternative spiritualities that focused on the power of the in-
dividual to bring about personal growth and spiritually uplifting transformation through mystical
knowledge of the divine understandings from within”. In the interwar period in Chicago and
other major cities, he took afforded opportunity to preach Self Pride and a strong sense of Com-
munity Pride. His approach appealed to thousands of Moors who had left severely oppressive
conditions in the South through the Great Migration and faced struggles adapting in new urban
environments.
105
Founding The Moorish Science Temple
The photo on the following page show attendees of the 1928 Moorish Science Temple in Chi-
cago. Prophet Noble Drew Ali is shown in white, standing in the front row slightly left of center
with hand over heart.
Historians have found that after leaving North Carolina, Prophet Noble Drew Ali moved to New-
ark, New Jersey, where he worked as a train expressman. In 1913, Drew Ali formed the Canaanite
Temple in Newark.
Prophet Noble Drew Ali left the city after educating the community on his views regarding matters
of race. Prophet Noble Drew Ali and some of his followers migrated, while planting congregations
in Philadelphia; Washington, D.C., and Detroit; where finally Prophet Noble Drew Ali settled in
Chicago in 1925, saying the Midwest was "closer to Islam." The following year he officially
registered Temple No. 9.
106
There he instructed followers not to be confrontational but to build up their people to be respected
by all as to regain their proper place in what was now (at the time, and from that point forward
called by most) the United States, as well as by re-developing a Cultural National Identity that was
congruent with Prophet Noble Drew Ali higher inner-standings. In the late 1920s, some journal-
ists estimated the Moorish Science Temple had 35,000 members in 17 temples in cities across the
Midwest and upper South. The ushers of the Temple wore black fezzes. The leader of a particular
temple were known as a Grand Sheik, or Governor(s). The Moorish Science movement was re-
portedly studied, watched and often interfered with by the Chicago police and other Governmental
bodies, as was the case with most organizations and institutions which proved to be positive influ-
ences within the Moorish community.
In the photo above Prophet Noble Drew Ali may be seen standing (top center) with Chicago Al-
derman Louis B. Anderson (to his right) and Congressman Oscar De Priest.
Prophet Noble Drew Ali attended the 1929 inauguration of Illinois Governor Louis Lincoln Em-
merson.
The Chicago Defender stated that his trip included "interviews with many distinguished citizens
from Chicago, who greeted him on every hand.” With the growth in its population and member-
ship, Chicago was established as the center of the Moorish Science movement at that time.
Internal Split & Rumors of Murder
It is said that in early 1929, following a conflict over funds, Claude Green-Bey, the business man-
ager of Chicago Temple No. 1 split from the Moorish Science Temple of America, declared him-
self Grand Sheik and took a number of members with him. On March 15, Green-Bey was report-
edly stabbed at the Unity Hall of the Moorish Science Temple, on Indiana Avenue in Chicago and
died shortly thereafter. No connection with The Moorish Science Temple of America or any of its
members and the death of Claude Green-Bey was ever established. Some say the the stabbing was
a part of a Government Sponsored Telco-pro operation to create divisiveness among factions;
which was a common practice for many decades to follow.
It was reported that Prophet Noble Drew Ali who was out of town at the time, dealing with other
matters regarding the former Supreme Grand Governor Lomax-Bey (professor Ezaldine Muham-
mad), who had supported Green-Bey's attempted coup. Upon his returned to Chicago,
Prophet Noble Drew Ali arrested along with other members of the community on suspicion of
having instigated the killing. No indictment was sworn for Drew Ali at that time, nor was any
connection ever established for him having any involvement at all with what befell Claude Green-
Bey; reminiscent of many Government Telco-pro operations to follow in decades to come with
respect to the SO CALLED BLACK and OR AFRICAN-AMERICAN or NEGRO community
leaders who followed in his footsteps as one medicated to improving the condition and treatment
of Moors in America.
107
Death
Shortly after Prophet Noble Drew Ali release by the police, he died as a result of the circumstances
of his treatment while incarcerated. Prophet Noble Drew Ali’s Certificate of Death stated that he
died from "tuberculosis broncho-pneumonia” although he was known ti have been in perfect health
at the time of his arrest. Despite the SO CALLED Official Report it was understood and known
that his death was caused by injuries inflicted by the police with “pneumonia” being one of the
results of his treatment while incarcerated.
Prophet Noble Drew Ali’s funeral took place on July 25, 1929, with hundreds attending. The
services were held at the Pythian Temple in Chicago, followed by the burial at Burr Oak Cemetery
in nearby Alsip.
The death of Prophet Noble Drew Ali brought out a number of candidates who vied to succeed
him. Edward Mealy El stated that he had been declared Drew Ali's successor by Drew Ali him-
self, . . while John Givens-El, Prophet Noble Drew Ali chauffeur, declared himself to be
Prophet Noble Drew Ali reincarnated. M.S. T. of A. records indicate that the governors of the
Moorish Science Temple of America declared Charles Kirkman-Bey to be the successor to Drew
Ali and named him Grand Advisor. All three factions (Kirkman Bey, Mealy El, and Givens El)
remain active today.
A (Nearly) Forgotten Legacy

Wallace Fard Muhammad, the founder of Nation of Islam, was previously a prominent member
of the Moorish Science Temple of America, where he was known as David Ford-El. After
Prophet Noble Drew Ali death, it was reported that he too claimed to be the Prophet reincar-
nated. When Wallace Fard Muhammad’s claim to leadership was rejected by the majority of the
M.S.T. of A. membership, Wallace Card Muhammad broke away from the Moorish Science
Temple, moved to Detroit, abandoned the directives of his Teacher, Prophet Noble Drew Ali to
keep as the most important tenant “teaching the community matters regarding their Indigenous
Nature and True Nationality as Moors) and instead of teaching Nationality as directed by
Prophet Noble Drew Ali founded the Nation of Islam.
Many members of the Nation of Islam reportedly (for some time) denied there being any historical
connection to the Moorish Science Temple of America, until February 26, 2014, when Louis Far-
rakhan acknowledged Noble Drew Ali's true Founding contribution to the History of the resurrec-
tion of Islam in American; however Prophet Noble Drew Ali’s Prime Directive of teaching the
community Knowledge of Self through educating the Moorish American Community towards an
honest understanding of their TRUE Nature and Heritage as it related to their actual Heredita-
ments’ as being the actual Aboriginals and Indigenous Palio-American’s of the Americas was
not revived. The subject of our Nationality as Moors remains for some unknown reason to be a
108
subject in which Louis Farrakhan has continued to not disclose as being of utmost importance to
is followers within the Nation of Islam even though it was (and remains to be) in fact The Prime
Directive of His Teacher’s Teacher’s, Teacher: The Honorable Noble Drew Ali. Prophet Noble
Drew Ali taught Wallace Fard Muhammad (Elisha Mohamed’s Teacher) that the most important
element of any teaching in our community was in fact to remain teaching the community about
their NATIONALITY, in that it is NATIONALITY which defines one’s STATUS in LAW; and
to comprehend that without a well grounded understanding of this One Most Important
Fact regarding our Moorish Nationality and Status In Law, one can only remain Civil Liter Mor-
tus, which means: Dead In The Eyes of The Law!
In 1986, the Moroccan Ambassador to the United States officially recognized the Moorish Sci-
ence Temple's Islamic linkage to Morocco through Prophet Noble Drew Ali.
———————————————————————————————————————
The Following is a Pause in the Sidebar Regarding: The Moorish Science Temple of America
PLEASE NOTE:
Some of the information provided above on the subject of the Moorish Science
Temple of America (like most references on this subject) are not to be taken (in
my opinion) as gospel and/or as the definitive indisputable truth in any manner.
Like all and every subject in this treatment, it is important that the material con-
tained herein (and elsewhere) be used only as a supplement for your own per-
sonal research; not the end all of your research on any particular subject or topic.
Further, should you find during the course of your research any information which
differs with any information provided herein, please do recognize it to be your “re-
sponse-ability” to ascertain which of the presentations are the most correct
and/or truthful, and use that reference as your primary basis of fact until such time
that you find other or any other substantially corrective supplemental facts which
support the truth of whatever it may be that you are researching. Building on your
well researched facts in this manner will ALWAYS serve you well.
--------------------------—------—-------------------------
-
109
The Moorish Science Temple of America was founded as an American National and Religious
Organization by Noble Drew Ali based on the fact that Moorish Americans (the mis-identified African
Americans) are in actuality the Direct Descendants of the Moorish Empire and are thus Moorish by
Nationality, and historically Islamic by faith. Noble Drew Ali developed and decimated a message
of personal positive transformation through historical education, racial pride and spiritual upliftment
of ALL Mankind. Noble Drew Ali’s doctrine was intended to provide Moors with a true sense of
identity in the world and to promote ACTIVE Civic Involvement.
Returning to our study on writs.
GENERAL
Writ of Prevention :
• This name is given to certain writs which may be issued in anticipation of suits which
may arise. CoLitt. 100.
A further reference to this form of Writ is the Latin phrase: “Quia Timet” meaning: Be-
cause he fears or apprehends. In equity practice: The technical name of a bill filed by a
party who seeks the aid of a court of equity, because he or she fears some future probable
injury to their rights or interests, and relief granted must depend upon circumstances. 2
Story, Eq. Jur. § 826; Pell v. McCabe, D.C.N.Y., 254 F. 356, 357; Estate of Gilbert Smith
v. Cohen, 123 N.J.Eq. 419, 196 A. 361, 364.
Alias Writ :
110
• A second writ issued in the same cause, where a former writ of the same kind has been
issued without effect.
Concurrent Writ :
Duplicate originals, or several writs running at the same time for the same purpose,
for service on or arrest of a person, when it is not known where he is to be found; or for
service on several persons, as when there are several defendants to an action. Mozley
&Whitley.
Judicial Writs :
The capias and all other writs subsequent to the original write not issuing out of
chancery, but from the court to which the original was returnable. Being grounded on
what has passed in that court in consequence of the sheriff's return, they wee called
judicial writs, in contradistinction to the writs issued out of chancery, which were call
original writs. 3 B1.Comm.282. Such writs as issue under the private seal of the courts,
and not under the great seal of England, and are tested or witnessed, not in the king's
name, but in the name of the chief judge of the court out of which they issue. The word
“judicial” is used in contradistinction to “original:” original writs being such as issue out
of chancery under the great seal, and are witnessed in the king's name. See 3 B1. Comm.
282. Pullman's Palace-Car Co. v. Washburn, C.C.Mass., 66 F. 792.
Junior Writ :
One which is issued, or comes to the officer's hands, at a later time than a similar
writ, at the suit of another party, or on a different claim, against the sam defendant.
111
Original Writ :
In English practice. An original writ was the process formerly in use of the com-
mencement of personal actions. It was a mandatory letter from the king, issuing out of
chancery, sealed with the great seal, and directed to the sheriff of the county wherein the
injury was committed, or was supposed to have been committed, requiring him to com-
mand the wrong-doer or accused party either to do justice to the plaintiff or else to appear
in court and answer the accusation against him. This writ is now disused, the writ of
summons being the process prescribed by the uniformity of process act for commencing
personal actions; and under the judicature act, 1873, all suits, even in the court of chan-
cery, are to be commenced by such writs of summons. Brown.
Patent Writ : In old practice, an open writ; one not closed or sealed up.
Peremptory Writ :
• An original writ, called from the words of the writ a “si te fecerit securum,” and which
directed the sheriff to cause the defendant to appear in court without any option given
him, provided the plaintiff gave the sheriff security effectually to prosecute his claim.
The writ was very occasionally in use, and only where nothing was specifically de-
manded, but only a satisfaction in general; as in the case of writs of trespass on the case,
wherein no debt or other specific thing was sued for, but only damages to be assessed
by a jury. Brown.
Prerogative Writs :
112
• Those issued by the exercise of the extraordinary power of the crown (the court, in mod-
ern practice) on proper cause shown; namely, the writs of procedendo, mandamus,
prohibition, quo warranto, habeas corpus, and certiorari.
WRIT DE BONO ET MALO : See: De Bono et Malo; Assize.
WRIT DE EJECTIONE FIRM (AE) : See: Ejectione Firm(ae)
WRIT DE H(AE)RETICO COMBURENDO : See: De H(ae)retico Comburendo.
WRIT DE HOMINE REPLEGIANDO : See: De Homine Replegiando.
WRIT DE ODIO ET ATIA : See de Odio et Atia.
WRIT DE RATIONABILI PARTE BONORUM : See: De Rationabili Parte Bonorum.
WRIT OF AD QUOD DAMNUM : See: Ad Quod Damnum.
WRIT OF ASSISTANCE :
• The name of a writ which issues from the court of chancery, in aid of the execution of a
judgment at law, to put the complainant into possession of lands adjudged to him, wen
the sheriff cannot execute the judgment. Emerick v. Miller, Ind.App., 62 N.E. 285;
Hagerman v. Heltzel, 21 Wash. 444, 58 P. 580; Marblehead Land Co. v. Los Angeles
County, D.C. Cal., 276 F.305.
113
• A form of process issued by an equity court to transfer the possession of lands, title or
possession to which it has previously adjudicated, as a means of enforcing its decree,
and performs the same office in a suit in equity as an execution in an action at law.
Burney v. Lee, 57 Ariz. 41, 110 P.2d 554, 556.
• Its office is confined to lend aid to original equity jurisdiction, and the writ cannot be
employed as a substitute for other common-law or statutory actions. Patterson v.
McKay, 202 Ark. 241, 150 S.W. 2D 196. It is essentially a mandatory injunction, effect
of which is to bring about a change in the possession of realty—it dispossesses the oc-
cupant and gives possession to one adjudged entitled thereto by the court. Dusbabek v.
Local Building & Loan Ass'n, 178 Okl. 592, 63 P.2d 756, 759.
A “writ of assistance” is equivalent to the writ of habere facias possessionem at law, and
issues as of course without notice, so far as the parties to the record are concerned, when
necessary to execute a decree. Gardner v. Duncan, 104 Miss. 477, 61 So. 545, 546.
While the office of both a write of assistance and a writ of possession is to put the party
entitled thereto into the possession of property, the former issues from equity and the latter
from law. Souther State Bank v. Leverette, 187 N.C. 743, 123 S.E. 68, 70.
An ancient writ issuing out of the exchequer. Moz. & W. A writ issuing from the court of
exchequer to the sheriff commanding him to be in aid of the king's tenants by knight's
service, or the king's collectors, debtors, or accountants, to enforce payment of their own
dues, in order to enable them to pay their own dues to the king. 1 Madox, Hist. Exch.675.
114
WRIT OF ASSOCIATION :
• In English practice. A writ whereby certain persons (usually the clerk of assize and sub-
ordinate officers) are directed to associate themselves with the justices and serjeants;
and they are required to admit the said persons into their society in order to take the
assies. B1.Comm.59.
WRIT OF ATTACHMENT :
• A writ employed to enforce obedience to an order or judgment of the court. It may take
the form of commanding the sheriff to attach the disobedient party and to have him be-
fore the court to answer his contempt. Smith, Act. 176.
• In its generic sense, any mesne civil process in the nature of a writ on which property
may be attached, including trustee process. Smith v. Smith, 120 Me. 379, 115 A. 87, 88.
See, also, Attachment.
WRIT OF CONSPIRACY :
• A writ which anciently lay against persons who had conspired to injure the plaintiff,
under the same circumstances which would now give him an action on the case. It did
not lie at common law, in any case, except when the conspiracy was to indict the party
either of treason or felony; all the other case of conspiracy in the treatment were but
actions on the case. Hutchins v. Hutchins, 7 Hill (N.Y.)
115
WRIT OF COVENANT :
• A writ which lies where a party claims damages for breach of covenant; i.e., of a promise
under seal.
WRIT OF DEBT :
• A writ which lies where the party claims the recovery of a debt; i.e., a liquidated or certain sum
of money alleged to be due to him.
• This is debt in the debet, which is the principal and only common for. There is another
species mentioned in the books, called the debt in the detinet, which lies for the specific
recovery of goods under a contract to deliver them 1 Chitty, Pl. 101.
WRIT OF DECEIT :
• The name of a writ which lies where one man has done anything in the name of another,
by which the latter is damnified and deceived. Fitzh.Nat.Brev. 95, E.
WRIT OF DELIVERY :
• A writ of execution employed to enforce a judgment for the delivery of chattels. It com-
mands the sheriff to cause the chattels mentioned in the writ to be returned to the person
who has obtained the judgment; an 1, if the chattels cannot be found, to distrain the
person against whom the judgment was given until he returns them. Smith, Act. 175;
Sweet.
116
WRIT OF DETINUE :
• A writ which lies where a party claims the specific recovery of goods and chattels, or
deeds and writings, detained from him. This is seldom used; trover is the more frequent
remedy, in cases where it may be brought.
WRIT OF DOWER :
• This is either a writ of dower unde nihil habet, which lies for a widow, commanding the
tenant to assign her dower, no part of which has yet been set off to her; or a writ of right
of dower, whereby she seeks to recover the remainder of the dower to which she is en-
titled, part having been already received from the tenant. This latter writ is seldom used.
WRIT OF EJECTMENT :
The writ in an action of ejectment, for the recovery of lands. See Ejectment.
WRIT OF ENTRY :
• A real action to recover the possession of land where the tenant (or owner) has been
diseased or otherwise wrongfully dispossessed. If the disseisor has aliened the land, or
if it has descended to his heir, the writ of entry is said to be in the per, because it alleges
that the defendant (alienee or heir) obtained possession through the original disseisor.
117
If two alienations (or descents) have taken place, the writ is in the per and cui, because it
alleges that the defendant (the second alienee) obtained possession through the first alienee,
to whom the original disseisor had aliened it. If more than two alienations (or descents)
have taken place, the writ is in the post, because it simply alleges that the defendant ac-
quired possession after, the original disseisin. Co.Litt. 238B; 3 Bl.Comm 180. The writ of
entry was abolished, with other real actions, in England, by St. 3 & 4 Wm. IV. c. 27, SS
36, but still in use in a few of the states of the Union. Sweet. See, also, entry, Writ of.
WRIT OF ERROR :
• A writ issued from a court of appellate jurisdiction, directed to the judge or judges of a
court of record, requiring them to remit to the appellate court the record of an action
before them, in which a final judgment has been entered, in order that examination may
be made of certain errors, alleged to have been committed, and that the judgment may
be reversed, corrected, or affirmed, as the case may require. Siegelschiffer v. Penn Mut.
Life Ins. Co., C.C.A.N.Y., 248 F. 226, 228; Ward v. Williams, 270 Ill. 547, 110 N.E.
821, 823; Board of County Com'rs of Harford County v. Jay, 122 Md. 324, 89 A. 715,
717. It is brought for supposed error in law apparent on record and takes case to higher
tribunal, which affirms or reverses. Chambers v. State, 117 Fla. 642, 158 So. 153. It is
commencement of new suit to set aside judgment, and is not continuation of suit to
which it relates. Winchester v. Winn, 225 Mo.App. 288, 29 S.W.2d 188, 190.
And unless abolished by statute, is writ of right applicable to all cases in which jurisdiction
is exercised according to course of common law, but is inapplicable to cases not known to
118
or in derogation of common law, unless otherwise provided by statue. Freeport Motor Cas-
ualty Co. v. Madden, 354 Ill. 329, 188 N.E. 415, 416.
“Appeal” is a process of civil law origin that entirely removes cause to appellate court
subjecting facts as well as law to review and retrial, while “writ of error” is a process of
common-law origin and removes nothing to appellate court for re-examination except the
law. Whidden v. Abbott, 119 Fl. 25, 160 So. 475.
WRIT OF ERROR CORAM NOBIS :
• A common-law writ, the purpose of which is to correct a judgment in the same court in
which it was rendered, on the ground of error of fact. Washington v. State, 92 Fl. 740,
110 So. 259, 262 People v. Black, 89 Cal.App. 225, 264 P. 346; for which the statute
provides no other remedy, which fact did not appear of record, Ernst v., State, 181
Wis.155,
WELCOME TO YOUR MOORISH LATIN TRANSLATIONS INDEX
I hope you will find it to be quite convent having the following Listed Index of Latin
Phrases close at hand as well when modifying Writs which you may find in the course of
your research. Over time in the course of your research you will no doubt find a number
of excellent Moorish Writ Collection Sites (websites
individuals have posted as either a handy manner of providing other direct access to their
dockets Made of Public Record (posted For Public Review) or as a resource for other re-
search such as yourself.) You’ll of course also find that some of these collections are not
119
sources you wish to use. Either because the are simply not well constructed or constructed
by those not yet skilled in the are of Writ Construction or not possessing a firm understand-
ing of the law. These Writs can cause you more harm then help. While others, such as
those located at such sites as http://www.moorishnationpublicrecords.com/, you may
find quit helpful as study aids. A list similar in nature to the following will come in handy
either in you translating or re-construction/modification study sessions.
Although you will find that the material contained in the following indexed list of Latin
Phrases have NOT been color coded nor underlined (so as to avoid being visually distrac-
tive) some of the material has been provided call-outs marked with small yellow triangles
in the upper light-hand corner of the first column to indicate that I have placed further
details at your disposal; and several invisible 3rd party (external (INTERNET) hyperlink)
have also been provided throughout, as to place even more content connectivity at your
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO INDEX
disposal.
Doing so in this manner you will find has provided you a much cleaner set of table from
which to conduct your research and translation exercises.
120
Due to the amount of information contained in the following INDEX, adding any
further visual aids would have no doubt made your ease of use far more cumber-
some, reducing the value of the work that has been put into the construction of the
material to follow. Hopefully you will have many years of valuable use from
what’s being provided here.
MOORISH LATIN PHRASE TRANSLATIONS

Latin Translation Notes
from the greater to the From general to particular; "What holds for all X also holds for
a maiore ad minus
smaller one particular X." – argumentum a fortiori
an inference from smaller to bigger; what is forbidden at least

from the smaller to the
a minore ad maius is forbidden at more ("If riding a bicycle two on it is forbidden,
greater
riding it three on it is at least similarly punished".)
A solis ortu usque ad

from sunrise to sunset
occasum
Said of an argument either for a conclusion that rests on the al-

leged absurdity of an opponent's argument (cf. appeal to ridi-
ab absurdo from the absurd cule) or that another assertion is false because it is absurd. The
phrase is distinct from reductio ad absurdum, which is usually a
valid logical argument.
ab abusu ad usum non valet an inference from an abuse

Rights abused are still rights; confer abusus non tollit usum.
consequentia to a use is not valid
Literally, "from the everlasting", "from eternity", and "from

outside of time". Philosophically and theologically, it indicates
something, e. g., the universe, that was created from outside of
ab aeterno from the eternal time. Sometimes the phrase is used incorrectly to denote "from
time immemorial", "since the beginning of time", or "from an
infinitely remote time in the past", i. e., not from without time
but from a point within time.
ab antiquo from the ancient From ancient times
121
Or, "at will" or "at one's pleasure". This phrase, and its Italian
a bene placito from one well pleased (beneplacito) and Spanish (beneplácito) derivatives, are synon-
ymous with the more common ad libitum (at pleasure).
Regarding or pertaining to correspondence; secretarial office in

ab epistulis from the letters
the Roman Empire
Legal term denoting derivation from an external source, rather

ab extra from beyond/without than from a person's self or mind, this latter source being de-
noted by "ab intra".
ab hinc from here on Also sometimes written as "abhinc"
Or "from the bottom of my heart", "with deepest affection", or

ab imo pectore from the deepest chest
"sincerely". Attributed to Julius Caesar.
New Latin for "based on unsuitability", "from inconvenience",

or "from hardship". An argumentum ab inconvenienti is one
based on the difficulties involved in pursuing a line of reason-
ab inconvenienti from an inconvenient thing
ing, and is thus a form of appeal to consequences. The phrase
refers to the legal principle that an argument from inconven-
ience has great weight.
Thus, "from the beginning" or "from infancy". Incunabula is

commonly used in English to refer to the earliest stage or origin
ab incunabulis from the cradle
of something, and especially to copies of books that predate the
spread of the printing press circa AD 1500.
Or, "from the outset", referring to an inquiry or investigation.

In literature, it refers to a story told from the beginning rather
than "in medias res" ("from the middle"). In law, it refers to a
thing being true from its beginning or from the instant of the
act, rather than from when the court declared it so. An annul-
ment is a judicial declaration of the invalidity or nullity of a
ab initio from the beginning
marriage ab initio; i. e., that the pseudo marriage was "no
thing" (in Latin, "nullius", from which the word "nullity" de-
rives) and never existed, except perhaps in name only. In sci-
ence, the phrase refers to the first principles. In other contexts,
it often refers to beginner or training courses. "Ab initio mundi"
means "from the beginning of the world".
From a decedent, i. e., a dead person, who died without execut-

ab intestato from an intestate
ing a legal will; cf. ex testamento
ab intra from within From the inside; the opposite of ab extra
ab invito unwillingly
122
Or, "by an angry person"; used in law to describe a decision or

action that is detrimental to those whom it affects and is moti-
vated by hatred or anger instead of reason. The form irato is
ab irato from an angry man
masculine; however, this does not limit the application of the
phrase to men: rather, "person" is meant because the phrase
probably elides "homo" ("man/person"), not "vir" ("men").
From the origin, beginning, source, or commencement; i. e.,

ab origine from the source
"originally". It is the source of the word aboriginal.
From Horace, Satire, 1.3. Means "from beginning to end",

based on the Roman main meal typically beginning with an egg
ab ovo usque ad mala from the egg to the apples dish and ending with fruit; cf. the English phrase soup to nuts.
Thus, ab ovo means "from the beginning", and can connote
thoroughness.
an absent person will not be Legal principle that a person who is not present is unlikely to
absens haeres non erit
an heir inherit
[with] the defendant being

absente reo (abs. re.) Legal phrase denoting action "in the absence of the accused"
absent
Expresses the wish that no insult or injury be presumed or done

by the speaker's words, i. e., "no offense". Also rendered absit
absit iniuria "let injury be absent"
iniuria verbis ("let injury be absent from these words"). Con-
trast with absit invidia.
Said in the context of a statement of excellence: unlike the

English expression "no offense", absit invidia is intended to
ward off envious deities who might interpret a statement of ex-
absit invidia "let ill will/envy be absent"
cellence as hubris. Also extended to absit invidia verbo, ("may
ill will/envy be absent from these words"). Contrast it with
absit iniuria verbis. An explanation of Livy's usage.
Or, "let this not be a bad omen". Expresses the wish that some-
absit omen let an omen be absent thing seemingly ill-boding does not turn out to be an omen for
future events, and calls on Divine protection against evil.
Total, if not supreme, power, dominion, ownership, and sover-

absolutum dominium absolute dominion
eignty
Legal term pronounced by a judge to acquit a defendant follow-

ing his trial. Te absolvo or absolvo te, translated, "I forgive
absolvo I acquit you," said by Roman Catholic priests during the Sacrament of
Confession, in Latin prior to the Second Vatican Council and in
vernacular thereafter.
123
abundant caution does no

abundans cautela non nocet Frequently re-phrased as "one can never be too careful"
harm
From Virgil, Aeneid, Book 2, 65-6. Refers to situations where

a single example or observation indicates a general or universal
ab uno disce omnes from one, learn all
truth. Visible in the court of the character King Silas in the
American television series Kings.
Or, "from the founding of Rome", which occurred in 753 BC,

according to Livy's count. It was used as a referential year in
from the city having been ancient Rome from which subsequent years were calculated,
ab urbe condita (a.u.c.)
founded prior to being replaced by other dating conventions. Also anno
urbis conditae (a.u.c.); literally "in the year of the founded
city".
The misuse of some thing does not eliminate the possibility of

abusus non tollit usum misuse does not remove use
its correct use.
ab utili from utility Used of an argument
abyssus abyssum invocat deep calleth unto deep From Psalms 42:7; some translations have "sea calls to sea".
Or, "from Heaven all the way to the center of the Earth". In
law, it may refer to the proprietary principle of Cuius est so-
a caelo usque ad centrum from the sky to the center lum, eius est usque ad coelum et ad inferos ("Whosesoever is
the soil, it is his up to the sky and down to the depths [of the
Earth]").
From top to bottom; all the way through; or from head to toe;
a capite ad calcem from head to heel
see also a pedibus usque ad caput
accipe hoc take this Motto of the 848 Naval Air Squadron, British Royal Navy
Legal principle denoting that an accused person is entitled to

no one ought to accuse plead not guilty, and that a witness is not obligated to respond
accusare nemo se debet nisi
himself except in the pres- or submit a document that would incriminate himself. A similar
coram Deo
ence of God phrase is nemo tenetur se ipsum accusare ("no one is bound to
accuse himself"). See right to silence.
Equivalent to "on the contrary" and "au contraire". An

a contrario from the opposite argumentum a contrario ("argument from the contrary") is an
argument or proof by contrast or direct opposite.
Ovid, Tristia, 1.2.97: si tamen acta deos numquam mortalia

acta deos numquam mortalia mortal actions never de- fallunt, / a culpa facinus scitis abesse mea. ("Yet if mortal ac-
fallunt ceive the gods tions never deceive the gods, / you know that crime was absent
from my fault.")
124
Common ending to ancient Roman comedies; Suetonius

claimed in The Twelve Caesars that these were the last words
The play has been per- of Augustus; Sibelius applied them to the third movement of
acta est fabula plaudite
formed; applaud! his String Quartet No. 2, so that his audience would recognize
that it was the last one, because a fourth would be ordinarily
expected.
acta non verba Deeds Not Words Motto of the United States Merchant Marine Academy
Also used in the singular preceding a saint's name: Acta Sancti

acta sanctorum Deeds of the Saints
("Deeds of Saint") N.; a common title of hagiography works
actiones secundum fidei action follows belief "We act according to what we believe (ourselves to be)."[2]
actus me invito factus non est the act done by me against

meus actus my will is not my act
The act does not make [a

actus non facit reum nisi
person] guilty unless the Legal principle of the presumption of mens rea in a crime
mens sit rea
mind should be guilty.
The actual crime that is committed, as distinguished from the

intent, thinking, and rationalizing that procured the criminal
actus reus guilty act
act; the external elements of a crime, as contrasted with the
mens rea, i. e., the internal elements.
In logic, to the point of being silly or nonsensical. See also re-

ad absurdum to absurdity ductio ad absurdum. Not to be confused with ab absurdo
("from the absurd").
In legal language, used when providing additional evidence to

ad abundantiam to abundance an already sufficient collection. Also used commonly, as an
equivalent of "as if this wasn't enough".
ad acta to the archives Denoting the irrelevance of a thing
I strive towards higher

ad altiora tendo
things
ad arbitrium at will, at pleasure
Name or motto, in whole or part, of many organizations, publi-

ad astra to the stars
cations
Or, "a rough road leads to the stars", as on the Launch Complex
to the stars through difficul-
ad astra per aspera 34 memorial plaque for the astronauts of Apollo 1; motto of the
ties
State of Kansas and other organizations
to rise to a high position

ad augusta per angusta
overcoming hardships
125
To appeal to the masses. Often said of or used by politicians.

in order to capture the
ad captandum vulgus An argumentum ad captandum is an argument designed to
crowd
please the crowd.
Formal letter or communication in the Christian tradition from

a bishop to his clergy. An "ad clerum" may be an encourage-
ad clerum to the clergy
ment in a time of celebration or a technical explanation of new
regulations or canons.
a Deucalione from or since Deucalion A long time ago; from Gaius Lucilius, Satires, 6, 284
An ad eundem degree, from the Latin ad eundem gradum ("to

the same step" or "to the same degree"), is a courtesy degree
ad eundem to the same awarded by a university or college to an alumnus of another. It
is not an honorary degree but a recognition of the formal learn-
ing for which the degree was earned at another college.
Motto of Renaissance humanism and the Protestant Reforma-

ad fontes to the sources
tion
Said during a generic toast; equivalent to "bottoms up!" In

ad fundum to the bottom
other contexts, it generally means "back to the basics".
Generally means "for this", in the sense of improvised or in-

ad hoc to this
tended only for a specific, immediate purpose.
Or, "at the man". Typically used in argumentum ad hominem, a

logical fallacy consisting of criticizing a person when the sub-
ad hominem to the man ject of debate is the person's ideas or argument, on the mistaken
assumption that the soundness of an argument is dependent on
the qualities of the proponent.
"for the honour", not for the purpose of gaining any material re-
ad honorem to the honour
ward
Enduring forever. Used to designate a property which repeats

ad infinitum to infinity in all cases in mathematical proof. Also used in philosophical
contexts to mean "repeating in all cases".
As in the term "chargé d'affaires ad interim", denoting a diplo-

ad interim (ad int) for the meantime
matic officer who acts in place of an ambassador
Attributed by Suetonius in The Twelve Caesars to Augustus.

The Calends were specific days of the Roman calendar, not of
ad kalendas graecas at the Greek Calends
the Greek, and so the "Greek Kalends" would never occur.
Similar to "when pigs fly".
126
Loosely, "according to what pleases" or "as you wish"; libitum

comes from the past participle of libere, "to please". It typically
indicates in music and theatrical scripts that the performer has
ad libitum (ad lib) toward pleasure the liberty to change or omit something. Ad lib is specifically
often used when someone improvises or ignores limitations.
Also used by some restaurants in favor of the colloquial "all
you can eat or drink".
Legal phrase referring to a party appointed by a court to act in a

lawsuit on behalf of another party who is deemed incapable of
ad litem to the lawsuit
representing himself. An individual who acts in this capacity is
called a guardian ad litem.
Motto of Oxford High School (Oxford), the University of Lis-

ad lucem to the light bon, Withington Girls' School, Little Flower Academy and St.
Bartholomew's School, Newbury, UK
ad maiorem Dei gloriam or

Motto of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Edward Elgar dedicated
ad majorem Dei gloriam to the greater glory of God
his oratorio The Dream of Gerontius "A.M.D.G."
(AMDG)
ad meliora towards better things Motto of St. Patrick's College, Cavan, Ireland
ad mortem to death Medical phrase serving as a synonym for death
ad multos annos to many years Wish for a long life; similar to "many happy returns"
Or, "to the point of disgust". Sometimes used as a humorous al-

ternative to ad infinitum. An argumentum ad nauseam is a logi-
ad nauseam to seasickness cal fallacy whose erroneous proof is proffered by prolonged
repetition of the argument, i. e., the argument is repeated so
many times that persons are "sick of it".
ad oculos to the eyes "obvious on sight" or "obvious to anyone that sees it"
Thus, "exactly as it is written"; similar to the phrase "to the let-

ad pedem litterae to the foot of the letter
ter", meaning "to the last detail"
Generally precedes "of" and a person's name, and is used to

ad perpetuam memoriam to the perpetual memory
wish for someone to be remembered long after death
More loosely, "considering everything's weight". The abbrevia-

ad pondus omnium (ad pond tion was historically used by physicians and others to signify
to the weight of all things
om) that the last prescribed ingredient is to weigh as much as all of
the previously mentioned ones.
127
Meaning "according to the harm" or "in proportion to the

harm". The phrase is used in tort law as a measure of damages
ad quod damnum to whatever damage inflicted, implying that a remedy, if one exists, ought to corre-
spond specifically and only to the damage suffered (cf.
damnum absque iniuria).
ad referendum to be proposed [before the Loosely "subject to reference": provisionally approved, but still
(ad ref) Senate] needing official approval. Not the same as a referendum.
ad rem to the matter "to the point", without digression
ad sumus here we are Motto of the Brazilian Marine Corps
in order to achieve what

ad susceptum perficiendum Motto of the Association of Trust Schools
has been undertaken
for the term which has Legal phrase for a writ of entry ad terminum qui praeteriit ("for
ad terminum qui praeteriit
passed the term which has passed").
ad undas to the waves Equivalent to "to Hell"
ad unum to one
Said of a work that has been expurgated of offensive or im-

proper parts. The phrase originates from editions of Greek and
ad usum Delphini for the use of the Dauphin Roman classics which King Louis XIV of France had censored
for his heir apparent, the Dauphin. Also rarely "in usum Del-
phini" ("into the use of the Dauphin").
ad usum proprium (ad us.

for one's own use
propr.)
Motto of Lund University, with the implied alternatives being

prepared for either [alterna- the book (study) and the sword (defending the nation in war)
ad utrumque paratus
tive] and of the United States Marine Corps' III Marine Expedition-
ary Force
Used in commerce to refer to ad valorem taxes, i. e., taxes

ad valorem according to value
based on the assessed value of real estate or personal property
More commonly translated "for victory", it was a battlecry of

ad victoriam to victory
the Romans
ad vitam aeternam to eternal life Also "to life everlasting"; a common Biblical phrase
Phrase describing the term of a political office as ending upon

ad vitam aut culpam for life or until fault the death of the officer or his commission of a sufficiently
grave immorality and/or legal crime.
An item to be added, especially as a supplement to a book. The

addendum thing to be added
plural is addenda.
128
One of the classic definitions of "truth". When the mind has the
correspondence of the mind
adaequatio intellectus et rei same form as reality, we think truth. Also found as adaequatio
and reality
rei et intellectus.
adaequatio intellectus nostri conformity of our minds to Phrase used in epistemology regarding the nature of under-
cum re the fact standing.
Equivalent to "Present!" or "Here!" The opposite of absum ("I

adsum I am here
am absent").
do not speak against the

adversus solem ne loquitor Or, "do not argue what is obviously/manifestly incorrect".
Sun
Someone who, in the face of a specific argument, voices an ar-

gument that he does not necessarily accept, for the sake of ar-
advocatus diaboli Devil's advocate
gument and discovering the truth by testing the opponent's ar-
gument. Confer the term "arguendo".
aegri somnia a sick man's dreams Horace, Ars Poetica, 7. Loosely, "troubled dreams".
Often abbreviated to "aetat.", or more frequently further to

aetatis of age / aged "aet."; meaning "of age _ [years]" or "aged _ [years]". E. g.,
"aetatis 36" denotes being "36 years old".
Thus, "at the age of _ [years]". Appears on portraits, grave-

stones, monuments, et cetera. Usually preceded by anno
(AAS), "in the year [of his age/life] _". Sometimes shortened to
aetatis, aetat.", or even "aet. Frequently combined with Anno
of his age (followed by an
aetatis suae Domini, giving a date as both the theoretical age of Jesus Christ
ordinal number)
and the age of the decedent; e. g., Obiit anno Domini
MDCXXXVIo (tricensimo sexto), [anno] aetatis suae XXVo
(vicensimo quinto) ("he died in the 1636th year of the Lord,
[being] the 25th [year] of his age[/life]").
to set forth from false prin-

a falsis principiis proficisci Legal phrase; Cicero, De Finibus, 4.53.
ciples
Legal term from "fides" ("faith"), originating at least from Me-

affidavit he asserted
dieval Latin to denote a statement under oath.
Loosely, "even more so" or "with even stronger reason". Often

a fortiori from the stronger used to lead from a less certain proposition to a more evident
corollary.
129
More often translated as "do well whatever you do". Literally

translated, it means "do what you do"; figuratively it means
"keep going, because you are inspired or dedicated to do so".
This is the motto of several Roman Catholic schools. It was
also used by Pope St. John XXIII in the sense of "do not be
age quod agis do what you are doing
concerned with any other matter than the task in hand"; he was
allaying worry of what would become of him in the future: his
sense of "age quod agis" was "joy" regarding what is presently
occurring and "detachment" from concern of the future. (Pope
St. John XXIII, Journal of a Soul, pages 154-5)
Metaphysical and moral principle that indicates the connection

agere sequitur (esse) action follows being
of ontology, obligation, and ethics.
Latin translation from John 1: 36, when St. John the Baptist ex-
claimed "Ecce Agnus Dei!" ("Behold the Lamb of God!") upon
Agnus Dei Lamb of God seeing Jesus Christ; it refers both to the innocence of a lamb
and to Christ being a sacrificial lamb after the Jewish religious
practice.
Or, in Greek, ἀνερρίφθω κύβος anerrhíphthō kýbos; said by

Julius Caesar upon crossing the Rubicon in 49 BC, according
to Suetonius. The original meaning was similar to "the game is
alea iacta est the die has been cast afoot", but its modern meaning, like that of the phrase "cross-
ing the Rubicon", denotes passing the point of no return on a
momentous decision and entering into a risky endeavor where
the outcome is left to chance.
light [is] to be nourished Or. "let learning be cherished". The motto of Davidson Col-
alenda lux ubi orta libertas
where liberty [has] arisen. lege.
An assumed name or pseudonym; similar to alter ego, but more

alias at another time, otherwise
specifically referring to a name, not to a "second self".
Legal defense where a defendant attempts to show that he was

elsewhere at the time a crime was committed.
alibi elsewhere
His alibi is sound; he gave evidence that he was in another city
on the night of the murder.
something stands for some-

aliquid stat pro aliquo Foundational definition in semiotics
thing else
Quotation from Isaiah, 40: "But those who wait for the Lord
shall find their strength renewed, they shall mount up on wings
alis aquilae on an eagle's wings
like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk
and not grow faint."
nothing [is] heavy with Or, "nothing is heavy to those who have wings". Motto of the
alis grave nil
wings Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
130
Motto of the State of Oregon, adopted in 1987; it replaced the

she flies with her own
alis volat propriis previous state motto of "The Union", which was adopted in
wings
1957.
Term used for the university one attends or has attended. An-
other university term, matriculation, is also derived from mater.
alma mater nourishing mother The term suggests that the students are "fed" knowledge and
taken care of by the university. The term is also used for a uni-
versity's traditional school anthem.
Another self, a second persona or alias. Can be used to describe

different facets or identities of a single character, or different
alter ego another I
characters who seem representations of the same personality.
Often used of a fictional character's secret identity.
Final sentence from Aesop ascribed fable (see also Aesop's Fa-
bles) "The Frogs Who Desired a King" as appears in the collec-
alterius non sit qui suus esse let no man be another's who
tion commonly known as the "Anonymus Neveleti", in Fable
potest can be his own
21B: De ranis a Iove querentibus regem). Motto of Paracelsus.
Usually attributed to Cicero.
alterum non laedere to not wound another One of Justinian I's three basic legal precepts
Graduate or former student of a school, college, or university.

alumnus or
pupil Plural of alumnus is alumni (male). Plural of alumna is alum-
alumna
nae (female).
This translation ignores the word usque, which is an emphasis

word, so a better translation is probably from sea even unto sea.
From Psalm 72:8, "Et dominabitur a mari usque ad mare, et a
a mari usque ad mare from sea to sea
flumine usque ad terminos terrae" (KJV: "He shall have do-
minion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of
the earth"). National motto of Canada.
a sure friend in an unsure

amicus certus in re incerta Ennius, as quoted by Cicero in Laelius de Amicitia s. 64
matter
An adviser, or a person who can obtain or grant access to the

favour of a powerful group, e. g., the a Roman Curia. In current
amicus curiae friend of the court United States legal usage, an amicus curiae is a third party al-
lowed to submit a legal opinion in the form of an amicus brief
to the court.
An assertion that truth is more valuable than friendship; at-

Amicus Plato, sed magis amica Plato is my friend, but truth
tributed to Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, 1096a15 and Roger
veritas. is a better friend.
Bacon, Opus Majus, Part 1, Chapter 5.
131
An obsolete legal phrase signifying the forfeiture of the right of

amittere legem terrae to lose the law of the land
swearing in any court or cause, or to become infamous.
Motto of Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Wellesley

amat victoria curam victory favors care College Primary School, Eastbourne, New Zealand; and Victo-
ria College, St. Helier Parish, Jersey, Channel Islands.
amor Dei intellectualis intellectual love of God Baruch Spinoza
amor et melle et felle est love is rich with both honey

fecundissimus and venom
Nietzscheian alternative world view to that represented by me-

amor fati love of fate mento mori ("remember you must die"): Nietzsche believed
"amor fati" was more affirmative of life.
amor omnibus idem love is the same for all Virgil, Georgics,
amor patriae love of the fatherland Or, "love of the nation", i. e., patriotism
Inscribed on a bracelet worn by the Prioress in Chaucer's The

Canterbury Tales; originally from Virgil, Eclogues, 10, 69: om-
amor vincit omnia love conquers all
nia vincit amor: et nos cedamus amori ("love conquers all: let
us too surrender to love").
Said by Axel Oxenstierna to encourage his son, a delegate to

Do you not know, my son,
An nescis, mi fili, quantilla the negotiations that would lead to the Peace of Westphalia,
with how little wisdom the
prudentia mundus regatur? who worried about his ability to hold his own amidst experi-
world is governed?
enced and eminent statesmen and diplomats.
Used before the anglicized version of a word or name. For ex-

anglice in English
ample, "Terra Mariae, anglice, Maryland".
a mind unfettered in delib-

animus in consulendo liber Motto of NATO
eration
Also used in such phrases as anno urbis conditae (see ab urbe

anno (an.) in the year
condita), Anno Domini, and anno regni.
Abbreviated from Anno Domini Nostri Iesu Christi ("in the

year of Our Lord Jesus Christ"), the predominantly used system
for dating years across the world; used with the Gregorian Cal-
endar and based on the perceived year of the birth of Jesus
anno Domini (A.D.) in the year of the Lord Christ. The years before His birth were formerly signified by a.
C. n (ante Christum natum ("before Christ was born")), but
now use the English abbreviation "BC" ("before Christ"). For
example, Augustus was born in the year 63 BC and died in AD
14.
anno regni In the year of the reign Precedes "of" and the current ruler
132
Or, "he approves our undertakings". Motto on the reverse of the

he nods at things now be- Great Seal of the United States and, consequently, on the re-
annuit cœptis
gun verse of the United States one-dollar bill; in this context the
motto refers to God.
Recent pun on annus mirabilis, first used by Queen Elizabeth II

to describe what a bad year 1992 had been for her, and subse-
annus horribilis horrible year quently occasionally used to refer to many other years per-
ceived as "horrible". In Classical Latin, this phrase could actu-
ally mean "terrifying year". See also annus terribilis.
Used particularly to refer to the years 1665-6, during which

Isaac Newton made revolutionary inventions and discoveries in
calculus, motion, optics and gravitation. Annus Mirabilis is
also the title of a poem by John Dryden written in the same
annus mirabilis wonderful year year. It has since been used to refer to other years, especially to
1905, when Albert Einstein made equally revolutionary discov-
eries concerning the photoelectric effect, Brownian motion,
mass-energy equivalence, and the special theory of relativity.
(See Annus Mirabilis papers)
Used to describe 1348, the year the Black Death began to af-
annus terribilis dreadful year
flict Europe
As in status quo ante bellum ("as it was before the war"); com-
ante bellum before the war monly used in the Southern United States as antebellum to re-
fer to the period preceding the American Civil War.
ante cibum (a.c.) before food Medical shorthand for "before meals"
Ante faciem Domini before the face of the Lord Motto of the Christian Brothers College, Adelaide
Said of an expression or term that describes something which

existed before the phrase itself was introduced or became com-
ante litteram before the letter mon. Example: Alan Turing was a computer scientist ante
litteram, since the field of "computer science" was not yet rec-
ognized in Turing's day.
ante meridiem (a.m.) before midday From midnight to noon; confer post meridiem
ante mortem before death See post mortem ("after death")
ante omnia armari before all else, be armed
Used on pharmaceutical prescriptions to denote "before a

ante prandium (a.p.) before lunch
meal". Less common is post prandium ("after lunch").
Or, "completely"; similar to the English expressions "from tip

a pedibus usque ad caput from feet to head to toe" and "from head to toe". Equally a capite ad calcem. See
also ab ovo usque ad mala.
133
Motto of Ferdinand de Lesseps referring to the Suez and Pan-

aperire terram gentibus open the land to nations
ama Canals. Also appears on a plaque at Kinshasa train station.
"From possibility to actuality" or "from being possible to being

a posse ad esse from being able to being
actual".
Based on observation, i. e., empirical evidence; the reverse of a

priori. Used in mathematics and logic to denote something that
a posteriori from the latter
is known after a proof has been carried out. In philosophy, used
to denote something known from experience.
Textual notes or a list of other readings relating to a document,

apparatus criticus tools of a critic
especially in a scholarly edition of a text.
Presupposed independent of experience; the reverse of a

posteriori. Used in mathematics and logic to denote something
that is known or postulated before a proof has been carried out.
a priori from the former
In philosophy, used to denote something is supposed without
empirical evidence. In everyday speech, it denotes something
occurring or being known before the event.
apud in the writings of Used in scholarly works to cite a reference at second hand
aqua (aq.) water
aqua fortis strong water Refers to nitric acid
aqua pura pure water Or, "clear water" or "clean water"
Refers to a mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, thus

aqua regia royal water
called because of its ability to dissolve gold
"Spirit of Wine" in many English texts. Used to refer to various

native distilled beverages, such as whisky (uisge beatha) in
aqua vitae water of life
Scotland and Ireland, gin in the Netherlands, brandy (eau de
vie) in France, and akvavit in Scandinavia.
an eagle does not catch Or, "a noble or important person does not deal with insignifi-
aquila non capit muscas
flies cant matters"
Desiderius Erasmus, Adagia (AD 1508); meaning "wasted la-

arare litus to plough the seashore
bor"
One who prescribes, rules on, or is a recognized authority on

matters of social behavior and taste. Said of Petronius. Some-
arbiter elegantiarum judge of tastes
times found in the singular as arbiter elegantiae ("judge of
taste").
134
Originally used by Tacitus to refer to the state secrets and unac-

arcana imperii the secrets of power
countable acts of the Roman imperial government
The secret behind a good

arcanum boni tenoris animae Motto of the Starobrno Brewery in Brno
mood
An opaque circle around the cornea of the eye, often seen in el-
arcus senilis bow of an old person
derly people
arduus ad solem Striving towards the Sun Motto of Victoria University of Manchester
Also "silver coin"; mentioned in the Domesday Book; signifies

argentum album white silver
bullion or silver uncoined
Or, "for the sake of argument". Said when something is done

arguendo for arguing purely in order to discuss a matter or illustrate a point. E. g.,
"let us assume, arguendo, that your claim is correct."
Or "reasoning", "inference", "appeal", or "proof". The plural is

argumenta. Commonly used in the names of logical arguments
and fallacies, preceding phrases such as a silentio (by silence),
ad antiquitatem (to antiquity), ad baculum (to the stick), ad
captandum (to capturing), ad consequentiam (to the conse-
quence), ad crumenam (to the purse), ad feminam (to the
woman), ad hominem (to the person), ad ignorantiam (to igno-
rance), ad invidiam (to hatred - appealing to low passions), ad
argumentum argument
judicium (to judgment), ad lazarum (to poverty), ad logicam (to
logic), ad metum (to fear), ad misericordiam (to pity), ad nau-
seam (to nausea), ad novitatem (to novelty), ad personam (to
the character), ad numerum (to the number), ad odium (to
spite), ad populum (to the people), ad temperantiam (to moder-
ation), ad verecundiam (to reverence), ex silentio (from si-
lence), in terrorem (into terror), and e contrario (from/to the op-
posite).
An aesthetic ideal that good art should appear natural rather

ars celare artem art [is] to conceal art than contrived. Of medieval origin, but often incorrectly at-
tributed to Ovid.[4]
Translated into Latin from Baudelaire's "L'art pour l'art".

Motto of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. While symmetrical for the
ars gratia artis art for the sake of art
logo of MGM, the better word order in Latin is "Ars artis gra-
tia".
Seneca, De Brevitate Vitae, 1.1, translating a phrase of Hippoc-

rates that is often used out of context. The "art" referred to in
ars longa, vita brevis art is long, life is short
the original aphorism was the craft of medicine, which took a
lifetime to acquire.
135
arte et labore by art and by labour Motto of Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Motto of the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME)

arte et marte by skill and valour
Branch of the Canadian Forces
Award of the Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic for the

Artis Bohemiae Amicis Friends of Czech Arts
promotion of the positive reputation of Czech culture abroad
Desiderius Erasmus, Adagia (AD 1508); meaning "an awkward

asinus ad lyram an ass to the lyre
or incompetent individual"
Used to describe 2 persons who are lavishing excessive praise

asinus asinum fricat the jackass rubs the jackass
on one another
assecuratus non quaerit lu- the assured does not seek

Refers to the insurance principle that the indemnity can not be
crum sed agit ne in damno profit but makes [it his
larger than the loss
sit profit] that he not be in loss
astra inclinant, sed non ob- the stars incline us, they do Refers to the distinction of free will from astrological determin-
ligant not bind us ism
Used in bibliography for books, texts, publications, or articles

auctores varii various authors
that have more than 3 collaborators
auctoritas authority Level of prestige a person had in Roman society
auctoritas non veritas facit authority, not truth, makes This formula appears in the 1668 Latin revised edition of
legem law Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan, book 2, chapter 26, p. 133.
audacia pro muro et scuto boldness is our wall, action Cornelis Jol,[5] in a bid to rally his rebellious captains to fight
opus is our shield and conquer the Spanish treasure fleet in 1638.
audacter calumniare, semper slander boldly, something

Francis Bacon, De Augmentis Scientiarum (AD 1623)
aliquid haeret always sticks
audax at fidelis bold but faithful Motto of Queensland, Australia
Motto of the Canadian Special Operations Regiment [CSOR]

on their regimental coat of arms; of Otago University Students'
audeamus let us dare Association, a direct response to the university's motto of
sapere aude ("dare to be wise"); and of Champlain College in
Burlington, Vermont.
Motto of the State of Alabama, adopted in AD 1923; translated

audemus jura nostra defen- we dare to defend our into Latin from a paraphrase of the stanza "Men who their du-
dere rights ties know / But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain"
from William Jones, "What Constitutes a State?"
136
From Virgil, Aeneid, Book 10, 284, where the first word is in
the archaic form audentis. Allegedly the last words of Pliny the
Elder before he left the docks at Pompeii to rescue people from
audentes fortuna iuvat fortune favors the bold the eruption of Vesuvius in 79. Often quoted as audaces for-
tuna iuvat. Also the motto of the Portuguese Army
Commandos and the USS Montpelier (SSN-765) in the latter
form.
audere est facere to dare is to do Motto of Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Legal principle; also worded as audiatur et altera pars ("let the

audi alteram partem hear the other side
other side be heard also")
audio hostem I hear the enemy Motto of the 845 NAS Royal Navy
audi, vide, tace hear, see, be silent
From Horace's Odes, 2, 10. Refers to the ethical goal of reach-

ing a virtuous middle ground between two sinful extremes. The
aurea mediocritas golden mean
golden mean concept is common to many philosophers, chiefly
Aristotle.
From Virgil, Aeneid, Book 3, 57. Later quoted by Seneca as

auri sacra fames accursed hunger for gold quod non mortalia pectora coges, auri sacra fames ("what do
not you force mortal hearts [to do], accursed hunger for gold").
Common ancient proverb, this version from Terence. It indi-

cates that one is in a dangerous situation where both holding on
auribus teneo lupum I hold a wolf by the ears
and letting go could be deadly. A modern version is "to have a
tiger by the tail".
The Southern Lights, an aurora that appears in the Southern

Hemisphere. It is less well-known than the Northern Lights
aurora australis southern dawn
(aurorea borealis). The Aurora Australis is also the name of an
Antarctic icebreaker ship.
The Northern Lights, an aurora that appears in the Northern

aurora borealis northern dawn
Hemisphere.
Title of a distich by Iohannes Christenius (1599–1672): "Con-

veniens studiis non est nox, commoda lux est; / Luce labor bo-
dawn is a friend to the nus est et bona nocte quies." ("Night is not suitable for study-
aurora musis amica
muses ing, daylight is; / working by light is good, as is rest at night.");
in Nihus, Barthold (1642). Epigrammata disticha. Johannes
Kinckius.
Motto of the fictional Fowl Family in the Artemis Fowl series,

aurum potestas est gold is power
written by Eoin Colfer
137
Motto of the Order of St Michael and St George and of Raffles

auspicium melioris aevi hope/token of a better age
Institution in Singapore
Denotes an absolute aspiration to become the Emperor, or the

equivalent supreme magistrate, and nothing else. More gener-
ally, "all or nothing". A personal motto of Cesare Borgia.
aut Caesar aut nihil either Caesar or nothing
Charles Chaplin also used the phrase in The Great Dictator to
ridicule Hynkel's (Chaplin's parody of Hitler) ambition for
power, but substituted "nulles" for "nihil".
either by meeting or the I. e., either through reasoned discussion or through war. It was
aut consiliis aut ense
sword the first motto of Chile.
Or, "do or die" or "no retreat". A Greek expression («Ἢ τὰν ἢ

ἐπὶ τᾶς») that Spartan mothers said to their sons as they de-
either with shield or on
aut cum scuto aut in scuto parted for battle. It refers to the practices that a Greek hoplite
shield
would drop his cumbersome shield in order to flee the battle-
field, and a slain warrior would be borne home atop his shield.
Seneca the Younger, Epistulae morales ad Lucilium, 7:7. From

aut imiteris aut oderis imitate or loathe it the full phrase: "necesse est aut imiteris aut oderis" ("you must
either imitate or loathe the world").
aut neca aut necare either kill or be killed Also: "neca ne neceris" ("kill lest you be killed")
aut pax aut bellum either peace or war Motto of the Gunn Clan
aut simul stabunt aut simul they will either stand to- Said of two situations that can only occur simultaneously: if
cadent gether or fall together one ends, so does the other, and vice versa.[6]
aut viam inveniam aut I will either find a way or

Hannibal
faciam make one
General pledge of victoria aut mors ("victory or death"). Motto

of the Higgenbotham and Higginbottom families of Cheshire,
aut vincere aut mori either to conquer or to die England; participants in the War of the Roses. Also the motto
for the United States 1st Fighter Wing, Langley Air Force Base
in Virginia.
ave atque vale hail and farewell Catullus, Carmen 101, addressed to his deceased brother
ave Europa nostra vera hail Europe, our true father-

Anthem of Imperium Europa
patria land
138
From Suetonius' The Twelve Caesars, Claudius 21. A salute

and plea for mercy recorded on one occasion by naumachiarii–
Ave Imperator, morituri te Hail, Emperor! Those who captives and criminals fated to die fighting during mock naval
salutant are about to die salute you! encounters. Later versions included a variant of "We who are
about to die", and this translation is sometimes aided by chang-
ing the Latin to nos morituri te salutamus.
Roman Catholic prayer of intercession asking St. Mary, the

Ave Maria Hail, Mary
Mother of Jesus Christ to pray for the petitioner
ave mater Angliae Hail, Mother of England Motto of Canterbury, England
B
barba crescit
beard grows, head doesn't grow wiser
caput nescit
barba non facit

a beard doesn't make one a philosopher
philosophum
barba tenus sa- Wise only in appearance. From Erasmus's collection of

wise as far as the beard
pientes Adages.
A common name in the Roman Catholic Church for Mary, the

Beata Virgo mother of Jesus. The genitive, Beatae Mariae Virginis (BMV),
Blessed Virgin Mary
Maria (BVM) occurs often as well, appearing with such words as horae
(hours), litaniae (litanies) and officium (office).
beatae memoriae of blessed memory See in memoriam
A Beatitude from Matthew 5:3 in the Vulgate: beati pauperes

beati pauperes
Blessed in spirit [are] the poor. spiritu, quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum "Blessed in
spiritu
spirit [are] the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens".
beati possidentes blessed [are] those who possess Translated from Euripides
beati qui ambu- Blessed are they who walk in the law of Inscription above the entrance to St. Andrew's Church (New
lant lege domini the Lord York City), based on Psalm 119:1
139
beatus homo qui

from Proverbs 3:13; set to music in a 1577 motet of the same
invenit blessed is the man who finds wisdom
name by Orlando di Lasso.
sapientiam
Bella, mulier qui

hominum allicit War, a woman who lures men and takes Latin proverb[citation needed]
et accipit eos per them by force
fortis
Originally from Ovid, Heroides 13.84,[7] where Laodamia is

writing to her husband Protesilaus who is at the Trojan War.
She begs him to stay out of danger, but he was in fact the first
bella gerant alii Let others wage war
Greek to die at Troy. Also used of the Habsburg marriages of
Protesilaus amet! Protesilaus should love!
1477 and 1496, written as bella gerant alii, tu felix Austria
nube (let others wage war; you, happy Austria, marry). Said by
King Matthias.
bella detesta
war hateful to mothers from Horace
matribus
bello et jure
I grow old through war and law Motto of the House of d'Udekem d'Acoz (nl)
senesco
bellum omnium A phrase used by Thomas Hobbes to describe the state of na-
war of all against all
contra omnes ture
bellum se ipsum
war feeds itself
alet
Tradition of biblical pictures displaying the essential facts of

Biblia pauperum Paupers' Bible
Christian salvation
bibo ergo sum I drink, therefore I am A play on "cogito ergo sum", "I think therefore I am"
bis dat qui cito

he gives twice, who gives promptly A gift given without hesitation is as good as two gifts.
dat
bis in die (bid) twice in a day Medical shorthand for "twice a day"
In other words, "well-intentioned", "fairly". In modern con-

texts, often has connotations of "genuinely" or "sincerely".
bona fide in good faith Bona fides is not the plural (which would be bonis fidebus), but
the nominative, and means simply "good faith". Opposite of
mala fide.
140
In law, if a person dying has goods, or good debts, in another

diocese or jurisdiction within that province, besides his goods
bona notabilia note-worthy goods in the diocese where he dies, amounting to a certain minimum
value, he is said to have bona notabilia; in which case, the pro-
bat of his will belongs to the archbishop of that province.
A nation's offer to mediate in disputes between two other na-

bona officia good services
tions
bona patria goods of a country A jury or assize of countrymen, or good neighbors
United Kingdom legal term for ownerless property that passes

bona vacantia vacant goods
to The Crown
boni pastoris est

it is a good shepherd's [job] to shear his Tiberius reportedly said this to his regional commanders, as a
tondere pecus
flock, not to flay them warning against taxing the populace excessively.
non deglubere
bono malum
Overcome evil with good Motto of Westonbirt School
superate
Or "general welfare". Refers to what benefits a society, as op-

posed to bonum commune hominis, which refers to what is
bonum commune good for an individual. In the film Hot Fuzz, this phrase is
common good of the community
communitatis chanted by an assembled group of people, in which context it
is deliberately similar to another phrase that is repeated
throughout the film, which is The Greater Good.
Refers to an individual's happiness, which is not "common" in

bonum commune
common good of a man that it serves everyone, but in that individuals tend to be able to
hominis
find happiness in similar things.
boreas domus, the North is our home, the sea is our

Motto of Orkney
mare amicus friend
Used to indicate either an empty threat, or a judgement at law

brutum fulmen harmless (or inert) thunderbolt
which has no practical effect
John of Cornwall (ca. 1170) was once asked by a scribe what

the word meant. It turns out that the original text said in diebus
illis magnis plenae (in those days there were plenty of great
things), which the scribe misread as indie busillis magnis
busillis (it) baffling puzzle, thorny problem plenae (in India there were plenty of large busillis). This
mondegreen has since entered the literature; it occurs in
Alessandro Manzoni's novel The Betrothed (1827), in
Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov (1880), and in Andrea
Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano series.
141
C
Cacoēthes[8] "bad habit", or medically, "malignant

disease" is a borrowing of Greek kakóēthes.[9] The
phrase is derived from a line in the Satires of
cacoethes scribendi insatiable desire to write
Juvenal: Tenet insanabile multos scribendi
cacoethes, or "the incurable desire (or itch) for writ-
ing affects many". See hypergraphia.
Used by the Romans to describe the aftermath of the

cadavera vero innumera truly countless bodies
Battle of the Catalaunian Plains.
Supposed statement by Abbot Arnaud Amalric be-

fore the massacre of Béziers during the Albigensian
Caedite eos. Novit enim Kill them all. For the Lord knows those
Crusade, recorded 30 years later, according to Cae-
Dominus qui sunt eius. who are his.
sarius of Heisterbach. cf. "Kill them all and let God
sort them out."
Hexameter by Horace (Epistula XI).[10] Seneca

Caelum non animum mu- Those who hurry across the sea change
shortens it to Animum debes mutare, non caelum
tant qui trans mare cur- the sky [upon them], not their souls or
(You must change [your] disposition, not [your]
runt state of mind
sky) in his Letter to Lucilium XXVIII, 1.
Caesar non supra Caesar has no authority over the gram- Political power is limited; it does not include power
grammaticos marians over grammar.[11]
caetera desunt the rest is missing Caetera is Medieval Latin spelling for cētera.
calix meus inebrians my cup making me drunk
calamus gladio fortior The pen is mightier than the sword
An optical device used in drawing, and an ancestor

camera obscura dark chamber of modern photography. The source of the word
camera.
Perfectly correct latin sentence usually reported as

funny from modern Italians because the same exact
Cane Nero magna bella
Tell, oh Nero, of the great wars of Persia words, in today's dialect of Rome, mean "A black
Persica
dog eats a beautiful peach", which has a ridicu-
lously different meaning.
142
canes pugnaces war dogs or fighting dogs
Refers to a situation where nobody is safe from any-

canis canem edit dog eats dog
body, each man for himself.
From Augustine, De Trinitate XIV, 8.11: Mens eo

ipso imago Dei est quo eius capax est,[12] "The
capax Dei capable of receiving God
mind is the image of God, in that it is capable of
Him and can be partaker of Him."
Capability of achieving goals by force of many in-

capax infiniti holding the infinite
stead of a single individual.
So aggrandized as to be beyond practical (earthly)

reach or understanding (from Virgil's Aeneid and
caput inter nubila (condit) (she plunges) [her] head in the clouds
the shorter form appears in John Locke's Two Trea-
tises of Government)
Originally an alchemical reference to the dead head

caput mortuum dead head or worthless residue left over from a reaction. Also
used to refer to a freeloader or worthless element.
It implies a command to love as Christ loved. Motto

Caritas Christi The love of Christ of St. Francis Xavier High School located in West
Meadowlark Park, Edmonton.
Caritas in Veritate Charity in Truth Pope Benedict XVI's third encyclical.
An exhortation to live for today. From Horace,

Odes I, 11.8. Carpere refers to plucking of flowers
carpe diem seize the day
or fruit. The phrase collige virgo rosas has a similar
sense.
An exhortation to make good use of the night, often

used when carpe diem, q.v., would seem absurd,
carpe noctem seize the night e.g., when observing a deep-sky object or conduct-
ing a Messier marathon or engaging in social activi-
ties after sunset.
carpe vinum seize the wine
143
The Roman senator Cato the Elder ended every

speech after the Second Punic War with ceterum
censeo Carthaginem esse delendam, literally "For
the rest, I am of the opinion that Carthage is to be
Carthago delenda est Carthage must be destroyed destroyed." Before the ratification of the Treaty of
Lisbon in the European Parliament, Daniel Hannan
ended all his speeches in a similar way with Pactio
Olisipiensis censenda est "The Treaty of Lisbon
must be put to a referendum".
Or, "[Comedy/Satire] criticises customs through hu-

mour", is a phrase coined by French New Latin poet
castigat ridendo mores One corrects customs by laughing at them Jean-Baptiste de Santeul (1630–1697), but some-
times wrongly attributed to his contemporary
Molière or to Roman lyric poet Horace.
Refers to an incident that is the justification or case

casus belli event of war
for war.
causa latet, vis est The cause is hidden, but the result is well Ovid: Metamorphoses IV, 287; motto of Alpha
notissima known. Sigma Phi.
causa mortis cause of death
especially used by Doctors of Medicine, when they

want to warn each other (e.g.: "cave nephrolithia-
ses" in order to warn about side effects of an
cave beware!
uricosuric). Spoken aloud in some British public
schools by pupils to warn each other of impending
authority.
Earliest written example is in the Satyricon of Pe-

cave canem Beware of the dog
tronius, circa 1st century C.E.
The purchaser is responsible for checking whether

the goods suit his need. Phrases modeled on this one
caveat emptor let the buyer beware
replace emptor with lector, subscriptor, venditor,
utilitor: "reader", "signer", "seller", "user".
It is a counter to caveat emptor and suggests that

sellers can also be deceived in a market transaction.
caveat venditor let the seller beware This forces the seller to take responsibility for the
product and discourages sellers from selling prod-
ucts of unreasonable quality.
144
"Let military power yield to civilian power", Cicero,

cedant arma togae let arms yield to the gown De Officiis I:77. Former motto of the Territory of
Wyoming. See also Toga
cedere nescio I Know Not How To Yield Motto of HMAS Norman
Motto of United States Marine Corps Reconnais-

sance Units - especially USMC FORCE RECON
units - the Force Reconnaissance companies, also
known as FORCE RECON, are one of the United
States Marine Corps Special Operations Capable
Celer - Silens - Mortalis Swift-Silent-Deadly forces (SOC) that provide essential elements of mil-
itary intelligence to the command element of the
Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF); sup-
porting their task force commanders, and their sub-
ordinate operating units of the Fleet Marine Force
(FMF).
Or simply "faster than cooking asparagus". A vari-

celerius quam asparagi more swiftly than asparagus [stem]s are ant of the Roman phrase velocius quam asparagi
cocuntur cooked coquantur, using a different adverb and an alterna-
tive mood and spelling of coquere.
In law, it is a return made by the sheriff, upon a

capias, or other process to the like purpose; signify-
cepi corpus I have taken the body
ing, that he has taken the body of the party. See also
habeas corpus.
Or "... if it can be rendered certain." Often used in

certum est quod certum it is certain, whatever can be rendered law when something is not known, but can be ascer-
reddi potest certain tained (e.g. the purchase price on a sale which is to
be determined by a third-party valuer)
A rule of law becomes ineffective when the reason

cessante ratione legis when the reason for the law ceases, the
for its application has ceased to exist or does not
cessat ipsa lex law itself ceases
correspond to the reality anymore. By Gratian.
cetera desunt the rest are missing Also spelled "caetera desunt".
That is, disregarding or eliminating extraneous fac-

ceteris paribus all other things being equal
tors in a situation.
charta pardonationis se The form of a pardon for killing another man in

a paper of pardon to defend oneself
defendendo self-defence (see manslaughter).
charta pardonationis The form of a pardon of a man who is outlawed.

a paper of pardon to the outlaw
utlagariae Also called perdonatio utlagariae.
Christianos ad leones [Throw the] Christians to the lions!
145
Christo et Doctrinae For Christ and Learning The motto of Furman University.
title of volume I, book 5, chapter XI of Les Misé-

Christus nos liberavit Christ has freed us
rables by Victor Hugo.
Christus Rex Christ the King A Christian title for Jesus.
In the sense of "approximately" or "about". Usually

circa (c.) or (ca.) around
used of a date.
circulus in probando circle made in testing [a premise] Circular reasoning. Similar term to circulus vitiosus.
In logic, begging the question, a fallacy involving

the presupposition of a proposition in one of the
circulus vitiosus vicious circle premises (see petitio principii). In science, a posi-
tive feedback loop. In economics, a counterpart to
the virtuous circle.
citius altius fortius faster, higher, stronger Motto of the modern Olympics.
A writ whereby the king of England could com-

clamea admittenda in mand the justice to admit one's claim by an attor-
itinere per atturnatum ney, who being employed in the king's service, can-
not come in person.
clarere audere gaudere [be] bright, daring, joyful Motto of the Geal family.
A legal action for trespass to land; so called, be-

cause the writ demands the person summoned to an-
clausum fregit
swer wherefore he broke the close (quare clausum
fregit), i.e., why he entered the plaintiff's land.
claves Sancti Petri the keys of Saint Peter A symbol of the Papacy.
The means of discovering hidden or mysterious

clavis aurea golden key meanings in texts, particularly applied in theology
and alchemy.
In law, a writ directed to the bishop, for the admit-

clerico admittendo for being made a clerk ting a clerk to a benefice upon a ne admittas, tried,
and found for the party who procures the writ.
In law, a writ for the delivery of a clerk out of

clerico capto per statutum
prison, who is imprisoned upon the breach of statute
mercatorum
merchant.
146
In law, a writ for the delivery of a clerk to his ordi-

clerico convicto commisso
nary, that was formerly convicted of felony; by rea-
gaolae in defectu ordinarii
son that his ordinary did not challenge him accord-
deliberando
ing to the privilege of clerks.
clerico intra sacros In law, a writ directed to the bailiffs, etc., that have
ordines constituto non thrust a bailiwick or beadleship upon one in holy or-
eligendo in officium ders; charging them to release him.
The official code of canon law in the Roman Catho-

Codex Iuris Canonici Book of Canon Law
lic Church (cf. Corpus Iuris Canonici).
Cogitationis poenam nemo "No one suffers punishment for mere in- A Latin legal phrase. See, State v Taylor, 47 Or 455,
patitur tent." 84 P 82.
A rationalistic argument used by French philoso-

cogito ergo sum I think, therefore I am. pher René Descartes to attempt to prove his own ex-
istence.
Aborting sexual intercourse prior to ejaculation—

coitus interruptus interrupted congress the only permitted form of birth control in some re-
ligions.
A medical euphemism for the doggy-style sexual

coitus more ferarum congress in the way of beasts
position.
collige virgo rosas pick, girl, the roses
It is frequently abbreviated comb. nov.. It is used in

combinatio nova new combination the life sciences literature when a new name is in-
troduced, e.g. Klebsiella granulomatis comb. nov..
One year with another; on an average. "Common"

communibus annis in common years here does not mean "ordinary", but "common to
every situation"
A term frequently used among philosophical and

other writers, implying some medium, or mean rela-
communibus locis in common places tion between several places; one place with another;
on a medium. "Common" here does not mean "ordi-
nary", but "common to every situation"
prevailing doctrine, generally accepted view (in an

academic field), scientific consensus; originally
communis opinio common opinion
communis opinio doctorum, "common opinion of
the doctors"
147
Describes someone of sound mind. Sometimes used

ironically. Also a legal principle, non compos
compos mentis in control of the mind
mentis (not in control of one's faculties), used to de-
scribe an insane person.
concilio et labore by wisdom and effort Motto of the city of Manchester.
concordia cum veritate in harmony with truth Motto of the University of Waterloo
Motto of Montreal. It is also the Bank of Montreal

concordia salus well-being through harmony
coat of arms and motto.
concordia parvae res

small things grow in harmony Motto of Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood
crescunt
They condemn what they do not under-

condemnant quod non in- stand or The quod here is ambiguous: it may be the relative
tellegunt They condemn because they do not un- pronoun or a conjunction.
derstand
A required, indispensable condition. Commonly

mistakenly rendered with conditio ("seasoning" or
condicio sine qua non condition without which not
"preserving") in place of condicio ("arrangement" or
"condition").
Motto of Peterhouse Boys' School and Peterhouse

conditur in petra it is founded on the rock
Girls' School
The abbreviation cf. is used in text to suggest a

confer (cf.)[14][15] compare
comparison with something else (cf. citation signal).
The official name of Switzerland, hence the use of

Confoederatio Helvetica "CH" for its ISO country code, ".ch" for its Internet
Helvetian Confederation
(C.H.) domain, and "CHF" for the ISO three-letter abbrevi-
ation of its currency, the Swiss franc.
Congregatio Sanctissimi Congregation of the Most Holy Re-

Redemptorists
Redemptoris C.Ss.R deemer
Or "with united powers". Sometimes rendered con-

coniunctis viribus with connected strength junctis viribus. Motto of Queen Mary, University of
London.
consensu with consent
148
Where there are no specific laws, the matter should

be decided by custom;[16] established customs have
consuetudo pro lege the force of laws.[17] Also consuetudo est altera lex
Custom is held as law.
servatur (custom is another law) and consuetudo vincit
communem legem (custom overrules the common
law); see also: Consuetudinary.
The last words of Jesus on the cross in the Latin

consummatum est It is completed.
translation of John 19:30.
Despising the secular world. The monk or philoso-

contemptus mundi/saeculi scorn for the world/times pher's rejection of a mundane life and worldly val-
ues.
Offensive to the conscience and to a sense of jus-

contra bonos mores against good morals
tice.
Especially in civil law jurisdictions, said of an un-

derstanding of a statute that directly contradicts its
contra legem against the law
wording and thus is neither valid by interpretation
nor by analogy.
In contract law, the doctrine of contractual interpre-

tation which provides that an ambiguous term will
contra proferentem against the proferror be construed against the party that imposed its in-
clusion in the contract – or, more accurately, against
the interests of the party who imposed it.
Title of a poem by Lesya Ukrainka; also used in the

contra spem spero I hope against hope
Pentateuch with reference to Abraham the Patriarch.
contra vim mortis non

No herb (or sage) grows in the gardens there is no medicine against death; from various
crescit herba (or salvia) in
against the power of death medieval medicinal texts
hortis
A thing or idea that would embody a contradiction,

contradictio in terminis contradiction in terms for example, payment for a gift, or a circle with cor-
ners. The fallacy of proposing such a thing.
contra principia negantem there can be no debate with those who Debate is fruitless when you don't agree on common
non est disputandum deny the foundations rules, facts, presuppositions.
From Augustine's Confessions, referring to a pre-

scribed method of prayer: having a "heart to heart"
cor ad cor loquitur heart speaks to heart with God. Commonly used in reference to a later
quote by Cardinal John Henry Newman. A motto of
Newman Clubs.
149
(Your choice is between) The Heart (Moral Values,

cor aut mors Heart or Death Duty, Loyalty) or Death (to no longer matter, to no
longer be respected as person of integrity.)
cor meum tibi offero do- my heart I offer to you Lord promptly John Calvin's personal motto, also adopted by Cal-
mine prompte et sincere and sincerely vin College
A popular school motto. Often used as names for re-

cor unum one heart ligious and other organisations such as the Pontifi-
cal Council Cor Unum.
A phrase from Christian theology which summa-

rizes the idea of Christians living in the Presence of,
coram Deo in the Presence of God
under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of
God.
coram nobis, coram vobis in our presence, in your presence Two kinds of writs of error.
coram populo in the presence of the people Thus, openly.
coram publico in view of the public
The name of a feast in the Roman Catholic Church

commemorating the Eucharist. It is also the name of
Corpus Christi Body of Christ a city in Texas, Corpus Christi, Texas, the name of
Colleges at Oxford and Cambridge universities, and
a controversial play.
The fact that a crime has been committed, a neces-

sary factor in convicting someone of having com-
corpus delicti body of the offence
mitted that crime; if there was no crime, there can
not have been a criminal.
The official compilation of canon law in the Roman

Corpus Iuris Canonici Body of Canon Law
Catholic Church (cf. Codex Iuris Canonici).
Corpus Iuris Civilis Body of Civil Law The body of Roman or civil law.
A person or thing fit only to be the object of an ex-

corpus vile worthless body periment, as in the phrase 'Fiat experimentum in
corpore vili.'
corrigenda things to be corrected
corruptio optimi pessima the corruption of the best is the worst
corruptissima re publica When the republic is at its most corrupt

Tacitus
plurimae leges the laws are most numerous
150
corvus oculum corvi non a raven does not pick out an eye of an-
eruit other raven
Motto of the fictional Mayor's office in The Simp-

corruptus in extremis corrupt to the extreme
sons
The refrain from the 'Pervigilium Veneris', a poem

which describes a three-day holiday in the cult of
cras amet qui nunquam May he who has never loved before, love
Venus, located somewhere in Sicily, involving the
amavit; quique amavit, tomorrow; And may he who has loved,
whole town in religious festivities joined with a
cras amet love tomorrow as well
deep sense of nature and Venus as the "procreatrix",
the life-giving force behind the natural world.
As "The Future is Ours", motto of San Jacinto

cras es noster Tomorrow, be ours
College, Texas
A concept about creation, often used in a theologi-

cal or philosophical context. Also known as the
creatio ex nihilo creation out of nothing
'First Cause' argument in philosophy of religion.
Contrasted with creatio ex materia.
The first words of the Nicene Creed and the

Credo in Unum Deum I Believe in One God
Apostles' Creed.
A very common misquote of Tertullian's et mortuus

est Dei Filius prorsus credibile quia ineptum est
(and the Son of God is dead: in short, it is credible
because it is unfitting), meaning that it is so absurd
to say that God's son has died that it would have to
be a matter of belief, rather than reason. The mis-
credo quia absurdum est I believe it because it is absurd quoted phrase, however, is commonly used to mock
the dogmatic beliefs of the religious (see fideism).
This phrase is commonly shortened to credo quia
absurdum, and is also sometimes rendered credo
quia impossibile est (I believe it because it is impos-
sible) or, as Darwin used it in his autobiography,
credo quia incredibile.
crescamus in Illo per

May we grow in Him through all things Motto of Cheverus High School.
omnia
crescat scientia vita exco-

let knowledge grow, let life be enriched Motto of the University of Chicago.
latur
crescente luce Light ever increasing Motto of James Cook University.
crescit cum commercio

Civilization prospers with commerce Motto of Claremont McKenna College.
civitas
151
State motto of New Mexico, adopted in 1887 as the

territory's motto, and kept in 1912 when New Mex-
ico received statehood. Originally from Lucretius'
crescit eundo it grows as it goes
De rerum natura book VI, where it refers in context
to the motion of a thunderbolt across the sky, which
acquires power and momentum as it goes.
while I live, I trust in the cross, Whilst I Motto of the Sisters of Loreto (IBVM) and its asso-
cruci dum spiro fido
trust in the Cross I have life ciated schools.
cucullus non facit William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Scene I, Act

The hood does not make the monk
monachum V 48–50
"Who benefits?" An adage in criminal investigation

which suggests that considering who would benefit
from an unwelcome event is likely to reveal who is
cui bono Good for whom? responsible for that event (cf. cui prodest). Also the
motto of the Crime Syndicate of America, a fic-
tional supervillain group. The opposite is cui malo
(Bad for whom?).
Short for cui prodest scelus is fecit (for whom the

crime advances, he has done it) in Seneca's Medea.
cui prodest for whom it advances
Thus, the murderer is often the one who gains by
the murder (cf. cui bono).
cuique suum to each his own
First coined by Accursius of Bologna in the 13th

cuius est solum, eius est century. A Roman legal principle of property law
Whose the land is, all the way to the sky
usque ad coelum et ad in- that is no longer observed in most situations today.
and to the underworld is his.
feros Less literally, "For whosoever owns the soil, it is
theirs up to the sky and down to the depths."
The privilege of a ruler to choose the religion of his

subjects. A regional prince's ability to choose his
cuius regio, eius religio whose region, his religion
people's religion was established at the Peace of
Augsburg in 1555.
cuiusvis hominis est

errare, nullius nisi Anyone can err, but only the fool persists
Cicero, Philippica XII, 5.
insipientis in errore in his fault
perseverare.
Also "blame" or "guilt". In law, an act of neglect. In

culpa fault
general, guilt, sin, or a fault. See also mea culpa.
152
From the Bible. Occurs in Matthew 26:47 and Luke

cum gladiis et fustibus with swords and clubs
22:52.
cum gladio et sale with sword and salt Motto of a well-paid soldier. See salary.
cum grano salis with a grain of salt Not to be taken too seriously or as the literal truth.
Fallacy of assuming that correlation implies causa-

cum hoc ergo propter hoc with this, therefore on account of this
tion.
The standard formula for academic Latin honors in

cum laude with praise the United States. Greater honors include magna
cum laude and summa cum laude.
cum mortuis in lingua Movement from Pictures at an Exhibition by

with the dead in a dead language
mortua Modest Mussorgsky
Copyright notice used in 16th-century England,

cum privilegio ad
with the exclusive right to print used for comic effect in The Taming of the Shrew
imprimendum solum
by William Shakespeare
cuncti adsint meritaeque let all come who by merit deserve the
Motto of University College London.
expectent praemia palmae most reward
From the Bible, locution indicating a will to death

cupio dissolvi desire to be dissolved
("I want to die").
The question attributed to Anselm in his work of by

this name, wherein he reflects on why the Christ of
cur Deus Homo Why the God-Man
Christianity must be both fully Divine and fully Hu-
man. Often translated "why did God become Man?"
Motto of Georgetown University School of Medi-

cura personalis care for the whole person
cine and University of Scranton.
An exhortation to physicians, or experts in general,

cura te ipsum take care of your own self to deal with their own problems before addressing
those of others.
An overview of a person's life and qualifications,

curriculum vitae course of life
similar to a résumé.
custodi civitatem, Domine guard the city, O Lord Motto of the City of Westminster.
custos morum keeper of morals A censor.
cygnis insignis distinguished by its swans Motto of Western Australia.
cygnus inter anates swan among ducks
153
da Deus fortunae God give fortune/happiness A traditional greeting of Czech brewers.
Also da mihi facta, dabo tibi ius (plural "facta" (facts) for the
singular "factum"). A legal principle of Roman law that parties
da mihi factum,
give me the fact, I will give you the law to a suit should present the facts and the judge will rule on the
dabo tibi ius
law that governs them. Related to iura novit curia (the court
knows the law).
Paraphrase of Quintilianus, De Institutione Oratoria, Book 10,

Chapter 1, 26:
• Modesto tamen et circumspecto iudicio de tantis viris
pronuntiandum est, ne, quod plerisque accidit, dam-
nent quae non intellegunt.
damnant quod They condemn what they do not under-
◦ Yet students must pronounce with diffi-
non intellegunt stand
dence and circumspection on the merits of
such illustrious characters, lest, as is the
case with many, they condemn what they
do not understand. (translated by Rev.
John Selby Watson)
damnatio ad
condemnation to [the] beasts Colloquially, "thrown to the lions".
bestias
The ancient Roman custom by which it was pretended that dis-

damnatio memo-
damnation of memory graced Romans, especially former emperors), never existed, by
riae
eliminating all records and likenesses of them.
Meaning a loss that results from no one's wrongdoing. In Ro-

man law, a person is not responsible for unintended, conse-
damnum absque
damage without injury quential injury to another that results from a lawful act. This
injuria
protection does not necessarily apply to unintended damage
caused by one's negligence or folly.
dat deus incre-

mentum or
God gives growth Motto of several schools.
deus dat
incrementum
data venia with due respect / given the excuse Used before disagreeing with someone.
154
datum perficie- We shall accomplish the mission as- Motto of Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais (BOPE),
mus munus signed Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In law, a de bene esse deposition is used to preserve the testi-

de bene esse as well done mony of a witness who is expected not to be available to appear
at trial and be cross-examined.
de bonis In law, trespass de bonis asportatis was the traditional name for
carrying goods away
asportatis larceny, i.e., the unlawful theft of chattels (moveable goods).
Used in genealogical records, often abbreviated as d.s.p., to in-

decessit sine prole died without issue
dicate a person who died without having had any children.
Used in genealogical records, often abbreviated as d.s.p.l., to

decessit sine prole
died without legitimate issue indicate a person who died without having had any children
legitima
with a spouse.
decessit sine prole Used in genealogical records, often abbreviated as d.s.p.m., to

mascula died without surviving male issue indicate a person who died without having had any male chil-
superstite dren who survived, i.e., outlived, him.
Used in genealogical records in cases of nobility or other he-

decessit sine prole reditary titles, often abbreviated as d.s.p.m.l. or d.s.p.m. legit, to
died without legitimate male issue
mascula legitima indicate a person who died without having had any legitimate
male children (indicating there were illegitimate male children)
Used in genealogical records, often abbreviated as d.s.p.s., to

decessit sine prole
died without surviving issue indicate a person who died without having had any children
superstite
who survived, i.e., outlived him.
decessit vita Used in genealogical records, often abbreviated as d.v.m., to in-

died in the lifetime of the mother
matris dicate a person who predeceased his mother.
decessit vita Used in genealogical records, often abbreviated as d.v.p., to in-

died in the lifetime of the father
patris dicate a person who predeceased his father.
A phrase from the Aeneid of Virgil. Inscription on British one-

pound coins. Originally inscribed on coins of the 17th century,
decus et tutamen an ornament and a safeguard
it refers to the inscribed edge of the coin as a protection against
the clipping of its precious metal.
Used, e.g., in "as we agreed in the meeting d.d. 26th May

de dato of the date
2006".
155
Said of something that is the actual state of affairs, in contrast

to something's legal or official standing, which is described as
de facto by deed de jure. De facto refers to "the way things really are" rather
than what is officially presented as the fact of the matter in
question.
de praescientia from/through the foreknowledge of

Motto of the Worshipful Company of Barbers.
Dei God
defendit numerus there is safety in numbers
A clerk of a court makes this declaration when he is appointed,

de fideli with faithfulness by which he promises to perform his duties faithfully as a serv-
ant of the court.
de fideli Describes an oath taken to faithfully administer the duties of a

of faithful administration
administratione job or office, like that taken by a court reporter.[18]
de futuro regarding the future Usually used in the context of "at a future time".
Less literally, "there is no accounting for taste", because they

are judged subjectively and not objectively: everyone has his
de gustibus non own and none deserve preminence. The complete phrase is "de
of tastes there is nothing to be disputed
est disputandum gustibus et coloribus non est disputandum" ("when we talk
about tastes and colours there is nothing to be disputed"). Prob-
ably of Scholastic origin; see Wiktionary.
Also Dei Gratia Rex ("By the Grace of God, King"). Abbrevi-
Dei Gratia
By the Grace of God, Queen ated as D G REG preceding Fidei Defensor (F D) on British
Regina
pound coins, and as D G Regina on Canadian coins.
de integro again, a second time
"Official", in contrast with de facto; analogous to "in princi-

de jure by law ple", whereas de facto is to "in practice". In other contexts, it
can mean "according to law", "by right", and "legally".
de lege ferenda of/from law to be passed
of/from law passed / of/from law in

de lege lata
force
A court does not care about small, trivial things. A case must
de minimis non The law does not care about the small-
have some importance in order for a court to hear it. See "de
curat lex est things.
minimis non curat praetor".
156
Also, "the chief magistrate does not concern himself with tri-
fles." Trivial matters are no concern of a high official; cf.
de minimis non the commander does not care about the aquila non capit muscas (the eagle does not catch flies). Some-
curat praetor smallest things. times rex (king) or lex (law) is used in place of praetor. De
minimis is a legal phrase referring to things unworthy of the
law's attention.
de mortuis aut Less literally, "speak well of the dead or not at all"; cf. de
about the dead, either well or nothing
bene aut nihil mortuis nil nisi bonum.
From de mortuis nil nisi bonum dicendum est ("nothing must be

said about the dead except the good"), attributed by Diogenes
de mortuis nil nisi about the dead, nothing unless a good Laërtius to Chilon. In legal contexts, this quotation is used with
bonum thing the opposite meaning: defamation of a deceased person is not a
crime. In other contexts, it refers to taboos against criticizing
the recently deceased.
Thus: "their story is our story". Originally it referred to the end

de nobis fabula
about us is the story told of Rome's dominance. Now often used when comparing any
narratur
current situation to a past story or event.
"Anew" or "afresh". In law, a trial de novo is a retrial. In biol-

ogy, de novo means newly synthesized, and a de novo mutation
is a mutation that neither parent possessed or transmitted. In
de novo from the new
economics, de novo refers to newly founded companies, and de
novo banks are state banks that have been in operation for five
years or less. (Cf. ex novo)
The Italian scholar Giovanni Pico della Mirandola of the 15th

de omni re scibili
about every knowable thing, and even century wrote the De omni re scibili ("concerning every knowa-
et quibusdam
certain other things ble thing") part, and a wag added et quibusdam aliis ("and even
aliis
certain other things").
Attributed to the French philosopher René Descartes. It was

de omnibus dubi- be suspicious of everything / doubt
also Karl Marx's favorite motto and a title of one of Søren
tandum everything
Kierkegaard's works, namely, De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.
Loosely, "to liberate the oppressed". Motto of the United States

de oppresso liber free from having been oppressed
Army Special Forces.[19]
Meaning from out of the depths of misery or dejection. From

de profundis from the depths the Latin translation of the Vulgate Bible of Psalm 130, of
which it is a traditional title in Roman Catholic liturgy.
In logic, de dicto statements regarding the truth of a proposition

de re about/regarding the matter are distinguished from de re statements regarding the properties
of a thing itself.
157
Official motto of the United States Air Force Security Forces

Defensor Fortis Defender of the Force
(Security Police).
Part of the full style of a monarch historically considered to be

Dei gratia By the grace of God ruling by divine right, notably in the style of the English and
British monarch since 1521
Dei sub numine Motto of Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United
under God's Spirit she flourishes
viget States.
In Catholic theology, pleasure taken in a sinful thought or im-

agination, such as brooding on sexual images. As voluntary and
delectatio morosa peevish delight
complacent erotic fantasizing, without attempt to suppress such
thoughts, it is distinct from actual sexual desire.
A legal principle whereby one to whom certain powers were

delegata potestas
delegated powers can not be [further] delegated may not ipso facto re-delegate them to another. A
non potest
delegated distinction may be had between delegated powers and the addi-
delegari
tional power to re-delegate them.
A Latin translation of René Goscinny's phrase in French ils

delirant isti Rom-
they are mad, those Romans[!] sont fous, ces romains! or Italian Sono pazzi questi Romani. Cf.
ani
SPQR, which Obelix frequently used in the Asterix comics.
Deo ac veritati for God and for truth Motto of Colgate University.
Deo confidimus in God we trust Motto of Somerset College.
Deo domuique For God and for home Motto of Methodist Ladies' College, Melbourne.
Motto of Regis High School in New York City, New York,

Deo et patriae For God and country
United States.
A frequent phrase in the Roman Catholic liturgy, especially af-

ter the recitation of the first and second readings at Holy Mass
Deo gratias Thanks [be] to God
in the Ordinary Form and after the recitation of the first reading
and the final gospel (of St. John) in the Extraordinary Form.
Motto of Monaco and its monarch, which is inscribed on the

Deo juvante with God's help
royal arms.
Deo non fortuna by God, not fortune/luck Motto of the Epsom College in Surrey, England.
Deo optimo ma- Derived from the pagan Iupiter optimo maximo ("to the best
To the best and greatest God
ximo (DOM) and greatest Jupiter"). Printed on bottles of Bénédictine liqueur.
Deo patriae
For God, country, [and] learning Motto of Scotch College (Melbourne).
litteris
158
This was often used in conjunction with a signature at the end

of letters. It was used in order to signify that "God willing" this
letter will get to you safely, "God willing" the contents of this
letter come true. As an abbreviation (simply "D.V.") it is often
found in personal letters (in English) of the early 1900s, em-
Deo volente God willing
ployed to generally and piously qualify a given statement about
a future planned action, that it will be carried out, so long as
God wills (see James 4:13-15, which encourages this way of
speaking). The motto of Southern Illinois University-Carbon-
dale.
descensus in Down the rabbit hole. See Alice's Adventures in Wonder-

The descent into the cave of the rabbit
cuniculi cavum land#Famous lines and expressions.
desiderantes From Hebrews 11: 16. Adopted as the motto of the Order of
they desired a better land
meliorem patriam Canada.
Title and first words of the first encyclical of Pope Benedict

Deus Caritas Est God Is Love
XVI. For other meanings see Deus caritas est (disambiguation).
From the Greek ἀπὸ μηχανῆς θεός (apò mēchanēs theós). A

contrived or artificial solution, usually to a literary plot. Refers
to the practice in Greek drama of lowering by crane (the
deus ex machina a god from a machine
mechanê) an actor playing a god or goddess onto the stage to
resolve an insuperable conflict in the plot. The device is most
commonly associated with Euripides.
Deus lux mea est God is my light The motto of The Catholic University of America.
Deus meumque The principal motto of Scottish Rite Freemasonry. See also
God and my right
jus Dieu et mon droit.
Deus nobis haec

God has given us these days of leisure Motto of the city of Liverpool, England.
otia fecit
Deus otiosus God at leisure
The motto of Sir Thomas de Boteler, founder of Boteler Gram-

Deus spes nostra God is our hope
mar School in Warrington in 1526.
The principal slogan of the Crusades. Motto of Bergen Catholic

Deus vult God wills it
High School in New Jersey, United States.
A recent academic substitution for the spacious and inconven-

dictatum erat
as previously stated ient phrase "as previously stated". Literally, has been stated.
(dict)
Compare also "dicta prius"; literally, said previously.
159
I.e. "from a rule without exception." Short for a dicto simplici-

ter, the a is often dropped because it is confused with the Eng-
lish indefinite article. A dicto simpliciter occurs when an ac-
ceptable exception is ignored or eliminated. For example, the
dicto simpliciter [from] a maxim, simply appropriateness of using opiates is contingent on suffering ex-
treme pain. To justify the recreational use of opiates by refer-
ring to a cancer patient or to justify arresting said patient by
comparing him to the recreational user would be a dicto simpli-
citer.
dictum factum what is said is done Motto of United States Navy Fighter Squadron VF-194.
dictum meum
my word [is] my bond Motto of the London Stock Exchange.
pactum
From the Roman Emperor Titus. Recorded in the biography of

diem perdidi I have lost the day
him by Suetonius in Lives of the Twelve Caesars.
Reference to the Judgment Day in Christian eschatology. The

Dies irae Day of wrath title of a famous Medieval Latin hymn by Tommaso da Celano
in the 13th century and used in the requiem Mass.
Days under common law (traditionally Sunday), during which

dies non juridi- no legal process can be served and any legal judgment is inva-
Day without judiciary
cum lid. The English Parliament first codified this precept in the
reign of King Charles II.
In Classical Latin, "I arrange". Motto of the State of Maine,

dirigo I direct United States; based on a comparison of the State to the star
Polaris.
In other words, the gods have ideas different to those of mor-

tals, and so events do not always occur in the way persons wish
dis aliter visum it seemed otherwise to the gods
them to. Confer Virgil, Aeneid, 2: 428. Also confer "Man pro-
poses and God disposes."
Refers to the Manes, i.e. Roman spirits of the dead. Loosely,

"to the memory of". A conventional pagan inscription preced-
dis manibus sa-
Sacred to the ghost-gods ing the name of the deceased on his tombstone; often shortened
crum (D.M.S.)
to dis manibus (D.M.), "for the ghost-gods". Preceded in some
earlier monuments by hic situs est (H. S. E.), "he lies here".
disce aut discede learn or depart Motto of Royal College, Colombo.
disce ut semper
Learn as if always going to live; live as Attributed to St. Edmund of Abingdon. First seen in Isidoro de
victurus, vive ut
if tomorrow going to die. Sevilla
cras moriturus
160
discendo discimus while teaching we learn
Motto of California Polytechnic State University, California,

discere faciendo learn by doing
United States.
I.e., "scattered remains". Paraphrased from Horace, Satires, 1,

disiecta membra scattered limbs 4, 62, where it is written "disiecti membra poetae" (limbs of a
scattered poet).
Motto of the State of Arizona, United States, adopted in 1911.

ditat Deus God enriches Probably derived from the translation of the Vulgate Bible of
Genesis 14: 23.
A Roman maxim adopted by Roman Dictator Julius Caesar,

divide et impera divide and rule / "divide and conquer" King Louis XI of France and the Italian political author
Niccolò Machiavelli.
A popular, eloquent expression, usually used in the end of a

dixi I have spoken speech. The implied meaning is that the speaker has said all
that he had to say and thus his argument is completed.
Used to attribute a statement or opinion to its author, rather

["...", ...] dixit ["...", ...] said
than the speaker.
Often said or written of sacrifices, in which one "gives" and ex-

do ut des I give that you may give
pects a return from the gods.
It is learned by teaching / one learns by

docendo discitur Attributed to Seneca the Younger.
teaching
docendo disco,
I learn by teaching, I think by writing
scribendo cogito
"The ... concept is particular to a few civil law systems and can-
not sweepingly be equated with the notions of 'special' or 'spe-
cific intent' in common law systems. Of course, the same might
dolus specialis special intent equally be said of the concept of 'specific intent', a notion used
in the common law almost exclusively within the context of the
defense of voluntary intoxication." (Genocide scholar William
A. Schabas)[20]
Domine dirige
Lord guide us Motto of the City of London, England.
nos
Domine salvam
God save the queen
fac reginam
Domine salvum
God save the king
fac regem
161
Dominica in albis Sunday in [Setting Aside the] White Latin name of the Octave of Easter in the Roman Catholic lit-
[depositis] Garments urgy.
Dominus
the Lord is my light Motto of the University of Oxford, England.
illuminatio mea
Dominus
The Lord is our strength Motto of the Southland College, Philippines.
fortitudo nostra
Motto of St. John's College and Prep School, Harare,

Dominus pastor the Lord [is our] shepherd
Zimbabwe.
A phrase used in the Roman Catholic liturgy, and sometimes in

Dominus vobis- its sermons and homilies, and a general form of greeting among
The Lord be with you.
cum and towards members of Catholic organizations. See also Pax
vobiscum.
Often set to music, either by itself or as the final phrase of the

dona nobis pacem give us peace Agnus Dei prayer of the Holy Mass. Also an ending in the
video game Haunting Ground.
A legal concept in which a person in imminent mortal danger

donatio mortis need not satisfy the otherwise requisite consideration to effect a
a donation in expectation of death
causa testamentary donation, i.e., a donation by instituting or modify-
ing a will.
draco dormiens Motto of the fictional Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wiz-
nunquam a sleeping dragon is never to be tickled ardry of the Harry Potter series; translated more loosely in the
titillandus books as "never tickle a sleeping dragon".
dramatis More literally, "the masks of the drama"; the cast of characters
the parts/characters of the play
personae of a dramatic work.
duae tabulae
two blank slates with nothing written Stan Laurel, inscription for the fan club logo of The Sons of the
rasae in quibus
upon them Desert.
nihil scriptum est
ducimus we lead Motto of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps.
ducit amor pa- Motto of the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment,
love of country leads me
triae Australia.
ducunt volentem
the fates lead the willing and drag the
fata, nolentem Attributed to Lucius Annaeus Seneca (Sen. Ep. 107.11).
unwilling
trahunt
Motto of the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidates

ductus exemplo leadership by example
School, at the base in Quantico, Virginia, United States.
162
Meaning: "war may seem pleasant to those who have never

dulce bellum
war is sweet to the inexperienced been involved in it, though the experienced know better".
inexpertis
Erasmus of Rotterdam.
dulce est desipere It is sweet on occasion to play the fool. Horace, Odes 4, 12, 28. Also used by George Knapton for the
in loco / It is pleasant to relax once in a while. portrait of Sir Bourchier Wrey, 6th Baronet in 1744.
dulce et decorum
It is sweet and honorable to die for the Horace, Odes 3, 2, 13. Also used by Wilfred Owen for the title
est pro patria
fatherland. of a poem regarding World War I, Dulce et Decorum Est.
mori
a sweet and useful thing / pleasant and Horace, Ars Poetica: poetry must be dulce et utile, i.e., both en-
dulce et utile
profitable joyable and instructive.
dulce periculum danger is sweet Horace, Odes, 3 25, 16. Motto of the Scottish clan MacAulay.
dulcius ex asperis sweeter after difficulties Motto of the Scottish clan Fergusson.[21]
dum cresco spero I hope when I grow Motto of The Ravensbourne School.
dum Roma Used when someone has been asked for urgent help, but re-
while Rome debates, Saguntum is in
deliberat sponds with no immediate action. Similar to Hannibal ante
danger
Saguntum perit portas, but referring to a less personal danger.
Cicero. Motto of the State of South Carolina. Motto of the Clan

dum spiro spero while I breathe, I hope
MacLennan.
dum vita est, spes

while there is life, there is hope
est
dum vivimus
while we live, we serve Motto of Presbyterian College.
servimus
dum vivimus, vi- An encouragement to embrace life. Motto inscribed on the

while we live, let us live
vamus sword of the main character of the novel Glory Road.
dura lex sed lex [the] law [is] harsh, but [it is the] law Ulpian, Digesta Iustiniani, Roman jurist of the 3rd century AD.
dura mater tough mother The outer covering of the brain.
durante bene Meaning: "serving at the pleasure of the authority or officer

during good pleasure
placito who appointed". A Mediaeval legal Latin phrase.
For example, the Governor General of Canada is durante

durante munere while in office munere the Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order
of Canada.
dux bellorum war leader
163
initium sapientiae The fear of the Lord is the beginning of A quotation of the Psalter. Motto of the University of Aber-
timor Domini wisdom. deen, Scotland.
Often used in medicine when the underlying disease causing a

e causa ignota of unknown cause
symptom is not known. Cf. idiopathic.
Literally, out of more (than one), one. Used on many U.S. coins
e pluribus unum out of many, one and inscribed on the Capitol. Also used as the motto of S.L.
Benfica. Less commonly written as ex pluribus unum.
ecce ancilla name of oil painting by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, motto of Bish-
behold the handmaiden of the Lord
domini opslea Preparatory School.
From the Latin Vulgate Gospel of John 19:5 (Douay-Rheims),

where Pontius Pilate speaks these words as he presents Christ,
crowned with thorns, to the crowd. It is also the title of
Ecce homo Behold the man Nietzsche's autobiography and of the theme music by Howard
Goodall for the ITV comedy Mr. Bean, in which the full sung
lyric is Ecce homo qui est faba ("Behold the man who is a
bean").
A quote from the Lauda Sion, occasionally inscribed near the

ecce panis altar in Catholic churches; it makes reference to the Host; the
behold the bread of angels
angelorum Eucharist; the bread of Heaven; the Body of Christ. See also:
Panis Angelicus.
editio princeps first edition The first printed edition of a work.
From the canons of statutory interpretation. When a list of two

or more specific descriptors is followed by more general de-
ejusdem generis of the same kinds, class, or nature scriptors, the otherwise wide meaning of the general descriptors
must be restricted to the same class, if any, of the specific
words that precede them.
Part of the absolution-formula spoken by a priest as part of the

ego te absolvo I absolve you
sacrament of Penance (cf. absolvo).
Used as a challenge, "I dare you". Can also be written as te

ego te provoco I challenge you
provoco
eheu fugaces la-

Alas, the fleeting years slip by From Horace's Odes II, 14.
buntur anni
164
eluceat omnibus
let the light shine out from all The motto of Sidwell Friends School
lux
Retired from office. Often used to denote a position held at the

point of retirement, as an honor, such as professor emeritus or
emeritus veteran
provost emeritus. This does not necessarily mean that the hon-
orand is no longer active.
Or "being one's own cause". Traditionally, a being that owes its

ens causa sui existing because of oneself existence to no other being, hence God or a Supreme Being (cf.
Primum Mobile).
ense petit placi-

by the sword she seeks a serene repose
dam sub libertate State motto of Massachusetts, adopted in 1775.
under liberty
quietem
entia non sunt

Occam's Razor or Law of Parsimony; that is, that arguments
multiplicanda entities must not be multiplied beyond
which do not introduce extraneous variables are to be preferred
praeter necessity
in logical argumentation.
necessitatem
entitas ipsa
involvit
reality involves a power to compel sure A phrase used in modern Western philosophy on the nature of
aptitudinem ad
assent truth.
extorquendum
certum assensum
Technical term used in philosophy and the law. Similar to ipso

facto. Example: "The fact that I am does not eo ipso mean that I
eo ipso by that very (act)
think." From Latin eo ipso, ablative form of id ipsum, "that
(thing) itself".
eo nomine by that name
equo ne credite do not trust the horse Virgil, Aeneid, II. 48–49; a reference to the Trojan Horse
erga omnes in relation to everyone
ergo therefore Denotes a logical conclusion (cf. cogito ergo sum).
165
Sometimes attributed to Seneca the Younger, but not attested:

Errare humanum est, perseverare autem diabolicum, et tertia
non datur (To err is human; to persist [in committing such er-
rors] is of the devil, and the third possibility is not given.) Sev-
eral authors contemplated the idea before Seneca: Livy Venia
dignus error is humanus (Storie, VIII, 35) and Cicero: is
Cuiusvis errare: insipientis nullius nisi, in errore perseverare
errare humanum (Anyone can err, but only the fool persists in his fault) (Philip-
to err is human
est picae XII, ii, 5). Cicero - well-versed in ancient Greek - may
well have been alluding to Euripides' play Hippolytus some
four centuries earlier.[22] 300 years later Augustine of Hippo
recycled the idea in his Sermones (164, 14): Humanum fuit
errare, diabolicum est per animositatem in errore manere.[23]
The phrase gained currency in English language after
Alexander Pope's An Essay on Criticism (1711): "To err is hu-
man, to forgive divine." (line 325).
Or "mistake". Lists of errors in a previous edition of a work are

erratum error
often marked with the plural, errata ("errors").
Roman legal principle formulated by Pomponius in the Digest

errantis voluntas
the will of a mistaken party is void of the Corpus Juris Civilis, stating that legal actions undertaken
nulla est
by man under the influence of error are ineffective.
eruditio et religio scholarship and duty Motto of Duke University
George Berkeley's motto for his subjective idealist philosophi-

esse est percipi to be is to be perceived cal position that nothing exists independently of its perception
by a mind except minds themselves.
Truly being something, rather than merely seeming to be some-

thing. Motto of many institutions. From chapter 26 of Cicero's
De amicitia ('On Friendship'). Earlier than Cicero, the phrase
had been used by Sallust in his Bellum Catilinae (54.6), where
he wrote that Cato esse quam videri bonus malebat (he pre-
esse quam videri to be, rather than to seem ferred to be good, rather than to seem so). Earlier still, Aeschy-
lus used a similar phrase in Seven Against Thebes, line 592, ou
gar dokein aristos, all' enai thelei (he wishes not to seem the
best, but to be the best); also motto of North Carolina and Ash-
ville College, Cranbrook_School,_Sydney, Royal Holloway
College and the Episcopal Academy.
166
there is a middle ground in things, there is a middle way; from

Horace's Satires 1.1.106; see also: Golden mean (philosophy).
According to Potempski & Galmarini (Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9,
est modus in re- 9471–9489, 2009) the sentence should be translated as: "There
there is measure in things
bus is an optimal condition in all things" which in the original text
is followed by the sentence: "There are therefore precise bound-
aries beyond which one cannot find the right thing" (sunt certi
denique fines quos ultra citraque nequit consistere rectum).
Said of Venice by the Venetian historian Fra Paolo Sarpi

shortly before his death. Also the state motto of Idaho, adopted
esto perpetua may it be perpetual in 1867, and of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka.
It is also used as the open motto of Sigma Phi Society, a
collegiate Greek Letter Fraternity.
esto quod es be what you are Motto of Wells Cathedral School.
et adhuc sub
it is still before the court Horace, Ars Poetica (The Art of Poetry) 1.78.
iudice lis est
A less common variant on et cetera used at the end of a list of

et alibi (et al.) and elsewhere
locations to denote unlisted places.
Used similarly to et cetera ("and the rest"), to stand for a list of

names. Alii is masculine, so it can be used for men, or groups of
men and women; the feminine, et aliae, is appropriate when the
"others" are all female; but as with many loanwords, interlin-
gual use (such as in reference lists) is often invariable. Et alia is
neuter plural and thus in Latin text is properly used only for in-
animate, genderless objects, but some use it as a gender-neutral
et alii (et al.) and others alternative.[24] APA style uses et al. (normal font)[25] if the
work cited was written by more than six authors; MLA style
uses et al. for more than three authors; AMA style lists all au-
thors if ≤6, and 3 + et al if >6. AMA style forgoes the period
(because it forgoes the period on abbreviations generally) and it
forgoes the italic (as it does with other loanwords naturalized
into scientific English); many journals that follow AMA style
do likewise.
et cetera (etc. (US

English); etc (UK
And the rest In modern usage, used to mean "and so on" or "and more".
English)) or (&c.
(US); &c (UK))
From Genesis 1:3 "and there was light". Motto of Morehouse

et facta est lux And light came to be or was made
College in Atlanta, Georgia.
167
’’’Et facere et pati

Acting and suffering bravely is the at- The words of Gaius Mucius Scaevola when taken prisoner by
fortia Romanum
tribute of a Roman Lars Porsena
est’’’
et hoc genus
And all that sort of thing Abbreviated to e.h.g.o. or ehgo
omne
et in Arcadia ego and in Arcadia [am] I In other words, "I, too, am in Arcadia". See memento mori.
et lux in tenebris See also Lux in Tenebris; motto for the Pontificia Universidad
And light shines in the darkness
lucet Católica del Perú.
et nunc reges
And now, O ye kings, understand: re-
intelligite From the Book of Psalms, II.x. (Vulgate), 2.10 (Douay-
ceive instruction, you that judge the
erudimini qui Rheims).
earth.
judicatis terram
Also et sequentia ('and the following things': neut.),

abbreviations: et seqq., et seq., or sqq. Commonly used in legal
et sequentes (et citations to refer to statutes spread over several sequential sec-
and the following (masc./fem. plural)
seq.) tions of a code of statutes (e.g. National Labor Relations Act,
29 U.S.C. § 159 et seq.; New Jersey Prevention of Domestic
Violence Act, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:25-17 et seq.).
et cum spiritu tuo And with your spirit A phrase from the Sursum corda of Christian liturgy.
et suppositio nil
and a supposition puts nothing in being More typically translated as "Sayin' it don't make it so".
ponit in esse
Also "Even you, Brutus?" or "You too, Brutus?" Used to indi-

cate a betrayal by someone close. From Shakespeare's Julius
Caesar, based on the traditional dying words of Julius Caesar.
et tu, Brute? And you, Brutus? However, these were almost certainly not Caesar's true last
words; Plutarch quotes Caesar as saying, in Greek, the language
of Rome's elite at the time, καὶ σὺ τέκνον; (Kaì sù téknon?), in
English "You too, (my) child?", quoting from Menander.
et uxor (et ux.) and wife A legal term.
et vir and husband A legal term.
Etiam si omnes, Peter to Jesus Christ (from Vulgate Matthew 26:33; New King
Even if all others... I will never
ego non James Version: Matthew 26:33).
etsi deus non

even if God were not a given Sentence synthesizing a famous concept of Grotius (1625).
daretur
168
In law, describes someone taking precautions against a very re-

mote contingency. "One might wear a belt in addition to braces
ex abundanti cautela".[26] In banking, a loan in which the
ex abundanti collateral is more than the loan itself. Also the basis for the
out of an abundance of caution
cautela term "an abundance of caution" employed by United States
President Barack Obama to explain why his oath of office had
to be re-administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
John Roberts and again in reference to terrorist threats.
From the Gospel according to St. Matthew, XII.xxxiv (Vul-

ex abundantia
For out of the abundance of the heart gate), 12.34 (Douay-Rheims) and the Gospel according to St.
enim cordis os
the mouth speaketh. Luke, VI.xlv (Vulgate), 6.45 (Douay-Rheims). Sometimes ren-
loquitur
dered without enim ('for').
"On equal footing", i.e., "in a tie". Used for those two (seldom
ex aequo from the equal more) participants of a competition, that showed exactly the
same performance.
Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia 8.42 (unde etiam vulgare

ex Africa semper "(There's) always something new
Graeciae dictum semper aliquid novi Africam adferre[27]), a
aliquid novi (coming) out of Africa"
translation of the Greek «Ἀεὶ Λιβύη φέρει τι καινόν».
Often seen on internal diplomatic event invitations. Motto

Ex amicitia pax Peace from friendship sometimes found on flags and mission plaques Diplomatic
corps
ex animo from the soul Thus, "sincerely".
"Beforehand", "before the event". Based on prior assumptions.

ex ante from before
A forecast.
The motto of the fictional Starfleet Academy on Star Trek.

ex astris scientia From the Stars, Knowledge Adapted from ex luna scientia, which in turn was modeled after
ex scientia tridens.
A phrase applied to the declarations or promulgations of the

Pope when, in communion with the college of cardinals, pre-
served from the possibility of error by the action of the Holy
Spirit (see Papal infallibility), he solemnly declares or promul-
gates ("from the chair" that was the ancient symbol of the
ex cathedra from the chair
teacher and of the governor, in this case of the church) a dog-
matic teaching on faith or morals as being contained in divine
revelation, or at least being intimately connected to divine reve-
lation. Used, by extension, of anyone who is perceived as
speaking as though with supreme authority.
ex cultu robur from culture [comes] strength The motto of Cranleigh School, Surrey.
ex Deo from God
169
"From harmful deceit"; dolus malus is the Latin legal term for
"fraud". The full legal phrase is ex dolo malo non oritur actio
("an action does not arise from fraud"). When an action has its
ex dolo malo from fraud
origin in fraud or deceit, it cannot be supported; thus, a court of
law will not assist a man who bases his course of action on an
immoral or illegal act.
Idiomatically rendered "on the face of it". A legal term typically

ex facie from the face used to note that a document's explicit terms are defective with-
out further investigation.
Motto of St George's College, Harare and Hartmann House Pre-

ex fide fiducia from faith [comes] confidence
paratory School
ex fide fortis from faith [comes] strength Motto of Loyola School (New York City)
ex glande quercus from the acorn the oak Motto of the Municipal Borough of Southgate, London
More literally "from grace". Refers to someone voluntarily per-

forming an act purely out of kindness, as opposed to for per-
ex gratia from kindness sonal gain or from being forced to do it. In law, an ex gratia
payment is one made without recognizing any liability or legal
obligation.
ex hypothesi from the hypothesis Thus, "by hypothesis".
ex infra (e.i.) cf.

"from below" Recent academic notation for "from below in this writing"
ex supra
The medical pitfall in which response to a therapeutic regimen

ex juvantibus from that which helps
substitutes proper diagnosis.
ex lege from the law
Precedes a person's name, with the meaning of "from the library

ex libris from the books
of..."; also a bookplate.
The motto of the Apollo 13 moon mission, derived from ex

ex luna scientia from the moon, knowledge scientia tridens, the motto of Jim Lovell's Alma Mater, the
United States Naval Academy.
From St. Augustine's "Sermon LXI" where he contradicts Sene-

ca's dictum in Epistulae 87:22: bonum ex malo non fit (good
ex malo bonum good out of evil
does not come from evil). Also the alias of the Anberlin song,
"Miserabile Visu" from their album New Surrender.
ex mea sententia in my opinion
out of mere impulse, or of one's own

ex mero motu
accord.
170
From Lucretius, and said earlier by Empedocles. Its original

meaning is "work is required to succeed", but its modern mean-
ing is a more general "everything has its origins in something"
(cf. causality). It is commonly applied to the conservation laws
in philosophy and modern science. Ex nihilo often used in con-
ex nihilo nihil fit nothing comes from nothing junction with the term creation, as in creatio ex nihilo, meaning
"creation out of nothing". It is often used in philosophy or the-
ology in connection with the proposition that God created the
universe from nothing. It is also mentioned in the final ad-lib of
the Monty Python song Always Look on the Bright Side of
Life.
Said of something that has been built from scratch. (Cf. de

ex novo Anew
novo)
Ex Oblivione from oblivion The title of a short story by H. P. Lovecraft.
By virtue of office or position; "by right of office". Often used

when someone holds one position by virtue of holding another:
for example, the President of France is an ex officio Co-Prince
of Andorra. A common misconception is that all ex officio
ex officio from the office members of a committee or congress may not vote – this may
be the case, but it is not guaranteed by that title. In legal terms,
ex officio refers to an administrative or judicial office taking
action of its own accord, for example to invalidate a patent or
prosecute copyright infringers.
A theological phrase contrasted with ex opere operato, referring

ex opere
from the work of the one working to the notion that the validity or promised benefit of a
operantis
sacrament depends on the person administering it.
A theological phrase meaning that the act of receiving a

sacrament actually confers the promised benefit, such as a bap-
tism actually and literally cleansing one's sins. The Catholic
ex opere operato from the work worked
Church affirms that the source of grace is God, not just the ac-
tions or disposition of the minister or the recipient of the sacra-
ment.
Originally refers to the sun rising in the east, but alludes to cul-
ex oriente lux light from the east ture coming from the Eastern world. Motto of several institu-
tions.
A legal term that means "by one party" or "for one party".
ex parte from a part
Thus, on behalf of one side or party only.
From the measure of Hercules' foot you shall know his size;
ex pede Herculem from his foot, so Hercules
from a part, the whole.
171
"Afterward", "after the event". Based on knowledge of the past.

ex post from after
Measure of past performance.
ex post facto from a thing done afterward Said of a law with retroactive effect.
Or 'with due competence'. Said of the person who perfectly

ex professo from one declaring [an art or science]
knows his art or science. Also used to mean "expressly".[28]
The term is a legal phrase; the legal citation guide called the
Bluebook describes ex rel. as a "procedural phrase" and requires
ex rel. or ex rela- [arising] out of the relation/narration using it to abbreviate "on the relation of," "for the use of," "on
tio [of the relator] behalf of," and similar expressions. An example of use is in
court case titles such as Universal Health Services, Inc. v.
United States ex rel. Escobar
The United States Naval Academy motto. Refers to knowledge

ex scientia tridens from knowledge, sea power. bringing men power over the sea comparable to that of the tri-
dent-bearing Greek god Poseidon.
The motto of the College of Graduate Studies at Middle Ten-

ex scientia vera from knowledge, truth
nessee State University.
In general, the claim that the absence of something demon-

strates the proof of a proposition. An argumentum ex silentio
("argument from silence") is an argument based on the assump-
ex silentio from silence
tion that someone's silence on a matter suggests ("proves" when
a logical fallacy) that person's ignorance of the matter or their
inability to counterargue validly.
ex situ out of position opposite of "in situ"
ex supra (e.s.) cf.

"from above" Recent academic notation for "from above in this writing".
ex infra
"This instant", "right away" or "immediately". Also written

ex tempore from [this moment of] time
extempore.
A legal doctrine which states that a claimant will be unable to

Ex turpi causa From a dishonorable cause an action pursue a cause of action, if it arises in connection with his own
non oritur actio does not arise illegal act. Particularly relevant in the law of contract, tort and
trusts.
ex umbra in
from the shadow into the light Motto of Federico Santa María Technical University.
solem
ex undis from the waves [of the sea] motto in the coat of arms of Eemsmond
Ex Unitate Vires union is strength, or unity is strength motto of South Africa.
ex vi termini from the force of the term Thus, "by definition".
172
ex vita discedo,
tanquam ex I depart from life as from an inn, not as
Cicero, Cato Maior de Senectute (On Old Age) 23
hospitio, non from home
tanquam ex domo
Used in reference to the study or assay of living tissue in an ar-

ex vivo out of or from life
tificial environment outside the living organism.
Thus, in accordance with a promise. An ex voto is also an offer-

ex voto from the vow
ing made in fulfillment of a vow.
used to describe social computing, in The Wisdom of Crowds

ex vulgus scientia from crowd, knowledge
and discourse referring to it.
"Ever upward!" The state motto of New York. Also a catch-

excelsior higher
phrase used by Marvel Comics head Stan Lee.
A juridical principle which means that the statement of a rule's

exceptio firmat
exception (e.g., "no parking on Sundays") implicitly confirms
(or probat) regu- The exception confirms the rule in
the rule (i.e., that parking is allowed Monday through Satur-
lam in casibus cases which are not excepted
day). Often mistranslated as "the exception that proves the
non exceptis
rule".
excusatio non More loosely, "he who excuses himself, accuses himself"—an
an excuse that has not been sought [is]
petita accusatio unprovoked excuse is a sign of guilt. In French, qui s'excuse,
an obvious accusation
manifesta s'accuse.
exeat s/he may go out A formal leave of absence.
exegi
I have reared a monument more endur-
monumentum Horace, Carmina III:XXX:I
ing than bronze
aere perennius
Exempli gratiā, 'for example', is usually abbreviated "e.g." (less

commonly, ex. gr.). The abbreviation is often read aloud in
English as "for example" (see citation signal and compare how
the ampersand is read as "and"), though it is also often applied
as a substitute for similar phrases, like "such as" and "includ-
ing". The abbreviation may be followed by a comma or not, de-
exempli gratia
for the sake of example, for example pending on the style of the writer. The comma is more apt to be
(e.g.)
dropped before a simple expression with no punctuation of its
own, and is more likely to be retained for multiple items.[29] A
colon can also be used,[30] especially before a long or complex
list. E.g. is often confused with i.e. (id est, 'that is', 'in other
words').[31] Some writing styles give such abbreviations with-
out punctuation, as ie and eg.[a]
173
exercitus sine
an army without a leader is a body On a plaque at the former military staff building of the Swedish
duce corpus est
without a spirit Armed Forces.
sine spiritu
Third-person plural present active indicative of the Latin verb

exeunt they leave
exire; also seen in exeunt omnes, "all leave"; singular: exit.
This term has been used in dermatopathology to express that

there is no substitute for experience in dealing with all the nu-
experientia docet experience teaches merous variations that may occur with skin conditions.[47] The
term has also been used in gastroenterology.[48] It is also the
motto of San Francisco State University.
experimentum
experiment of the cross Or "crucial experiment". A decisive test of a scientific theory.
crucis
Literally "believe one who has had experience". An author's

experto crede trust the expert
aside to the reader.
"Mentioning one thing may exclude another thing". A principle

of legal statutory interpretation: the explicit presence of a thing
implies intention to exclude others; e.g., a reference in the Poor
expressio unius
the expression of the one is the exclu- Relief Act 1601 to "lands, houses, tithes and coal mines" was
est exclusio
sion of the other held to exclude mines other than coal mines. Sometimes ex-
alterius
pressed as expressum facit cessare tacitum (broadly, "the ex-
pression of one thing excludes the implication of something
else").
Refers to a possible result of Catholic ecclesiastical legal pro-

extra domum [placed] outside of the house ceedings when the culprit is removed from being part of a
group like a monastery.
This expression comes from the Epistle to Jubaianus, para-

extra Ecclesiam outside the Church [there is] no salva- graph 21, written by Saint Cyprian of Carthage, a bishop of the
nulla salus tion third century. It is often used to summarise the doctrine that the
Catholic Church is absolutely necessary for salvation.
It is issued by the Master of the Papal Liturgical Celebrations

before a session of the Papal conclave which will elect a new
extra omnes outside, all [of you] Pope. When spoken, all those who are not Cardinals, or those
otherwise mandated to be present at the Conclave, must leave
the Sistine Chapel.
extra territorium
jus dicenti he who administers justice outside of Refers to extraterritorial jurisdiction. Often cited in law of the
impune non his territory is disobeyed with impunity sea cases on the high seas.
paretur
174
faber est suae every man is the artisan of his own for- Appius Claudius Caecus; motto of Fort Street High School in
quisque fortunae tune Petersham, Sydney, Australia
fac et spera do and hope motto of Clan Matheson
fac fortia et pa-

do brave deeds and endure motto of Prince Alfred College in Adelaide, Australia
tere
fac simile make a similar thing origin of the word facsimile, and, through it, of fax
faciam eos in
I will make them into one nation appeared on British coinage following the Union of the Crowns
gentem unum
faciam quodlibet
I'll do whatever it takes
quod necesse est
faciam ut mei from Plautus, Persa IV.3–24; used by Russian hooligans as tat-
I'll make you remember me
memineris too inscription
said of the acknowledged leader in some field, especially in the

facile princeps easily the first
arts and humanities
facilius est multa It is easier to do many things, than one

Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria 1/12:7
facere quam diu thing consecutively
facio liberos ex li-

"I make free adults out of children by motto of St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland, and Santa
beris libris li-
means of books and a balance." Fe, New Mexico
braque
facta, non verba deeds, not words Frequently used as motto
factum fieri
infectum non It is impossible for a deed to be undone Terence, Phormio 5/8:45
potest
A Roman legal principle indicating that a witness who willfully

falsifies one matter is not credible on any matter. The underly-
falsus in uno,
false in one, false in all ing motive for attorneys to impeach opposing witnesses in
falsus in omnibus
court: the principle discredits the rest of their testimony if it is
without corroboration.
familia supra
family over everything frequently used as a family motto
omnia
fas est et ab hoste It is lawful to be taught even by an en-

Ovid, Metamorphoses 4:428
doceri emy
175
Slight variant ("quod potui feci") found in James Boswell's An

Account of Corsica, there described as "a simple beautiful in-
scription on the front of Palazzo Tolomei at Siena".[49] Later,
feci quod potui,
I have done what I could; let those who found in Henry Baerlein's introduction to his translation of The
faciant meliora
can do better. Diwan of Abul ʿAla by Abul ʿAla Al-Maʿarri (973–1057);[50]
potentes
also in Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters, act 1. Also in Alfonso
Moreno Espinosa, Compendio de Historia Universal, 5. ed.
(Cádiz 1888).
a formula used traditionally in the author's signature by paint-

NN fecit NN made (this)
ers, sculptors, artisans, scribes etc.; compare pinxit
fecisti patriam
"From differing peoples you have made Verse 63 from the poem De reditu suo by Rutilius Claudius
diversis de
one native land" Namatianus praising emperor Augustus.[51]
gentibus unam
felicior Augusto, "be more fortunate than Augustus and

ritual acclamation delivered to late Roman emperors
melior Traiano better than Trajan"
Felicitas,
The motto of Oakland Colegio Campestre school through which
Integritas Et Happiness, Integrity and Knowledge
Colombia participates of NASA Educational Programs
Sapientia
felix culpa fortunate fault from the "Exsultet" of the Catholic liturgy for the Easter Vigil
felix qui potuit

Virgil. "Rerum cognoscere causas" is the motto of the London
rerum happy is he who can ascertain the
School of Economics, University of Sheffield, and University of
cognoscere causes of things
Guelph.
causas
archaic legal term for one who commits suicide, referring to

felo de se felon from himself early English common law punishments, such as land seizure,
inflicted on those who killed themselves
fere libenter
men generally believe what they want People's beliefs are shaped largely by their desires. Julius
homines id quod
to Caesar, The Gallic War 3.18
volunt credunt
An oxymoronic motto of Augustus. It encourages proceeding

quickly, but calmly and cautiously. Equivalent to "more haste,
festina lente hurry slowly less speed". Motto of the Madeira School, McLean, Virginia
and Berkhamsted School, Berkhamsted, England, United King-
dom
176
festinare nocet,
nocet et cunctatio it is bad to hurry, and delay is often as
saepe; tempore bad; the wise person is the one who Ovid[52]
quaeque suo qui does everything in its proper time.
facit, ille sapit.
fiat iustitia et pe- let justice be done, though the world

motto of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
reat mundus shall perish
fiat justitia ruat

let justice be done should the sky fall attributed to Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus
caelum
from the Genesis, "dixitque Deus fiat lux et facta est lux" ("and
fiat lux let there be light God said, 'Let light be made', and light was made."); frequently
used as the motto of schools.
Motto of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization

fiat panis let there be bread
(FAO)
fiat voluntas Dei May God's will be done motto of Robert May's School; see the next phrase below
motto of Archbishop Richard Smith of the Roman Catholic

fiat voluntas tua Thy will be done Archdiocese of Edmonton; quotation of the third petition of the
Pater Noster (Our Father) prayer dictated by Jesus Christ
ficta voluptatis
fictions meant to please should approx- Horace, Ars Poetica (338); advice presumably discounted by
causa sint prox-
imate the truth the magical realists
ima veris
A title given to King Henry VIII of England by Pope Leo X on

Fidei Defensor 17 October 1521, before Henry became a heresiarch. British
Defender of the Faith
(Fid Def) or (fd) monarchs continue to use the title, which is still inscribed on all
British coins, and usually abbreviated.
sometimes mistranslated to "keep the faith" when used in con-

fidem scit he knows the faith temporary English writings of all kinds to convey a light-
hearted wish for the reader's well-being
Roman Catholic theological term for the personal faith that ap-
fides qua
the faith by which it is believed prehends what is believed, contrasted with fides quae creditur,
creditur
which is what is believed; see next phrase below
Roman Catholic theological term for the content and truths of

fides quae the Faith or "the deposit of the Faith", contrasted with fides qua
the faith which is believed
creditur creditur, which is the personal faith by which the Faith is be-
lieved; see previous phrase
fides quaerens
faith seeking understanding motto of St. Anselm; Proslogion
intellectum
177
refers to a faithful friend; from the name of Aeneas's faithful

fidus Achates faithful Achates
companion in Virgil's Aeneid
filiae nostrae
sicut anguli incisi may our daughters be as polished as the
motto of Francis Holland School
similitudine corners of the temple
templi
A major part of a work is properly finishing it. Motto of St.

finis coronat Mary's Catholic High School in Dubai, United Arab Emirates;
the end crowns the work
opus on the Coat of Arms of Seychelles; and of the Amin Investment
Bank
finis vitae sed

the end of life, but not of love unknown
non amoris
title for Attila the Hun, the ruthless invader of the Western
flagellum dei the scourge of God
Roman Empire
a mere name, word, or sound without a corresponding objective

reality; expression used by the nominalists of universals and tra-
flatus vocis [a or the] breath of voice
ditionally attributed to the medieval philosopher Roscelin of
Compiègne
flectere si nequeo
if I can not reach Heaven I will raise
superos, Ache- Virgil, Aeneid, Book VII.312
Hell
ronta movebo
floreat Etona may Eton flourish Motto of Eton College, England, United Kingdom
floreat nostra
may our school flourish a common scholastic motto
schola
indicates the period when a historic person was most active or

was accomplishing that for which he is famous; may be used as
floruit (fl.) one flourished
a substitute when the dates of his birth and/or death are un-
known.
fluctuat nec
she wavers and is not immersed Motto of the City of Paris, France
mergitur
fons et origo the spring and source also: "the fountainhead and beginning"
fons sapientiae, the fount of knowledge is the word of

motto of Bishop Blanchet High School
verbum Dei God
fons vitae caritas love is the fountain of life motto of Chisipite Senior School and Chisipite Junior School
178
formosam reso-
teach the woods to re-echo "fair Ama-
nare doces Ama- Virgil, Eclogues, 1:5
ryllis"
ryllida silvas
forsan et haec
perhaps even these things will be good
olim meminisse Virgil, Aeneid, Book 1, Line 203
to remember one day
iuvabit
fortes fortuna The motto of the United States Marine Corps 3rd Marine Regi-
Fortune favours the bold
adiuvat ment
fortes fortuna ju-

Fortune favours the bold The motto of the Jutland Dragoon Regiment of Denmark
vat
fortes in fide strong in faith a common motto
fortis cadere, motto on the Coat of Arms of the Fahnestock Family and of the
the brave may fall, but can not yield
cedere non potest Palmetto Guard of Charleston, South Carolina
motto on the Coat of Arms of Oxford, England, United King-

fortis est veritas truth is strong
dom
fortis et liber strong and free motto of Alberta, Canada
motto of the Municipal Borough of Middleton, from the Earl of

fortis in arduis strong in difficulties
Middleton
fortiter et fide-
bravely and faithfully a common motto
liter
fortiter in re,
resolute in execution, gentle in manner a common motto
suaviter in modo
fortunae meae, artisan of my fate and that of several

motto of Gatineau
multorum faber others
a legal principle: the occurrence or taint

fraus omnia vi-
of fraud in a (legal) transaction entirely
tiat
invalidates it
An epitaph that reminds the reader of the inevitability of death,

fui quod es, eris I once was what you are, you will be as if to state: "Once I was alive like you are, and you will be
quod sum what I am dead as I am now." It was carved on the gravestones of some
Roman military officers.
fumus boni iuris presumption of sufficient legal basis a legal principle
fundamenta
unshakable foundation
inconcussa
179
gaudia certami- according to Cassiodorus, an expression used by Attila in ad-

the joys of battle
nis dressing his troops prior to the 451 Battle of Châlons
gaudeamus hodie let us rejoice today
First words of an academic anthem used, among other places, in

gaudeamus igitur therefore let us rejoice
The Student Prince.
gaudete in
rejoice in the Lord Motto of Bishop Allen Academy
domino
gaudium in veri-
joy in truth Motto of Campion School
tate
A principle of statutory interpretation: If a matter falls under a

specific provision in a statute enacted before a general provision
generalia general provisions enacted in later leg-
enacted in a later statute, it is to be presumed that the legislature
specialibus non islation do not detract from specific
did not intend that the earlier specific provision be repealed, and
derogant provisions enacted in earlier legislation
the matter is governed by the earlier specific provision, not the
more recent general one.
The unique, distinctive aspects or atmosphere of a place, such

as those celebrated in art, stories, folk tales, and festivals. Origi-
genius loci spirit of place
nally, the genius loci was literally the protective spirit of a
place, a creature usually depicted as a snake.
generatim discite Learn each field of study according to

Motto of the University of Bath.
cultus its kind. (Virgil, Georgics II.)
Motto of FIDE. Can be traced back to Claudian's poem De

gens una sumus we are one people
consulatu Stilichonis.
gesta non verba deeds, not words Motto of James Ruse Agricultural High School.
Often translated "Glory to God on High". The title and begin-

Gloria in excelsis
Glory to God in the Highest ning of an ancient Roman Catholic doxology, the Greater Dox-
Deo
ology. See also ad maiorem Dei gloriam.
Gloria invidiam
By your fame you have conquered envy Sallust, Bellum Jugurthum ("Jugurthine War") 10:2.
vicisti
gloria filiorum The glory of sons is their fathers (Prov-

Motto of Eltham College
patres erbs17:6)
Gloria Patri Glory to the Father The beginning of the Lesser Doxology.
180
gloriosus et liber glorious and free Motto of Manitoba
Motto of private spaceflight company Blue Origin, which offi-

gradatim fe-
by degrees, ferociously cially treats "Step by step, ferociously" as the English transla-
rociter
tion
gradibus
ascending by degrees Motto of Grey College, Durham
ascendimus
Graecia capta
Conquered Greece in turn defeated its
ferum victorem Horace Epistles 2.1
savage conqueror
cepit
Most commonly from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar where Casca

Graecum est; It is Greek (and therefore) it cannot be couldn't explain to Cassius what Cicero was saying because he
non legitur read. was speaking Greek. The more common colloquialism would
be: It's all Greek to me.
grandescunt By hard work, all things increase and

Motto of McGill University
aucta labore grow
gratia et scientia grace and learning Motto of Arundel School
gratiae veritas
Truth through mercy and nature Motto of Uppsala University
naturae
Virgil Aeneid 6:84; more severe things await, the worst is yet to
graviora manent heavier things remain
come
Gravis Dulcis
serious sweet immutable Title of a poem by James Elroy Flecker [53]
Immutabilis
gutta cavat
lapidem [non vi a water drop hollows a stone [not by main phrase is from Ovid, Epistulae ex Ponto IV, 10, 5.;[54] ex-
sed saepe force, but by falling often] panded in the Middle Ages
cadendo]
181
A legal term from the 14th century or earlier. Re-

fers to a number of legal writs to bring a person
before a court or judge, most commonly habeas
corpus ad subjiciendum (you may have the body
to bring up). Commonly used as the general term
habeas corpus You should have the body
for a prisoner's legal right to challenge the legal-
ity of their detention. (Corpus here is used in a
similar sense to corpus delicti, referring to the
substance of the reason for detention rather than
a physical human body.)
Used after a Catholic Church papal election to

habemus papam we have a pope announce publicly a successful ballot to elect a
new pope.
Habent sua fata Books have their destiny [according to Terentianus Maurus, De Litteris, De Syllabis, De
libelli the capabilities of the reader] Metris, 1:1286.
hac lege with this law
Commonly rendered in English as "One day,

haec olim
one day, this will be pleasing to remem- we'll look back on this and smile". From Virgil's
meminisse
ber Aeneid 1.203. Also, motto of Handsworth Gram-
iuvabit
mar School, and the Jefferson Society.
Attributed to Cornelia Africana by Valerius

haec ornamenta "These are my ornaments" or
Maximus in Factorum ac dictorum memorabil-
mea [sunt] "These are my jewels"
ium libri IX, IV, 4, incipit.[55][56]
Found in Cicero's first Philippic and in Livy's Ab

urbe condita
Hannibal was a fierce enemy of Rome who al-
Hannibal ad
Hannibal at the gates most brought them to defeat.
portas
Sometimes rendered "Hannibal ante portas",
with verisimilar meaning: "Hannibal before the
gates"
haud ignota Thus, "I say no things that are unknown". From
I speak not of unknown things
loquor Virgil's Aeneid, 2.91.
Hei mihi! quod

nullis amor est From Ovid's Metamorphoses ("Transfor-
Oh me! love can not be cured by herbs
medicabilis mations"), I, 523.
herbis.
hic abundant le- Written on uncharted territories of old maps; see

here lions abound
ones also: here be dragons.
182
The imperative motto for the satisfaction of de-

hic et nunc here and now sire. "I need it, Here and Now"
Also rendered hic iacet. Written on gravestones

or tombs, preceding the name of the deceased.
hic jacet (HJ) here lies Equivalent to hic sepultus (here is buried), and
sometimes combined into hic jacet sepultus
(HJS), "here lies buried".
hic locus est ubi

This is the place where death delights in A motto of many morgues or wards of anatomi-
mors gaudet suc-
helping life cal pathology.
currere vitae
According to Titus Livius the phrase was pro-

nounced by Marcus Furius Camillus, addressing
hic manebimus the senators who intended to abandon the city,
here we'll stay excellently
optime invaded by Gauls, circa 390 BC. It is used today
to express the intent to keep one's position even
if the circumstances appear adverse.
hic sunt dra- Written on a globe engraved on two conjoined

here there are dragons
cones halves of ostrich eggs, dated to 1504.
hic sunt leones here there are lions Written on uncharted territories of old maps.
hinc et inde from both sides
From Terence, Andria, line 125. Originally lit-

eral, referring to the tears shed by Pamphilus at
hinc illae
hence those tears the funeral of Chrysis, it came to be used prover-
lacrimae
bially in the works of later authors, such as
Horace (Epistula XIX, 41).
Written on the wall of the old astronomical ob-

hinc itur ad astra from here the way leads to the stars servatory of Vilnius University, Lithuania, and
the university's motto.
hinc robur et se-

herefore strength and safety Motto of the Central Bank of Sweden.
curitas
historia vitae From Cicero's De Oratore, II, 9. Also "history is

history, the teacher of life
magistra the mistress of life".
hoc age do this Motto of Bradford Grammar School
hoc est bellum This is war
183
hoc est Christum

cognoscere, Famous dictum by the Reformer Melanchthon in
To know Christ is to know his benefits
beneficia eius his Loci Communes of 1521
cognoscere
The words of Jesus reiterated in Latin during the

hoc est enim cor- Roman Catholic Eucharist. Sometimes simply
For this is my Body
pus meum written as "Hoc est corpus meum" or "This is my
body".
From Horace's Satires, 1/2:2. Refers to the crowd

at Tigellio's funeral (c. 40–39 BC). Not to be
hoc genus omne All that crowd/people
confused with et hoc genus omne (English: and
all that sort of thing).
Inscription that can be seen on tombstones dating

hodie mihi, cras
Today it's me, tomorrow it will be you from the Middle Ages, meant to outline the
tibi
ephemerality of life.
hominem pagina From Martial's Epigrams, Book 10, No. 4, Line

It is of man that my page smells
nostra sapit 10; stating his purpose in writing.
hominem non Motto of the Far Eastern University – Institute of

Treat the Man, not the Disease
morbum cura Nursing
Varro (116 BC – 27 BC), in the opening line of

the first book of Rerum Rusticarum Libri Tres,
wrote "quod, ut dicitur, si est homo bulla, eo
homo bulla man is a bubble magis senex" (for if, as they say, man is a bub-
ble, all the more so is an old man)[57] later rein-
troduced by Erasmus in his Adagia, a collection
of sayings published in 1572.
First attested in Plautus' Asinaria (lupus est homo

homo homini lu- homini). The sentence was drawn on by Hobbes
man [is a] wolf to man
pus in Leviathan as a concise expression of his hu-
man nature view.
Homo minister
Man, the servant and interpreter of na-
et interpres na- Motto of the Lehigh University
ture
turae
homo praesumi-
tur bonus donec One is innocent until proven guilty See also: presumption of innocence.
probetur malus
184
From Terence's Heauton Timorumenos (The

Self-Tormentor) (163 BC). Originally "strange"
or "foreign" (alienum) was used in the sense of
"irrelevant", as this line was a response to the
homo sum hu-
I am a human being; nothing human is speaker being told to mind his own business, but
mani a me nihil
strange to me it is now commonly used to advocate respecting
alienum puto
different cultures and being humane in general.
Puto (I consider) is not translated because it is
meaningless outside of the line's context within
the play.
homo unius libri

(I fear) a man of one book Attributed to Thomas Aquinas
(timeo)
honestas ante ho-

honesty before glory Motto of King George V School (Hong Kong)
nores
honor virtutis
esteem is the reward of virtue Motto of Arnold School, Blackpool, England
praemium
Said of an honorary title, such as "Doctor of Sci-

honoris causa for the sake of honor
ence honoris causa"
hora fugit the hour flees See tempus fugit
hora somni (h.s.) at the hour of sleep Medical shorthand for "at bedtime"
horas non
I do not count the hours unless they are
numero nisi A common inscription on sundials.
sunny
serenas
From Virgil's Aeneid, 2.204, on the appearance

horresco
I shudder as I tell of the sea-serpents who kill the Trojan priest
referens
Laocoön and his sons
horribile dictu horrible to say cf. mirabile dictu
Motto of the Chicago Park District, a playful al-

hortus in urbe A garden in the city
lusion to the city's motto, urbs in horto, q.v.
hortus siccus A dry garden A collection of dry, preserved plants
hostis humani Cicero defined pirates in Roman law as being en-

enemy of the human race
generis emies of humanity in general.
humilitas occidit
humility conquers pride
superbiam
hypotheses non From Newton, Principia. Less literally, "I do not

I do not fabricate hypotheses
fingo assert that any hypotheses are true".
185
Perfectly correct Latin sentence usually reported as funny by

I, Vitelli, dei
Go, oh Vitellius, at the war sound of the modern Italians because the same exact words, in Italian, mean
Romani sono
Roman god "Romans' calves are beautiful", which has a ridiculously differ-
belli
ent meaning.
Usually used in bibliographic citations to refer to the last source

ibidem (ibid.) in the same place
previously referenced.
"That is (to say)" in the sense of "that means" and "which

means", or "in other words", "namely", or sometimes "in this
case", depending on the context. The abbreviation may be fol-
lowed by a comma or not, depending on the style of the writer
(or the grammatical sense of what follows[33]). The comma is
id est (i.e.) that is
more apt to be dropped before a simple expression with no
punctuation of its own, and is more likely to be retained for mul-
tiple items.[29] I.e. is often confused with e.g. (exempli gratia,
'for example').[58] Some writing styles give such abbreviations
without punctuation, as ie and eg.
id quod plerum- A phrase used in legal language to indicate the most probable
that which generally happens
que accidit outcome from an act, fact, event or cause.
Used to refer to something that has already been cited. See also
idem (dito) (id.) the same
ibidem.
idem quod (i.q.) the same as Not to be confused with an intelligence quotient.
In the Roman calendar, the Ides of March refers to the 15th day
of March. In modern times, the term is best known as the date
Idus Martiae the Ides of March
on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC; the term has
come to be used as a metaphor for impending doom.
Used by Johann Sebastian Bach at the beginning of his composi-

Jesu juva (J.J.) Jesus, help! tions, which he ended with "S.D.G." (Soli Deo gloria). Compare
Besiyata Dishmaya.
Iesus Nazarenus
Rex Iudaeorum Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews
(INRI)
186
igitur qui desi-

Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus, De Re Militari; similar to si
derat pacem, Therefore whoever desires peace, let
vis pacem, para bellum and in pace ut sapiens aptarit idonea
praeparet bel- him prepare for war
bello.
lum
igne natura re- An alchemical aphorism invented as an alternate meaning for

through fire, nature is reborn whole
novatur integra the acronym INRI.
A phrase describing scorched earth tactics. Also rendered as

igni ferroque with fire and iron
igne atque ferro, ferro ignique, and other variations.
ignis aurum pro- A phrase referring to the refining of character through difficult
fire tests gold
bat circumstances, it is also the motto of the Prometheus Society.
ignis fatuus foolish fire Will-o'-the-wisp.
(or ignorantia legis non excusat or

ignorantia juris A legal principle whereby ignorance of a law does not allow one
ignorantia legis neminem excusat) ig-
non excusat to escape liability.
norance of the law is no excuse
The logical fallacy of irrelevant conclusion: making an argu-

ment that, while possibly valid, doesn't prove or support the
ignoratio elenchi ignorance of the issue proposition it claims to. An ignoratio elenchi that is an inten-
tional attempt to mislead or confuse the opposing party is known
as a red herring. Elenchi is from the Greek elenchos.
ignotum per unknown by means of the more un- An explanation that is less clear than the thing to be explained.
ignotius known Synonymous with obscurum per obscurius.
ignotus (ign.) unknown
From the religious concept that man was created in "God's im-
imago Dei image of God
age".
A principle, held by several religions, that believers should

imitatio dei imitation of a god
strive to resemble their god(s).
1. A group of people who owe utmost fealty to their leader(s),

subordinating the interests of the larger group to the authority of
imperium in the internal group's leader(s).
an order within an order
imperio 2. A "fifth column" organization operating against the organiza-
tion within which they seemingly reside.
3. "State within a state"
In Virgil's Aeneid, Jupiter ordered Aeneas to found a city

imperium sine
an empire without an end (Rome) from which would come an everlasting, never-ending
fine
empire, the endless (sine fine) empire.
187
impossibilium
there is no obligation to do the impossi-
nulla obligatio Publius Juventius Celsus, Digesta L 17, 185.
ble
est
An authorization to publish, granted by some censoring author-

imprimatur let it be printed
ity (originally a Catholic Bishop).
Used in a number of situations, such as in a trial carried out in

in absentia in the absence
the absence of the accused.
in absentia lucis, in the absence of light, darkness pre-

tenebrae vincunt vails
in actu in act In the very act; in reality.
[Dominica] in al- [Sunday in Setting Aside the] White

Latin name of the Octave of Easter.
bis [depositis] Garments
in articulo mor-
at the point of death
tis
in bono veritas truth is in the good
in camera in the chamber In secret. See also camera obscura.
in casu (i.c.) in the event In this case.
Using the metaphor of a scorpion, this can be said of an account

in cauda ve- that proceeds gently, but turns vicious towards the end—or more
the poison is in the tail
nenum generally waits till the end to reveal an intention or statement
that is undesirable in the listener's ears.
Eboracum was the Roman name for York and this phrase is used
in com. Ebor. In the county of Yorkshire in some Georgian and Victorian books on the genealogy of
prominent Yorkshire families.
in Christi
in the light of Christ for the life on the
lumine pro Motto of Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.
world
mundi vita
in Deo speramus in God we hope Motto of Brown University.
Expresses the judicial principle that in case of doubt the decision

in doubt, on behalf of the [alleged] cul-
in dubio pro reo must be in favor of the accused (in that anyone is innocent until
prit
there is proof to the contrary).
in duplo in double In duplicate
In (the form of) an image; in effigy (as opposed to "in the flesh"
in effigie in the likeness
or "in person").
188
in esse in existence In actual existence; as opposed to in posse.
in extenso in the extended In full; at full length; complete or unabridged
In extremity; in dire straits; also "at the point of death" (cf. in

in extremis in the furthest reaches
articulo mortis).
in fide scientiam To our faith add knowledge Motto of Newington College.
in fidem into faith To the verification of faith.
in fieri in becoming In progress; pending.
At the end. The footnote says "p. 157 in fine":

in fine (i.f.) in the end
"the end of page 157".
in flagrante de- in a blazing wrong, while the crime is Caught in the act (esp. a crime or in a "compromising position");
licto blazing equivalent to "caught red-handed" in English idiom.
in flore in blossom Blooming.
in foro in forum In court (legal term).
in girum imus
We enter the circle at night and are con- A palindrome said to describe the behavior of moths. Also the
nocte et consu-
sumed by fire title of a film by Guy Debord.
mimur igni
in harmonia
progress in harmony Motto of Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia.
progressio
in hoc sensu or
in sensu hoc in this sense Recent academic abbreviation for "in this sense".
(s.h.)
in hoc signo Words Constantine the Great claimed to have seen in a vision
by this sign you will conquer
vinces before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.
in hunc effectum for this purpose Describes a meeting called for a particular stated purpose only.
in ictu oculi in the blink of an eye
in illo ordine Recent academic substitution for the spacious and inconvenient
in that order
(i.o.) "..., respectively."
At that time, found often in Gospel lectures during Masses, used

in illo tempore in that time
to mark an undetermined time in the past.
in inceptum finis
lit.: in the beginning is the end or: the beginning foreshadows the end
est
189
Preliminary, in law, a motion in limine is a motion that is made

in limine at the outset/threshold to the judge before or during trial, often about the admissibility
of evidence believed prejudicial.
That is, 'on site'. "The nearby labs were closed for the week-
in loco in the place, on the spot
end, so the water samples were analyzed in loco."
Assuming parental or custodial responsibility and authority

in loco parentis in the place of a parent
(e.g., schoolteachers over students); a legal term.
Motto of Valparaiso University. The phrase comes from the

in luce Tua vide-
in Thy light we see light book of Psalms 36:9 "For with you is the fountain of life; in
mus lucem
your light we see light."
in lumine tuo Motto of Columbia University, Presbyterian Boys' Secondary

videbimus lu- in your light we will see the light School and Ohio Wesleyan University. Also, it is the motto of
men the South African University of Fort Hare.
in manus tuas
commendo into your hands I entrust my spirit According to Luke 23:46, the last words of Jesus on the cross.
spiritum meum
From Horace. Refers to the literary technique of beginning a

narrative in the middle of, or at a late point in, the story, after
in medias res into the middle of things much action has already taken place. Examples include the Iliad,
the Odyssey, Os Lusíadas, Othello, and Paradise Lost. Compare
ab initio.
Equivalent to "in the memory of". Refers to remembering or

in memoriam into the memory
honoring a deceased person.
in natura
in necessariis "Charity" (caritas) is being used in the classical sense of "com-

unitas, in dubiis in necessary things unity, in doubtful passion" (cf. agape). Motto of the Cartellverband der
libertas, in things liberty, in all things charity katholischen deutschen Studentenverbindungen. Often
omnibus caritas misattributed to Augustine of Hippo.[citation needed]
in nocte consil- I.e., "Tomorrow is a new day." Motto of Birkbeck College, Uni-
advice comes over night
ium versity of London.
in nomine
in the name of the devil
diaboli
in nomine Motto of Trinity College, Perth, Australia; the name of a 1050

in the name of the Lord
Domini papal bull
in nomine patris,
in the name of the Father, and of the
et filii, et spiritus invocation of the Holy Trinity
Son, and of the Holy Spirit
sancti
190
in nuce in a nut in a nutshell; briefly stated; potential; in the embryonic phase
in omnia para-
Ready for anything. Motto of the United States Army's 18th Infantry Regiment
tus
in omnibus
amare et servire In everything, love and serve the Lord. The motto of Ateneo de Iloilo, a school in the Philippines
Domino
in omnibus
requiem
Everywhere I have searched for peace
quaesivi, et
and nowhere found it, except in a cor- Quote by Thomas à Kempis
nusquam inveni
ner with a book
nisi in angulo
cum libro
An experiment or process performed in an egg or embryo (e.g.

in ovo in the egg or in the embryo
in ovo electroporation of chicken embryo).
in pace ut sapi-
in peace, like the wise man, make prep- Horace, Satires 2/2:111; similar to si vis pacem, para bellum
ens aptarit
arations for war and igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.
idonea bello
Alternate form of requiescat in pace ("let him rest in peace").

in pace requies-
in peace may he rest Found in this form at the end of The Cask of Amontillado by
cat
Edgar Allan Poe.
In statutory interpretation, when a statute is ambiguous, its

in pari materia upon the same matter or subject meaning may be determined in light of other statutes on the
same subject matter.
"In the land of the infidels"; used to refer to bishoprics that re-
in partibus
in the parts of the infidels mains as titular sees even after the corresponding territory was
infidelium
conquered by Muslim empires.
in pectore in the heart A cardinal named in secret by the pope. See also ab imo pectore.
in personam into a person Directed towards a particular person
in posse in potential In the state of being possible; as opposed to in esse.
Abbreviated pro per; For one's self, For the sake of one's 'Per-
in propria sonhood'; acting on one's own behalf, especially a person repre-
in one's own person
persona senting himself in a legal proceeding; see also litigant in person,
pro se legal representation in the United States.
in principio erat
in the beginning was the Word (Logos) Beginning of the Gospel of John
Verbum
191
A legal term used to indicate that a judicial proceeding may not

have formally designated adverse parties or is otherwise uncon-
in re in the matter [of] tested. The term is commonly used in case citations of probate
proceedings, for example, In re Smith's Estate; it is also used in
juvenile courts, as, for instance, In re Gault.
Primarily of philosophical use to discuss properties and property

exemplification. In philosophy of mathematics, it is typically
in rebus in the thing [itself]
contrasted with "ante rem" and, more recently, "post res" struc-
turalism. Sometimes in re is used in place of in rebus.
in regione A quote of Desiderius Erasmus from Adagia (first published

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed
caecorum rex est 1500, with numerous expanded editions through 1536), III, IV,
man is king.
luscus 96.
Legal term indicating a court's jurisdiction over a piece of prop-

erty rather than a legal person; contrast with personal (ad perso-
in rem to the thing
nam) jurisdiction. See In rem jurisdiction; Quasi in rem
jurisdiction
in rerum natura in the nature of things See also Lucretius' De rerum natura (On the Nature of Things).
Used to describe documents kept separately from the regular

in retentis among things held back
records of a court for special reasons.
in saecula
(saeculorum), in roughly: down to the times of the times forever (and ever), liturgical
saeculum saeculi
in saeculo in the times In the secular world, esp. outside a monastery, or before death.
in salvo in safety
in scientia
opportunitas In Knowledge, there is Opportunity Motto of Edge Hill University.
(Dog Latin)
in scientia et
In Knowledge, and Virtue Motto of St. Joseph's College, Colombo. Sri Lanka.
virtue
in se magna great things collapse of their own

Lucan, Pharsalia 1:81.
ruunt weight
Coined in the late 1980s for scientific papers. Refers to an ex-

periment or process performed virtually, as a computer simula-
in silico tion. The term is Dog Latin modeled after terms such as in vitro
in silicon
(Dog Latin) and in vivo. The Latin word for silicon is silicium, so the correct
Latinization of "in silicon" would be in silicio, but this form has
little usage.
192
In the original place, appropriate position, or natural arrange-

in situ in the place
ment.
in somnis veritas In dreams there is truth
"future" (My mother-in-law in spe", i.e., "My future mother-in-

law), or "in embryonic form", as in "Locke's theory of govern-
in spe in hope
ment resembles, in spe, Montesquieu's theory of the separation
of powers."
in specialibus
That is, to understand the most general rules through the most
generalia To seek the general in the specifics
detailed analysis.
quaerimus
in statu nascendi in the state of being born Just as something is about to begin
in toto in all Totally; entirely; completely.
in triplo in triple In triplicate.
in umbra, igitur,
Then we will fight in the shade
pugnabimus
in utero in the womb
in utrumque pa-
prepared for either (event)
ratus
in vacuo in a void In a vacuum; isolated from other things.
in varietate
united in diversity The motto of the European Union and the Council of Europe
concordia
invidiae pruden-
prudence conquers jealousy
tia victrix
That is, wine loosens the tongue (referring to alcohol's disinhibi-

in vino veritas in wine [there is] truth
tory effects).
An experimental or process methodology performed in a "non-

natural" setting (e.g. in a laboratory using a glass test tube or Pe-
in vitro in glass tri dish), and thus outside of a living organism or cell. Alterna-
tive experimental or process methodologies include in vitro, in
silico, ex vivo and in vivo.
in vivo in life/in a living thing An experiment or process performed on a living specimen.
193
An expression used by biologists to express the fact that labora-

tory findings from testing an organism in vitro are not always
in vivo veritas in a living thing [there is] truth
reflected when applied to an organism in vivo. A pun on in vino
veritas.
Westville Boys' High School and Westville Girls' High School's

motto is taken directly from Virgil. These words, found in Ae-
neid, Book 1, are used by Juno, queen of heaven who hated the
incepto ne
May I not shrink from my purpose! Trojans led by Aeneas. When she saw the fleet of Aeneas on its
desistam
way to Italy, after the sack of Troy by the Greeks, she planned to
scatter it by means of strong winds. In her determination to ac-
complish her task she cried out "Incepto Ne Desistam!"
A term used to classify a taxonomic group when its broader rela-

incertae sedis of uncertain position (seat)
tionships are unknown or undefined.
incredibile dictu incredible to say A variant on mirabile dictu.
Inwardly, under the skin [intimately,

intus et in cute Persius, Satire 3:30.
without reservation]
Index Librorum Index of Prohibited (or, Forbidden) A list of books considered heretical by the Roman Catholic
Prohibitorum Books Church.
From Augustine, De Civitate Dei XII, 1.3: beatitudinem

being-in-need-of-God, beggar before
indigens Deo consequatur nec expleat indigentiam suam, "since it is not satis-
God
fied unless it be perfectly blessed."
indignor
quandoque I too am annoyed whenever good
Horace, Ars Poetica 358
bonus dormitat Homer nods off
Homerus
indivisibiliter ac Motto of Austria-Hungary before it was divided and separated

indivisible and inseparable
inseparabiliter into independent states in 1918.
Infinitus est nu-

merus stulto- Infinite is the number of fools.
rum.
The motto of Venerable Vital-Justin Grandin, the bishop of the

infirma mundi
God chooses the weak of the world St. Albert Diocese, which is now the Roman Catholic Archdio-
elegit Deus
cese of Edmonton
infra dignitatem
beneath one's dignity
(infra dig)
ingenio stat sine

The honors of genius are eternal Propertius, Elegies Book III, 2
morte decus
194
iniuriae qui
addideris You who have added insult to injury Phaedrus, Fables 5/3:5.
contumeliam
inopiae desunt
To poverty many things are lacking; to
multa, avaritiae Publilius Syrus.
avarice, everything
omnia
insita hominibus
libidine alendi Men have an innate desire to propagate
Titus Livius, (XXVII, XXIV); Michel de Montaigne, (Essays).
de industria ru- rumors or reports
mores
Used in formal correspondence to refer to the current month,

instante mense sometimes abbreviated as inst; e.g.: "Thank you for your letter
in the present month
(inst.) of the 17th inst."—ult. mense = last month, prox. mense = next
month.
Used to express the exploitation of religion by State or

Instrumentum
instrument of government ecclesiastical polity as a means of controlling the masses, or in
regni
particular to achieve political and mundane ends.
Instrumentum So Varro in his De re rustica (On Agriculture) defines the slave:

instrument with voice
vocale an instrument (as a simple plow, or etc.) with voice.
intaminatis ful-
Untarnished, she shines with honor From Horace's Odes (III.2.18). Motto of Wofford College.
get honoribus
integer vitae sce- unimpaired by life and clean of wicked-

From Horace. Used as a funeral hymn.
lerisque purus ness
intelligenti Few words suffice for he who under-

pauca stands
A term used in formal extract minutes to indicate that the minute

quoted has been taken from a fuller record of other matters, or
inter alia (i.a.) among other things
when alluding to the parent group after quoting a particular ex-
ample.
inter alios among others Often used to compress lists of parties to legal documents
Said by Cicero in Pro Milone as a protest against unchecked po-

litical mobs that had virtually seized control of Rome in the 60s
inter arma enim and 50s BC. Famously quoted in the essay Civil Disobedience
in a time of war, the law falls silent
silent leges by Henry David Thoreau as "The clatter of arms drowns out the
voice of the law". This phrase has also been jokingly translated
as "In a time of arms, the legs are silent."
195
inter caetera among others Title of a papal bull
inter mutanda Motto for Rockwell College in Ireland and Francis Libermann
Steadfast in the midst of change
constantia Catholic High School in Ontario, Canada
inter spem et
between hope and fear
metum
inter urinas et
we are born between urine and feces Attributed to St Augustine
faeces nascimur
Refers to property transfers between living persons, as opposed

inter vivos between the living to a testamentary transfer upon death such as an inheritance; of-
ten relevant to tax laws.
Not public; source of the word intramural. See also Intramuros,

intra muros within the walls
Manila.
intra vires within the powers Within one's authority
invenias etiam
You would still recognize the scattered Horace, Satires, I, 4, 62, in reference to the earlier Roman poet
disiecti membra
fragments of a poet Ennius
poetae
Attributed to Petronius[59] or Prudentius. Motto of Nature in

Cambridgeshire:[60]
inveniet quod Inveniet quod quisque velit; non omnibus unum est, quod placet;
Each shall find what he desires
quisque velit hic spinas colligit, ille rosas.
("Each shall find what he desires; no one thing pleases all; one
gathers thorns, another roses.")
invicta Unconquered Motto of the English county of Kent and the city of Oporto
invictus maneo I remain unvanquished Motto of the Armstrong Clan
Iohannes est no-

John is his name Motto of the Seal of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
men eius
ipsa scientia
knowledge itself is power Famous phrase written by Sir Francis Bacon in 1597
potestas est
Commonly said in Medieval debates and referring to Aristotle.

Used in general to emphasize that some assertion comes from
some authority, i.e., as an argument from authority, and the term
ipse-dixitism has come to mean any unsupported rhetorical as-
ipse dixit he himself said it
sertion that lacks a logical argument. A literal translation by
Cicero (in his De Natura Deorum 1.10) of the Greek «αὐτὸς
ἔφα», an invocation by Pythagoreans when appealing to the pro-
nouncements of the master.
196
"Strictly word for word" (cf. verbatim). Often used in Biblical

ipsissima verba the very words themselves Studies to describe the record of Jesus' teaching found in the
New Testament (specifically, the four Gospels).
To approximate the main thrust or message without using the

ipsissima voce in the very 'voice' itself
exact words
ipso facto by the fact itself By that very fact
Like the vast majority of inhabitants of the ancient world, the

ancient Romans practiced pagan rituals, believing it important to
ira deorum wrath of the gods
achieve a state of pax deorum (peace of the gods) instead of ira
deorum (wrath of the gods): earthquakes, floods, famine, etc.
ira furor brevis

Wrath (anger) is but a brief madness
est
A useful phrase, as the Romans had no word for "yes", prefer-

ring to respond to questions with the affirmative or negative of
ita vero thus indeed
the question (e.g., "Are you hungry?" was answered by "I am
hungry" or "I am not hungry", not "Yes" or "No).
Loosely: "You have been dismissed". Concluding words ad-

ite, missa est Go, it is the dismissal
dressed to the people in the Mass of the Roman Rite.[61]
iter legis The path of the law The path a law takes from its conception to its implementation
iucunda memo-
ria est praeteri- Pleasant is the memory of past troubles Cicero, De finibus bonorum et malorum 2, 32, 105
torum malorum
From Gerhard Gerhards' (1466–1536) [better known as Eras-

mus] collection of annotated Adagia (1508). It can mean attack-
iugulare
to cut the throat of corpses ing the work or personality of deceased person. Alternatively, it
mortuos
can be used to describe criticism of an individual already heav-
ily criticised by others.
also spelled juncta juvant; from the legal principle quae non va-
iuncta iuvant together they strive leant singula, iuncta iuvant ("What is without value on its own,
helps when joined")
A legal principle in civil law countries of the Roman-German

tradition that says that lawyers need not to argue the law, as that
iura novit curia the court knows the law
is the office of the court. Sometimes miswritten as iura novat
curia (the court renews the laws).
iure matris in right of his mother Indicates a right exercised by a son on behalf of his mother
197
iure uxoris in right of his wife Indicates a right exercised by a husband on behalf of his wife
iuris ignorantia
it is ignorance of the law when we do
est cum ius nos-
not know our own rights
trum ignoramus
Commonly referred to as "right of survivorship": a rule in prop-

ius accrescendi right of accrual erty law that surviving joint tenants have rights in equal shares
to a decedent's property
Refers to the laws that regulate the reasons for going to war.
ius ad bellum law towards war Typically, this would address issues of self-defense or preemp-
tive strikes.
Refers to a fundamental principle of international law consid-

ered to have acceptance among the international community of
states as a whole. Typically, this would address issues not listed
ius cogens compelling law or defined by any authoritative body, but arise out of case law
and changing social and political attitudes. Generally included
are prohibitions on waging aggressive war, crimes against hu-
manity, war crimes, piracy, genocide, slavery, and torture.
Refers to the "laws" that regulate the conduct of combatants dur-

ing a conflict. Typically, this would address issues of who or
ius in bello law in war what is a valid target, how to treat prisoners, and what sorts of
weapons can be used. The word jus is also commonly spelled
ius.
ius primae noc-

law of the first night The droit de seigneur
tis
iustitia
Motto of the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office of the Czech
fundamentum justice is the foundation of a reign
Republic
regni
iustitia omnibus justice for all The motto of Washington, D.C.
iuventuti nil
to the young nothing is difficult Motto of Canberra Girls Grammar School
arduum
iuventutis veho
I bear the fortunes of youth Motto of Dollar Academy
fortunas
198
labor ipse volup-

The pleasure is in the work itself. Motto of Leopold von Ranke (Manilius IV 155)
tas
Popular as a motto; derived from a phrase in Virgil's Eclogue

(X.69: omnia vincit Amor – "Love conquers all"); a similar
phrase also occurs in his Georgics I.145. Motto of St. Xavier's
labor omnia vin-
Hard work conquers all. Institution, Penang. Motto of Brinkworth Area School, South
cit
Australia. Motto of Princes Street Primary School, Tasmania,
Australia.[62] Motto of Maitland Grossmann High School, New
South Wales, Australia.[63]
laborare
pugnare parati To work, (or) to fight; we are ready Motto of the California Maritime Academy
sumus
labore et honore By labour and honour
laboremus pro
Let us work for the fatherland Motto of the Carlsberg breweries
patria
laboris gloria
Games are the glory of work, Motto of the Camborne School of Mines, Cornwall, UK
Ludi
lacrimae rerum The poignancy of things. Virgil, Aeneid 1:462
lapse, slip, error; involuntary mistake

lapsus
made while writing or speaking
inadvertent typographical error, slip of

lapsus calami
the pen
inadvertent speech error, slip of the

lapsus linguae
tongue
lapsus memo-
slip of memory source of the term memory lapse
riae
latius est impu-

nitum relinqui It is better to let the crime of the guilty
facinus nocentis go unpunished (than to condemn the in- Ulpian, Digest 5:6.
(quam innocen- nocent)
tem damnari)
lauda finem praise to the end Motto of Nottingham High School
Laudatio Ejus
Manet In Secula His Praise Remains unto Ages of Ages Motto of Galway
Seculorum
199
One who is discontent with the present and instead prefers

laudator tempo-
praiser of time past things of the past ("the good old days"). In Horace's Ars Poetica,
ris acti
line 173
laudetur Jesus Often used as a salutation, but also used after prayers or the
Praise (Be) Jesus Christ
Christus reading of the gospel
Inscription on the east side at the peak of the Washington Mon-

laus Deo praise be to God ument in Washington, D.C.; motto of the Viscount of Arbuth-
nott and Sydney Grammar School
lectio brevior A maxim in text criticism. Codified, but simultaneously refuted,

The shorter reading is the better
potior by Marxist educators.[citation needed]
lectori salutem greetings reader Often abbreviated to L.S., used as opening words for a letter
Denotes that a certain intervention is performed in a correct

lege artis according to the law of the art way. Used especially in a medical context. The 'art' referred to
in the phrase is medicine.
legem terrae the law of the land
leges humanae
nascuntur,
laws of man are born, live and die
vivunt, et
moriuntur
leges sine
laws without morals [are] vain From Horace's Odes; motto of the University of Pennsylvania
moribus vanae
legio patria
The Legion is our fatherland Motto of the French Foreign Legion
nostra
legi, intellexi, et
I read, understood, and condemned.
condemnavi
legis plenitudo charity (love) is the fulfilment of the

Motto of Ratcliffe College, UK and of the Rosmini College, NZ
charitas law
In Roman and civil law, a forced share in an estate; the portion

legitime lawfully of the decedent's estate from which the immediate family cannot
be disinherited. From the French héritier legitime (rightful heir).
lex artis law of the skill The rules that regulate a professional duty.
lex dei vitae

the law of God is the lamp of life Motto of the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Melbourne
lampas
lex ferenda the law that should be borne The law as it ought to be.
200
The rule whereby a spouse cannot by deed inter vivos or be-

lex hac edictali the law here proclaims queath by testament to his or her second spouse more than the
amount of the smallest portion given or bequeathed to any child.
A law that only concerns one particular case. See law of the
lex in casu law in the event
case.
lex lata the law that has been borne The law as it is.
lex loci law of the place
lex non scripta law that has not been written Unwritten law, or common law
lex orandi, lex

the law of prayer is the law of faith
credendi
lex paciferat the law shall bring peace Motto of the European Gendarmerie Force
lex parsimoniae law of succinctness also known as Occam's Razor
A principle of government advocating a rule by law rather than

by men. The phrase originated as a double entendre in the title
lex rex the law [is] king of Samuel Rutherford's controversial book Lex, Rex (1644),
which espoused a theory of limited government and constitutio-
nalism.
lex scripta written law Statutory law; contrasted with lex non scripta
lex talionis the law of retaliation Retributive justice (i.e., eye for an eye)
Used in the movie Event Horizon (1997), where it is translated

as "save yourself (from hell)". It is initially misheard as liberate
libera te tutemet me (free me), but is later corrected. Libera te is often mistakenly
Free yourself (from hell)
(ex inferis) merged into liberate, which would necessitate a plural pronoun
instead of the singular tutemet (which is an emphatic form of tu,
you).
Libertas Justitia
Liberty Justice Truth Motto of the Korea University and Freie Universität Berlin
Veritas
Libertas perfun- Motto of the University of Barcelona and the Complutense Uni-
Freedom will flood all things with light
det omnia luce versity of Madrid
Libertas quae
freedom which [is] however late Liberty even when it comes late; motto of Minas Gerais, Brazil
sera tamen
Libertas Securi-
Liberty Security Justice Motto of the Frontex
tas Justitia
201
libra (lb) balance; scales Its abbreviation lb is used as a unit of weight, the pound.
littera scripta
The written word endures Attributed to Horace
manet
loco citato (lc) in the place cited More fully written in loco citato; see also opere citato
A worker who temporarily takes the place of another with simi-

locum tenens place holder lar qualifications, for example as a doctor or a member of the
clergy; usually shortened to locum.
The most typical or classic case of something; quotation which

locus classicus a classic place
most typifies its use.
A medical term to describe a location on or in a body that offers

locus minoris re-
place of less resistance little resistance to infection, damage, or injury. For example, a
sistentiae
weakened place that tends to be reinjured.
A legal term, it is the opportunity of withdrawing from a pro-

locus jected contract, before the parties are finally bound; or of aban-
a place of repentance
poenitentiae doning the intention of committing a crime, before it has been
completed.
locus standi A right to stand Standing in law (the right to have one's case in court)
longissimus dies
even the longest day soon ends Pliny the Younger, Epistulae 9/36:4
cito conditur
A mangled fragment from Cicero's De Finibus Bonorum et Ma-

lorum (On the Limits of Good and Evil, 45 BC), used as typo-
lorem ipsum sorrow itself; pain for its own sake
grapher's filler to show fonts (a.k.a. greeking). (The first syllable
of lorem is cut off; the original was dolorem ipsum').
luceat lux vestra Let your light shine From Matthew Ch. 5 V. 16; popular as a school motto
lucem sequimur We follow the light Motto of the University of Exeter
luceo non uro I shine, not burn Motto of the Highland Scots Clan Mackenzie
lucida sidera The shining stars Horace, Carmina 1/3:2
Motto of the Dutch province of Zeeland to denote its battle

luctor et emergo I struggle and emerge
against the sea, and the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame
Luctor, non
I struggle, but am not overwhelmed Motto of the Glass Family (Sauchie, Scotland)[64]
mergor
202
From late 4th-century grammarian Honoratus Maurus, who

sought to mock implausible word origins such as those proposed
by Priscian. A pun based on the word lucus (dark grove) having
lucus a non a similar appearance to the verb lucere (to shine), arguing that
[it is] a grove by not being light
lucendo the former word is derived from the latter word because of a
lack of light in wooded groves. Often used as an example of ab-
surd etymology, it derives from parum luceat (it does not shine
[being darkened by shade]) by Quintilian in Institutio Oratoria.
ludemus bene in
We play well in groups Motto of the Barony of Marinus
compania
Plautus' adaptation of an old Roman proverb: homo homini lu-

pus est ("man is a wolf to [his fellow] man"). In Asinaria, act II,
lupus est homo scene IV, verse 89 [495 overall]. Lupus est homo homini, non
A man to a man is a wolf
homini homo, quom qualis sit non novit ("a man to a man is a wolf, not
a man, when the other doesn't know of what character he
is.")[65]
With the meaning "speak of the wolf, and he will come"; from
lupus in fabula the wolf in the story
Terence's play Adelphoe.
lupus non mor-

a wolf does not bite a wolf
det lupum
lupus non timet

canem a wolf is not afraid of a barking dog
latrantem
lux aeterna eternal light epitaph
Motto of the Franklin & Marshall College and the University of

lux et lex light and law
North Dakota
A translation of the Hebrew Urim and Thummim. Motto of sev-

lux et veritas light and truth
eral institutions, including Yale University.
lux ex tenebris light from darkness Motto of the 67th Network Warfare Wing
lux hominum
light the life of man Motto of the University of New Mexico
vita
lux in Domino light in the Lord Motto of the Ateneo de Manila University
lux in tenebris Motto of Columbia University School of General Studies[66]

The light that shines in the darkness
lucet Also: John 1:5.
lux libertas light and liberty Motto of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
203
Lux mentis Lux

Light of the mind, Light of the world Motto of Sonoma State University
orbis
A more literal Latinization of the phrase; the most common

translation is fiat lux, from Latin Vulgate Bible phrase chosen
lux sit let there be light for the Genesis line "‫אֱלֹּהִים וַיֹּאמֶר‬, ‫וַיְהִי ;אֹור יְהִי‬-‫( "אֹור‬And
God said: 'Let there be light.' And there was light). Motto of the
University of Washington.
lux tua nos du-

Your Light Guides Us Motto of St. Julian's School, Carcavelos, Portugal[67]
cat
lux, veritas,
light, truth, courage Motto of Northeastern University
virtus
Macte animo!
Young, cheer up! This is the way to the Motto of Academia da Força Aérea (Air Force Academy) of the
Generose puer
skies. Brazilian Air Force
sic itur ad astra
macte virtute sic or "excellence is the way to the stars"; frequent motto; from Vir-
those who excel, thus reach the stars
itur ad astra gil's Aeneid IX.641 (English, Dryden)
Canonical medieval reference to Aristotle, precluding further

magister dixit the teacher has said it
discussion
magister meus common Catholic edict and motto of a Catholic private school,
Christ is my teacher
Christus Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana
Set of documents from 1215 between Pope Innocent III, King

Magna Carta Great Charter
John of England, and English barons.
magna cum Common Latin honor, above cum laude and below summa cum
with great praise
laude laude
magna di
The gods care about great matters, but
curant, parva Cicero, De Natura Deorum 2:167
they neglect small ones
neglegunt
magna est vis

great is the power of habit
consuetudinis
Magna Europa
Greater Europe is Our Fatherland Political motto of pan-Europeanists
est patria nostra
204
magno cum
with great joy
gaudio
magnum opus great work Said of someone's masterpiece
Cicero, Paradoxa 6/3:49. Sometimes translated into English as

"thrift (or frugality) is a great revenue (or income)", edited from
magnum
its original subordinate clause: "O di immortales! non
vectigal est Economy is a great revenue
intellegunt homines, quam magnum vectigal sit parsimonia."
parsimonia
(English: O immortal gods! Men do not understand what a great
revenue is thrift.)
maior e
When viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful. Tacitus,
longinquo greater reverence from afar
Annales 1.47
reverentia
Used to indicate that it is the moment to address more im-

maiora premunt greater things are pressing
portant, urgent, issues.
Said of an act done with knowledge of its illegality, or with in-

mala fide in bad faith
tention to defraud or mislead someone. Opposite of bona fide.
Mala Ipsa Nova Bad News Itself Motto of the inactive 495th Fighter Squadron, US Air Force
mala tempora Also used ironically, e.g.: New teachers know all tricks used by
bad times are upon us
currunt pupils to copy from classmates? Oh, mala tempora currunt!.
male captus An illegal arrest will not prejudice the subsequent deten-
wrongly captured, properly detained
bene detentus tion/trial.
Malo mori Motto of the inactive 34th Battalion (Australia), the Drimnagh
Death rather than dishonour
quam foedari Castle Secondary School
malo
periculosam attributed to the Count Palatine of Posen before the Diet of Po-
I prefer liberty with danger to peace
libertatem quam land, cited in "The Social Contract or Principles of Political
with slavery
quietum Right" by Jean Jacques Rousseau
servitium
Alludes to the apple of Eris in the Judgement of Paris, the myth-

ological cause of the Trojan War. It is also a pun based on the
malum
apple of discord near-homonymous word malum (evil). The word for "apple" has
discordiae
a long ā vowel in Latin and the word for "evil" a short a vowel,
but they are normally written the same.
A legal term meaning that something is inherently wrong (cf.

malum in se wrong in itself
malum prohibitum).
malum prohibi- A legal term meaning that something is only wrong because it is
wrong due to being prohibited
tum against the law.
205
malum quo
the more common an evil is, the worse
communius eo
it is
peius
literally translated means 'with a strong

manu forte hand', often quoted as 'by strength of Motto of the Clan McKay
hand'
A phrase from Virgil's Aeneid, VI.883, mourning the death of

manibus date Marcellus, Augustus' nephew. Quoted by Dante as he leaves
give lilies with full hands
lilia plenis Virgil in Purgatory, XXX.21, echoed by Walt Whitman in
Leaves of Grass III, 6.
manu militari with a military hand Using armed forces in order to achieve a goal
With the implication of "signed by one's hand". Its abbreviated

form is sometimes used at the end of typewritten or printed doc-
manu propria
with one's own hand uments or official notices, directly following the name of the
(m.p.)
person(s) who "signed" the document exactly in those cases
where there isn't an actual handwritten signature.
famous quote from The Pumpkinification of Claudius, ascribed

manus manum
one hand washes the other to Seneca the Younger.[68] It implies that one situation helps
lavat
the other.
manus multae
many hands, one heart Motto of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity.
cor unum
manus nigra black hand
Seneca the Younger, De Providentia 2:4. Also, translated into

English as "[their] strength and courage droop without an antag-
marcet sine
valor becomes feeble without an oppo- onist" ("Of Providence" (1900) by Seneca, translated by Aubrey
adversario
nent Stewart),[69] "without an adversary, prowess shrivels" (Moral
virtus
Essays (1928) by Seneca, translated by John W, Basore)[70] and
"prowess withers without opposition".
In law, a sea under the jurisdiction of one nation and closed to

mare clausum closed sea
all others.
Mare Ditat,
The sea enriches, the rose adorns Motto of Montrose, Angus and HMS Montrose
Rosa Decorat
mare liberum free sea In law, a sea open to international shipping navigation.
A nickname given to the Mediterranean Sea during the height of

mare nostrum our sea
the Roman Empire, as it encompassed the entire coastal basin.
A name given to describe Mary, who gave birth to Jesus, who is

Mater Dei Mother of God
also called the Son of God.
206
mater familias the mother of the family The female head of a family. See pater familias.
a Roman-law principle which has the power of praesumptio iu-

ris et de iure, meaning that no counter-evidence can be made
Mater semper
the mother is always certain against this principle (literally: Presumed there is no counter ev-
certa est
idence and by the law). Its meaning is that the mother of the
child is always known.
Branch of medical science concerned with the study of drugs

materia medica medical matter
used in the treatment of disease. Also, the drugs themselves.
maxima debetur
greatest deference is owed to the child from Juvenal's Satires XIV:47
puero reverentia
Less literally, "my foot itches". Refers to a trivial situation or

person that is being a bother, possibly in the sense of wishing to
me vexat pede it annoys me at the foot
kick that thing away or, such as the commonly used expressions,
a "pebble in one's shoe" or "nipping at one's heels".
Used in Christian prayers and confession to denote the inher-

mea culpa through my fault ently flawed nature of mankind; can also be extended to mea
maxima culpa (through my greatest fault).
mea navis aëri-

A relatively common recent Latinization inspired by the Dirty
cumbens anguil- My hovercraft is full of eels
Hungarian Phrasebook sketch by Monty Python.
lis abundat
A well-known sequence, falsely attributed to Notker during the

media vita in Middle Ages. It was translated by Cranmer and became a part of
In the midst of our lives we die
morte sumus the burial service in the funeral rites of the Anglican Book of
Common Prayer.
Used erroneously as Mediolanum Capta Est by the black metal

Mediolanum
Milan has been captured band Mayhem as an album title. Mediolanum was an ancient
captum est
city in present-day Milan, Italy.
Carrying the connotation of "always better". The motto of the

meliora better things
University of Rochester.
Meliorare legem
The motto of the Salem/Roanoke County, Virginia Bar
meliorare vitam To improve the law is to improve life.
Association.
est
Meliorem lapsa He has planted one better than the one The motto of the Belmont County, Ohio, and the motto in the
locavit fallen. seal of the Northwest Territory
207
A relatively common recent Latinization from the joke phrase-

Melita, domi
Honey, I'm home! book Latin for All Occasions. Grammatically correct, but the
adsum
phrase would be anachronistic in ancient Rome.
memento mori remember that [you will] die remember your mortality
memento vivere remember to live
meminerunt
lovers remember all
omnia amantes
memores acti mindful of things done, aware of things Thus, both remembering the past and foreseeing the future.
prudentes futuri to come From the North Hertfordshire District Council coat of arms.
A common first line on 17th century English church monu-

Sacred to the ments. The Latinized name of the deceased follows, in the geni-
Memoriae
Memory (of ...) tive case. Alternatively it may be used as a heading, the inscrip-
Sacrum (M.S.)
tion following being in English, for example: "Memoriae
Sacrum. Here lies the body of ..."
From Virgil. Motto of Newcastle University, Rossall School, the

mens agitat mo-
the mind moves the mass University of Oregon, the University of Warwick and the
lem
Eindhoven University of Technology.
Motto of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and also of the

mens et manus mind and hand
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Also "culprit mind". A term used in discussing the mindset of an

mens rea guilty mind
accused criminal.
mens sana in Or "a sensible mind in a healthy body". Satire X of the Roman
a sound mind in a sound body
corpore sano poet Juvenal (10.356)
metri causa for the sake of the metre Excusing flaws in poetry "for the sake of the metre"
Or "Boastful Soldier". Miles Gloriosus is the title of a play of

Plautus. A stock character in comedy, the braggart soldier. (It is
Miles Gloriosus Glorious Soldier said that at Salamanca, there is a wall, on which graduates in-
scribe their names, where Francisco Franco had a plaque in-
stalled reading "Franciscus Francus Miles Gloriosus".)
A phrase on the plaque in commemoration of Prof. Benjamin

miles praesidii
Soldier of the Bastion of Freedom Marius Telders (nl), Academiegebouw Leiden (nl) (Nether-
libertatis
lands).
mictus cruentus bloody urine see hematuria
208
minatur inno-
centibus qui he threatens the innocent who spares the
parcit nocenti- guilty
bus
mirabile dictu wonderful to tell Virgil
mirabile visu wonderful to see A Roman phrase used to describe a wonderful event/happening.
mirum videtur Does it seem wonderful [merely] be-

quod sit factum cause it was done a long time/so long Livius Andronicus, Aiax Mastigophorus.
iam diu ago?
Latin Aeneid of Virgil, Book IV, line 112, "he" referring to the
miscerique pro-
He approves of the mingling of the peo- great Roman god, who approved of the settlement of Romans in
bat populos et
ples and their bonds of union Africa. Old Motto of Trinidad and Tobago, and used in the
foedera jungi
novel A Bend in the River by V. S. Naipaul.
misera est servi-

tus ubi jus est miserable is that state of slavery in Quoted by Samuel Johnson in his paper for James Boswell on
aut incognitum which the law is unknown or uncertain Vicious intromission.
aut vagum
miserabile visu terrible to see A terrible happening or event.
A phrase within the Gloria in Excelsis Deo and the Agnus Dei,
miserere nobis have mercy upon us
to be used at certain points in Christian religious ceremonies.
Missio Dei the Mission of God A theological phrase in the Christian religion.
missit me Domi-
the Lord has sent me A phrase used by Jesus.
nus
A warrant of commitment to prison, or an instruction for a jailer

mittimus we send
to hold someone in prison.
"moving in a moving thing" or, poeti-

mobilis in The motto of the Nautilus from the Jules Verne novel Twenty
cally, "changing through the changing
mobili Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
medium"
Dog Latin based on wordplay with modus ponens and modus

modus morons tollens, referring to the common logical fallacy that if P then Q
—
(Dog Latin) and not P, then one can conclude not Q (cf. denying the ante-
cedent and contraposition).
modus operandi
method of operating Usually used to describe a criminal's methods.
(M.O.)
209
Loosely "method of affirming", a logical rule of inference stat-

modus ponens method of placing ing that from propositions if P then Q and P, then one can con-
clude Q.
Loosely "method of denying", a logical rule of inference stating

modus tollens method of removing that from propositions if P then Q and not Q, then one can con-
clude not P.
An accommodation between disagreeing parties to allow life to

modus vivendi method of living
go on. A practical compromise.
Used in the Umberto Eco novel The Name of the Rose. Part of a
much larger phrase: Monasterium sine libris, est sicut civitas
Monasterium sine opibus, castrum sine numeris, coquina sine suppellectili,
sine libris est A monastery without books is like a city mensa sine cibis, hortus sine herbis, pratum sine floribus, arbor
sicut civitas sine without wealth sine foliis. Translation: A monastery without books is like a city
opibus without wealth, a fortress without soldiers, a kitchen without
utensils, a table without food, a garden without plants, a
meadow without flowers, a tree without leaves.
montani semper
mountaineers [are] always free State motto of West Virginia, adopted in 1872.
liberi
Montis Insignia
Badge of the Rock of Gibraltar
Calpe
more ferarum like beasts used to describe any sexual act in the manner of beasts
more suo in his/her/its/their usual way
morior invictus I die unvanquished[71] sometimes also translated as "death before defeat"[71]
morituri nolu-
we who are about to die don't want to From Terry Pratchett's The Last Hero
mus mori
Used once in Suetonius' De Vita Caesarum 5, (Divus Claudius),

chapter 21,[72] by the condemned prisoners manning galleys
morituri te salu-
those who are about to die salute you about to take part in a mock naval battle on Lake Fucinus in AD
tant
52. Popular misconception ascribes it as a gladiator's salute. See
also: Ave Imperator, morituri te salutant and Naumachia.
mors certa, hora

death is certain, its hour is uncertain
incerta
A common epitaph, from St Paul's Epistle to the Philippians,

mors mihi lu- 1:21 (Mihi enim vivere Christus est et mori lucrum, translated in
death to me is reward
crum the King James Bible as: "For to me to live is Christ and to die
is gain")
mors omnibus death to all Signifies anger and depression.
210
mors tua, vita From medieval Latin, it indicates that battle for survival, where
your death, my life
mea your defeat is necessary for my victory, survival.
mors vincit "death conquers all" or "death always

An axiom often found on headstones.
omnia wins"
morte magis
old age should rather be feared than
metuenda from Juvenal in his Satires
death
senectus
mortui vivos Used to justify dissections of human cadavers in order to under-

The dead teach the living
docent stand the cause of death.

mortuum
you are flogging a dead mus] collection of annotated Adagia (1508). Criticising one who
flagellas
will not be affected in any way by the criticism.
an unwritten code of laws and conduct, of the Romans. It insti-

mos maiorum the custom of our ancestors tutionalized cultural traditions, societal mores, and general poli-
cies, as distinct from written laws.
Or "by his own accord." Identifies a class of papal documents,

motu proprio on his own initiative
administrative papal bulls.

mulgere hircum to milk a male goat mus] collection of annotated Adagia (1508). Attempting the im-
possible.
"Part of a comic definition of woman" from the Altercatio Ha-

mulier est homi-
woman is man's ruin driani Augusti et Secundi.[73] Famously quoted by
nis confusio
Chauntecleer in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
multa paucis Say much in few words
multis e
from many peoples, strength Motto of Saskatchewan
gentibus vires
multitudo
a multitude of the wise is the health of From the Vulgate, Wisdom of Solomon 6:24. Motto of the Uni-
sapientium
the world versity of Victoria.
sanitas orbis
Conciseness. The term "mipmap" is formed using the phrase's

abbreviation "MIP"; motto of Rutland, a county in central Eng-
multum in
much in little land.
parvo
Latin phrases are often multum in parvo, conveying much in few
words.
mundus senescit the world grows old
211
Ascribed to Roman satirist Petronius. Also in Augustine of

Hippo's De Civitate Dei contra Paganos (5th century AD),
mundus vult
the world wants to be deceived Sebastian Franck's Paradoxa Ducenta Octoginta (1542), and in
decipi
James Branch Cabell's 1921 novel Figures of
Earth.[74][75][76][77]
Ascribed to Roman satirist Petronius. Also in Augustine of

Hippo's De Civitate Dei contra Paganos (5th century AD) as "si
mundus vult mundus vult decipi, decipiatur" ("if the world will be gulled, let
the world wants to be deceived, so let it
decipi, ergo it be gulled"), and only the first part, "mundus vult decipi" ("the
be deceived
decipiatur world wants to be deceived"), in Sebastian Franck's Paradoxa
Ducenta Octoginta (1542) and in James Branch Cabell's Figures
of Earth (1921).[74][75][76][77]
munit haec et al- this one defends and the other one con-
Motto of Nova Scotia.
tera vincit quers
mutatis mutan- after changing what needed to be

"with the appropriate changes"
dis changed
mutato nomine
change but the name, and the story is Horace, Satires, I. 1. 69. Preceded by Quid rides? ("Why do you
de te fabula
told of yourself laugh?"; see Quid rides).
narratur
First recorded by John of Salisbury in the twelfth century

Dwarfs standing on the and attributed to Bernard of Chartres. Also commonly
nanos gigantum humeris insidentes
shoulders of giants known by the letters of Isaac Newton: "If I have seen fur-
ther it is by standing on the shoulders of giants".
When we are born we

nascentes morimur finisque ab ori-
die, our end is but the
gine pendet
pendant of our beginning
The unborn is deemed to

nasciturus pro iam nato habetur, have been born to the ex- Refers to a situation where an unborn child is deemed to
quotiens de commodis eius agitur tent that his own inher- be entitled to certain inheritance rights.
itance is concerned
Pseudo-explanation for why a liquid will climb up a tube

natura abhorret a vacuo nature abhors vacuum to fill a vacuum, often given before the discovery of at-
mospheric pressure.
212
Nature is the teacher of The name of the zoo in the centre of Amsterdam; short:
natura artis magistra
art "Artis".
Cf. Aristotle: "οὐθὲν γάρ, ὡς φαμέν, μάτην ἡ φύσις ποιεῖ"

nature does nothing in
natura nihil frustra facit (Politics I 2, 1253a9) and Leucippus: "Everything that
vain
happens does so for a reason and of necessity."
That is, the natural world is not sentimental or compas-

natura non contristatur nature is not saddened sionate. Derived by Arthur Schopenhauer from an earlier
source.
Shortened form of "sicut natura nil facit per saltum ita

nature does not make a
nec lex" (just as nature does nothing by a leap, so neither
natura non facit saltum ita nec lex leap, thus neither does
does the law), referring to both nature and the legal sys-
the law
tem moving gradually.
A famous aphorism of Carl Linnaeus stating that all or-

ganisms bear relationships on all sides, their forms
natura non facit saltus nature makes no leaps
changing gradually from one species to the next. From
Philosophia Botanica (1751).
Sir Isaac Newton's famous quote, defining foundation of

Nature is exceedingly all modern sciences. Can be found in his Unpublished
natura valde simplex est et sibi con-
simple and harmonious Scientific Papers of Isaac Newton: A selection from the
sona
with itself Portsmouth Collection in the University Library, Cam-
bridge, 1978 edition[78]
What is natural is not Based on Servius' commentary on Virgil's Georgics

naturalia non sunt turpia
dirty (3:96): "turpis non est quia per naturam venit."
You may drive out Na- You must take the basic nature of something into ac-
naturam expellas furca, tamen us-
ture with a pitchfork, yet count.
que recurret.
she still will hurry back - Horace, Epistles, Book I, epistle X, line 24.
Attributed by Plutarch to Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus,

navigare necesse est, vivere non est to sail is necessary; to who, during a severe storm, commanded sailors to bring
necesse live is not necessary food from Africa to Rome. Translated from Plutarch's
Greek "πλεῖν ἀνάγκη, ζῆν οὐκ ἀνάγκη".
213
Also nec plus ultra or non plus ultra. A descriptive

phrase meaning the best or most extreme example of
something. The Pillars of Hercules, for example, were lit-
erally the nec plus ultra of the ancient Mediterranean
world. Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's heraldic em-
ne plus ultra nothing more beyond blem reversed this idea, using a depiction of this phrase
inscribed on the Pillars—as plus ultra, without the nega-
tion. The Boston Musical Instrument Company engraved
ne plus ultra on its instruments from 1869 to 1928 to sig-
nify that none were better. Non... is the motto of the
Spanish exclave Melilla.
Never give dangerous tools to someone who is untrained

do not give a sword to a
ne puero gladium to use them or too immature to understand the damage
boy
they can do.
a shoemaker should not

ne supra crepidam sutor iudicaret see Sutor, ne ultra crepidam
judge beyond the shoe
line from the Roman satirist Persius inscribed on the

boulder to the right of Sir John Suckling in the painting
do not seek outside your-
ne te quaesiveris extra of the aforementioned subject by Sir Anthony Van Dyck
self
(ca. 1638) and invoked by Ralph Waldo Emerson at the
opening of his essay Self-Reliance (1841)
They are not afraid of difficulties. Less literally "Difficul-

ties be damned." Motto for 27th Infantry Regiment
They are not terrified of
Nec aspera terrent (United States) and the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.
the rough things
Nec = not; aspera = rough ones/things; terrent = they ter-
rify / do terrify / are terrifying.
That a god not intervene, "When the miraculous power of God is necessary, let it
Nec deus intersit, nisi dignus vindice unless a knot show up be resorted to: when it is not necessary, let the ordinary
nodus (inciderit) that be worthy of such an means be used." From Horace's Ars Poetica as a caution
untangler against deus ex machina.
Do not get distracted. Motto for Bishop Cotton Boys'

Neither to the right nor to
nec dextrorsum, nec sinistrorsum School and the Bishop Cotton Girls' School, both located
the left
in Bangalore, India.
without hope, without

nec spe, nec metu
fear
and yet it was not con- Refers to the Burning Bush of Exodus 3:2. Motto of
nec tamen consumebatur
sumed many Presbyterian churches throughout the world.
Motto of the Dutch 11th Air Manoeuvre Brigade and the

nec temere nec timide neither reckless nor timid
city of Gdańsk, Poland.
214
Without permission,
nec vi, nec clam, nec precario without secrecy, without The law of adverse possession.
interruption
kill them all, God will alternate rendition of Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus
neca eos omnes, deus suos agnoscet
know his own qui sunt eius by Arnaud Amalric.
you must either imitate or

necesse est aut imiteris aut oderis Seneca the Younger, Epistulae morales ad Lucilium, 7:7.
loathe the world
need makes even the

necessitas etiam timidos fortes facit Sallust, The Conspiracy of Catiline, 58:19
timid brave
Less literally, "without dissent". Used especially in com-

nemine contradicente (nem. con., with no one speaking
mittees, where a matter may be passed nem. con., or
N.C.D.) against
unanimously, or with unanimous consent.
No one against God ex- From Goethe's autobiography From my Life: Poetry and
nemo contra Deum nisi Deus ipse
cept God himself Truth, p. 598.
no one gives what he

nemo dat quod non habet Thus, "none can pass better title than they have".
does not have
nobody is above the law;

nemo est supra legem or nemo est supra leges,
nobody is above the laws
No great man ever ex-

Nemo igitur vir magnus sine aliquo isted who did not enjoy From Cicero's De Natura Deorum, Book 2, chapter
adflatu divino umquam fuit some portion of divine LXVI, 167[79]
inspiration
no man shall be a judge Legal principle that no individual can preside over a hear-
nemo iudex in causa sua
in his own cause ing in which he holds a specific interest or bias.
Also translated to "no rest for the wicked." Refers to the

peace visits not the guilty
nemo malus felix inherent psychological issues that plague bad/guilty peo-
mind
ple.
Motto of the Order of the Thistle, and consequently of

Scotland, found stamped on the milled edge of certain
No one provokes me with British pound sterling coins. It is the motto of the Mon-
nemo me impune lacessit
impunity tressors in the Edgar Allan Poe short story "The Cask of
Amontillado". Motto of the San Beda College Beta
Sigma Fraternity.
nemo mortalium omnibus horis No mortal is wise at all

The wisest may make mistakes.
sapit times
215
No one learns except by Used to imply that one must like a subject in order to
nemo nisi per amicitiam cognoscitur
friendship study it.
no man is a prophet in his Concept present in all four Gospels (Matthew 13:57;
nemo propheta in patria (sua)
own land Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24; John 4:44).
The short and more common form of Nemo enim fere

saltat sobrius, nisi forte insanit, "Nobody dances sober,
nemo saltat sobrius Nobody dances sober
unless he happens to be insane," a quote from Cicero
(from the speech Pro Murena).
A maxim banning mandatory self-incrimination. Near-

synonymous with accusare nemo se debet nisi coram
Deo. Similar phrases include: nemo tenetur armare
adversarium contra se (no one is bound to arm an oppo-
nent against himself), meaning that a defendant is not ob-
ligated to in any way assist the prosecutor to his own det-
no one is bound to accuse
riment; nemo tenetur edere instrumenta contra se (no one
nemo tenetur se ipsum accusare himself (the right to si-
is bound to produce documents against himself, meaning
lence)
that a defendant is not obligated to provide materials to
be used against himself (this is true in Roman law and
has survived in modern criminal law, but no longer ap-
plies in modern civil law); and nemo tenere prodere se
ipsum (no one is bound to betray himself), meaning that a
defendant is not obligated to testify against himself.
nor does Apollo always Horace, Carmina 2/10:19-20. The same image appears in
neque semper arcum tendit Apollo
keep his bow drawn a fable of Phaedrus.
Ne quid nimis Nothing in excess
In war, it is essential to be able to purchase supplies and

Endless money forms the
nervos belli, pecuniam infinitam to pay troops (as Napoleon put it, "An army marches on
sinews of war
its stomach").
nothing to do with the

nihil ad rem That is, in law, irrelevant and/or inconsequential.
point
nothing achieved without

nihil boni sine labore Motto of Palmerston North Boys' High School
hard work
In law, a declination by a defendant to answer charges or

nihil dicit he says nothing
put in a plea.
nothing dries sooner than

nihil enim lacrima citius arescit Pseudo-Cicero, Ad Herrenium, 2/31:50
a tear
216
Adapted from Terence's Heauton Timorumenos (The

nothing human is alien to Self-Tormentor), homo sum humani a me nihil alienum
nihil humanum mihi alienum
me puto ("I am a human being; nothing human is strange to
me"). Sometimes ending in est.
The guiding principle of empiricism, and accepted in

nothing in the intellect some form by Aristotle, Aquinas, Locke, Berkeley, and
nihil in intellectu nisi prius in sensu
unless first in sense Hume. Leibniz, however, added nisi intellectus ipse (ex-
cept the intellect itself).
Or nothing to excess. Latin translation of the inscription

nihil nimis nothing too
of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi.
Or just "nothing new". The phrase exists in two versions:

as nihil novi sub sole (nothing new under the sun), from
the Vulgate, and as nihil novi nisi commune consensu
nihil novi nothing of the new
(nothing new unless by the common consensus), a 1505
law of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and one of
the cornerstones of its Golden Liberty.
A notation, usually on a title page, indicating that a Ro-

man Catholic censor has reviewed the book and found
nihil obstat nothing prevents
nothing objectionable to faith or morals in its content. See
also imprimatur.
Motto of the Kingdom of Romania, while ruled by the

nihil sine Deo nothing without God
Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty (1878–1947).
nihil ultra nothing beyond Motto of St. Xavier's College, Calcutta
Or "nihil admirari". Cicero, Tusculanae Disputationes

(3,30), Horace, Epistulae (1,6,1), and Seneca, Epistulae
nil admirari be surprised at nothing
morales ad Lucilium, (8,5). Motto of the Fitzgibbon fam-
ily. See John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare
nothing must be des-

nil desperandum That is, "never despair".
paired at
nothing, therefore, we
nil igitur fieri de nilo posse From Lucretius' De rerum natura (On the Nature of
must confess, can be
fatendumst Things), I.205
made from nothing
Death, therefore, is noth- From Lucretius' De rerum natura (On the Nature of
Nil igitur mors est ad nos
ing to us Things), III.831
nothing is impossible for From Horace's Odes. Motto of Rathkeale College, New
nil mortalibus ardui est
humankind Zealand and Brunts School, England.
217
Short for nil nisi bonum de mortuis dicere. That is, "Don't
(about the dead say) speak ill of anyone who has died". Also "Nil magnum
nil nisi bonum nothing unless (it is) nisi bonum" (nothing is great unless good), motto of St
good Catherine's School, Toorak, Pennant Hills High School
and Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary School.
no terror, except to the

nil nisi malis terrori Motto of The King's School, Macclesfield
bad
nothing through the Medical shorthand indicating that oral foods and fluids
nil per os, rarely non per os (n.p.o.)
mouth should be withheld from the patient.
nothing [is] enough un- Motto of Everton F.C., residents of Goodison Park, Liv-
nil satis nisi optimum
less [it is] the best erpool.
Motto of Fitzoy High School, Brisbane Grammar School,

Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Greenwich Public
nil sine labore nothing without labour School, Victoria School, Victoria Junior College, Baines
High School, St Mungo's Academy and Heckmondwike
Grammar School
Or "nothing without providence". State motto of Colo-

rado, adopted in 1861. Probably derived from Virgil's
nothing without the di-
nil sine numine Aeneid Book II, line 777, "non haec sine numine divum
vine will
eveniunt" (these things do not come to pass without the
will of Heaven). See also numen.
Nothing [is] arduous for

nil volentibus arduum Nothing is impossible for the willing
the willing
That is, "everything is in vain without God". Summarized

from Psalm 127 (126 Vulgate), "nisi Dominus
aedificaverit domum in vanum laboraverunt qui
aedificant eam nisi Dominus custodierit civitatem frustra
vigilavit qui custodit" (unless the Lord builds the house,
they work on a useless thing who build it; unless the Lord
if not the Lord, [it is] in
nisi Dominus frustra guards the community, he keeps watch in vain who
vain
guards it). Motto of Edinburgh, St Thomas School, Kol-
kata, Welland Gouldsmith School, Kolkata, Union Sec-
ondary School Awkunanaw, Enugu, CMS Grammar
School , Bariga Lagos and St. Stephen's Episcopal
School, Calday Grange Grammar School, Wirral, Eng-
land and Richmond College, Galle, Sri Lanka
218
Irascetur aliquis: tu contra beneficiis prouoca; cadit

statim simultas ab altera parte deserta; nisi paria non
pugnant. (If any one is angry with you, meet his anger by
it takes two to make a
nisi paria non pugnant returning benefits for it: a quarrel which is only taken up
fight
on one side falls to the ground: it takes two men to fight.)
Seneca the Younger, De Ira (On Anger): Book 2, cap. 34,
line 5.
In England, a direction that a case be brought up to

Westminster for trial before a single judge and jury. In
nisi prius unless previously the United States, a court where civil actions are tried by
a single judge sitting with a jury, as distinguished from an
appellate court.
From Ovid's Amores, III.4:17. It means that when we are

denied of something, we will eagerly pursue the denied
We strive for the forbid-
nitimur in vetitum thing. Used by Friedrich Nietzsche in his Ecce Homo to
den
indicate that his philosophy pursues what is forbidden to
other philosophers.
Good for us, Bad for no Inscription on the old Nobistor (de) gatepost that divided
nobis bene, nemini male
one Altona and St. Pauli
That is, "whether unwillingly or willingly". Sometimes

rendered volens nolens, aut nolens aut volens or nolentis
nolens volens unwilling, willing volentis. Similar to willy-nilly, though that word is de-
rived from Old English will-he nil-he ([whether] he will
or [whether] he will not).
Commonly translated "touch me not". According to the

noli me tangere do not touch me Gospel of John, this was said by Jesus to Mary
Magdalene after his resurrection.
That is, "Don't upset my calculations!" Said by

Do not disturb my cir- Archimedes to a Roman soldier who, despite having been
noli turbare circulos meos
cles! given orders not to, killed Archimedes at the conquest of
Syracuse, Sicily.
From The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood — the

nolite te bastardes carborundorum "Don't let the bastards protagonist (Offred) finds the phrase inscribed on the in-
(Dog Latin) grind you down side of her wardrobe. One of many variants of Illegitimi
non carborundum.
A legal motion by a prosecutor or other plaintiff to drop

to be unwilling to prose-
nolle prosequi legal charges, usually in exchange for a diversion pro-
cute
gram or out-of-court settlement.
219
That is, "no contest". A plea that can be entered on behalf

of a defendant in a court that states that the accused
nolo contendere I do not wish to contend doesn't admit guilt, but will accept punishment for a
crime. Nolo contendere pleas cannot be used as evidence
in another trial.
the name of friendship

nomen amicitiae sic, quatenus
lasts just so long as it is Petronius, Satyricon, 80.
expedit, haeret
profitable
nomen dubium doubtful name A scientific name of unknown or doubtful application.
nomen est omen the name is a sign Thus, "true to its name".
nomen nescio (N.N.) I do not know the name Thus, the name or person in question is unknown.
A purported scientific name that does not fulfill the

nomen nudum naked name proper formal criteria and therefore cannot be used unless
it is subsequently proposed correctly.
According to some roman this sentence was said by

non auro, sed ferro, recuperanda est Not gold, but iron re- Marcus Furius Camillus to Brennus, the chief of the
patria deems the native land Gauls, after he demanded more gold from the citizens of
the recently sacked Rome in 390 BC.
Motto of Republic of Ragusa, inscribed over the gates of

non bene pro toto libertas venditur liberty is not well sold
St. Lawrence Fortress. From Gualterus Anglicus's version
auro for all the gold
of Aesop's fable "The Dog and the Wolf".
not twice in the same

non bis in idem A legal principle forbidding double jeopardy.
thing
non canimus surdis, respondent we sing not to the deaf;

Virgil, Eclogues 10:8
omnia silvae the trees echo every word
Also known as the "questionable cause" or "false cause".

not the cause for the
non causa pro causa Refers to any logical fallacy where a cause is incorrectly
cause
identified.
See compos mentis. Also rendered non compos sui (not in

control of himself). Samuel Johnson, author of the first
non compos mentis not in control of the mind
English dictionary, theorized that the word nincompoop
may derive from this phrase.
220
Used to explain scientific phenomena and religious advo-

cations, for example in medieval history, for rulers to is-
sue a 'Non Constat' decree, banning the worship of a holy
non constat it is not certain figure. In legal context, occasionally a backing for nulling
information that was presented by an attorney. Without
any tangible proof, Non constat information is difficult to
argue for.
non diligere Deum, qui mandata eius Pope John VIII writing to Athanasius II, Bishop of Na-
God does not love those
participando cum perfidis non ples, regarding the overthrow of his elder brother the
who allow perfidy.
custodit Duke of Naples.
Motto of São Paulo city, Brazil. See also pro Brasilia

non ducor, duco I am not led; I lead
fiant eximia.
a doctrine in contract law that allows a signing party to

escape performance of the agreement. A claim of "non
est factum" means that the signature on the contract was
non est factum it is not [my] deed
signed by mistake, without knowledge of its meaning, but
was not done so negligently. A successful plea would
make the contract void ab initio.
the prince is not above

non est princeps super leges, sed
the laws, but the laws Pliny the Younger, Panegyricus 65:1.
leges supra principem
above the prince.
Motto of the Society of Antiquaries of London accompa-

non extinguetur shall not be extinguished
nying their Lamp of knowledge emblem
you should not make evil

More simply, "don't do wrong to do right". The direct op-
non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum in order that good may be
posite of the phrase "the ends justify the means".
made from it
Virgil, Aeneid, 4:647, of the sword with which Dido will

commit suicide. "Not for so dire an enterprise design’d."
(Dryden trans.; 1697)[80] "A gift asked for no use like
A gift sought for no such this." (Mackail trans.; 1885).[81] "Ne'er given for an end
non hos quaesitum munus in usus
purpose so dire." (Taylor trans.; 1907)[82] "A gift not asked for
use like this!" (Williams trans.; 1910).[83] Quoted by
Francis Bacon of the civil law, "not made for the coun-
tries it governeth".
unencumbered by the
non impediti ratione cogitationis motto of radio show Car Talk
thought process
the laws depend not on

non in legendo sed in intelligendo le-
being read, but on being
ges consistunt
understood
221
Also "it is not clear" or "it is not evident". A sometimes

non liquet it is not proven controversial decision handed down by a judge when they
feel that the law is not complete.
Motto of the University of Western Australia's Engineer-

non loqui sed facere not talk but action
ing faculty student society.
non mihi solum not for myself alone Motto of Anderson Junior College, Singapore.
not to be served, but to Motto of Wellesley College and Shimer College (from
non ministrari sed ministrare
serve Matthew 20:28 in the Vulgate).
non multa sed multum not quantity but quality Motto of the Daniel Pearl Magnet High School.
Non nobis Domine Not to us (oh) Lord Christian hymn based on psalm 115.
non nobis nati Born not for ourselves' Motto of St Albans School (Hertfordshire)
Appears in Cicero's De Officiis Book 1:22 in the form

non nobis solum nati sumus (we are not born for our-
non nobis solum not for ourselves alone selves alone). Motto of Lower Canada College, Montreal
and University College, Durham University, and
Willamette University.
they are not counted, but Old saying. Paul Erdős (1913–1996), in The Man Who
non numerantur, sed ponderantur
weighed Loved Only Numbers by Paul Hoffman [84]
A judgment notwithstanding verdict, a legal motion ask-

not standing in the way ing the court to reverse the jury's verdict on the grounds
non obstante veredicto
of a verdict that the jury could not have reached such a verdict rea-
sonably.
non olet it doesn't smell See pecunia non olet.
not everyone can do eve-

non omnia possumus omnest Virgil, Eclogues 8:63 (and others).
rything
Horace, Carmina 3/30:6. "Not all of me will die", a

non omnis moriar I shall not all die phrase expressing the belief that a part of the speaker will
survive beyond death.
non plus ultra nothing further beyond the ultimate. See also 'ne plus ultra'
non possumus not possible
non possunt primi esse omnes omni not everyone can occupy
(It is impossible always to excel) Decimus Laberius.
in tempore the first rank forever
to not go forward is to go
non progredi est regredi
backward
222
A judgment in favor of a defendant when the plaintiff

non prosequitur he does not proceed failed to take the necessary steps in an action within the
time allowed.
[We learn] An inversion of non vitae sed scholae now used as a

non scholae sed vitae
not for school but for life school motto
It is not he who has little,

non qui parum habet, set qui plus
but he who wants more, Seneca the Younger, Epistulae morales ad Lucilium, 2:6.
cupit, pauper est
who is the pauper.
Used in the sense "what matters is not who says it but

what he says" – a warning against ad hominem argu-
non quis sed quid not who but what
ments; frequently used as motto, including that of South-
western University.
In general, a comment which is absurd due to not making

sense in its context (rather than due to being inherently
non sequitur it does not follow nonsensical or internally inconsistent), often used in hu-
mor. As a logical fallacy, a conclusion that does not fol-
low from a premise.
Possibly derived from a Vulgate mistranslation of the

Book of Jeremiah. Commonly used in literature as Satan's
non serviam I will not serve
statement of disobedience to God, though in the original
context the quote is attributed to Israel, not Satan.
non sibi Not for self A slogan used by many schools and universities.
Not for self, but for coun- Engraved on the doors of the United States Naval Acad-
non sibi, sed patriae
try emy chapel; motto of the USS Halyburton (FFG-40).
Not for one's self but for

non sibi, sed suis A slogan used by many schools and universities.
one's own
Not for one's self but for

non sibi, sed omnibus A slogan used by many schools and universities.
all
non sic dormit, sed vigilat Sleeps not but is awake Martin Luther on mortality of the soul.
Not for self, but for oth-

non silba, sed anthar; Deo vindice A slogan used by the Ku Klux Klan
ers; God will vindicate
Or "I am not the kind of person I once was". Expresses a

non sum qualis eram I am not such as I was
change in the speaker. Horace, Odes 4/1:3.
223
non teneas aurum totum quod Do not hold as gold all Also, "All that glitters is not gold." Shakespeare in The
splendet ut aurum that shines as gold Merchant of Venice.
It is possibly a reference to Psalm 23. Printed on the Colt

non timebo mala I will fear no evil
in Supernatural.
non vestra sed vos Not yours but you Motto of St Chad's College, Durham.
From a passage of occupatio in Seneca the Younger's

[We learn]
moral letters to Lucilius,[85] wherein Lucilius is given
non vitae sed scholae not for life but for school
the argument that too much literature fails to prepare stu-
time
dents for life
From Martin Luther's "Invocavit Sermons" preached in

March, 1522, against the Zwickau prophets unrest in
Not by force, but by the
non vi, sed verbo Wittenberg;[86] later echoed in the Augsburg Confession
word [of God]
as ...sine vi humana, sed Verbo: bishops should act "with-
out human force, but through the Word".[87]
From Cicero, based on the Greek γνῶθι σεαυτόν (gnothi

seauton), inscribed on the pronaos of the Temple of
Apollo at Delphi, according to the Greek periegetic writer
nosce te ipsum know thyself
Pausanias (10.24.1). A non-traditional Latin rendering,
temet nosce (thine own self know), is translated in The
Matrix as "know thyself".
In statutory interpretation, when a word is ambiguous, its

a word is known by the
noscitur a sociis meaning may be determined by reference to the rest of
company it keeps
the statute.
noster nostri Literally "Our ours" Approximately "Our hearts beat as one."
nota bene (n.b.) mark well That is, "please note" or "note it well".
From Virgil. Motto on the Great Seal of the United

novus ordo seclorum new order of the ages States. Similar to Novus Ordo Mundi (New World Or-
der).
Not a day without a line Pliny the Elder attributes this maxim to Apelles, an an-
nulla dies sine linea
drawn cient Greek artist.
nulla dies umquam memori vos No day shall erase you From Virgil's Aeneid, Book IX, line 447, on the episode
eximet aevo from the memory of time of Nisus and Euryalus.
Refers to the legal principle that one cannot be punished

for doing something that is not prohibited by law, and is
nulla poena sine lege no penalty without a law
related to Nullum crimen, nulla poena sine praevia lege
poenali.
224
there is no question, there

nulla quaestio
is no issue
For the tenacious, no

nulla tenaci invia est via Motto of the Dutch car builder Spyker.
road is impassable
That is, "nothing". It has been theorized that this expres-

nullam rem natam no thing born sion is the origin of Italian nulla, French rien, and Span-
ish and Portuguese nada, all with the same meaning.
Motto of the Coldstream Guards and Nine Squadron

nulli secundus second to none Royal Australian Corps of Transport and the Pretoria
Regiment.
nullius in verba On the word of no man Motto of the Royal Society.
no crime, no punishment Legal principle meaning that one cannot be penalised for
nullum crimen, nulla poena sine
without a previous penal doing something that is not prohibited by law; penal law
praevia lege poenali
law cannot be enacted retroactively.
There has been no great

nullum magnum ingenium sine
wisdom without an ele-
mixtura dementiae fuit
ment of madness
No Funeral Without a
nullum funus sine fidula Motto of the Guild of Funerary Violinists.
Fiddle
The motto of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The

numen lumen God our light
motto of Elon University.
A method to limit the number of students who may study

numerus clausus closed number
at a university.
Motto of the Korps Commandotroepen, Dutch elite spe-

nunc aut nunquam now or never
cial forces.
beginning of the Song of Simeon, from the Gospel of

nunc dimittis now you send
Luke.
Carpe-Diem-type phrase from the Odes of Horace, Nunc

est bibendum, nunc pede libero pulsanda tellus (Now is
nunc est bibendum now is the time to drink
the time to drink, now the time to dance footloose upon
the earth).
Something that has retroactive effect, is effective from an

nunc pro tunc now for then
earlier date.
nunc scio quid sit amor now I know what love is From Virgil, Eclogues VIII.
nunquam minus solus quam cum never less alone than

solus when alone
225
never unprepared, ever

nunquam non paratus frequently used as motto
ready, always ready
O Deus Ego Amo Te O God I Love You attributed to Saint Francis Xavier
The farmers would count themselves

O fortunatos nimium sua si bona
lucky, if only they knew how good from Virgil in The Georgics, 458
norint, agricolas
they had it
attributed (in Tacitus, Annales, III, 65) to the

Roman Emperor Tiberius, in disgust at the ser-
o homines ad servitutem paratos Men ready to be slaves! vile attitude of Roman senators; said of those
who should be leaders but instead slavishly
follow the lead of others
also translated "What times! What customs!";

O tempora, o mores! Oh, the times! Oh, the morals!
from Cicero, Catilina I, 2
The obedience of the citizens makes

Obedientia civium urbis felicitas Motto of Dublin
us a happy city
"He/she died", inscription on gravestones; ob.

obiit (ob.) one died also sometimes stands for obiter (in passing or
incidentally)
The old woman dies, the burden is

obit anus, abit onus Arthur Schopenhauer
lifted
in law, an observation by a judge on some

point of law not directly relevant to the case
before him, and thus neither requiring his deci-
obiter dictum a thing said in passing sion nor serving as a precedent, but neverthe-
less of persuasive authority. In general, any
comment, remark or observation made in pass-
ing
Roman political saying which reminds that

Forget private affairs, take care of common good should be given priority over
obliti privatorum, publica curate
public ones private matters for any person having a respon-
sibility in the State
the truth being enveloped by obscure

obscuris vera involvens from Virgil
things
226
An explanation that is less clear than what it

the obscure by means of the more
obscurum per obscurius tries to explain; synonymous with ignotum per
obscure
ignotius
obtorto collo with a twisted neck unwillingly
oculus dexter (O.D.) right eye Ophthalmologist shorthand
oculus sinister (O.S.) left eye
favorite saying of Caligula, attributed origi-

nally to Lucius Accius, Roman tragic poet
oderint dum metuant let them hate, so long as they fear
(170 BC); Motto of the Russian noble family
Krasnitsky[citation needed]
opening of Catullus 85; the entire poem reads,

"odi et amo quare id faciam fortasse requiris /
nescio sed fieri sentio et excrucior" (I hate and
odi et amo I hate and I love
I love. Why do I do this, you perhaps ask. / I
do not know, but I feel it happening to me and
I am burning up.)
I hate the unholy rabble and keep

odi profanum vulgus et arceo from Horace
them away
name for the special hatred generated in theo-

odium theologicum theological hatred
logical disputes
from Erasmus' (1466–1536) collection of an-

oleum camino (pour) oil on the fire
notated Adagia
or "everything unknown appears magnificent"

The source is Tacitus: Agricola, Book 1, 30
every unknown thing [is taken] for where the sentence ends with 'est'. The quota-
omne ignotum pro magnifico
great tion is found in Conan Doyle's Sherlock
Holmes story 'The Red-Headed League' where
the 'est' is missing.
omne initium difficile est every beginning is difficult
foundational concept of modern biology, op-

omne vivum ex ovo every living thing is from an egg
posing the theory of spontaneous generation
Omnes homines sunt asini vel hom- All men are donkeys or men and a sophismata proposed and solved by Albert of
ines et asini sunt asini donkeys are donkeys Saxony (philosopher)
omnes vulnerant, postuma necat or

all [the hours] wound, last one kills usual in clocks, reminding the reader of death
omnes feriunt, ultima necat
227
motto for Mount Lilydale Mercy College,

omnia cum deo all with God
Lilydale, Victoria, Australia
or "everything sounds more impressive when

said in Latin"; a more common phrase with the
everything said [is] stronger if said in
omnia dicta fortiora si dicta Latina same meaning is quidquid Latine dictum sit
Latin
altum videtur (whatever said in Latin, seems
profound)
Interpreted as "Let it all hang out!",

motto for The Evergreen State College, Olym-
omnia extares! but in fact incorrect Latin construc-
pia, Washington, USA[89]
tion with no real meaning[88]
omnia in mensura et numero et Thou hast ordered all things in meas-

Book of Wisdom, 11:21
pondere disposuisti ure, and number, and weight.
Ovid (43 BC – 17 AD), Metamorphoses, book

omnia mutantur, nihil interit everything changes, nothing perishes
XV, line 165
omnia omnibus all things to all men 1 Corinthians 9:22
Ovid, Metamorphoses, book XIII, lines 733–4:

si omnia ficta if all (the words of poets) is fiction
"si non omnia vates ficta"
omnia vincit amor love conquers all Virgil (70 BC – 19 BC), Eclogue X, line 69
everything [is] pure to the pure

omnia munda mundis from The New Testament
[men]
all things are presumed to be law-

omnia praesumuntur legitime facta
fully done, until it is shown [to be] in in other words, "innocent until proven guilty"
donec probetur in contrarium
the reverse
omnis vir enim sui Every man for himself!
motto of Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft, usually

omnibus idem the same to all accompanied by a sun, which shines for (al-
most) everyone
There is slaughter everywhere (in

omnibus locis fit caedes Julius Caesar's The Gallic War, 7.67
every place)
every translation is a corruption of the original;

omnis traductor traditor every translator is a traitor the reader should take heed of unavoidable im-
perfections
omnis vir tigris everyone a tiger motto of the 102d Intelligence Wing
228
miscellaneous collection or assortment; "gath-

omnium gatherum gathering of all erum" is English, and the term is used often
used facetiously
onus probandi burden of proof
burden of a party to adduce evidence that a

onus procedendi burden of procedure
case is an exception to the rule
opera omnia all works collected works of an author
opera posthuma posthumous works works published after the author's death
scholastic phrase, used to explain that there is

act of doing something follows the
operari sequitur esse no possible act if there is not being: being is
act of being
absolutely necessary for any other act
used in academic works when referring again

opere citato (op. cit.) in the work that was cited
to the last source mentioned or used
doing what you believe is morally right

opere et veritate in action and truth
through everyday actions
opere laudato (op. laud.) See opere citato
operibus anteire leading the way with deeds to speak with actions instead of words
ophidia in herba a snake in the grass any hidden danger or unknown risk
a belief that an action was undertaken because

opinio juris sive necessitatis an opinion of law or necessity it was a legal necessity; source of customary
law
fine embroidery, especially used to describe

opus anglicanum English work
church vestments
Opus Dei The Work of God Catholic organisation
This principle of the Benedictine monasteries

reads in full: "Ora et labora (et lege), Deus
adest sine mora." "Pray and work (and read),
ora et labora pray and work
God is there without delay" (or to keep the
rhyme: "Work and pray, and God is there with-
out delay")
"Sancta Maria, mater Dei, ora pro nobis

ora pro nobis pray for us pecatoribus"; Brazilian name for Pereskia
aculeata
orando laborando by praying, by working motto of the Rugby School
oratio recta direct speech expressions from Latin grammar
229
oratio obliqua indirect speech
from Satires of Juvenal (Book IV/10), referring

to Alexander the Great; James Bond's adopted
family motto in the novel On Her Majesty's
the world does not suffice or the
orbis non sufficit Secret Service; it made a brief appearance in
world is not enough
the film adaptation of the same name and was
later used as the title of the nineteenth James
Bond film, The World Is Not Enough.
orbis unum one world seen in The Legend of Zorro
one of the oldest mottos of Craft Freema-

ordo ab chao out of chaos, comes order
sonry.[90]
Popular salutation for Roman Catholic clergy

(Let us pray), one for the other; let us at the beginning or ending of a letter or note.
(oremus) pro invicem
pray for each other Usually abbreviated OPI. ("Oremus" used
alone is just "let us pray").
orta recens quam pura nites newly risen, how brightly you shine Motto of New South Wales
"With all due respect to", "with due deference

to", "by leave of", "no offence to", or "despite
pace Ablative form of peace (with respect)". Used to politely acknowledge
someone with whom the speaker or writer disa-
grees or finds irrelevant to the main argument.
pace tua with your peace Thus, "with your permission".
Pacem in terris Peace on Earth
Also "contracts must be honoured". Indicates

pacta sunt servanda agreements must be kept
the binding power of treaties.
palma non sine pulvere no reward without effort Also "dare to try"; motto of numerous schools.
Loosely, "achievement should be rewarded"

He who has earned the palm, let him
palmam qui meruit ferat (or, "let the symbol of victory go to him who
bear it.
has deserved it"); frequently used motto
230
From Juvenal, Satire X, line 81. Originally de-

scribed all that was needed for emperors to pla-
panem et circenses bread and circuses cate the Roman mob. Today used to describe
any entertainment used to distract public atten-
tion from more important matters.
From "Si vis pacem para bellum": if you want

peace, prepare for war—if a country is ready
for war, its enemies are less likely to attack.
Usually used to support a policy of peace
para bellum prepare for war through strength (deterrence). In antiquity,
however, the Romans viewed peace as the af-
termath of successful conquest through war, so
in this sense the proverb identifies war as the
means through which peace will be achieved.
parare Domino plebem perfectam to prepare for God a perfect people motto of the St. Jean Baptiste High School
it is ungenerous to hold resentment toward the

parce sepulto forgive the interred
dead. Quote from the Aeneid, III 13-68.
A public policy requiring courts to protect the

parens patriae parent of the nation best interests of any child involved in a lawsuit.
See also Pater Patriae.
Thus, "moving together", "simultaneously",

pari passu with equal step
etc.
said of works that promise much at the outset

parturiunt montes, nascetur The mountains are in labour, a ridicu-
but yield little in the end (Horace, Ars poetica
ridiculus mus lous mouse will be born.
137) – see also The Mountain in Labour
It does not shine [being darkened by Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, 1/6:34 – see also
parum luceat
shade]. lucus a nonlucendo
Implies that the weak are under the protection

parva sub ingenti the small under the huge of the strong, rather than that they are inferior.
Motto of Prince Edward Island.
Motto of Barnard Castle School, sometimes

parvis imbutus tentabis grandia When you are steeped in little things, translated as "Once you have accomplished
tutus you shall safely attempt great things. small things, you may attempt great ones
safely".
Less literally, "throughout" or "frequently".

passim here and there, everywhere
Said of a word, fact or notion that occurs sev-
231
eral times in a cited text. Also used in proof-

reading, where it refers to a change that is to be
repeated everywhere needed.
Or "master of the house". The eldest male in a

family, who held patria potestas ("paternal
power"). In Roman law, a father had enormous
power over his children, wife, and slaves,
pater familias father of the family
though these rights dwindled over time. De-
rived from the phrase pater familias, an Old
Latin expression preserving the archaic -as
ending for the genitive case.
A more direct translation would be "omnipo-

Pater Omnipotens Father Almighty
tent father".
Also rendered with the gender-neutral parens

Pater Patriae father of the nation
patriae ("parent of the nation").
The traditional beginning of a Roman Catholic

pater peccavi father, I have sinned
confession.
Similar to "quality over quantity"; though there

pauca sed bona few, but good may be few of something, at least they are of
good quality.
Said to be one of Carl Gauss's favorite quota-

pauca sed matura few, but ripe tions. Used in The King and I by Rodgers and
Hammerstein.
Former motto of Latymer Upper School in

paulatim ergo certe slowly therefore surely London (the text latim er is concealed in the
words)
pax aeterna eternal peace A common epitaph
A euphemism for the United States of America

Pax Americana American Peace and its sphere of influence. Adapted from Pax
Romana.
A euphemism for the British Empire. Adapted

Pax Britannica British Peace
from Pax Romana
Used as a wish before the Holy Communion in

Pax Christi Peace of Christ the Catholic Mass, also the name of the peace
movement Pax Christi
232
Used in the Peace and Truce of God movement

pax Dei peace of God
in 10th-century France
Like the vast majority of inhabitants of the an-

cient world, the Romans practiced pagan ritu-
Pax Deorum Peace of the gods als, believing it important to achieve a state of
Pax Deorum (The Peace of the gods) instead of
Ira Deorum (The Wrath of the gods).
lord or master; used as a form of address when

Pax Domine peace, lord
speaking to clergy or educated professionals
Motto of St. Francis of Assisi and, conse-

quently, of his monastery in Assisi; understood
pax et bonum peace and the good by Catholics to mean 'Peace and Goodness be
with you,' as is similar in the Mass; translated
in Italian as pace e bene.
pax et justitia peace and justice Motto of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
pax et lux peace and light Motto of Tufts University and various schools
Pax Europaea European peace euphemism for Europe after World War II
Euphemism for the Spanish Empire; specifi-

cally can mean the twenty-three years of su-
Pax Hispanica Spanish Peace preme Spanish dominance in Europe (approxi-
mately 1598–1621). Adapted from Pax
Romana.
Used to exemplify the desired state of peace on

pax in terra peace on earth
earth
Used as an inscription over the entrance of

Peace to those who enter, health to buildings (especially homes, monasteries,
Pax intrantibus, salus exeuntibus
those who depart. inns). Often benedicto habitantibus (Blessings
on those who abide here) is added.
If the mother is peaceful, then the family is

peace of mothers, therefore peace of peaceful. The inverse of the Southern United
pax matrum, ergo pax familiarum
families States saying, "If mama ain't happy, ain't no-
body happy."
period of peace and prosperity in Asia during

Pax Mongolica Mongolian Peace
the Mongol Empire
Silius Italicus, Punica (11,595); motto of the

pax optima rerum peace is the greatest good
university of Kiel
233
period of relative prosperity and lack of con-

Pax Romana Roman Peace
flict in the early Roman Empire
period of peace in East Asia during times of

Pax Sinica Chinese Peace
strong Chinese hegemony
pax tecum peace be with you (singular)
Pax tibi, Marce, evangelista meus. Peace to you, Mark, my Evangelist.

Hic requiescet corpus tuum. Here will rest your body.
A common farewell. The "you" is plural ("you

all"), so the phrase must be used when speak-
pax vobiscum peace [be] with you
ing to more than one person; pax tecum is the
form used when speaking to only one person.
Telegraph message and pun from Charles Na-

pier, British general, upon completely subju-
peccavi I have sinned gating the Indian province of Sindh in 1842.
This is, arguably, the most terse military des-
patch ever sent. The story is apocryphal.
According to Suetonius' De vita Caesarum,

when Emperor Vespasian was challenged by
his son Titus for taxing the public lavatories,
the emperor held up a coin before his son and
pecunia non olet money doesn't smell
asked whether it smelled or simply said non
olet ("it doesn't smell"). From this, the phrase
was expanded to pecunia non olet, or rarely
aes non olet ("copper doesn't smell").
if you know how to use money,

pecunia, si uti scis, ancilla est; si Written on an old Latin tablet in downtown
money is your slave; if you don't,
nescis, domina Verona (Italy).
money is your master
That is, retribution comes slowly but surely.

pede poena claudo punishment comes limping
From Horace, Odes, 3, 2, 32.
pendent opera interrupta the work hangs interrupted From the Aeneid of Virgil, Book IV
per By, through, by means of See specific phrases below
Joining sentence of the conspirators in the

per angusta ad augusta through difficulties to greatness drama Hernani by Victor Hugo (1830). The
motto of numerous educational establishments.
per annum (pa.) each year Thus, "yearly"—occurring every year
per ardua through adversity Motto of the British RAF Regiment
234
Through hardship, great heights are reached;

per ardua ad alta through difficulty to heights
frequently used motto
Motto of the Royal, Royal Australian and

Royal New Zealand Air Forces, the U. S. State
of Kansas and of several schools. The phrase is
per ardua ad astra through adversity to the stars
used by Latin Poet Virgil in the Aeneid; also
used in H. Rider Haggard's novel The People
of the Mist.
From Seneca the Younger; frequently used

per aspera ad astra through hardships to the stars motto, sometimes as ad astra per aspera ("to
the stars through hardships")
"Per head", i.e., "per person", a ratio by the

per capita by heads
number of persons. The singular is per caput.
per capsulam through the small box That is, "by letter"
per contra through the contrary Or "on the contrary" (cf. a contrario)
Motto of St John Fisher Catholic High School,

per crucem vincemus through the cross we shall conquer
Dewsbury
Per Crucem Crescens through the cross, growth Motto of Lambda Chi Alpha
Legal term meaning "by the court", as in a per

per curiam through the senate
curiam decision
per definitionem through the definition Thus, "by definition"
Thus, "per day". A specific amount of money

per diem (pd.) by day an organization allows an individual to spend
per day, typically for travel expenses.
per fas et nefas through right or wrong By fair means or foul
per fidem intrepidus fearless through faith
per literas regias

by letters patent;
per lit. reg.
of academic degrees: awarded by letters patent
per regias literas by royal letters
from the King/Queen, rather than by a Univer-
per reg. lit.
sity[93][94]
&c.
Motto of the Royal Marines and (with small

per mare per terram by sea and by land difference) of Clan Donald and the Compa-
gnies Franches de la Marine
per mensem (pm.) by month Thus, "per month", or "monthly"
per os (p.o.) through the mouth Medical shorthand for "by mouth"
235
Used of a certain place can be traversed or

per pedes by feet reached by foot, or to indicate that one is trav-
elling by foot as opposed to by a vehicle
Also rendered per procurationem. Used to in-

dicate that a person is signing a document on
behalf of another person. Correctly placed be-
fore the name of the person signing, but often
per procura (p.p.) or (per pro) through the agency
placed before the name of the person on whose
behalf the document is signed, sometimes
through incorrect translation of the alternative
abbreviation per pro. as "for and on behalf of".
In a UK legal context: "by reason of which" (as

opposed to per se which requires no reason-
per quod by reason of which
ing). In American jurisprudence often refers to
a spouse's claim for loss of consortium.
per rectum (pr) through the rectum Medical shorthand; see also per os
a modern parody of per aspera ad astra, origi-

nating and most commonly used in Russia,
meaning that the path to success took you
per rectum ad astra via rectum to the stars through most undesirable and objectionable
places or environments; or that a found solu-
tion to a complex problem is extremely convo-
luted.
per risum multum poteris by excessive laughter one can recog-

cognoscere stultum nise the fool
Also "by itself" or "in itself". Without referring

to anything else, intrinsically, taken without
per se through itself
qualifications etc. A common example is
negligence per se. See also malum in se.
Used in wills to indicate that each "branch" of

per stirpes through the roots the testator's family should inherit equally.
Contrasted with per capita.
Motto of Texas A&M University Corps of Ca-

per unitatem vis through unity, strength
dets
per veritatem vis through truth, strength Motto of Washington University in St. Louis
236
Frequently used motto; not from Latin but from

per volar sunata[sic] born to soar Dante's Purgatorio, Canto XII, 95, the Italian
phrase "per volar sù nata".
Perfer et obdura; dolor hic tibi Be patient and tough; some day this
From Ovid, Amores, Book III, Elegy XI
proderit olim pain will be useful to you.
periculum in mora danger in delay
Phrase written by St. Ignatius of Loyola in his

perinde ac [si] cadaver [essent] [well-disciplined] like a corpse
Constitutiones Societatis Iesu (1954)
Motto of RMIT University in Melbourne,

perita manus mens exculta skilled hand, cultivated mind
Australia
from Virgil's Aeneid IV 114; in Vergil's con-

perge sequar advance, I follow text: "proceed with your plan, I will do my
part."
Motto of the Foreign Legion Detachment in

Pericula ludus Danger is my pleasure
Mayotte
A musical term; also used to refer to hypothet-

perpetuum mobile thing in perpetual motion
ical perpetual motion machines
Motto of Bombay Scottish School, Mahim,

Perseverantia et Fide in Deo Perseverance and Faith in God
India
An unwelcome, unwanted or undesirable per-

son. In diplomatic contexts, a person rejected
by the host government. The reverse, persona
persona non grata person not pleasing
grata ("pleasing person"), is less common, and
refers to a diplomat acceptable to the govern-
ment of the country to which he is sent.
Begging the question, a logical fallacy in

petitio principii request of the beginning which a proposition to be proved is implicitly
or explicitly assumed in one of the premises
pia desideria pious longings Or "dutiful desires"
Or "dutiful deceit". Expression from Ovid;

pia fraus pious fraud used to describe deception which serves
Church purposes
Or "tender mother". Translated into Latin from

Arabic. The delicate innermost of the three
pia mater pious mother
membranes that cover the brain and spinal
cord.
237
Freedom is made safe through char-

Pietate et doctrina tuta libertas Motto of Dickinson College
acter and learning
Thus, "he painted this" or "she painted this".

pinxit one painted Formerly used on works of art, next to the
artist's name.
Latin proverb, attributed by Erasmus in his

Adagia to Greek origin (Diogenianus, Ἰχθὺν
piscem natare doces [you] teach a fish to swim
νηχέσθαι διδάσκεις); corollary Chinese idiom
(班門弄斧)
placet it pleases expression of assent
I.e., it is difficult to concentrate on mental tasks

after a heavy meal. The following variant is
plenus venter non studet libenter A full belly does not like studying also attested: plenus si venter renuit studere
libenter (the belly, when full, refuses to study
willingly).
plenus venter facile de ieiuniis dis-

A full belly readily discusses fasting. Hieronymus, Epistulæ 58,2
putat
The first-person plural pronoun when used by

pluralis majestatis plural of majesty an important personage to refer to himself or
herself; also known as the "royal we"
pluralis modestiae plural of modesty
Frequently found on Roman funerary inscrip-

plus minusve (p.m.v.) more or less tions to denote that the age of a decedent is ap-
proximate
National motto of Spain and a number of other

plus ultra further beyond
institutions
Life was spared with a thumb tucked inside a

pollice compresso favor goodwill decided by compressed closed fist, simulating a sheathed weapon.
iudicabatur thumb Conversely, a thumb up meant to unsheath
your sword.
Used by Roman crowds to pass judgment on a

defeated gladiator. The type of gesture used is
pollice verso with a turned thumb
uncertain. Also the name of a famous painting
depicting gladiators by Jean-Léon Gérôme.
Polonia Restituta Rebirth of Poland
238
Any obstacle that stupid people find hard to

pons asinorum bridge of asses cross. Originally used of Euclid's Fifth Propo-
sition in geometry.
Or "Supreme Pontiff". Originally an office in

the Roman Republic, later a title held by
Roman Emperors, and later a traditional epithet
of the pope. The pontifices were the most im-
portant priestly college of the religion in an-
Pontifex Maximus Greatest High Priest
cient Rome; their name is usually thought to
derive from pons facere ("to make a bridge"),
which in turn is usually linked to their religious
authority over the bridges of Rome, especially
the Pons Sublicius.
[95] Thus, to be able to be made into part of a retinue or force. In com-
mon law, a sheriff's right to compel people to assist law enforcement in

posse comitatus force of the county
unusual situations.
Inscription on the back of Putney medals,

possunt quia posse videntur They can because they think they can awarded to boat race winning Oxford blues.
From Virgil's Aeneid Book V line 231.
Causality between two phenomena is not estab-

post aut propter after it or by means of it
lished (cf. post hoc, ergo propter hoc)
Medical shorthand for "after meals" (cf. ante

post cibum (p.c.) after food
cibum)
post coitum After sex After sexual intercourse
After sexual intercourse every animal Or: triste est omne animal post coitum, praeter
post coitum omne animal triste est
is sad, except the cock (rooster) and mulierem gallumque. Attributed to Galen of
sive gallus et mulier
the woman Pergamum.[96]
A logical fallacy where one assumes that one

post hoc ergo propter hoc after this, therefore because of this thing happening after another thing means that
the first thing caused the second.
post festum after the feast Too late, or after the fact
The period from noon to midnight (cf. ante

post meridiem (p.m.) after midday
meridiem)
Usually rendered postmortem. Not to be con-

post mortem (pm) after death
fused with post meridiem
239
The phrase is used in legal terminology in the

context of intellectual property rights, espe-
Post mortem auctoris (p.m.a.) after the author's death
cially copyright, which commonly lasts until a
certain number of years after the author's death.
post nubila phoebus after the clouds, the sun Motto of the University of Zulia, Venezuela
post nubes lux out of darkness, light Motto of Cranfield University
Refers to the time after any meal. Usually ren-

post prandial after “late breakfast”
dered postprandial.
A postscript. Used to mark additions to a letter,

post scriptum (p.s.) after what has been written after the signature. Can be extended to post
post scriptum (p.p.s.), etc.
post tenebras lux, or post tenebras

after darkness, [I hope for] light from Vulgata, Job 17:12; frequently used motto
spero lucem
we grow in the esteem of future gen-

postera crescam laude Motto of the University of Melbourne
erations
potest solum unum There can be only one Highlander
praemia virtutis honores honours are the rewards of virtue
praemonitus praemunitus forewarned is forearmed
Lead in order to serve, not in order to

praesis ut prosis ne ut imperes Motto of Lancaster Royal Grammar School
rule.
praeter legem after the law Legal terminology, international law
Praga Caput Regni Prague, Head of the Kingdom Motto of Prague from Middle Ages
Praga Caput Rei publicae Prague, Head of the Republic Motto of Prague from 1991
Praga mater urbium Prague, Mother of Cities Motto of Prague from 1927
Prague, the mistress of the whole of

Praga totius Bohemiae domina Former motto of Prague
Bohemia
Pretium Laborum Non Vile No mean reward for labour Motto of the Order of the Golden Fleece
Motto of Burnley Football Club; from Ovid's

Metamorphoses, 4.739 (Latin)/English): "The
Tale of Perseus and Andromeda": resoluta
pretiumque et causa laboris The prize and the cause of our labour
catenis incedit virgo, pretiumque et causa
laboris. ("freed of her chains the virgin ap-
proaches, cause and reward of the enterprise.")
240
Used to designate evidence in a trial which is

prima facie at first sight suggestive, but not conclusive, of something
(e.g., a person's guilt)
prima luce at dawn Literally "at first light"
A sentence by the American anthropologist

primas sum: primatum nil a me I am a primate; nothing about pri-
Earnest Hooton and the slogan of primatolo-
alienum puto mates is outside of my bailiwick
gists and lovers of the primates.
Or "first thing able to be moved"; see primum

primum mobile first moving thing
movens
Or "first moving one". A common theological

term, such as in the cosmological argument,
based on the assumption that God was the first
primum movens prime mover entity to "move" or "cause" anything. Aristotle
was one of the first philosophers to discuss the
"uncaused cause", a hypothetical originator—
and violator—of causality.
A medical precept. Often falsely attributed to

the Hippocratic Oath, though its true source is
probably a paraphrase from Hippocrates' Epi-
primum non nocere first, to not harm demics, where he wrote, "Declare the past, di-
agnose the present, foretell the future; practice
these acts. As to diseases, make a habit of two
things: to help, or at least to do no harm."
Position of the Ecumenical Patriarch in the

Eastern Orthodox Church, position of the Pres-
primus inter pares first among equals ident of the Swiss Confederation among the
members of the Federal Council, and a title of
the Roman Emperors (cf. princeps).
Fundamental principles require no proof; they

principia probant non probantur principles prove; they are not proved
are assumed a priori.
resist the beginnings (and consider

principiis obsta (et respice finem) Ovid, Remedia Amoris, 91
the end)
psychological term: the self-formation of the

principium individuationis Individuation
personality into a coherent whole
A legal principle that older laws take prece-

prior tempore potior iure earlier in time, stronger in law dence over newer ones. The inverse principle is
known as lex posterior.
241
The motto of the Royal Queensland Regiment,

pro aris et focis For God and country
and many other regiments.
Often abbreviated pro bono. Work undertaken

voluntarily at no expense, such as public ser-
pro bono publico for the public good
vices. Often used of a lawyer's work that is not
charged for.
let exceptional things be made for

pro Brasilia fiant eximia Motto of São Paulo state, Brazil.
Brazil
pro Deo Domo Patria For God, home and country Motto of the University of Mary Washington
pro Deo et Patria For God and Country Frequently used motto
serving the interests of a given perspective or

pro domo (sua) for (one’s own) home or house
for the benefit of a given group.
Motto of Baylor University, a private Christian

pro Ecclesia, pro Texana For Church, For Texas
Baptist university in Waco, Texas.
Motto of the originally Irish Muldoon family

and of several schools, such as the Diocesan
pro fide et patria for faith and fatherland College (Bishops) in Cape Town, South Africa,
and All Hallows High School in the Bronx,
New York.
Or "as a matter of form". Prescribing a set form

pro forma for form
or procedure, or performed in a set manner.
pro gloria et patria for glory and fatherland Motto of Prussia
Request of a state court to allow an out-of-state

pro hac vice for this occasion
lawyer to represent a client.
It is part of the Rite of Consecration of the

pro multis for many wine in Western Christianity tradition, as part
of the Mass.
Frequently used in taxonomy to refer to part of

pro parte in part
a group.
242
Pro Patria Medal: for operational service (mini-

mum 55 days) in defence of the Republic
South Africa or in the prevention or suppres-
sion of terrorism; issued for the Border War
pro patria for country (counter-insurgency operations in South West
Africa 1966–89) and for campaigns in Angola
(1975–76 and 1987–88). Motto of The Royal
Canadian Regiment, Royal South Australia
Regiment, Hurlstone Agricultural High School.
pro patria vigilans watchful for the country Motto of the United States Army Signal Corps.
to defend oneself in court without counsel; ab-

pro per for self
breviation of propria persona. See also: pro se.
pro rata for the rate i.e., proportionately.
Medical shorthand for "as the occasion arises"

or "as needed". Also "concerning a matter hav-
ing come into being". Used to describe a meet-
pro re nata (PRN, prn) for a thing that has been born ing of a special Presbytery or Assembly called
to discuss something new, and which was pre-
viously unforeseen (literally: "concerning a
matter having been born").
pro rege et lege for king and the law Found on the Leeds coat of arms.
pro rege, lege et grege for king, the law and the people Found on the coat of arms of Perth, Scotland.
to defend oneself in court without counsel.

pro se for oneself
Some jurisdictions prefer, "pro per".
motto of Stuyvesant High School in New York

pro scientia atque sapientia for knowledge and wisdom
City
pro scientia et patria for science and nation motto of the National University of La Plata
pro studio et labore for study and work
Denotes something that has only been partially

fulfilled. A philosophical term indicating the
pro tanto for so much
acceptance of a theory or idea without fully ac-
cepting the explanation.
Denotes a temporary current situation; abbrevi-

pro tempore for the time (being)
ated pro tem.
243
probatio pennae testing of the pen Medieval Latin term for breaking in a new pen
Traditionally inscribed above a city gate or

probis pateo I am open for honest people above the front entrance of a dwelling or place
of learning.
To Accomplish Rather Than To Be

prodesse quam conspici motto of Miami University
Conspicuous
propria manu (p.m.) "by one's own hand"
That is, to squander life's purpose just in order

propter vitam vivendi perdere to destroy the reasons for living for
to stay alive, and live a meaningless life. From
causas the sake of life
Juvenal, Satyricon VIII, verses 83–84.
protectio trahit subjectionem, et Protection draws allegiance, and alle- Legal maxim, indicating that reciprocity of fe-
subjectio protectionem giance draws protection alty with protection
motto of Memorial University of Newfound-

provehito in altum launch forward into the deep
land
proxime accessit he came next the runner-up
Used in formal correspondence to refer to the

proximo mense (prox.) in the following month next month. Used with ult. ("last month") and
inst. ("this month").
from Friedrich Nietzsche's 1889 book Twilight

pulchrum est paucorum hominum Beauty is for the few
of the Idols
pulvis et umbra sumus we are dust and shadow From Horace, Carmina book IV, 7, 16.
Thus, the essential or most notable point. The

punctum saliens leaping point
salient point.
purificatus non consumptus purified, not consumed
L
Thus: "by definition"; variant of per

definitionem; sometimes used in German-
qua definitione by virtue of definition
speaking countries. Occasionally misrendered
as "qua definitionem".
qua patet orbis as far as the world extends Motto of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps
do not take away what you did not

quae non posuisti, ne tollas Plato, Laws
put in place
244
quae non prosunt singula multa iu- what alone is not useful helps when
Ovid, Remedia amoris
vant accumulated
frequently used as motto; taken from

quaecumque sunt vera whatsoever is true
Philippians 4:8 of the Bible
motto of St. Joseph's College, Edmonton at the

quaecumque vera doce me teach me whatsoever is true
University of Alberta
Or "you might ask..." Used to suggest doubt or

to ask one to consider whether something is
quaere to seek
correct. Often introduces rhetorical or tangen-
tial questions.
Also quaerite primo regnum dei; frequently

quaerite primum regnum Dei seek ye first the kingdom of God
used as motto
Or "What a craftsman dies in me!" Attributed to

qualis artifex pereo As what kind of artist do I perish?
Nero in Suetonius' De vita Caesarum
Qualitas potentia nostra Quality is our might motto of Finnish Air Force
motto of Mount Royal University, Calgary,

quam bene non quantum how well, not how much
Canada
quam bene vivas referre (or refert), it is how well you live that matters, Seneca, Epistulae morales ad Lucilium CI
non quam diu not how long (101)
I.e., "[while on] good behavior." So for exam-

ple the Act of Settlement 1701 stipulated that
judges' commissions are valid quamdiu se bene
as long as he shall have behaved well gesserint (during good behaviour). (Notice the
quamdiu (se) bene gesserit
(legal Latin) different singular, "gesserit", and plural, "ges-
serint", forms.) It was from this phrase that
Frank Herbert extracted the name for the Bene
Gesserit sisterhood in the Dune novels.
quantocius quantotius the sooner, the better or, as quickly as possible
quantum libet (q.l.) as much as pleases medical shorthand for "as much as you wish"
medical shorthand for "as much as needed" or

quantum sufficit (qs) as much as is enough
"as much as will suffice"
medical shorthand; also quaque die (qd), "every

quaque hora (qh) every hour day", quaque mane (qm), "every morning", and
quaque nocte (qn), "every night"
245
An action of trespass; thus called, by reason the

writ demands the person summoned to answer
quare clausum fregit wherefore he broke the close
to wherefore he broke the close (quare clausum
fregit), i.e. why he committed such a trespass.
quater in die (qid) four times a day medical shorthand
quem deus vult perdere, dementat Whom the gods would destroy, they
prius first make insane
Other translations of diligunt include "prize es-

pecially" or "esteem". From Plautus, Bacchides,
quem di diligunt adulescens IV, 7, 18. In this comic play, a sarcastic servant
he whom the gods love dies young
moritur says this to his aging master. The rest of the
sentence reads: dum valet sentit sapit ("while he
is healthy, perceptive and wise").
from the Summoner's section of Chaucer's Gen-

questio quid iuris I ask what law?
eral Prologue to The Canterbury Tales, line 648
qui audet adipiscitur Who Dares Wins The motto of the SAS , of the Britsh Army
from St. Augustine of Hippo's commentary on

Psalm 73, verse 1: Qui enim cantat laudem, non
qui bene cantat bis orat he who sings well praises twice solum laudat, sed etiam hilariter laudat ("He
who sings praises, not only praises, but praises
joyfully")
common misspelling of the Latin phrase cui

qui bono who with good
bono ("who benefits?")
Motto of the University of Chester. The more

qui docet in doctrina he that teacheth, on teaching literal translation is "Let those who teach,
teach" or "Let the teacher teach".
"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear"; Mark

qui habet aures audiendi audiat he who has ears to hear shall hear
Mark 4:9
qui me tangit, vocem meam audit who touches me, hears my voice common inscription on bells
Thus, silence gives consent. Sometimes accom-

panied by the proviso "ubi loqui debuit ac
qui tacet consentire videtur he who is silent is taken to agree
potuit", that is, "when he ought to have spoken
and was able to".
246
Generally known as 'qui tam,' it is the technical

legal term for the unique mechanism in the fed-
qui tam pro domino rege quam he who brings an action for the king eral False Claims Act that allows persons and
pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur as well as for himself entities with evidence of fraud against federal
programs or contracts to sue the wrongdoer on
behalf of the Government.
he who wants everything loses eve-

qui totum vult totum perdit Attributed to Publilius Syrus
rything
Or "he who brought us across still supports us",

meaning God. State motto of Connecticut.
qui transtulit sustinet he who transplanted still sustains
Originally written as sustinet qui transtulit in
1639.
Attributed to Julius Caesar by Plutarch, Caesar

10. Translated loosely as "because even the
wife of Caesar may not be suspected". At the
feast of Bona Dea, a sacred festival for females
only, which was being held at the Domus Pub-
lica, the home of the Pontifex Maximus, Cae-
sar, and hosted by his second wife, Pompeia,
quia suam uxorem etiam because he should wish even his wife the notorious politician Clodius arrived in dis-
suspicione vacare vellet to be free from suspicion guise. Caught by the outraged noblewomen,
Clodius fled before they could kill him on the
spot for sacrilege. In the ensuing trial, allega-
tions arose that Pompeia and Clodius were hav-
ing an affair, and while Caesar asserted that this
was not the case and no substantial evidence
arose suggesting otherwise, he nevertheless di-
vorced, with this quotation as explanation.
What's happening? What's going on? What's the

quid agis What are you doing?
news? What's up?
In the Vulgate translation of John 18:38, Pilate's

question to Jesus (Greek: Τί ἐστιν ἀλήθεια;). A
quid est veritas What is truth?
possible answer is an anagram of the phrase: est
vir qui adest, "it is the man who is here."
Commonly used by Nocera Clan. synonym - "to

quid infantes sumus What are we, a bunch of babies?
throw down ones gauntlet."
less literally, "What's new from Africa?"; de-

quid novi ex Africa What of the new out of Africa?
rived from an Aristotle quotation
247
Commonly shortened to quidnunc. As a noun, a

quidnunc is a busybody or a gossip. Patrick
quid nunc What now?
Campbell worked for The Irish Times under the
pseudonym "Quidnunc".
Commonly used in English, it is also translated

as "this for that" or "a thing for a thing". Signi-
quid pro quo what for what fies a favor exchanged for a favor. The tradi-
tional Latin expression for this meaning was do
ut des ("I give, so that you may give").
Quid rides? Why do you laugh? Change but the

Mutato nomine de te fabula name, and the story is told of your- Horace, Satires, I. 1. 69.
narratur. self.
Or "anything said in Latin sounds profound". A

recent ironic Latin phrase to poke fun at people
quidquid Latine dictum sit altum whatever has been said in Latin who seem to use Latin phrases and quotations
videtur seems deep only to make themselves sound more important
or "educated". Similar to the less common
omnia dicta fortiora si dicta Latina.
quieta non movere don't move settled things
Commonly associated with Plato who in the

Republic poses this question; and from
Juvenal's On Women, referring to the practice
of having eunuchs guard women and beginning
Who will guard the guards them-
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? with the word sed ("but"). Usually translated
selves?
less literally, as "Who watches the watchmen?"
This translation is a common epigraph, such as
of the Tower Commission and Alan Moore's
Watchmen comic book series.
quis leget haec? Who will read this?
motto of Northern Ireland and of the Order of

quis separabit? Who will separate us?
St Patrick
Usually translated "Who is like unto God?"

Questions who would have the audacity to
compare himself to a Supreme Being. It is a
quis ut Deus Who [is] as God?
translation of the Hebrew name 'Michael' = Mi
cha El Who like God ‫מי‬/‫כ‬/ ‫ אל‬Hebrew: ‫ִמיכָאֵל‬
(right to left).
248
quo errat demonstrator where the prover errs A pun on "quod erat demonstrandum"
quo fata ferunt where the fates bear us to motto of Bermuda
Quod verum tutum what is true is right motto of Spier's School
From Cicero's first speech In Catilinam to the

Roman Senate regarding the conspiracy of Cati-
quousque tandem? For how much longer? line: Quo usque tandem abutere, Catilina, pa-
tientia nostra? ("For how much longer, Cati-
line, will you abuse our patience?").
Title of the series finale of Aaron Sorkin's TV

Quo Vadimus? Where are we going?
dramedy Sports Night
According to Vulgate translation of John 13:36,

Saint Peter asked Jesus Domine, quo vadis
quo vadis? Where are you going? ("Lord, where are you going?"). The King
James Version has the translation "Lord,
whither goest thou?"
whithersoever you throw it, it will

quocunque jeceris stabit motto of the Isle of Man
stand
quod abundat non obstat what is abundant doesn't hinder It is no problem to have too much of something.
what is done quickly, perishes Things done in a hurry are more likely to fail
quod cito fit, cito perit
quickly and fail quicker than those done with care.
The abbreviation is often written at the bottom

of a mathematical proof. Sometimes translated
quod erat demonstrandum
what was to be demonstrated loosely into English as "The Five Ws",
(Q.E.D.)
W.W.W.W.W., which stands for "Which Was
What We Wanted".
Or "which was to be constructed". Used in

translations of Euclid's Elements when there
quod erat faciendum (Q.E.F) which was to be done was nothing to prove, but there was something
being constructed, for example a triangle with
the same size as a given line.
quod est (q.e.) which is
quod est necessarium est licitum what is necessary is lawful
quod gratis asseritur, gratis what is asserted without reason may If no grounds have been given for an assertion,
negatur be denied without reason then there are no grounds needed to reject it.
249
If an important person does something, it does

not necessarily mean that everyone can do it
what is permitted to Jupiter is not
quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi (cf. double standard). Iovi (also commonly ren-
permitted to an ox
dered Jovi) is the dative form of Iuppiter ("Jupi-
ter" or "Jove"), the chief god of the Romans.
Thought to have originated with Elizabethan

playwright Christopher Marlowe. Generally in-
terpreted to mean that that which motivates or
quod me nutrit me destruit what nourishes me destroys me drives a person can consume him or her from
within. This phrase has become a popular slo-
gan or motto for pro-ana websites, anorexics
and bulimics.
Refers to the Spanish University of Salamanca,

quod natura non dat Salmantica what nature does not give, Sala-
meaning that education cannot substitute the
non praestat manca does not provide
lack of brains.
A well-known satirical lampoon left attached to

quod non fecerunt barbari, What the barbarians did not do, the
the ancient "speaking" statue of Pasquino on a
fecerunt Barberini Barberini did
corner of the Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy.[97]
What has happened has happened and it cannot

quod periit, periit What is gone is gone be changed, thus we should look forward into
the future instead of being pulled by the past.
quod scripsi, scripsi What I have written I have written. Pilate to the chief priests (John 19:22)
i.e. "You must thoroughly understand that

quod supplantandum, prius bene Whatever you hope to supplant, you which you hope to supplant". A caution against
sciendum will first know thoroughly following a doctrine of Naive Analogy when at-
tempting to formulate a scientific hypothesis.
Used after a term, phrase, or topic that should

be looked up elsewhere in the current docu-
quod vide (q.v.) which see
ment, book, etc. For more than one term or
phrase, the plural is quae vide (qq.v.).
More colloquially: "Do whatever He [Jesus]

Whatever He tells you, that you shall tells you to do." Instructions of Mary to the
Quodcumque dixerit vobis, facite.
do. servants at the Wedding at Cana. (John 2:5).
Also the motto of East Catholic High School.
quomodo vales How are you?
250
the number of members whose presence is re-

quorum of whom quired under the rules to make any given meet-
ing constitutional
Those whom true love has held, it

quos amor verus tenuit tenebit Seneca
will go on holding
"There are as many opinions as there are heads"

quot capita tot sensus as many heads, so many opinions
– Terence
Or "there are as many opinions as there are peo-

quot homines tot sententiae every man had his sentence
ple", "how many people, so many opinions"
La
Or "greed is the root of all evil". Theme of "The

radix malorum est cupiditas the root of evils is desire
Pardoner's Tale" from The Canterbury Tales.
An extraordinary or unusual thing. From

Juvenal's Satires: rara avis in terris nigroque si-
rara avis (rarissima avis) rare bird (very rare bird)
millima cygno ("a rare bird in the lands, and
very like a black swan").
rari nantes in gurgite vasto Rare survivors in the immense sea Virgil, Aeneid, I, 118
The legal, moral, political, and social principles

ratio decidendi reasoning for the decision used by a court to compose a judgment's ra-
tionale.
ratio legis reasoning of law A law's foundation or basis.
Also "Jurisdiction Ratione Personae" the per-

ratione personae by reason of his/her person
sonal reach of the courts jurisdiction.[98]
Or "according to the soil". Assigning property

ratione soli by account of the ground rights to a thing based on its presence on a land-
owner's property.
ratum et consummatum confirmed and completed in Canon law, a consummated marriage
in Canon law, a confirmed but unconsummated

ratum tantum confirmed only
marriage (which can be dissolved super rato)
251
More literally, "by the thing". From the ablative

of res ("thing" or "circumstance"). It is a com-
mon misconception that the "Re:" in corre-
spondence is an abbreviation for regarding or
reply; this is not the case for traditional letters.
re [in] the matter of
However, when used in an e-mail subject, there
is evidence that it functions as an abbreviation
of regarding rather than the Latin word for
thing. The use of Latin re, in the sense of
"about, concerning", is English usage.
The doctrine that treaty obligations hold only as

long as the fundamental conditions and expecta-
rebus sic stantibus with matters standing thus
tions that existed at the time of their creation
hold.
recte et fortiter Upright and Strong Motto of Homebush Boys High School
Also "just and faithful" and "accurately and

recte et fideliter Upright and Faithful
faithfully". Motto of Ruyton Girls' School
A common debate technique, and a method of

proof in mathematics and philosophy, that
proves the thesis by showing that its opposite is
absurd or logically untenable. In general usage
outside mathematics and philosophy, a reductio
reductio ad absurdum leading back to the absurd
ad absurdum is a tactic in which the logic of an
argument is challenged by reducing the concept
to its most absurd extreme. Translated from Ar-
istotle's "ἡ εις άτοπον απαγωγη" (hi eis atopon
apagogi, "reduction to the impossible").
A term coined by German-American political

philosopher Leo Strauss to humorously describe
a fallacious argument that compares an oppo-
reductio ad Hitlerum leading back to Hitler
nent's views to those held by Adolf Hitler or the
Nazi Party. Derived from reductio ad
absurdum.
252
An argument that creates an infinite series of

causes that does not seem to have a beginning.
As a fallacy, it rests upon Aristotle's notion that
all things must have a cause, but that all series
of causes must have a sufficient cause, that is,
reductio ad infinitum leading back to the infinite an unmoved mover. An argument which does
not seem to have such a beginning becomes dif-
ficult to imagine. If it can be established, sepa-
rately, that the chain must have a start, then a re-
ductio ad infinitum is a valid refutation tech-
nique.
A decision from a court of appeal is amended to

a worse one. With certain exceptions, this is
reformatio in peius change to worse
prohibited at the Boards of Appeal of the Euro-
pean Patent Office by case law.
Regem ego comitem me comes you made me a Count, I will make

Motto of the Forbin family (fr)
regem you a King
From "Reginam occidere nolite

Written by John of Merania, bishop of Eszter-
timere bonum est si omnes consen-
gom, to Hungarian nobles planning the assassi-
tiunt ego non contradico", a sentence
Reginam occidere nation of Gertrude of Merania. The queen was
whose meaning is highly dependent
assassinated as the plotters saw the bishop's
on punctuation: either the speaker
message as an encouragement.
wishes a queen killed or not.[99]
State motto of Arkansas, adopted in 1907. Orig-

inally rendered in 1864 in the plural, regnant
regnat populus the people rule
populi ("the peoples rule"), but subsequently
changed to the singular.
Regnum Mariae Patrona Hun- Kingdom of Mary, the Patron of

Former motto of Hungary.
gariae Hungary
Concept used in psychoanalysis by Sándor

regressus ad uterum return to the womb
Ferenczi and the Budapest School.
You have touched the point with a

rem acu tetigisti i.e., "You have hit the nail on the head"
needle
Usually said as a jocular remark to defend the

speaker's (or writer's) choice to repeat some im-
repetita iuvant repeating does good
portant piece of information to ensure reception
by the audience.
repetition is the mother of

repetitio est mater studiorum
study/learning
253
requiem aeternam eternal rest
Or "may he/she rest in peace". A benediction for

the dead. Often inscribed on tombstones or
requiescat in pace (R.I.P.) let him/her rest in peace other grave markers. "RIP" is commonly mis-
translated as "Rest In Peace", though the two
mean essentially the same thing.
Motto of the University of Sheffield, the Uni-

rerum cognoscere causas to learn the causes of things versity of Guelph, and London School of Eco-
nomics.
Used in the 1985 film American Flyers where it

a firm resolve does not know how to
res firma mitescere nescit is colloquially translated as "once you got it up,
weaken
keep it up".
A phrase used in law representing the belief that

certain statements are made naturally, spontane-
ously and without deliberation during the course
of an event, they leave little room for misunder-
res gestae things done standing/misinterpretation upon hearing by
someone else ( i.e. by the witness who will later
repeat the statement to the court) and thus the
courts believe that such statements carry a high
degree of credibility.
A phrase from the common law of torts mean-

ing that negligence can be inferred from the fact
res ipsa loquitur the thing speaks for itself
that such an accident happened, without proof
of exactly how.
A matter which has been decided by a court. Of-

ten refers to the legal concept that once a matter
res judicata judged thing has been finally decided by the courts, it cannot
be litigated again (cf. non bis in idem and dou-
ble jeopardy).
From rēs ("things, facts") the plural of rēs ("a

thing, a fact") + nōn ("not") + verba ("words")
"actions speak louder than words", the plural of verbum ("a word"). Literally mean-
res, non verba
or "deeds, not words" ing "things, not words" or "facts instead of
words" but referring to that "actions be used in-
stead of words".
Goods without an owner. Used for things or be-

res nullius nobody's property ings which belong to nobody and are up for
grabs, e.g., uninhabited and uncolonized lands,
254
wandering wild animals, etc. (cf. terra nullius,

"no man's land").
res publica Pertaining to the state or public source of the word republic
i.e., "examine the past, the present and future".

respice adspice prospice look behind, look here, look ahead
Motto of CCNY.
i.e., "have regard for the end" or "consider the

end". Generally a memento mori, a warning to
remember one's death. Motto of Homerton Col-
respice finem look back at the end lege, Cambridge, Trinity College, Kandy,
Georgetown College in Kentucky , Turnbull
High School, Glasgow, and the London Oratory
School.
Regarded as a legal maxim in agency law, refer-

ring to the legal liability of the principal with re-
spect to an employee. Whereas a hired inde-
pendent contractor acting tortiously may not
respondeat superior let the superior respond
cause the principal to be legally liable, a hired
employee acting tortiously will cause the princi-
pal (the employer) to be legally liable, even if
the employer did nothing wrong.
Principle behind the awarding of damages in

restitutio ad (or in) integrum restoration to original condition
common law negligence claims
‘I shall rise again’, expressing Christian faith in

resurrection at the Last Day. It appears, inter
alia, in Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, as the epi-
taph written on Helen Burns's grave; in a poem
of Emily Dickinson: Poems (1955) I. 56 ("Arc-
turus" is his other name), I slew a worm the
other day — A ‘Savant’ passing by Murmured
resurgam I shall arise
‘Resurgam’ — ‘Centipede’! ‘Oh Lord—how
frail are we’!; and in a letter of Vincent van
Gogh.[100] The OED gives "1662 J. Trapp An-
notations Old & New Testament I. 142 Howbeit
he had hope in his death, and might write Resur-
gam on his grave" as its earliest attribution in
the English corpus.
255
An utterance by the Delphic oracle recorded by

Eusebius of Caesarea in Praeparatio evangelica,
retine vim istam, falsa enim dicam, Restrain your strength, for if you VI-5, translated from the Greek of Porphyry
si coges compel me I will tell lies (c.f. E. H. Gifford's translation)[101] and used
by William Wordsworth as a subtitle for his bal-
lad "Anecdote for Fathers".
Latin motto that appears on the crest of the Trin-

rex regum fidelum et king even of faithful kings ity Broadcasting Network of Paul and Jan
Crouch.
The rigidity of corpses when chemical reactions

cause the limbs to stiffen about 3–4 hours after
death. Other signs of death include drop in body
rigor mortis stiffness of death
temperature (algor mortis, "cold of death") and
discoloration (livor mortis, "bluish color of
death").
An ironic or rueful commentary, appended fol-

risum teneatis, amici? Can you help laughing, friends?
lowing a fanciful or unbelievable tale.
laughter is abundant in the mouth of excessive and inappropriate laughter signifies

risus abundat in ore stultorum
fools stupidity.
Inspirational motto inscribed on the Statue of

Roma invicta Unconquerable Rome
Rome.
In Roman Catholic ecclesiology, doctrinal mat-

Roma locuta, causa finita Rome has spoken, the case is closed
ters are ultimately decided by the Vatican.
An intentionally garbled Latin phrase from

People called Romans they go the Monty Python's Life of Brian. Its intended
Romanes eunt domus
house meaning is "Romans, go home!", in Latin
Romani ite domum.
rorate coeli drop down ye heavens aka The Advent Prose.
rosa rubicundior, lilio candidior, redder than the rose, whiter than the
omnibus formosior, semper in te lilies, fairer than all things, I do ever From Veni, veni, venias (Carmina Burana).
glorior glory in thee
She who has earned the rose may

Rosam quae meruit ferat Motto from Sweet Briar College
bear it
Generally used to refer to a haven of peace and

rus in urbe A countryside in the city quiet within an urban setting, often a garden, but
can refer to interior decoration.
La
256
a leap in logic, by which a necessary part of an

saltus in demonstrando leap in explaining
equation is omitted.
a stronghold (or refuge) in difficul- a Roman Silver Age maxim. Also the school
salus in arduis
ties motto of Wellingborough School.
From Cicero's De Legibus, book III, part III,

sub. VIII. Quoted by John Locke in his Second
the welfare of the people is to be the
salus populi suprema lex esto Treatise, On Civil Government, to describe the
highest law
proper organization of government. Also the
state motto of Missouri.
Refers to two expressions that can be inter-

salva veritate with truth intact changed without changing the truth value of the
statements in which they occur.
Christian epithet, usually referring to Jesus. The

Salvator Mundi Savior of the World title of paintings by Albrecht Dürer and
Leonardo da Vinci.
Used as a reservation on statements of financial

salvo errore et omissione (s.e.e.o.) save for error and omission accounts. Often now given in English "errors
and omissions excluded" or "e&oe".
Addressing oneself to someone

salvo honoris titulo (SHT)
whose title is unknown.|
literally, "holy seat". Refers to the Papacy or the

Sancta Sedes Holy Chair
Holy See.
sancta simplicitas holy innocence Or "sacred simplicity".
Also sancte sapienter (holiness, wisdom), motto

sancte et sapienter in a holy and wise way of several institutions, notably King's College
London
referring to a more sacred and/or guarded place,

sanctum sanctorum Holy of Holies
within a lesser guarded, yet also holy location.
From Horace's Epistularum liber primus, Epistle

II, line 40. Made popular in Kant's essay An-
sapere aude dare to know swering the Question: What Is Enlightenment?
defining the Age of Enlightenment. The phrase
is common usage as a university motto.
sapiens qui prospicit wise is he who looks ahead Motto of Malvern College, England
257
From Plautus. Indicates that something can be

understood without any need for explanation, as
long as the listener has enough wisdom or com-
sapienti sat enough for the wise mon sense. Often extended to dictum sapienti
sat est ("enough has been said for the wise",
commonly translated as "a word to the wise is
enough").
Motto of Fordham University, New York. Motto

sapientia et doctrina wisdom and learning
of Hill House School Doncaster, England.
One of the mottos of the Ateneo schools in the

Philippines.[102]
sapientia et eloquentia wisdom and eloquence
Motto of the Minerva Society
Motto of Christchurch Girls' High School, New

sapientia et veritas wisdom and truth
Zealand.
Motto of the University of Hong Kong, Hong

sapientia et virtus wisdom and virtue
Kong.
Motto of the Wirral Grammar School for Boys,

sapientia ianua vitae wisdom is the gateway to life
Bebington, England.
Motto of University of Deusto, Bilbao, San Se-

sapientia melior auro wisdom is better than gold
bastián, Spain.
Motto of Universidad de las Américas, Puebla,

sapientia, pax, fraternitas Wisdom, Peace, Fraternity
Cholula, Mexico.
sat celeriter fieri quidquid fiat That which has been done well has One of the two favorite saying of Augustus. The
satis bene been done quickly enough other is "festina lente".[103]
By/From/With knowledge and la-

scientia ac labore Motto of several institutions
bour
unknown origin, probably adapted from

knowledge, more lasting than
scientia, aere perennius Horace's ode III (Exegi monumentum aere
bronze
perennius).
scientia cum religione religion and knowledge united Motto of St Vincent's College, Potts Point
Motto of the United States Coast Guard Acad-

scientiae cedit mare The sea yields to knowledge
emy.
scientiae et patriae For science and fatherland Motto of University of Latvia
scientia et labor knowledge and work motto of Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería
scientia et sapientia knowledge and wisdom motto of Illinois Wesleyan University
258
knowledge is the adornment and

scientia imperii decus et tutamen Motto of Imperial College London
protection of the Empire
Stated originally by Sir Francis Bacon in Medi-

tationes Sacrae (1597), which in modern times
scientia ipsa potentia est knowledge itself is power
is often paraphrased as scientia est potestas or
scientia potentia est (knowledge is power).
Motto of several institutions, such as the Free

scientia vincere tenebras conquering darkness by science University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit
Brussel).
that is to say; to wit; namely; in a legal caption,

scilicet (sc. or ss.) it is permitted to know it provides a statement of venue or refers to a lo-
cation.
scio I know
scio me nihil scire I know that I know nothing
motto of now defunct publisher Small, Maynard

scire quod sciendum knowledge which is worth having
& Company
as translated by Philip Francis. From Horace,

scribimus indocti doctique Each desperate blockhead dares to Epistularum liber secundus (1, 117)[104] and
poemata passim write quoted in Fielding's Tom Jones; lit: "Learned or
not, we shall write poems without distinction."
scuto amoris divini by the shield of God's love The motto of Skidmore College
seculo seculorum forever and ever
But the same Spirit intercedes inces-

sed ipse spiritus postulat pro
santly for us, with inexpressible Romans 8:26
nobis, gemitibus inenarrabilibus
groans
sed terrae graviora manent But on earth, worse things await Virgil, Aeneid 6:84.
The "seat" refers to the Holy See; the vacancy

sede vacante with the seat being vacant
refers to the interregnum between two popes.
sedes apostolica apostolic chair Synonymous with Sancta Sedes.
Used in biological classification to indicate that

there is no agreement as to which higher order
sedes incertae seat (i.e. location) uncertain
grouping a taxon should be placed into. Abbre-
viated sed. incert.
a Virgi's verse, means when you stop trying,

sedet, aeternumque sedebit seat, be seated forever
then you lose
259
Concept expressed by various authors, such as

once in a year one is allowed to go
semel in anno licet insanire Seneca, Saint Augustine and Horace. It became
crazy
proverbial during the Middle Ages.
semper ad meliora always towards better things Motto of several institutions
Motto of the 45th Infantry Division (United

semper anticus always forward States) and its successor, the 45th Infantry Bri-
gade Combat Team (United States)
semper apertus always open Motto of University of Heidelberg
Motto of Carl Jacobsen and name of a line of

semper ardens always burning
beers by Danish brewery Carlsberg.
personal motto of Elizabeth I, appears above her

royal coat of arms. Used as motto of Elizabeth
College, Guernsey, Channel Islands, which was
semper eadem ever the same founded by Elizabeth I, and of Ipswich School,
to whom Elizabeth granted a royal charter. Also
the motto of the City of Leicester and Prince
George's County.
Motto of the K.A.V. Lovania Leuven and the

semper excelsius always higher
House of Wrigley-Pimley-McKerr[105]
Motto of several institutions, e.g. United States

semper fidelis always faithful
Marine Corps
semper fortis always brave Unofficial motto of the United States Navy
semper idem always the same Motto of Underberg
semper in excretia sumus solim We're always in the manure; only Lord de Ramsey, House of Lords, 21 January
profundum variat the depth varies. 1998[106]
semper instans always threatening Motto of 846 NAS Royal Navy
semper invicta always invincible Motto of Warsaw
semper necessitas probandi the necessity of proof always lies Latin maxim often associated with the burden of
incumbit ei qui agit with the person who lays charges proof
semper liber always free Motto of the city of Victoria, British Columbia
Motto of several institutions, e.g. United States

semper paratus always prepared
Coast Guard
semper primus always first Motto of several US military units
260
Motto of the island of Sint Maarten, and of King

City Secondary School in King City, Ontario,
semper progrediens always progressing
Canada, and of Fairfax High School (Fairfax,
Virginia)
A phrase deriving from the Nadere Reformatie

movement in the seventeenth century Dutch Re-
formed Church and widely but informally used
in Reformed and Presbyterian churches today. It
refers to the conviction of certain Reformed
semper reformanda always in need of being reformed Protestant theologians that the church must con-
tinually re-examine itself in order to maintain its
purity of doctrine and practice. The term first
appeared in print in Jodocus van Lodenstein,
Beschouwinge van Zion (Contemplation of
Zion), Amsterdam, 1674.[107]
Motto of Barrow-in-Furness, England. Motto of

St. Stephen School, Chandigarh, India. Motto of
St. Joseph's College, Allahabad, India. Motto of
semper sursum always aim high Palmerston North Girls' High School, Palmer-
ston North, New Zealand. Motto of Vancouver
Technical Secondary School, Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada.
Motto of several institutions (such as the US Air

semper vigilans always vigilant Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol). Also the
motto of the city of San Diego, California.
semper vigilo always vigilant The motto of Scottish Police Forces, Scotland.
The official name of the Roman Republic.

"SPQR" was carried on battle standards by the
Senatus Populusque Romanus
The Senate and the People of Rome Roman legions. In addition to being an ancient
(SPQR)
Roman motto, it remains the motto of the mod-
ern city of Rome.
sensu lato with the broad, or general, meaning Less literally, "in the wide sense".
sensu stricto cf. stricto sensu "with the tight meaning" Less literally, "in the strict sense".
In biblical exegesis, the deeper meaning in-

sensus plenior in the fuller meaning tended by God, not intended by the human au-
thor.
261
In an effort to understand why things may be

happening contrary to expectations, or even in
alignment with them, this idiom suggests that
keeping track of where money is going may
sequere pecuniam follow the money
show the basis for the observed behavior. Simi-
lar in spirit to the phrase cui bono (who gains?)
or cui prodest (who advances?), but outside
those phrases' historically legal context.
motto of the General Theological Seminary,

Sermo Tuus Veritas Est Thy Word Is Truth
Cornelius Fontem Esua
sero venientes male sedentes those who are late are poorly seated
sero venientibus ossa those who are late get bones
servabo fidem Keeper of the faith I will keep the faith.
The answer of St. Michael the Archangel to the

non serviam, "I will not serve" of Satan, when
serviam I will serve the angels were tested by God on whether they
will serve an inferior being, a man, Jesus, as
their Lord.
servus servorum Dei servant of the servants of God A title for the Pope.
From Horace's Ars Poetica, "proicit ampullas et

sesquipedalia verba" ("he throws down his
high-flown language and his foot-and-a-half-
sesquipedalia verba words a foot and a half long
long words"). A self-referential jab at long
words and needlessly elaborate language in gen-
eral.
Si monumentum requiris circum- If you seek (his) monument, look from the epitaph on Christopher Wren's tomb in
spice around you St Paul's Cathedral.
Inscribed on a plaque above the front door of the

Si non oscillas, noli tintinnare If you can't swing, don't ring
Playboy mansion in Chicago.
si omnes... ego non if all ones... not I
From Christopher Marlowe's The Tragical His-

if we deny having made a mistake, tory of Doctor Faustus, where the phrase is
si peccasse negamus fallimur et
we are deceived, and there's no truth translated "if we say that we have no sin, we de-
nulla est in nobis veritas
in us ceive ourselves, and there's no truth in us." (cf. 1
John 1:8 in the New Testament)
262
Said to have been based on the tribute to archi-

tect Christopher Wren in St Paul's Cathedral,
si quaeris peninsulam amoenam if you seek a delightful peninsula,
London: si monumentum requiris, circumspice
circumspice look around
(see above). State motto of Michigan, adopted in
1835.
si quid novisti rectius istis, if you can better these principles,

candidus imperti; si nil, his utere tell me; if not, join me in following Horace, Epistles I:6, 67–68
mecum. them
This quote is often attributed to the Latin philos-

opher Boethius of the late fifth and early sixth
centuries. It translates literally as, "If you had
been silent, you would have remained a philoso-
If you had kept your silence, you pher." The phrase illustrates a common use of
si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses
would have stayed a philosopher the subjunctive verb mood. Among other func-
tions it expresses actions contrary to fact. Sir
Humphrey Appleby translated it to the PM as:
"If you'd kept your mouth shut we might have
thought you were clever."
A common beginning for ancient Roman letters.

An abbreviation of si vales bene est ego valeo,
si vales valeo (SVV) if you are well, I am well (abbr) alternatively written as SVBEEV. The practice
fell out of fashion and into obscurity with the
decline in Latin literacy.
This is often attributed to the Roman philoso-

si vis amari ama If you want to be loved, love pher Seneca, found in the sixth of his letters to
Lucilius.
From Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus, De Re

Militari. Origin of the name parabellum for
some ammunition and firearms, such as the
si vis pacem, para bellum if you want peace, prepare for war
Luger Parabellum. (Similar to igitur qui deside-
rat pacem, praeparet bellum and in pace ut sapi-
ens aptarit idonea bello.)
Or "just so". States that the preceding quoted

material appears exactly that way in the source,
despite any errors of spelling, grammar, usage,
sic thus or fact that may be present. Used only for previ-
ous quoted text; ita or similar must be used to
mean "thus" when referring to something about
to be stated.
263
More specifically, So run, that ye may obtain, 1

sic currite ut comprehendatis Run to win Corinthians 24. Motto of Divine Word
University, Madang, Papua New Guinea.
sic et non thus and not More simply, "yes and no".
sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos we gladly feast on those who would

Mock-Latin motto of The Addams Family.
nunc subdue us
sic infit so it begins
From Virgil, Aeneid book IX, line 641. Possibly

the source of the ad astra phrases. Motto of sev-
sic itur ad astra thus you shall go to the stars
eral institutions, including the Royal Canadian
Air Force.
sic parvis magna greatness from small beginnings Motto of Sir Francis Drake
sic passim Thus here and there Used when referencing books; see passim.
Thus has it always been, and thus

sic semper erat, et sic semper erit
shall it ever be
Attributed to Brutus at the time of Julius

Caesar's assassination, and to John Wilkes
Booth at the time of Abraham Lincoln's assassi-
sic semper tyrannis thus always to tyrants
nation; whether it was actually said at either of
these events is disputed. State motto of Virginia,
adopted in 1776.
A reminder that all things are fleeting. During

Papal coronations, a monk reminds the Pope of
his mortality by saying this phrase, preceded by
pater sancte ("holy father") while holding be-
sic transit gloria mundi thus passes the glory of the world fore his eyes a burning paper illustrating the
passing nature of earthly glories. This is similar
to the tradition of a slave in a Roman triumphs
whispering memento mori in the ear of the cele-
brant.
Or "use your property in such a way that you do

use [what is] yours so as not to harm not damage others'". A legal maxim related to
sic utere tuo ut alienum non laedas
[what is] of others property ownership laws, often shortened to
simply sic utere ("use it thus").
Or "such is life". Indicates that a circumstance,

sic vita est thus is life whether good or bad, is an inherent aspect of
living.
264
Though the constellations change,

sidere mens eadem mutato Latin motto of the University of Sydney.
the mind is universal
signetur (sig) or (S/) let it be labeled Medical shorthand
Motto of the Institute of the Brothers of the

signum fidei Sign of the Faith
Christian Schools.
Latinization of the English expression "silence is

silentium est aureum silence is golden golden". Also Latinized as silentium est aurum
("silence is gold").
"like cures like" and "let like be cured by like";

similar things take care of similar the first form ("curantur") is indicative, while
similia similibus curantur things the second form ("curentur") is subjunctive. The
indicative form is found in Paracelsus (16th cen-
similia similibus curentur let similar things take care of similar tury), while the subjunctive form is said by
things Samuel Hahnemann, founder of homeopathy,
and is known as the law of similars.
Used as a general rule in chemistry; "like dis-

similar substances will dissolve sim- solves like" refers to the ability of polar or non
similia similibus solvuntur
ilar substances polar solvents to dissolve polar or non polar so-
lutes respectively.[108]
expresses a sentiment akin to Keep It Simple,

simplex sigillum veri simplicity is the sign of truth
Stupid
sincere et constanter sincere and constant Motto of the Order of the Red Eagle
Used in bibliographies to indicate that the date

sine anno (s.a.) without a year
of publication of a document is unknown.
Originally from old common law texts, where it

indicates that a final, dispositive order has been
made in the case. In modern legal context, it
sine die without a day
means there is nothing left for the court to do, so
no date for further proceedings is set, resulting
in an "adjournment sine die".
sine ira et studio without anger and fondness Thus, impartially. From Tacitus, Annals 1.1.
Addressing oneself to someone whose title is

sine honoris titulo without honorary title
unknown.
without labour there will be no

sine labore non erit panis in ore
bread in mouth
Used in bibliographies to indicate that the place

sine loco (s.l.) without a place
of publication of a document is unknown.
265
sine metu "without fear" Motto of Jameson Irish Whiskey
Used in bibliographies to indicate that the pub-

sine nomine (s.n.) "without a name"
lisher of a document is unknown.
Refers to the ineffectiveness of a law without

sine poena nulla lex Without penalty, there is no law
the means of enforcement
Frequently abbreviated to "s.p." or "d.s.p." (de-

sine prole Without offspring cessit sine prole – "died without offspring") in
genealogical works.
Without surviving offspring (even in abstract

sine prole superstite Without surviving children
terms)
St.George's School, Vancouver, British Colum-

sine timore aut favore Without Fear or Favor
bia, Canada motto
Used to denote something that is an essential

sine qua non without which not part of the whole. See also condicio sine qua
non.
Inscription on a stained glass in the conference

without remedies medicine is pow-
sine remediis medicina debilis est hall of a pharmaceutical mill in Kaunas, Lithua-
erless
nia.
Motto of The International Diving Society, and

sine scientia ars nihil est without knowledge, skill is nothing motto of Oxford University Medical Students'
Society
Phrase, used to cease the activities of the Sejm

sisto activitatem I cease the activity
upon the liberum veto principle
sit nomine digna may it be worthy of the name Motto of Rhodesia
Motto of the Brisbane Boys' College (Brisbane,

sit sine labe decus let honour stainless be
Australia).
Commonly used on gravestones, often con-

sit tibi terra levis may the earth be light to you tracted as S.T.T.L., the same way as today's
R.I.P.
may there be forgiveness for the Similar to the English idiom "pardon my
sit venia verbo
word French".
sol iustitiae illustra nos sun of justice, shine upon us Motto of Utrecht University.
sol lucet omnibus the sun shines on everyone Petronius, Satyricon Lybri 100.
Inscription near the entrance to Frombork

sol omnia regit the sun rules over everything
Museum
266
The material principle of the Protestant Refor-

mation and one of the five solas, referring to the
sola fide by faith alone
Protestant claim that the Bible teaches that men
are saved by faith even without works.
It is credited to Paracelsus who expressed the

classic toxicology maxim "All things are poison
sola dosis facit venemum the dose makes the poison
and nothing is without poison; only the dose
makes a thing not a poison."
A motto of the Protestant Reformation and one

of the five solas, referring to the Protestant
sola gratia by grace alone
claim that salvation is an unearned gift (cf. ex
gratia), not a direct result of merit.
the only good language is a dead

sola lingua bona est lingua mortua Example of dog Latin humor.
language
The formal principle of the Protestant Reforma-

tion and one of the five solas, referring to the
sola scriptura by scripture alone
Protestant idea that the Bible alone is the ulti-
mate authority, not the Pope or tradition.
sola nobilitat virtus virtue alone ennobles
solamen miseris socios habuisse From Christopher Marlowe's The Tragical His-
misery loves company
doloris tory of Doctor Faustus.

of the five solas, referring to the idea that God is
the creator of all good things and deserves all
the praise for them. Johann Sebastian Bach often
soli Deo gloria (S.D.G.) glory to God alone signed his manuscripts with the abbreviation
S.D.G. to invoke this phrase, as well as with
AMDG (ad maiorem Dei gloriam). The motto
of the MasterWorks Festival, an annual Chris-
tian performing arts festival.

of the five solas, referring to the Protestant
solus Christus Christ alone claim that the Bible teaches that Jesus is the
only mediator between God and mankind. Also
rendered solo Christo ("by Christ alone").
solus ipse I alone
The problem is solved by taking a walk, or by

solvitur ambulando it is solved by walking
simple experiment.
267
your lot is cast in Sparta, be a credit from Euripides's Telephus, Agamemnon to

Spartam nactus es; hanc exorna
to it Menelaus.[109]
specialia generalibus derogant special departs from general
species nova new species Used in biological taxonomy
speculum speculorum mirror of mirrors
spem gregis the hope of the flock from Virgil's Eclogues
spem reduxit he has restored hope Motto of New Brunswick.
spero meliora I hope for better things
spes bona good hope Motto of University of Cape Town.
Refers to Revelation 3:21, "To him that over-

cometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,
hope conquers (overcomes) the
spes vincit thronum even as I also overcame, and am set down with
throne
my Father in his throne." On the John Winthrop
family tombstone, Boston, Massachusetts.
From The Second Coming (poem) by William

Butler Yeats. Refers to Yeats' belief that each
human mind is linked to a single vast intelli-
spiritus mundi spirit of the world gence, and that this intelligence causes certain
universal symbols to appear in individual minds.
The idea is similar to Carl Jung's concept of the
collective unconscious.
Refers to The Gospel of Saint John 3:8, where

he mentions how Jesus told Nicodemus "The
wind blows wherever it wants, and even though
you can hear its noise, you don't know where it
spiritus ubi vult spirat the spirit spreads wherever it wants
comes from or where it goes. The same thing
happens to whomever has been born of the
Spirit." It is the motto of Cayetano Heredia Uni-
versity[110]
Loosely "splendour without diminishment" or

splendor sine occasu brightness without setting "magnificence without ruin". Motto of British
Columbia.
268
The motto of the Jungle Patrol in The Phantom.

The phrase actually violates Latin grammar be-
cause of a mistranslation from English, as the
stamus contra malo we stand against by evil
preposition contra takes the accusative case.
The correct Latin rendering of "we stand against
evil" would be "stamus contra malum".
stante pede with a standing foot "Immediately".
To uphold previous rulings, recognize

stare decisis to stand by the decided things
precedent.
stat sua cuique dies There is a day [turn] for everybody Virgil, Aeneid, X 467
Medical shorthand used following an urgent re-

statim (stat) "immediately"
quest.[111]
Motto of Cork City, Ireland. Adapted from Vir-

gil's Aeneid (II, 23: statio male fida carinis, "an
statio bene fide carinis A safe harbour for ships
unsafe harbour") but corrupted for unknown rea-
sons to "fide".
The current condition or situation. Also status

quo ante ("the situation in which [things were]
status quo the situation in which before"), referring to the state of affairs prior to
some upsetting event (cf. reset button tech-
nique).
status quo ante bellum the state before the war A common term in peace treaties.
Marginal mark in proofreading to indicate that

stet let it stand something previously deleted or marked for de-
letion should be retained.
First part of the motto of Harrow School, Eng-

stet fortuna domus let the fortune of the house stand land, and inscribed upon Ricketts House, at the
California Institute of Technology.
From Christopher Marlowe's The Tragical His-

tory of Doctor Faustus. (See Rom 6:23, "For the
stipendium peccati mors est the reward of sin is death
wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.")
strenuis ardua cedunt the heights yield to endeavour Motto of the University of Southampton.
stricto sensu cf. sensu stricto with the tight meaning Less literally, "in the strict sense".
269
A title given to Frederick II, Holy Roman

Emperor. More literally translated "the bewil-
stupor mundi the wonder of the world
derment of the world", or, in its original, pre-
Medieval sense, "the stupidity of the world".
Legal term when a court takes up a motion on its

own initiative, not because any of the parties to
sua sponte by its own accord the case has made the motion. The regimental
motto of the 75th Ranger Regiment of the U.S.
Army.
Commonly abbreviated sa, it is used in citing

sub anno under the year
annals, which record events by year.
Motto of the University of Adelaide, Australia.

sub cruce lumen The Light Under the Cross Refers to the figurative "light of learning" and
the Southern Cross constellation, Crux.
Also, "under the sky", "in the open air", "out in

the open" or "outdoors". Ablative "divo" does
sub divo under the wide open sky
not distinguish divus, divi, a god, from divum,
divi, the sky.
Used in citations to refer to the end of a book,

sub finem toward the end page, etc., and abbreviated 's.f.' Used after the
page number or title. E.g., 'p. 20 s.f. '
sub Iove frigido under cold Jupiter At night; from Horace's Odes 1.1:25
Said of a case that cannot be publicly discussed

sub judice under a judge
until it is finished. Also sub iudice.
Commonly rendered subpoena. Said of a re-

quest, usually by a court, that must be complied
with on pain of punishment. Examples include
subpoena duces tecum ("take with you under
sub poena under penalty
penalty"), a court summons to appear and pro-
duce tangible evidence, and subpoena ad
testificandum ("under penalty to testify"), a
summons to appear and give oral testimony.
270
"In secret", "privately", "confidentially", or

"covertly". In the Middle Ages, a rose was sus-
pended from the ceiling of a council chamber to
indicate that what was said in the "under the
rose" was not to be repeated outside. This prac-
sub rosa under the rose tice originates in Greek mythology, where Aph-
rodite gave a rose to her son Eros, and he, in
turn, gave it to Harpocrates, the god of silence,
to ensure that his mother's indiscretions—or
those of the gods in general, in other accounts—
were kept under wraps.
"in the name of", "under the title of"; used in le-
sub nomine (sub nom.) under the name gal citations to indicate the name under which
the litigation continued.
sub silentio under silence implied but not expressly stated.
Thus, "from eternity's point of view". From Spi-

sub specie aeternitatis under the sight of eternity
noza, Ethics.
sub specie Dei under the sight of God "from God's point of view or perspective".
Name of the oldest extant hymn to the

sub tuum praesidium Beneath thy compassion Theotokos (Blessed Virgin Mary). Also "under
your protection". A popular school motto.
National Motto of Belize, referring to the shade

Sub umbra floreo Under the shade I flourish
of the mahogany tree.
Under the word or heading, as in a dictionary;

sub verbo; sub voce
abbreviated s.v.
Motto of King Edward VII and Queen Mary

sublimis ab unda Raised from the waves
School, Lytham
subsiste sermonem statim stop speaking immediately
Succisa virescit Cut down, we grow back stronger Motto of Delbarton School
One doesn't sing on the Sudeten

Sudetia non cantat Saying from Hanakia
Mountains
sui generis Of its own kind In a class of its own.
Capable of responsibility. Has both legal and ec-

sui iuris Of one's own right
clesiastical use. Commonly rendered sui juris.
271
A gravestone inscription to remind the reader of

the inevitability of death (cf. memento mori).
sum quod eris I am what you will be Also rendered fui quod sis ("I have been what
you are") and tu fui ego eris ("I have been you,
you will be I").
sum quod sum I am what I am from Augustine's Sermon No. 76.[112]
summa cum laude with highest praise
It refers to the final authority of power in gov-

summa potestas sum or totality of power
ernment. For example, power of the Sovereign.
Literally "sum of sums". When a short conclu-

summa summarum all in all sion is rounded up at the end of some elabora-
tion.
Literally "highest good". Also summum malum

summum bonum the supreme good
("the supreme evil").
From Cicero (De officiis, I, 10, 33). An acritical

application of law, without understanding and
respect of laws's purposes and without consider-
ing the overall circumstances, is often a means
summum ius, summa iniuria supreme law, supreme injustice of supreme injustice. A similar sentence appears
in Terence (Heautontimorumenos, IV, 5): Ius
summum saepe summa est malitia ("supreme
justice is often out of supreme malice (or wick-
edness)").
From Virgil, Aeneid. Followed by et mentem

mortalia tangunt ("and mortal things touch my
sunt lacrimae rerum there are tears for things mind"). Aeneas cries as he sees Carthaginian
temple murals depicting the deaths of the Trojan
War. See also hinc illae lacrimae.
sunt omnes unum they are all one
sunt pueri pueri, pueri puerilia Children are children, and children
anonymous proverb
tractant do childish things
Used in the context of titles of nobility, for in-

suo jure in one's own right stance where a wife may hold a title in her own
right rather than through her marriage.
272
Also rendered suo moto. Usually used when a

court of law, upon its own initiative, (i.e., no pe-
tition has been filed) proceeds against a person
suo motu upon one's own initiative
or authority that it deems has committed an ille-
gal act. It is used chiefly in South Asia.[citation
needed]
Knowledge crowns those who seek

suos cultores scientia coronat The motto of Syracuse University, New York.
her
super firmum fundamentum dei On the firm foundation of God The motto of Ursinus College, Pennsylvania.
Where Thomas More accused the reformer,

super fornicam on the lavatory
Martin Luther, of going to celebrate Mass.
superbia in proelia pride in battle Motto of Manchester City F.C.
supero omnia I surpass everything A declaration that one succeeds above all others.
From Erasmus' collection of annotated Adagia

surdo oppedere to belch before the deaf
(1508): a useless action.
Motto of Columbia University's Philolexian So-

surgam I shall rise
ciety.
sursum corda Lift up your hearts
Thus, don't offer your opinion on things that are

outside your competence. It is said that the
Greek painter Apelles once asked the advice of a
cobbler on how to render the sandals of a soldier
sutor, ne ultra crepidam Cobbler, no further than the sandal! he was painting. When the cobbler started offer-
ing advice on other parts of the painting, Apelles
rebuked him with this phrase in Greek, and it
subsequently became a popular Latin expres-
sion.
One of Justinian I's three basic precepts of law.

suum cuique tribuere to render to every man his due Also shortened to suum cuique ("to each his
own").
Abbreviation for sub verbo or sub voce (see

s.v.
above).
La
tabula gratulatoria congratulatory tablet A list of congratulations.
273
Thus, "blank slate". Romans used to write on

wax-covered wooden tablets, which were erased
tabula rasa scraped tablet by scraping with the flat end of the stylus. John
Locke used the term to describe the human mind
at birth, before it had acquired any knowledge.
talis qualis just as such "Such as it is" or "as such".
taliter qualiter somewhat
from St Mark's gospel 10:14 "talium (parvuli) est

enim regnum Dei"; similar in St Matthew's gospel
for of such (little children) is the
talium Dei regnum 19:14 "talium est enim regnum caelorum" ("for of
kingdom of God
such is the kingdom of heaven"); motto of the Ca-
thedral School, Townsville.
Said in 1697 by Johann Bernoulli about Isaac

Newton's anonymously submitted solution to
tanquam ex ungue leonem we know the lion by his claw
Bernoulli's challenge regarding the Brachisto-
chrone curve.
tarde venientibus ossa To the late are left the bones
The motto of the fictional Enfield Tennis Acad-

emy in the David Foster Wallace novel Infinite
Te occidere possunt sed te edere They can kill you, but they cannot
Jest. Translated in the novel as "They can kill
non possunt nefas est eat you, it is against the law.
you, but the legalities of eating you are quite a bit
dicier".
technica impendi nationi Technology impulses nations Motto of Technical University of Madrid
A reference to the Greek γνῶθι σεαυτόν (gnothi

seauton), inscribed on the pronaos of the Temple
of Apollo at Delphi, according to the Greek
temet nosce know thyself periegetic writer Pausanias (10.24.1). Rendered
also with nosce te ipsum, temet nosce ("thine own
self know") appears in The Matrix translated as
"know thyself".
Literally "Heroic Times"; refers to the period be-

tempora heroica Heroic Age tween the mythological Titanomachy and the (rel-
atively) historical Trojan War.
16th century variant of two classical lines of

tempora mutantur et nos muta- the times are changing, and we Ovid: tempora labuntur ("time labors", Fasti) and
mur in illis change in them omnia mutantur ("everything changes", Meta-
morphoses). See entry for details.
274
Also "time, that devours all things", literally:

"time, gluttonous of things", edax: adjectival
tempus edax rerum time, devourer of all things
form of the verb edo to eat. From Ovid, Meta-
morphoses, 15, 234-236.
From Virgil's Georgics (Book III, line 284),

Time flees. where it appears as fugit inreparabile tempus. A
tempus fugit
Time flies. common sundial motto. See also tempus volat,
hora fugit below.
"Tempus Rerum Imperator" has been adopted by

tempus rerum imperator time, commander of all things the Google Web Accelerator project. It is shown
in the "About Google Web Accelerator" page.
tempus vernum spring time Name of song by popular Irish singer Enya
tempus volat hora fugit time flies, the hour flees
tendit in ardua virtus virtue strives for what is difficult Appears in Ovid's Epistulae ex Ponto
Suetonius attributes this to Julius Caesar, from

teneo te Africa I hold you, Africa!
when Caesar was on the African coast.
tentanda via The way must be tried motto for York University
ter in die (t.i.d.) thrice in a day Medical shorthand for "three times a day".
terminat hora diem; terminat auc- The hour finishes the day; the au- Phrase concluding Christopher Marlowe's play
tor opus. thor finishes his work. Doctor Faustus.[113]
In archaeology or history, refers to the date be-

fore which an artifact or feature must have been
deposited. Used with terminus post quem ("limit
after which"). Similarly, terminus ad quem ("limit
terminus ante quem limit before which
to which") may also refer to the latest possible
date of a non-punctual event (period, era, etc.),
while terminus a quo ("limit from which") may
refer to the earliest such date.
First name used to refer to the Australian conti-

terra australis incognita unknown southern land
nent.
terra firma solid land Often used to refer to the ground.
terra incognita unknown land
Latin name of Newfoundland (island portion of

Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labra-
terra nova new land
dor, capital- St. John's), also root of French name
of same, Terre-Neuve
275
That is, no man's land. A neutral or uninhabited

terra nullius land of none area, or a land not under the sovereignty of any
recognized political entity.
Or "let them give light to the world". An allusion

to Isaiah 6.3: plena est omnis terra gloria eius
("the whole earth is full of his glory"). Sometimes
mistranslated as "they will illuminate the lands"
based on mistaking irradiare for a future
terras irradient let them illuminate the lands
indicative third-conjugation verb, whereas it is
actually a present subjunctive first-conjugation
verb. Motto of Amherst College; the college's
original mission was to educate young men to
serve God.
A logical axiom that a claim is either true or

tertium non datur no third (possibility) is given
false, with no third option.
1. Something that cannot be classified into either

of two groups considered exhaustive; an interme-
tertium quid a third something
diate thing or factor. 2. A third person or thing of
indeterminate character.
A law principle expressing that a single witness is

testis unus, testis nullus one witness is not a witness
not enough to corroborate a story.
The inscription found on top of the central door

We consecrate to your immaculate
Tibi cordi immaculato of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Concep-
heart and entrust to you (Mary) for
concredimus nos ac consecramus tion, otherwise known as the Manila Cathedral in
safekeeping
the Philippines
Danaos being a term for the Greeks. In Virgil's

Aeneid, II, 49, the phrase is said by Laocoön
when warning his fellow Trojans against accept-
ing the Trojan Horse. The full original quote is
I fear Greeks even if they bring
timeo Danaos et dona ferentes quidquid id est timeo Danaos et dona ferentis,
gifts
quidquid id est meaning "whatever it is" and
ferentis being an archaic form of ferentes. Com-
monly mistranslated "Beware of Greeks bearing
gifts".
proverb; occasionally appears on loading screens

timidi mater non flet A coward's mother does not weep
in the game Rome: Total War.
276
Refrain originating in the response to the seventh

lesson in the Office of the Dead. In the Middle
timor mortis conturbat me the fear of death confounds me Ages, this service was read each day by clerics.
As a refrain, it appears also in other poems and
can frequently be found inscribed on tombs.
Offering one's life in total commitment to an-

other. The motto was adopted by Pope John Paul
totus tuus totally yours
II to signify his love and servitude to Mary the
Mother of Jesus.
Literally "beneficial passage." Mentioned in "The

Seamy Side of History" (L'envers de l'histoire
transire benefaciendo to travel along while doing good contemporaine, 1848), part of La Comédie hu-
maine, by Honoré de Balzac, and Around the
World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne.
Used to express the belief in the transfer of impe-

translatio imperii transfer of rule rial authority from the Roman Empire of antiq-
uity to the Medieval Holy Roman Empire.
It takes three to have a valid group; three is the

tres faciunt collegium three makes company minimum number of members for an organization
or a corporation.
A decree by the medieval Church that all feuds

should be cancelled during the Sabbath—effec-
treuga Dei Truce of God
tively from Wednesday or Thursday night until
Monday. See also Peace and Truce of God.
tria juncta in uno Three joined in one Motto of the Order of the Bath
Phrase said at the end of biblical readings in the

But Thou, O Lord, have mercy
tu autem Domine miserere nobis liturgy of the medieval church. Also used in brief,
upon us
"tu autem", as a memento mori epitaph.
Thus, "what you are, I was; what I am, you will

be.". A memento mori gravestone inscription to
tu fui ego eris I was you; you will be me
remind the reader that death is unavoidable (cf.
sum quod eris).
you should not give in to evils, but

tu ne cede malis, sed contra au-
proceed ever more boldly against From Virgil, Aeneid, 6, 95.
dentior ito
them
The logical fallacy of attempting to defend one's

tu quoque you too position merely by pointing out the same weak-
ness in one's opponent.
277
Motto for the satirical news organization, The

tu stultus es you are stupid
Onion
Found on the Great Seal on the flag of the state of

tuebor I will protect
Michigan.
A tunic is closer to the body than a

tunica propior est pallio
cape
turris fortis mihi Deus God is my strong tower Motto of the Kelly Clan
tutum te robore reddam I will give you safety by strength Motto of the Clan Crawford
tuum est It's up to you Motto of the University of British Columbia
La
Or "utmost good faith" (cf. bona fide). A legal

uberrima fides most abundant faith maxim of insurance contracts requiring all parties
to deal in good faith.
ubertas et fidelitas fertility and faithfulness Motto of Tasmania.
where [there is] love, there [is]

ubi amor, ibi dolor
pain
where [it is] well, there [is] the fa- Or "Home is where it's good"; see also ubi panis
ubi bene ibi patria
therland ibi patria.
where there is charity and love,

ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est
God is there
where [there is] doubt, there [is]

ubi dubium ibi libertas Anonymous proverb.
freedom
Where [there is] a right, there [is] a

ubi jus ibi remedium
remedy
Similar to "you catch more bees with honey than

where [there is] honey, there [are]
ubi mel ibi apes with vinegar"—treat people nicely and they will
bees
treat you nicely in return.
where [there is] liberty, there [is] Or "where there is liberty, there is my country".
ubi libertas ibi patria
the fatherland Patriotic motto.
From the writings of the Flemish philosopher

where you are worth nothing, there
ubi nihil vales, ibi nihil velis Arnold Geulincx; also quoted by Samuel Beckett
you will wish for nothing
in his first published novel, Murphy.
278
Thus, there can be no judgment or case if no one

where [there is] no accuser, there charges a defendant with a crime. The phrase is
ubi non accusator ibi non iudex
[is] no judge sometimes parodied as "where there are no police,
there is no speed limit".
where there is bread, there is my

ubi panis ibi patria
country
where there is pus, there evacuate

ubi pus, ibi evacua
it
Or "whereas, in reality..." Also rendered ubi re-

ubi re vera when, in a true thing
vera ("when, in fact" or "when, actually").
if there's a society, law will be

ubi societas ibi ius By Aristotle.
there
ubi solitudinem faciunt pacem ap- They make a desert and call it from a speech by Calgacus reported/constructed
pellant peace by Tacitus, Agricola, ch. 30.
Nostalgic theme of poems yearning for days gone

by. From the line ubi sunt qui ante nos fuerunt
ubi sunt where are they?
("Where are they, those who have gone before
us?").
Motto of the Royal Artillery and most other Artil-

lery corps within the armies of the British Com-
everywhere, where right and glory
ubique, quo fas et gloria ducunt monwealth (for example, the Royal Canadian Ar-
leads
tillery, Royal Australian Artillery and Royal New
Zealand Artillery).
last method
ultima ratio the final argument
the last resort (as force)
Used in formal correspondence to refer to the pre-

ultimo mense (ult.) in the last month vious month. Used with inst. ("this month") and
prox. ("next month").
"Without authority". Used to describe an action

done without proper authority, or acting without
ultra vires beyond powers
the rules. The term will most often be used in con-
nection with appeals and petitions.
No one is obligated beyond what

ultra posse nemo obligatur
he is able to do.
279
From Gerhard Gerhards' (1466–1536) [better

known as Erasmus] collection of annotated Ada-
gia (1508). Latin translation of a classical Greek
ululas Athenas (to send) owls to Athens
proverb. Generally means putting large effort in a
necessarily fruitless enterprise. Compare "selling
coal to Newcastle".
A single example of something positive does not

one swallow does not make sum-
una hirundo non facit ver necessarily mean that all subsequent similar in-
mer
stances will have the same outcome.
Less literally, "the only safe bet for the van-

quished is to expect no safety". Preceded by
moriamur et in media arma ruamus ("let us die
even as we rush into the midst of battle") in Vir-
una salus victis nullam sperare the only safety for the conquered is gil's Aeneid, book 2, lines 353–354. Used in Tom
salutem to hope for no safety Clancy's novel Without Remorse, where character
John Clark translates it as "the one hope of the
doomed is not to hope for safety". It was said sev-
eral times in "Andromeda" as the motto of the
SOF units.
unitas, iustitia, spes unity, justice, hope Motto of Vilnius.
Motto for the St. Xavier's Institution Board of Li-

unitas per servitiam unity through service
brarians.
uniti aedificamus united we build Motto of the Mississippi Makerspace Community
Used in criticism of inconsistent pleadings, i.e.

"one cannot argue uno flatu both that the com-
uno flatu in one breath
pany does not exist and that it is also responsible
for the wrong."
uno sumus animo we are one of soul Motto of Stedelijk Gymnasium Leiden
unus multorum one of many An average person.
Unus papa Romae, unus portus One pope in Rome, one port in An-
Anconae, una turris Cremonae, cona, one tower in Cremona, one Motto of the Czech Brewery in Rakovník.[114]
una ceres Raconae beer in Rakovník
Meaning "To Rome and the World". A standard

to the city and the circle [of the
Urbi et Orbi opening of Roman proclamations. Also a tradi-
lands]
tional blessing by the pope.
urbs in horto city in a garden Motto of the City of Chicago.
280
Often used in reference to battle, implying a will-

usque ad finem to the very end
ingness to keep fighting until you die.
In other words, practice makes perfect. Also

usus est magister optimus practice is the best teacher.
sometimes translated "use makes master."
Also rendered with quando ("when") in place of

quoniam. From a book by Suetonius (Vit. Tib.,
2.2) and Cicero (De Natura Deorum, 2.3). The
phrase was said by Roman admiral Publius
Claudius Pulcher right before the battle of Drep-
so that they might drink, since they
ut biberent quoniam esse nollent ana, as he threw overboard the sacred chickens
refused to eat
which had refused to eat the grain offered them—
an unwelcome omen of bad luck. Thus, the sense
is, "if they do not perform as expected, they must
suffer the consequences". He lost the battle disas-
trously.
ut cognoscant te so that they may know You. Motto of Boston College High School.
ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda though the power be lacking, the
From Ovid, Epistulae ex Ponto (III, 4, 79).
voluntas will is to be praised all the same
ut dicitur as has been said; as above
Poetically, "Loyal she began, loyal she remains."

ut incepit fidelis sic permanet as she began loyal, so she persists
Motto of Ontario.
ut infra as below
that in all things, God may be glo-

ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus. Motto of the Order of St. Benedict.
rified
ut mare quod ut ventus to sea and into wind Motto of USNS Washington Chambers
ut omnes te cognoscant that all may know you Motto of Niagara University
Motto of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State

ut prosim that I may serve
University
ut proverbium loquitur vetus... you know what they say... Lit: As the old proverb says...
that the matter may have effect ra-

ut res magis valeat quam pereat
ther than fail[115]
Or "as on the back side"; thus, "as on the previous

ut retro as backwards
page" (cf. ut supra).
as Rome falls, so [falls] the whole

ut Roma cadit, sic omnis terra
world
281
A traditional brocard. The full form is Interest

reipublicae ut sit finis litium, "it is in the govern-
so there might be an end of litiga-
ut sit finis litium ment's interest that there be an end to litigation."
tion
Often quoted in the context of statutes of limita-
tion.
ut supra as above
Robert Hooke's expression of his discovery of his

law of linear elasticity. Also: Motto of École Po-
ut tensio sic vis as the extension, so the force
lytechnique de Montréal. Motto of the British
Watch and Clockmaker's Guild.
Comes from 2 Timothy 4:11. Motto of Camber-

utilis in ministerium usefulness in service
well Girls Grammar School.
Also translated as "that the two may be one."

Motto found in 18th century Spanish dollar coins.
Motto of Georgetown University.From the
utraque unum both into one
Vulgate, Eph. 2:14, Ipse enim est pax nostra, qui
fecit utraque unum, "For he is our peace, who
hath made both one."
Motto of The British Parachute Regiment. Motto

utrinque paratus ready for anything
of the Belize National Coast Guard.
La
vacate et scire Be still and know. Motto of the University of Sussex.
From the Vulgate, Proverbs 6:6. The full quota-

vade ad formicam go to the ant tion translates as "Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!"[Pro 6:6]
A vade-mecum or vademecum is an item one car-

vade mecum go with me
ries around, especially a handbook.
An exhortation to Satan to be gone, often a Ro-

man Catholic response to temptation. From a pop-
ular Medieval Roman Catholic exorcism formula,
derived from the rebuke of Jesus Christ to St. Pe-
vade retro Satana go back, Satan
ter, as quoted in the Vulgate, Mark 8:33: vade
retro me Satana ("get behind Me, Satan").[Mark
8:33] The phrase "vade retro" ("go back") is also
in Terence's Formio, I, 4, 203.
282
Attributed by Livy to Brennus, the chief of the

vae victis woe to the conquered Gauls, stated with his demand for more gold from
the citizens of the sacked city of Rome in 390 BC.
vanity of vanities; everything [is] Or more simply: "vanity, vanity, everything van-
vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas
vanity ity". From the Vulgate, Ecclesiastes 1:2;12:8.
A purported prediction stated as if it was made be-

vaticinium ex eventu prophecy from the event fore the event it describes, while in fact being
made thereafter.
Summary of alternatives, e. g., "this action turns

vel non or not upon whether the claimant was the deceased's
grandson vel non."
Non-literally, "where there is a will, there is a

velle est posse to be willing is to be able way". It is the motto of Hillfield, one of the
founding schools of Hillfield Strathallan College.
Or simply "faster than cooking asparagus". As-

cribed to Augustus by Suetonius in The Twelve
faster than asparagus can be Caesars, Book 2 (Augustus), para. 87. It refers to
velocius quam asparagi coquantur
cooked anything done very quickly. A very common vari-
ant is celerius quam asparagi cocuntur ("faster
than asparagus [is] cooked").
velut arbor aevo as a tree with the passage of time Motto of the University of Toronto, Canada.
The message supposedly sent by Julius Caesar to

veni, vidi, vici I came, I saw, I conquered the Roman Senate to describe his battle against
King Pharnaces II of Pontus near Zela in 47 BC.
venturis ventis to the coming winds Motto of Brasília, the capital of Brazil.
vera causa true cause
This refers to the relevance of illustrations, for ex-

verba docent exempla trahunt words instruct, illustrations lead
ample in preaching.
Taking the words out of someone’s mouth, speak-

verba ex ore words from mouth ing exactly what the other colloquist wanted to
say.
words are to be understood such

verba ita sunt intelligenda ut res I. e., when explaining a subject, it is important to
that the subject matter may be
magis valeat quam pereat clarify rather than confuse.
more effective than wasted
not to speak words in vain or to A Roman Catholic religious precept, being Rule
verba vana aut risui non loqui
start laughter 56 of the Rule of Saint Benedict.
283
Quotation from a famous speech of Caius Titus in

verba volant, scripta manent words fly away, writings remain
the ancient Roman Senate.
The phrase refers to perfect transcription or quota-

verbatim word for word
tion.
verbatim et literatim word for word and letter by letter
A phrase denoting a priest. Cf. "Verbum Dei" in-

Verbi Divini minister servant of the Divine Word
fra.
verbi gratia
for example Literally, "for the sake of a word".
(v. gr. or v. g.)
Verbum Dei Word of God See religious text.
verbum Domini lucerna pedibus The word of the Lord [is] a light
Motto of the University of Groningen.
nostris for our feet
verbum Domini manet in the word of the Lord endures for-

Motto of the Lutheran Reformation.
aeternum (VDMA) ever
A phrase denoting that the listener can fill in the

verb. sap.
a word to the wise [is sufficient] omitted remainder, or enough is said. It is the
verbum sap.
truncation of "verbum sapienti sat[is] est".
A word that floats in the air, on which everyone is

verbum volitans flying word thinking and is just about to be imposed.[citation
needed]
A motto of the Roman Catholic Order of Preach-

ers, and the motto of many educational institu-
veritas truth tions, including Harvard University (albeit trun-
cated), Cabra Dominican College, and Bishop
Lynch High School.
veritas aequitas truth [and] justice
veritas, bonitas, pulchritudo, truth, goodness, beauty, [and] sanc-

Motto of Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan.
sanctitas tity
The de iure motto of Harvard University, United

States, which dates to its foundation; it is often
veritas Christo et ecclesiae truth for Christ and church
shortened to veritas to remove its original reli-
gious meaning.
veritas cum libertate truth with liberty Motto of Winthrop University.
Motto of Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate

veritas curat truth cures
Medical Education and Research.
veritas Dei vincit the truth of God conquers Motto of the Hussites.
284
the truth of the Lord remains for

veritas Domini manet in aeternum
eternity
One of the mottos of the Lyceum of the Philip-

veritas et fortitudo truth and fortitude
pines University.
Motto of the University of Pittsburgh, Methodist

veritas et virtus truth and virtue
University, and Mississippi College.
veritas, fides, sapientia truth, faith, [and] wisdom Motto of Dowling Catholic High School.
Motto of Bishop Wordsworth's School and St

veritas in caritate truth in charity
Munchin's College.
veritas, iustitia, libertas truth, justice, [and] liberty Motto of the Free University of Berlin.
veritas liberabit vos truth shall liberate you Motto of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan.
A common, non-literal translation is "truth en-

veritas lux mea truth [is] my light lightens me". The motto of Seoul National Uni-
versity, South Korea.
veritas numquam perit truth never expires Authored by Seneca the Younger.
veritas odit moras truth hates delay Authored by Seneca the Younger.
A quotation from a letter of Jan Hus. The motto of

Carncot Independent School for Girls and Boys;
veritas omnia vincit truth conquers all
Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada;
Satyameva Jayate; and the Triangle Fraternity.
veritas, unitas, caritas truth, unity, [and] love Motto of Villanova University, United States.
Cf. "veritas omnia vincit" supra. It is the motto on

the standard of the Presidents of Czechoslovakia
veritas vincit truth conquers
and the Czech Republic, and of the Scottish Clan
Keith.
Veritas. Virtus. Libertas. Truth. Virtue. Liberty. Motto of the University of Szeged, Hungary.
Another plausible translation is "truth is the mis-

tress of life". It is the unofficial motto of the Uni-
veritas vitæ magistra truth is the teacher of life
versity of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras and is in-
scribed in its tower.
veritas vos liberabit truth will liberate you [all] Motto of Johns Hopkins University, United States.
Motto of the University of Arkansas, Arkansas,

veritate duce progredi advancing with truth leading
United States.
285
Motto of Catholic Junior College, Singapore; St.

[in] veritate et caritate in truth and charity
Xavier's School, and Hazaribagh, India.
The motto of Sydney Boys High School. It is al-

ternatively rendered "virtute et veritate" ("with
veritate et virtute with truth and virtue virtue and truth"), which is the motto of Walford
Anglican School for Girls and Pocklington
School.
Alternatively, "I loved truth". It is the motto of

veritatem dilexi I esteemed truth
Bryn Mawr College.
veritatem fratribus testari to bear witness to truth in fraternity Motto of Xaverian Brothers High School.
Motto of the Clandestine Service of the United

veritatem cognoscere to know truth
States Central Intelligence Agency.
vero nihil verius nothing [is] truer than truth Motto of Mentone Girls' Grammar School.
A variation of the campaign slogan of then-Sena-

tor Barack Obama, which was superimposed on a
vero possumus yes, we can variation of the Great Seal of the United States
during the US presidential campaign of
2008.[116]
Literally, "in the direction [of]". It is erroneously

used in English for "against", probably as the
versus (vs) or (v.) towards truncation of "adversus", especially in reference
to two opponents, e. g., the parties to litigation or
a sports match.
vestigia nulla retrorsum Never a backward step Motto of Wanganui Collegiate School.
The word denotes the right to unilaterally forbid

or void a specific proposal, especially legislation.
veto I forbid
It is derived from ancient Roman voting proce-
dures.
Latin legal phrase denoting a question that is often

debated or considered, but is not generally settled,
vexata quaestio vexed question
such that contrary answers may be held by differ-
ent persons.
Authored by Dante Alighieri in Canto XXXIV of

the Inferno, the phrase is an allusion to and play
forth go the banners of the king of
vexilla regis prodeunt inferni upon the Latin Easter hymn Vexilla Regis. The
Hell
phrase is repeatedly referenced in the works of
Walter M. Miller, Jr..
286
A legal phrase regarding contracts that indicates

vi coactus under constraint
agreement made under duress.
Alternatively, "strength and courage". It is the

vi et animo with heart and soul motto of the Ascham School and on the coat of
arms of the McCulloch Clan.
by the power of truth, I, while liv-

vi veri universum vivus vici Magickal motto of Aleister Crowley.
ing, have conquered the universe
The word denotes "by way of" or "by means of",

via by the road/way
e. g., "I will contact you via email".
This phrase describes a compromise between two

via media middle road/way
extremes or the radical center political position.
The words of Jesus Christ in John 14:6. It is the

via, veritas, vita the Way, the Truth, [and] the Life motto of many institutions, including Glasgow
University, Scotland, United Kingdom.
viam sapientiae monstrabo tibi I will show you the way of wisdom The motto of DePaul University.
The word refers to one who acts in the place of

another. It is used as a separate word or as a hy-
vice in place of
phenated prefix, e. g., "Vice President" and "Vice-
Chancellor".
For other uses, see Vice Versa (disambiguation).

Thus, "the other way around", "conversely", et ce-
tera. Historically and in British English, "vice" is
pronounced as two syllables, but in American
English the singular syllable pronunciation is al-
vice versa most universal. Classical Latin pronunciation dic-
with position turned
versa vice tates that the letter "c" is only a hard sound, like
"k", thus vee-keh vehr-sah. Moreover, it also dic-
tates that the letter "v", when consonantal, repre-
sents /w/; i. e. in classical times, the "v" was pro-
nounced like the modern "w"; hence wee-keh
wehr-sah.[117]
victoria aut mors victory or death Similar to "aut vincere aut mori".
victoria concordia crescit victory comes from harmony The official motto of the Arsenal F.C..
287
Authored by Lucan in Pharsalia, 1, 128. The dedi-

the victorious cause pleased the
victrix causa diis placuit sed victa catory inscription on the south face of the Confed-
gods, but the conquered cause
Catoni erate Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery,
pleased Cato
Virginia, United States.
vide "see" or "refer to" The word is used in scholarly citations.
vide infra (v. i.) see below The word is used in scholarly works.
The word is used in scholarly works to refer to

vide supra (v. s.) see above previous text in the same document. It is some-
times truncated to "supra".
"namely", "that is to say", or "as A contraction of "videre licet" ("it is permitted to

videlicet (viz.)
follows" see"), vide infra.
video et taceo I see and keep silent The motto of Queen Elizabeth I of England.
video meliora proboque deteriora I see and approve of the better, but From the Metamorphoses Book 7, 20-1 of Ovid,
sequor I follow the worse being a summary of the experience of akrasia.
The statement of Caspar Hofmann (de) after being

video sed non credo I see it, but I do not believe it shown proof of the circulatory system by William
Harvey.
"it is permitted to see" or "one may

videre licet The phrase is used in scholarship.
see"
Motto of the University of Bristol, derived from

vim promovet insitam promotes one's innate power
Horace, Ode 4, 4.
A partial quotation of Romans 12:21. A motto of

vince malum bono overcome evil with good Old Swinford Hospital and Bishop Cotton School
in Shimla.
vincere est vivere to conquer is to live Motto of Captain John Smith.
According to Livy, a colonel in the cavalry stated

you know [how] to win, Hannibal;
vincere scis Hannibal victoria uti this to Hannibal after victory in the Battle of Can-
you do not know [how] to use vic-
nescis nae in 216 BC, meaning that Hannibal should
tory
have marched on Rome immediately.
vincit omnia veritas truth conquers all University of Mindanao
First attributed to the Roman scholar and satirst

vincit qui patitur he conquers who endures
Persius. It is frequently used as a motto.
288
Motto of many educational institutions, including

the Philadelphia High School for Girls and North
Sydney Boys High School. It is alternatively ren-
dered as "bis vincit qui se vincit" ("he (she) who
he (she) conquers who conquers
vincit qui se vincit prevails over himself (herself) is twice victori-
himself (herself)
ous"). It is also the motto of the Beast in Disney's
film Beauty and the Beast, as seen inscribed in the
castle's stained glass window near the beginning
of the film.
The phrase denotes that a thing is legally binding.

"A civil obligation is one which has a binding op-
vinculum juris the chain of the law
eration in law, vinculum juris." (Bouvier's Law
Dictionary (1856), "Obligation")
Asterix and Caesar's Gift; it is a variation of "vi-

vinum et musica laetificant cor wine and music gladden the heart
num bonum laetificat cor hominis".
the wine of kings, the king of The phrase describes Hungarian Tokaji wine, and
vinum regum, rex vinorum
wines is attributed to King Louis XIV of France.
A caveat regarding trusting someone against his

viperam sub ala nutricare a viper nursed at the bosom inherent nature; the moral of Aesop's fable The
Farmer and the Viper.
vir prudens non contra ventum [a] wise man does not urinate [up]
mingit against the wind
Motto of the US collegiate fraternity Lambda Chi

vir visque vir every man a man
Alpha.
A quotation from Vergil's Aeneid, Book 4, 175,

Vires acquirit eundo she gathers strength as she goes which in the original context refers to Pheme. The
motto on the Coat of arms of Melbourne.
Viribus Unitis with united forces Motto of the house of Habsburg-Lorraine.
virile agitur the manly thing is being done The motto of Knox Grammar School.
"act manfully" or "act coura- The motto of Marist College Ashgrove and other
viriliter age
geously" institutions.
The motto of St Muredach's College and the

viriliter agite act in a manly way
PAREF Southridge School for Boys.
viriliter agite estote fortes act manfully, be strong The motto of Culford School.
Motto of Don Bosco Liluah, India and St. Georges

virtus et labor virtue and [hard] work
College, Mussoorie, India.
289
A common motto, preeminently that of La Salle

virtus et scientia virtue and knowledge University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United
States.
A principle derived from the ethical theory of Ar-

istotle. Idiomatically, "good practice lies in the
virtus in media stat virtue stands in the middle
middle path" between two extremes. It is disputed
whether "media" or "medio" is correct.
that which virtue unites, let not

virtus junxit mors non separabit Motto of the Masonic (Scottish Rite).
death separate
virtus laudata crescit greatness increases with praise Motto of the Berkhamsted School.
Motto of the Duke of Westminster, inscribed at

his residence in Eaton, and the motto of
Virtus non stemma valor, not garland
Grosvenor Rowing Club and Harrow County
School for Boys.
virtus sola nobilitas virtue alone [is] noble Motto of Christian Brothers College, St Kilda.
Motto of Hillsdale College, Michigan, United

virtus tentamine gaudet strength rejoices in the challenge
States.
virtus unita fortior virtue united [is] stronger State motto of Andorra.
Virtute duce led by virtue Motto of the Acciari family (it).
led by virtue, accompanied by Motto of the Institut d'études politiques de Lyon

Virtute duce comite fortuna
[good] fortune and the Accorretti family (it).
Alternatively, "by manliness and weapons". The

State motto of Mississippi, United States. The
phrase was possibly derived from the motto of
Lord Gray de Wilton, "virtute non armis fido" ("I
virtute et armis by virtue and arms
trust in virtue, not in arms"). Alternatively it is
rendered as "virtute et labore" ("by manliness and
work"), which is the motto of Pretoria Boys High
School.
virtute et industria by virtue and industry Motto of Bristol, United Kingdom.
virtute et veritate by virtue and truth Motto of Pocklington School.
vis legis the power of the law
vis major force majeure, superior force
visio dei vision of a god
The phrase denotes a previous life, generally be-

vita ante acta a life done before
lieved to be the result of reincarnation.
290
The motto of the University of Notre Dame,

Mary, our] life, sweetness, [and] Indiana, United States, which is derived from the
vita, dulcedo, spes
hope Roman Catholic hymn to the Blessed Virgin Mary
titled Salve Regina.
life is uncertain, death is most cer- More simply, "the most certain thing in life is
vita incerta, mors certissima
tain death".
The phrase is a quotation from the preface of the

vita mutatur, non tollitur life is changed, not taken away first Roman Catholic rite of the Mass for the
Dead.
Hence the term "decessit vita patris" (d. v. p) or

vita patris during the life of the father "died v. p.", which is seen in genealogical works
such as Burke's Peerage.
This is a wistful refrain that is sometimes used

vita summa brevis spem nos vetat the shortness of life prevents us ironically. It is derived from the first line of
incohare longam from entertaining far-off hopes Horace's Ode 1. It was later used as the title of a
short poem of Ernest Dowson.
A quotation from the poem of Lucretius, De

rerum natura, Book 2, 77-9. The ordinary spelling
"vitae" in two syllables had to be changed to
vitai lampada tradunt they hand on the torch of life "vitaï" in three syllables to satisfy the require-
ments of the poem's dactylic hexameters. It is the
motto of the Sydney Church of England Grammar
School and others.
vitam amplificare hominibus mankind [who] extends the life of Motto of East Los Angeles College, California,
hominesque societati the community United States.
The phrase denotes an oral, as opposed to written,

viva voce living voice
examination of a candidate.
vivat crescat floreat may it live, grow, [and] flourish
The acclamation is ordinary translated as "long

vivat rex may the king live live the king!". In the case of a female queen, "vi-
vat regina" ("long live the queen").
A curious translation of the pun on "vivat rex",

long live the king, guardian of the
vivat rex, curat lex found in Westerham parish church in Kent, Eng-
law
land.
vive memor leti live remembering death Authored by Persius. Cf. "memento mori".
The phrase suggests that one should live life to the

vive ut vivas live so that you may live fullest and without fear of the possible conse-
quences.
291
vivere est cogitare to live is to think Authored by Cicero. Cf. "cogito ergo sum".
Authored by Seneca the Younger in Epistle 96, 5.

Cf. the allegory of Miles Christianus based on
vivere militare est to live is to fight
"militia est vita hominis" from the Vulgate, Book
of Job 7:1.
Alternatively, "called and even not called, God

vocatus atque non vocatus Deus called and not called, God will be approaches". Attributed to the Oracle at Delphi.
aderit present The motto of Carl Jung, and inscribed in his home
and grave.
Alternatively, "to him who consents, no harm is

done". The principle is used in the law of torts and
volenti non fit injuria to one willing, no harm is done denotes that one can not be held liable for injuries
inflicted on another who consented to the act that
injured him.
A famous biblical sentence proclaimed by Jesus

vos estis sal terrae you are the salt of the earth
Christ.
The phrase denotes an independent, minority

votum separatum separate vow
voice.
Or traditionally, "the voice of one crying in the

wilderness". A quotation of the Vulgate, Isaiah
the voice of one clamoring in the
vox clamantis in deserto 40:3, and quoted by St. John the Baptist in Mark
desert
1:3 and John 1:23). It is the motto of Dartmouth
College, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States.
The phrase denotes a useless or ambiguous state-

vox nihili voice of nothing
ment.
The phrase denotes a brief interview of a common

person that is not previously arranged, e. g., an in-
vox populi voice of the people
terview on a street. It is sometimes truncated to
"vox pop."
the voice of the people [is] the

vox populi, vox Dei
voice of God
at
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General Prefix Index

* PREFACE: AUTHOR’S NOTE TO THE READER

* ABOUT THE AUTHER

* THE SCIENCE OF LAW - LAW IS A SCIENCE

* PURPOS FOR HAVING WRITTEN THIS BOOK

THE RIGHT WRIT

INDEX OF GENERAL WRITS

WRIT - HISTORY Prerogative Writs WRIT OF ASSOCIATION WRIT OF EJECTMENT

Writ of Prevention WRIT DE BONO ET MALO WRIT OF ATTACHMENT WRIT OF ENTRY

Alias Writ WRIT DE EJECTIONE FIRM(AE) WRIT OF CONSPIRACY WRIT OF ERROR

Judicial Writs WRIT DE HOMINE REPLEGIANDO WRIT OF DEBT Writ of Election

Junior Writ WRIT DE ODIO ET ATIA WRIT OF DECEIT LARIN TRANSLATIONS

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Preface: Author’s Note to the

Yes, You Should Read This Preface!

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tered or need to confront head-on in the future.

INDEX or may act as an Active External-Hyperlink connection vehicle

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comprehension rather than by percent of completion. Avoid the temptation of rushing

paradigms to a point of serious evolution of maturity.

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