Davus sum, non Œdipus(L.), I am only Davus, not Œdipus—a plain man, and no prophet.
debito justitiæ(L.), by debt of justice.
de bon augure(Fr.), of good omen.
de bonne grâce(Fr.), with good grace: willingly.
déchéance(Fr.), forfeiture.
de die in diem(L.), from day to day.
de facto(L.), from the fact: really: actual.
dégagé, fem.dégagée(Fr.), easy and unconstrained.
dégoût(Fr.), distaste.
de gustibus non est disputandum(L.), there is no disputing about tastes.
de haut en bas(Fr.), from top to bottom: contemptuously.
Dei gratiâ(L.), by the grace of God.
de integro(L.), anew.
déjeuner(Fr.), in France, a late breakfast, a midday meal with meat and wine; in England, luncheon—more specifically,déjeuner à la fourchette, a breakfast with meat.
de jure(L.), in law: by right: rightful.
délassement(Fr.), relaxation.
de l'audace, encore de l'audace, et toujours de l'audace(Fr.), to dare, still to dare, and ever to dare [Danton's famous phrase].
delenda est Carthago(L.), Carthage must be destroyed [a saying constantly repeated by Cato].
de mal en pis(Fr.), from bad to worse.
demeure(Fr.), dwelling.
demi-jour(Fr.), half-light, twilight, subdued light.
de minimis non curat lex(L.), the law does not concern itself about very small matters.
de mortuis nil nisi bonum(L.), say nothing but good of the dead.
de nihilo nihilum, in nihilum nil posse reverti(L.), from nothing nothing, into nothing nothing can return.
de novo(L.), anew.
Deo date(L.), give ye to God.
Deo favente(L.), with God's favour.
Deo gratias(L.), thanks to God.
de omni re scibili et quibusdam aliis(L.), about all things knowable, and some others.
Deo volente, orD.V.(L.), God willing: by God's will.
dépêche(Fr.), despatch, message.
de pis en pis(Fr.), worse and worse.
de profundis(L.), out of the depths, a dirge.
de retour(Fr.), back again, returned.
der grosse Heide(Ger.), the great heathen or Pagan [Heine's name for Goethe].
de rigueur(Fr.), strictly required: indispensable: obligatory: compulsory: latest.
dernier ressort(Fr.), last resort, last resource.
désagrément(Fr.), something disagreeable.
desipere in loco(L.), to jest at the proper time.
désobligeante(Fr.), a carriage for two.
désorienté(Fr.), having lost one's bearings, confused, bemuddled.
desuetudo(L.), disuse.
desunt cetera(L.), the remainder is wanting.
de te fabula narratur(L.), the parable is told about you yourself; thou art the man.
détenu, fem.détenue(Fr.), a prisoner.
de trop(Fr.), too much, or too many, superfluous, intrusive.
detur digniori(L.), let it be given to the more worthy;—detur pulchriori(L.), let it be given to the fairer.
Deus avertat!(L.), God forbid!
Deus det!(L.), God grant!
deus ex machina(L.), a god [let down] out of the machine [in theatrical apparatus]: a too obvious device in an author's plot.
deus nobis hæc otia fecit(L.), it is a god that hath given us this ease.
Deus vobiscum!(L.), God be with you!
Deus vult!(L.), God wills it! [the Crusaders' cry].
dextro tempore(L.), at a lucky moment.
dicamus bona verba(L.), let us speak words of good omen.
Dichtung und Wahrheit(Ger.), fiction and truth.
dicta probantia(L.), proof texts.
dictum de dicto(L.), hearsay report.
dictum sapienti sat est(L.), a word to the wise is enough.
diem perdidi(L.), I have lost a day [said by the emperor Titus].
dies fastiorprofesti(L.), days on which judgment could be pronounced, on which courts could be held in ancient Rome, lawful days.
dies faustus(L.), lucky day.
dies festiorferiæ(L.), days of actual festival.
dies infaustus(L.), unlucky day.
dies iræ(L.), day of wrath: the day of judgment.
dies nefasti(L.), days on which judgment could not be pronounced or assemblies of the people be held, in ancient Rome.
dies non(L.), a day on which judges do not sit.
Dieu avec nous(Fr.), God with us.
Dieu défend le droit(Fr.), God defends the right.
Dieu et mon droit(Fr.), God and my right.
Dieu vous garde!(Fr.), God guard you!
digito monstrari(L.), to be pointed out with the finger: to be famous.
di grado in grado(It.), by degrees.
di majorum gentium(L.), the divinities of superior rank—i.e. the twelve greater gods of classical mythology.
di penates(L.), household gods.
dis aliter visum(L.), the gods have adjudged otherwise.
di salto(It.), at a leap.
disjecta membra(L.), the scattered members.
distingué, fem.distinguée(Fr.), distinguished: striking.
distrait, fem.distraite(Fr.), absent-minded.
dit(Fr.), called.
divertissement(Fr.), amusement: sport.
divide et impera(L.), divide [your opponents], and so rule them.
divisim(L.), separately.
docendo discitur(L.), one learns in teaching.
dolce far niente(It.), sweet doing-nothing: pleasant idleness.
doli capax(L.), capable of committing a wrong—opp. ofdoli incapax.
Domine, dirige nos!(L.), Lord, direct us!—the motto of London.
Dominus illuminatio mea(L.), the Lord is my enlightening.
domus et placens uxor(L.), a home and a pleasing wife.
donna è mobile(It.), woman is changeable.
donnerwetter!(Ger.), thunderstorms! [as an ejaculation].
dorer la pilule(Fr.), to gild the pill.
dormitat Homerus(L.), Homer nods.
dos moi pou stō kai tēn gēn kinēsō(Gr.), give me where to stand, and I will move the earth [attributed to Archimedes].
double entente(Fr.), double meaning, equivocal sense.
do ut des(L.), I give that you may give.
dramatis personæ(L.), characters of a drama.
droit au travail(Fr.), right to labour.
droit des gens(Fr.), international law.
drôle(Fr.), a rogue, a knave.
dulce est desipere in loco(L.), it is pleasant to play the fool on occasion.
dulce et decorum est pro patriâ mori(L.), it is sweet and glorious to die for one's country.
dulce, 'Domum!'(L.), sweet strain, 'Homeward!' from a Winchester school song sung before holidays.
dum spiro, spero(L.), while I breathe, I hope.
dum vivimus, vivamus(L.), while we live, let us live.
d'un seul jet(Fr.), at one effort.
durante bene placito(Late L.), during good pleasure.
durante vita(Late L.), during life.
dux femina facti(L.), a woman was leader of the deed.
eau bénite(Fr.), holy water.
eau sucrée(Fr.), sugared water.
ébauche(Fr.), a sketch, drawing in outline.
éboulement(Fr.), a landslip.
ecce!(L.), behold!
ecce signum!(L.), behold the sign or the proof!
ecco!(It.), here is! there! look there!
éclaircissement(Fr.), an explanation.
école(Fr.), school;—école de droit, law school;—école de médecine, school of medicine;—école militaire, military school;—école polytechnique, polytechnic school.
e contra(Late L.), contrariwise, conversely.
e contrario(Late L.), on the contrary.
e converso(Late L.), conversely, by logical conversion.
écrasé(Fr.), crushed;—écraser, to crush;—écrasez l'infâme!crush the abominable [superstition] out of existence! [motto of Voltaire—against the Roman Catholic Church of his time].
écrevisse(Fr.), crayfish.
écrin(Fr.), casket, jewel-case.
écru(Fr.), unbleached, raw.
edax rerum(L.), devourer of [all] things.
edition de luxe(Fr.), a splendid and expensive edition of a book.
editio princeps(L.), original edition [especially of a work till then only known in MS.].
égalité(Fr.), equality.
égarement(Fr.), confusion, bewilderment.
Egeria, the nymph who instructed the ancient Roman king Numa Pompilius, hence any woman who gives a man his inspiration.
egesta(Late L.), excrements, fæces.
ego et rex meus(L.), I and my king [Cardinal Wolsey].
eheu fugaces ... labuntur anni!(L.), alas! the fleeting years slip away.
Eile mit Weile(Ger.), speed with heed, make haste leisurely. Cf.festina lente.
ein mal, kein mal(Ger.), just once counts nothing.
Eisen und Blut(Ger.), iron and blood—a famous phrase of Bismarck's.
ejusdem generis(L.), of the same kind.
ek parergou(Gr.), as a by-work.
élan(Fr.), dash, eagerness to advance.
élégant, fem.élégante(Fr.), a person of fashion.
élève(Fr.), pupil.
élite(Fr.), choice, pick.
embarras de (du) choix(Fr.), embarrassment in choice, a perplexing number of objects from which to choose.
embarras de(s) richesses(Fr.), a perplexing amount of wealth or abundance of any kind.
émeute(Fr.), a riot;—émeutier, a rioter.
émigré, fem.émigrée(Fr.), an emigrant, esp. one of those royalists who fled from France during the great Revolution.
Emir-el-Hajj(Ar.), chief of the great caravan of pilgrims to Mecca.
empressé, fem.empressée(Fr.), eager to show goodwill or civility;—empressement, warmth of manner, cordiality.
en ami(Fr.), as a friend.
en arrière(Fr.), behind, in the rear.
en attendant(Fr.), in the meantime, while waiting for.
en avant!(Fr.), forward!
en badinant(Fr.), roguishly, with badinage.
en barbette(Fr.), on a breastwork or platform for ordnance which is fired over a parapet and not through embrasures—also of a ship's guns fired over the bulwarks and not through ports.
en beau(Fr.), as fair or handsome, in flattering style.
en caballo(Sp.), on horseback.
en cavalier(Fr.), in a cavalier manner.
en chemise [de nuit](Fr.), in night-dress.
encomienda(Sp.), a commandery;—Encomendero, its commander.
en croupe(Fr.), on the crupper, on a pillion.
en cuerpo(Sp.), in close-fitting dress; sometimes erroneously for 'stark naked,' the Spanish for which isen cueros.
en déshabillé(Fr.), in undress, in careless costume.
en effet(Fr.), in effect.
en évidence(Fr.), conspicuously, conspicuous, before the public view.
en famille(Fr.), amongst the family, as at a family gathering, at home.
enfans perdus,enfants perdus(Fr.), lit. 'lost children:' forlorn hope.
enfant de la maison(Fr.), child of the house, quite at home.
enfant gâté, fem.gâtée(Fr.), spoilt child.
enfant terrible(Fr.), lit. 'terrible child,' a precocious child whose indiscreet prattle puts his elders to the blush.
enfant trouvé(Fr.), foundling.
en fête(Fr.), in festivity, keeping holiday.
en garçon(Fr.), like a bachelor, in bachelor's style.
en grande tenue(Fr.), in full dress.
en l'air(Fr.), in the air, being discussed or expected.
enlevé(Fr.), carried away, kidnapped.
en masse(Fr.), in a body, universally.
en militaire(Fr.), as a military man.
en passant(Fr.), in passing: by the way.
en plein jour(Fr.), in broad day.
en prince(Fr.), in princely style.
en pure perte(Fr.), to mere loss, to no purpose.
en queue(Fr.), like a tail, in a string or line.
enragé, fem.enrageé(Fr.), desperate: a lunatic.
en rapport(Fr.), in direct relation: in sympathy with.
en règle(Fr.), in due order: according to rules.
en retraite(Fr.), in retirement, on half-pay.
en revanche(Fr.), in revenge.
en route(Fr.), on the road: let us go! march!
en spectacle(Fr.), as a spectacle.
ens per accidens(Late L.), that which exists only as an accident ofens per se—i.e. a substance.
ens rationis(Late L.), an entity of reason—opposed toens reale.
en suite(Fr.), in succession [the sense 'to match' isnotFrench].
entamé, fem.entamée(Fr.), broached, entered upon.
entente(Fr.), understanding;—entente cordiale, cordial understanding between nations.
entêté, fem.entêtée(Fr.), infatuated.
en tout(Fr.), in all: wholly.
en tout cas(Fr.), in any case or emergency.
entrain(Fr.), heartiness;—entraînement(Fr.), enthusiasm.
en train(Fr.), in progress.
entrechat(Fr.), caper.
entrecôte(Fr.), meat between the ribs, a kind of steak.
entre nous(Fr.), between ourselves.
entrepreneur(Fr.), contractor: builder.
entrez(Fr.), come in.
en ville(Fr.), in town, 'not at home.'
eo nomine(L.), by that name, on that claim.
epea pteroenta(Gr.), winged words.
éperdu, fem.éperdue(Fr.), distracted;—éperdument amoureux, desperately in love.
ephphatha(Aramaic), be thou opened.
épicier(Fr.), a grocer.
e pluribus unum(Late L.), one out of many—motto of the United States.
épouse(Fr.), wife, bride.
e pur si muove!(It.), but it does move, though! [attributed to Galileo, after recanting his doctrine that the earth goes round the sun].
épris, fem.éprise(Fr.), captivated, smitten.
épuisé, fem.épuisée(Fr.), worn out.
équestrienne(an English-coined word in imitation French), a horsewoman, a female circus-rider.
Erd Geist(Ger.), earth-spirit.
e re natâ(Late L.), from the circumstance arisen, according to the exigencies of the case.
ergo bibamus!(L.), therefore let us drink!
ergon(Gr.), work, business.
Erin(n)ys, pl.Erin(n)yes(Gr.), the Furies.
Eros(Gr.), the Greek god of sensual passion, miscalled love.
errare est humanum(L.), to err is human.
escalier(Fr.), staircase;—escalier dérobé, private staircase.
escamotage(Fr.), juggling.
Eschscholtzia(Latinised from name of German botanist Eschscholtz), a Californian poppy with showy yellow flowers.
escribano(Sp.), a notary.
escroc(Fr.), a swindler.
espada(Sp.), a sword: a matador.
esprit follet(Fr.), a mischievous goblin.
esse quam videri(L.), to be, rather than to seem.
estancia(Sp.), a mansion: in Spanish America, a large grazing farm or landed estate;—estanciero, the owner or overseer of such.
est modus in rebus(L.), there is a proper mean in [all] things.
esto perpetua!(L.), may she be lasting!
est quædam flere voluptas(L.), there is in weeping a certain pleasure.
estro(It.), enthusiasm, height of poetic inspiration.
étage(Fr.), floor, story [bel étage, best story, first floor, isnota French usage].
étagère(Fr.), an ornamental stand of shelves for flowers, articles of virtu, &c.
étang(Fr.), pond.
étape(Fr.), a storehouse: a halting-place: a day's march: rations: forage.
état(Fr.), state, rank;—état-major, the staff of an army, regiment, &c.
États Généraux(Fr.), the States-General.
et ego in Arcadia(L.), I, too, was in Arcadia: I know as much about it as anybody.
et hoc genus omne, et id genus omne(L.), and everything of this, or of that, sort.
ethos(Gr.), permanent character: in literature and art, the chief characteristics of a work as affecting the intellectual and moral faculties, as opposed to pathos, which appeals to the emotions.
étoile(Fr.), star.
étourderie(Fr.), heedlessness, stupid blundering.
étourdi, fem.étourdie(Fr.), giddy, foolish, light-headed.
étranger, fem.étrangère(Fr.), strange: a foreigner.
étrennes(Fr.), New Year's gift or gifts.
et sequentes(L.), and those that follow.
et sequentia(L.), and what follows.
et sic de ceteris(Late L.), and so about the rest.
et sic de similibus(L.), and so of the like.
et tu, Brute!(L.), you too, Brutus! [Cæsar's exclamation when he saw his much-loved Brutus amongst his murderers.]
euge!(L.—Gr.), well done!
Eureka [Heureka]!(Gr.), I have found it!
euripus(L.—Gr.), a strait, channel.
eventus stultorum magister(L.), the result is the schoolmaster of fools.
ex abundanti(L.), superfluously;—ex abundanti cautela, from excessive caution.
ex abusu non arguitur ad usum(L.), from the abuse no argument is drawn against the use.
ex accidenti(Late L.), accidentally, as opposed toessentially.
ex æquo(Late L.), equally, equitably.
examen(L.), examination.
ex animo(L.), from the mind, earnestly.
ex auctoritate mihi commissâ(L.), by the authority entrusted to me.
ex cathedrâ(Late L.), from the chair of office, esp. the pope's throne in the Consistory, or a professor's chair, hence authoritatively, judicially.
excelsior(L.), higher: [erroneously] upwards!
exceptio confirmat [probat] regulam(L.), the exception proves the rule.
exceptis excipiendis(Late L.), excepting what is to be excepted, with proper exceptions.
excerpta(L., pl. ofexcerptum), extracts, selections.
ex concessis,ex concesso(Late L.), from what has been conceded.
ex consequenti(Late L.), by way of consequence.
ex converso. Seee converso.
excrementa(L., pl. ofexcrementum), refuse matter.
ex curiâ(L.), out of court.
ex debito justitiæ(Late L.), from what is due to justice.
ex delicto(Late L.), owing to a crime.
ex dono(Late L.), by gift, as a present from.
exeat(L.), let him go out—formal leave, as for a student to be out of college for more than one night.
exegi monumentum ære perennius(L.), I have reared a monument more lasting than brass.
exempla sunt odiosa(L.), examples are hateful.
exempli gratiâ(L.), by way of example, for instance—often abbreviated e.g.
exeunt omnes(L.), all go out, or retire.
ex hypothesi(Late L.), from the hypothesis.
ex improviso(Late L.), in an unforeseen manner, suddenly.
exitus acta probat(L.), the issue or event proves the acts.
ex libris(Late L.), from the books—followed by the owner's name in the genitive—written in the volumes or on the bookplates of a library.
ex mero motu(L.), from his own impulse.
ex naturâ rei(Late L.), from the nature of the case;—ex naturâ rerum, from the nature of things.
ex nihilo [nilo] nihil [nil] fit(L.), out of nothing nothing comes.
ex officio(L.), by virtue of his office.
ex opere operato(Late L.), by virtue of a work done. SeeOpusin Dict.
ex parte(L.), on one side, as a partisan.
ex pede Herculem(L.), [we recognise] Hercules from his foot.
experientia docet stultos(L.), experience teaches fools.
experimentum crucis(L.), the experiment of the cross, a crucial test.
experto crede(L.), trust one who has tried, or had experience.
expertus metuit(L.), having had experience, he fears.
ex post facto(L.), retrospective.
expressis verbis(L.), in express terms.
ex professo(L.), avowedly.
ex propriis(L.), from one's own resources.
ex proprio motu(Late L.), of his own accord.
ex quocunque capite(L.), from whatever source.
ex re natâ(Late L.), according to a circumstance that has arisen.
ex tacito(L.), silently.
extinctus amabitur idem(L.), the same man [maligned living], when dead, will be loved.
extrait(Fr.), an extract.
extra judicium(Late L.), out of court, extra-judicially.
extra modum(L.), beyond measure, extravagant.
extra muros(L.), beyond the walls.
ex ungue leonem(L.), [judge] the lion from his claws.
ex uno disce omnes(L.), from one example learn what they all are.
ex utraque parte(L.), on either side.
ex voto(L.), according to one's prayer, by reason of a vow: votive: a votive offering.
faber est quisque fortunæ suæ(L.), every man is the fashioner of his own fortune.
fable convenue(Fr.), fable agreed upon—Voltaire's name for history.
facile est inventis addere(L.), it is easy to add to things invented already.
facile princeps(L.), obviously pre-eminent: an easy first.
facilis descensus Averno(orAverni) (L.), descent to Avernus (hell) is easy: the road to evil is easy.
facinus majoris abollæ(L.), the crime of a larger cloak, i.e. of a deep philosopher.
facit indignatio versum(L.), indignation inspires verse.
façon de parler(Fr.), way of speaking, a mere form of words.
facta non verba(L.), deeds, not words.
factum est(L.), it is done.
fadaise(Fr.), silliness, nonsense.
fade(Fr.), insipid, colourless;—fadeur, dullness.
fæx populi(L.), dregs of the people.
faire bonne mine(Fr.), to put a good face upon the matter.
faire de la prose sans le savoir(Fr.), to produce prose without knowing it—which Molière's M. Jourdain was surprised to find he had been doing all his days in conversation.
faire l'homme d'importance(Fr.), to assume the air of importance.
faire mon devoir(Fr.), to do my duty.
faire sans dire(Fr.), to act without talking.
fait accompli(Fr.), a thing already done.
falsi crimen(Late L.), the crime of falsity, fraudulent concealment, forgery.
falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus(L.), false in one point, false in all.
fama clamosa(L.), a current scandal.
fama nihil est celerius(L.), nothing is swifter than rumour.
fama semper vivat!(L.), may his [or her] fame live for ever!
famille de robe(Fr.), a legal family.
fantoccini(It.), puppets made to move by strings or wires, a puppet-show.
far niente(It.), doing nothing.
farceur(Fr.), a wag, a joker.
farouche(Fr.), sullen, savage.
farrago libelli(L.), a medley of miscellaneous topics for a little book [of satire].
fas est et ab hoste doceri(L.), it is right to be taught even by an enemy.
Fata obstant(L.), the Fates oppose it.
Fata viam invenient(L.), the Fates will find out a way.
faute de mieux(Fr.), for want of better.
faux pas(Fr.), a false step: a mistake.
favete linguis(L.), favour me with your tongues—keep a discreet silence.
fax mentis incendium gloriæ(L.), the passion for glory is a torch to the mind.
fecit(L.), [T. D.] made or executed [this].
fecundi calices, quem non fecere disertum?(L.), full cups, whom have they not made eloquent?
fée(Fr.), a fairy;—féerie, fairyland.
felicitas multos habet amicos(L.), prosperity has many friends.
feliciter(L.), happily: successfully.
felo de se(L.), a suicide, lit. 'felon of himself.'
femme(Fr.), woman, wife;—femme couverte(old law French), a married woman, as under her husband's protection;—femme galante, a gay woman;—femme incomprise, a woman misunderstood or unappreciated;—femme savante, a learned woman, a blue-stocking;—femme sole(law French), a single woman, a woman legally independent.
femme de chambre(Fr.), a lady's maid.
fendre un cheveu en quatre(Fr.), to split a hair in quarters, to make over-subtle distinctions.
fermier général(Fr.), farmer-general, one who farmed certain taxes under the old French monarchy.
festina lente(L.), hasten gently.
fête champêtre(Fr.), a rural festival, garden party.
Fête-Dieu(Fr.), Corpus Christi.
feu(pl.feux)d'artifice(Fr.), fireworks.
feu de joie(Fr.), a bonfire: in English (notin French), a firing of guns in token of joy.
feuilletoniste(Fr.), one who writes for feuilletons. SeeFeuilletonin Dict.
fiat experimentum in corpore vili(L.), let experiment be made on a worthless body.
fiat justitia, ruat cœlum(L.), let justice be done, though the heavens should fall.
fiat lux(L.), let there be light.
fichu(Fr.), a triangular kerchief or wrap worn on a woman's neck and shoulders.
fide et amore(L.), by faith and love.
fide et fiduciâ(L.), by faith and confidence.
fide et fortitudine(L.), by faith and fortitude.
fidei defensor(L.), defender of the faith.
fide non armis(L.), by faith, not by arms.
fide, sed cui vide(L.), trust, but in whom take care.
fides et justitia(L.), fidelity and justice.
fides Punica(L.), Punic faith: treachery.
fi donc!(Fr.), for shame!
fidus Achates(L.), faithful Achates: a true friend.
fidus et audax(L.), faithful and bold.
fieri facias(Late L.), cause to be done—the name of a writ commanding the sheriff to distrain the defendant's goods.
fierté(Fr.), haughtiness, high spirit.
figurant, fem.figurante(Fr.), a supernumerary on the stage;—figurante, pl.figuranti(It.), a ballet-dancer.
filius nullius(L.), son of nobody, a bastard.
filius populi(L.), son of the people.
filius terræ(L.), son of the soil, one of mean birth.
fille de chambre(Fr.), chambermaid.
fille de joie(Fr.), a prostitute.
fille d'honneur(Fr.), maid of honour.
fils(Fr.), son.
fin de siècle(Fr.), end of the [19th] century: decadent.
finis coronat opus(L.), the end crowns the work.
finis Poloniæ!(L.), the end of Poland! the Scotch Chancellor Seafield's 'end o' an auld sang' in 1707.
fin mot(Fr.), main point.
Fisolen(Ger.), beans.
flacon(Fr.), a smelling-bottle.
flagrante bello(L.), while war is raging.
flagrante delicto(L.), in the very act.
flair(Fr.), scent, keen sense of smell.
flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo(L.), if I can't move the gods, I'll stir up hell.
flecti, non frangi(L.), to be bent, not to be broken.
fleuron(Fr.), a piece of decorative flower-work.
flocculus, pl.flocculi(Late L.), a small flock or tuft of wool or the like.
floreat(L.), let it flourish.
florilegium, pl.florilegia(Late L.), a collection of flowers—i.e. of choice passages, an anthology.
flosculi sententiarum(L.), flowerets of wisdom.
fœnum habet in cornu(L.), he has hay on his horn [the sign of a dangerous bull].
foiblesse(Old French; modern,faiblesse), a failing.
foie gras(Fr.), fat liver [of goose] made intopâté de foie gras(orfoies gras).
folâtre(Fr.), sportive, frolicsome, fond of romping.
fomes, pl.fomites(L.), touchwood, a substance which retains contagion.
fond(Fr.), ground, basis, fund;—fonds, ground, fund, stock, capital.
fonda(Sp.), a tavern.
fons et origo(L.), the source and origin.
fons lacrimarum(L.), fount or source of tears.
force majeure(Fr.), superior power.
forensis strepitus(L.), the clamour of the forum.
formaliter(Late L.), formally, in respect of the formal element.
forsan et hæc olim meminisse juvabit(L.), perchance hereafter it will be delightful to remember even these things.
Fors Clavigera—the title assumed by Ruskin for his series of periodical letters to British working-men.Fors=fortune;Claviger, the club-bearer, an epithet of Hercules.
forti et fideli nihil difficile(L.), to the brave and faithful nothing is difficult.
fortis cadere, cedere non potest(L.), the brave man may fall, he cannot yield.
fortiter et recte(L.), bravely and uprightly.
fortiter, fideliter, feliciter(L.), firmly, faithfully, felicitously.
fortiter in re, suaviter in modo(L.), forcibly in deed, gently in manner.
fortuna favet fatuis(L.), fortune favours fools.
fortuna favet fortibus(L.), fortune aids the bold.
fortuna fortes adjuvat(L.), fortune aids the brave.
forum conscientiæ(L.), the court of conscience.
fourgon(Fr.), a wagon, cart.
fra(It.), brother, friar.
fraîcheur(Fr.), freshness, coolness.
frais(Fr.),n.pl.expenses, charges.
francisé, fem.francisée(Fr.), Frenchified.
franco(It.), post-free, franked.
frangas, non flectes(L.), you may break, you shall not bend.
Frankfurter(Ger.) a small smoked sausage.
frappé, fem.frappée(Fr.), iced, artificially cooled.
frate, pl.frati(It.), a friar, a mendicant Franciscan.
Frau(Ger.), dame, married woman, wife.
Fräulein(Ger.), miss, unmarried woman, German governess.
fraus est celare fraudem(L.), it is a fraud to conceal a fraud.
fraus pia(L.), a pious fraud.
fredaine(Fr.), escapade, prank.
friand, fem.friande(Fr.), dainty, delicate: an epicure.
frigidarium(L.), the cold swimming-tank of a bath-house.
frijol, pl.frijoles(Sp.), French beans.
friponnerie(Fr.), knavery, roguishness.
frisette(Fr.), a frizette, fringe of frizzled hair worn above or on the forehead.
friture(Fr.), frying: fried food: fry.
frondeur(Fr.), an adherent of the Fronde: any malcontent. SeeFrondein Dict.
front à front(Fr.), front to front, face to face.
Frontignac, a sweet wine produced near Frontignan, in Hérault, France [in modern French,Frontignan.]
fronti nulla fides(L.), no reliance on the face, no trusting appearances.
frou-frou(Fr.), the delicate rustling of women's drapery.
frow(e),fro(e), Anglicised from Dut.vruow, a married woman, wife: a slovenly woman.
fruges consumere nati(L.), born to consume the fruits of the soil.
fugit hora(L.), the hour flies.
fuimus Troes(L.), we were once Trojans.
fuit Ilium(L.), Troy has been—i.e. is no more.
fulmen brutum(L.), a harmless thunderbolt.
fumado(Sp.), smoked fish.
functus officio(L.), having fulfilled an office, out of office.
fundamentum relationis(Late L.), ground of relation.
funèbre(Fr.), mournful.
fureur(Fr.), extravagant admiration.
furor arma ministrat(L.), rage supplies arms.
furor loquendi(L.), a rage for speaking.
furor poeticus(L.), poetic frenzy.
furor scribendi(L.), a rage for writing.
gage d'amour(Fr.), pledge of love, love-token.
gaieté de cœur(Fr.), gaiety of heart.
gaillard, fem.gaillarde(Fr.), lively, frolicsome.
galant, fem.galante(Fr.), given to illicit intrigue: one of the parties in an amour;—galant homme, a man of honour.
galapago(Sp.), a tortoise.
galimafrée(Fr.), hotch-potch, hash.—Anglicised asGallimaufry(q.v. in Dict.).
garde à cheval(Fr.), mounted guard.
garde champêtre(Fr.), rural guard, field-keeper.
garde-chasse(Fr.), gamekeeper.
garde du corps(Fr.), a bodyguard.
garde-feu(Fr.), fender.
garde-fou(Fr.), a parapet.
garde mobile(Fr.), a guard liable to general service.
garde nationale(Fr.), national guard.
garde royale(Fr.), royal guard.
gardez(Fr.), take care, be on your guard.
gardez bien(Fr.), take good care.
gardes la foi(Fr.), keep the faith.
gaudeamus igitur(L.), let us therefore rejoice.
gaudet tentamine virtus(L.), virtue rejoices in trial.
gaudium certaminis(L.), the delight of battle.
geflügelte Worte(Ger.), winged words.
Gefrornes(Ger.), ices.
gendarmes(Fr.),n.pl.armed police.
genius loci(L.), the genius of the place.
gens d'affaires(Fr.), business men;gens d'armes, men-at-arms (cf.gendarmes);gens de bien, honest folk;gens de condition, people of rank;gens d'église, churchmen;gens de langues, linguists;gens de lettres, men of letters;gens de loi, lawyers;gens de même farine, birds of a feather;gens de mer, seamen;gens d'épée,gens de guerre, military men;gens de peu, people of humble condition;gens de robe, lawyers;gens du monde, people of fashion.
gens togata(L.), the toga-wearing nation—i.e. the Romans.
gentilhomme(Fr.), a nobleman: a gentleman.
genus irritabile vatum(L.), the irritable tribe of poets.
Germanicè(L.), in German.
Gespritzt(Ger.), mixed in equal quantity with soda water—of wine.
gibier de potence(Fr.), game for the gibbet, gallows-bird, jail-bird.
giovine santo, diavolo vecchio(It.), young saint, old devil.
Gippesvicum(L.), Ipswich.
gitano, fem.gitana(Sp.), gipsy.
gli assenti hanno torto(It.), the absent are in the wrong.
gloria in excelsis(L.), glory to God in the highest.
gloria Patri(L.), glory be to the Father.
gloria virtutis umbra(L.), glory [is] the shadow of virtue.
glückliche Reise!(Ger.), prosperous journey to you!
gnōthi seauton(Gr.), know thyself.
goutte à goutte(Fr.), drop by drop.
gouvernante(Fr.), a governess.
grâce à Dieu(Fr.), thanks to God.
gradu diverso, viâ unâ(L.), with different step on the one way.
gradus ad Parnassum(L.), a step to Parnassus, aid in the composition of Latin or Greek verse.
grande chère et beau feu(Fr.), ample cheer and a fine fire.
grande fortune, grande servitude(Fr.), great wealth, great slavery.
grande parureortoilette(Fr.), full dress.
grande passion(Fr.), a serious love-affair.
grand merci(Fr.), many thanks.
Gratianopolis(L.), Grenoble.
gratia placendi(L.), the delight of pleasing.
gratis dictum(L.), mere assertion.
graviora manent(L.), more grievous things remain.
graviora quædam sunt remedia periculis(L.), some remedies are more grievous than the perils.
gravis ira regum est semper(L.), the anger of kings is always serious.
gregatim(L,), in flocks.
grex venalium(L.), the herd of hirelings.
grosse Seelen dulden still(Ger.), great souls suffer in silence.
grosse tête et peu de sens(Fr.), big head and little wit.
grossièreté(Fr.), grossness, vulgarity in conversation.
guerra al cuchillo(Sp.), war to the knife.
guerre à mort(Fr.), war to the death.
guerre à outrance(Fr.), war to the uttermost, to the bitter end.
Gulyás(Hung.), meat stewed with paprika or red pepper.
gutta cavat lapidem(L.), the drop wears away the stone.
hac lege(L.), with this law, under this condition.
Hafnia(L.), Copenhagen.
Hala(L.), Halle.
Hanc veniam petimusque damusque vicissim(L.), we ask and grant this liberty turn about.
Hannibal ad portas!(L.), Hannibal at the gates!
hapax legomenon(Gr.), a word or phrase that occurs once only; a solitary instance.
haud longis intervallis(L.), at no long intervals.
haut et bon(Fr.), great and good.
Heimweh(Ger.), home-sickness.
helluo librorum(L.), a devourer of books.
heu pietas!heu prisca fides!(L.), alas for piety! alas for the ancient faith!
heureusement(Fr.), happily, fortunately.
hiatus valde defiendus(L.), a gap deeply to be deplored.
hic et ubique(L.), here and everywhere.
hic finis fandi(L.), here [was] an end of the speaking.
hic jacet(L.), here lies.
hic labor, hoc opus est(L.), this is the labour, this the toil.
hic sepultus(L.), here buried.
hinc illæ lacrimæ(L.), hence [proceed] these tears.
hinc lucem et pocula sacra(L.), from this source [we draw] light and draughts of sacred learning.
hoc age(L.), this do.
hoc anno(L.), in this year.
hoc erat in votis(L.), this was the very thing I prayed for.
hoc genus omne(L.), and all that sort [of people].
Hoch(Ger.),lebe hoch!your health! [in drinking].
hoc loco(L.), in this place.
hoc saxum posuit(L.), this stone [T. D.] placed.
hoc tempore(L.), at this time.
hoc volo, sic jubeo, sit pro ratione voluntas(L.), this I will, thus I command, be my will sufficient reason.
hodie mihi, cras tibi(L.), to-day is mine, to-morrow thine.
Hofrath(Ger.), an Aulic councillor: a complimentary title.
hoi polloi(Gr.), the many; the rabble: the vulgar.
Holmia(L.), Stockholm.
hominibus plenum, amicis vacuum(L.), full of men, empty of friends.
hominis est errare(L.), it belongs to man to err.
homme d'affaires(Fr.), business man: agent: steward;homme de bien, man of worth, good man;homme de cour, courtier;homme de fortune, fortunate man: rich man;homme de lettres, man of letters;homme de paille, man of straw;homme d'épée, military man;homme de robe, a lawyer;homme d'esprit, a man of wit;homme d'état, a statesman;homme du monde, man of fashion.
homo alieni juris(L.), one under control of another.
homo antiquâ virtute ac fide(L.), a man of the antique virtue and loyalty.
homo homini lupus(L.), man is a wolf to man.
homo multarum litterarum(L.), a man of many literary accomplishments.
homo nullius coloris(L.), a man of no colour, one who does not commit himself.
homo sui juris(L.), one who is his own master.
homo sum: humani nihil a me alienum puto(L.), I am a man; I count nothing human indifferent to me. [Said by a Paul Pry in Terence,Heaut.I. i. 25.]
homo trium litterarum(L.), man of three letters—i.e.fur= thief.
homo unius libri(L.), a man of one book.
honi soit qui mal y pense(O. Fr.), the shame be his who thinks ill of it—the motto of the Order of the Garter.
honneur et patrie(Fr.), honour and native land.
honores mutant mores(L.), honours change [men's] manners.
honoris causâ [gratiâ](Late L.), for the sake of honour, as honorary.
honor virtutis præmium(L.), honour is the reward of virtue.
honos alit artes(L.), honour nourishes the arts.
honos habet onus(L.), honour has its burden.
horæ canonicæ(L.), the canonical hours.
horæ subsecivæ(Late L.), leisure hours.
hora fugit(L.), the hour flies.
horas non numero nisi serenas(L.), I number none but shining hours.
horresco referens(L.), I shudder in relating.
horribile dictu(L.), horrible to relate.
hors de combat(Fr.), unfit to fight, disabled.
hors concours(Fr.), outside competition.
hors la loi(Fr.), in outlawry, outlawed.
hors de propos(Fr.), aside from the purpose.
hors de saison(Fr.), out of season.
hortus siccus(L.), a collection of dried plants.
hostis honori invidia(L.), an enemy's hatred is an honour.
hostis humani generis(L.), enemy of the human race.
Hôtel des Invalides(Fr.), Hospital for Invalids—the name of a hospital for disabled soldiers in Paris, founded in 1670.
Hôtel-Dieu(Fr.), the House of God, a hospital.
hôtel garni(Fr.), a furnished town house.
huissier(Fr.), doorkeeper, usher: bailiff.
humanum est errare(L.), to err is human.
hurtar para dar por Dios(Sp.), to steal in order to give to God.
ibidem(L.), in the same place, thing, or case.
ich dien(Ger.), I serve.
ici(Fr.), here—i.e. here is a W.C.
ici on parle français(Fr.), here French is spoken.
idée fixe(Fr.), a fixed idea, a monomania.
idem(L.), the same.
idem sonans(L.), sounding the same.
idem velle atque idem nolle(L.), to like and to dislike the same things.
id est(L.), that is, ofteni.e.
id genus omne(L.), all that class or kind.
Iesus Hominim Salvator(L.), Jesus Saviour of men.
ignoratio elenchi(L.), ignoring the point in question, the fallacy of arguing to the wrong point.
ignoratio legis neminem excusat(L.), ignorance of the law excuses nobody.
ignoti nulla cupido(L.), for a thing unknown there is no desire.
ignotum per ignotius(L.), the unknown by the still more unknown.
igran dolori sono muti(It.), great griefs are mute.
il a inventé l'histoire(Fr.), he has invented history.
il a le diable au corps(Fr.), the devil is in him.
il a les défauts de ses qualités(Fr.), he has the defects which go with the good qualities he has.
il dolci far nienti(It.), the sweet state of do-nothing.
il faut de l'argent(Fr.), money is necessary.
il faut laver son linge sale en famille(Fr.), one should wash one's foul linen within the family, in private, at home.
ilias malorum(L.), an Iliad of woes.
ille crucem sceleris pretium tulit, hic diadema(L.), that man got a cross, this man a crown, as the price of his crime.
ille terrarum mihi præter omnes angulus ridet(L.), that corner of the earth to me smiles sweetest of all.
illustrissimo(It.), most illustrious.
il meglio è l'inimico del bene(It.), the better is the enemy of the well.
il n'y a pas à dire(Fr.), there is nothing to be said.
il n'y a pas que le premier pas qui coûte(Fr.), it is only the first step that is difficult.
il penseroso(It.), the pensive man.
ils n'ont rien appris ni rien oublié(Fr.), they have learned nothing and forgotten nothing [said of the FrenchEmigrés, often of the Bourbons].
impar congressus Achilli(L.), unequally matched against Achilles.
impasse(Fr.), a cul-de-sac, an insoluble difficulty.
impayable(Fr.), invaluable.
impedimenta(L.), luggage in travelling: the baggage of an army.
imperium et libertas(L.), empire and liberty.
imperium in imperio(L.), a government within another.
in abstracto(Late L.), in the abstract.
in articulo mortis(L.), at the point of death.
in banco regis(Late L.), in the King's Bench.
in bianco(It.), in blank, in white.
in camerâ(Late L.), in a [judge's private] room.
in capite(Late L.), in chief, by direct grant from the Crown.
incidis in Scyllam cupiens vitare Charybdim(L.), you fall into Scylla trying to avoid Charybdis.
in commendam(Late L.). See underCommendin Dict.
in contumaciam(Late L.), as an act of contumacy.
in deliciis(L.), as favourites.
in deposito(Late L.), for a pledge.
index expurgatorius(L.), a list of prohibited books.
in Domino(Late L.), in the Lord.
in equilibris(Late L.), in equilibrium.
in esse(Late L.), in being, in fact.
in excelsis(Late L.), in the highest, at the highest point.
in extenso(Late L.), at full length.
in extremis(Late L.), at the point of death.
infima species(Late L.), the lowest species included in a genus or class.
in flagranti delicto(L.), in the very act of committing the crime.
in formâ pauperis(L.), as a poor man.
in foro conscientiæ(L.), in the court of conscience: judged by one's own conscience.
infra dignitatem(L.), below one's dignity.
ingénu,ingénue(Fr.), a young man or woman of exceptional simplicity.
in gremio(Late L), in the bosom.
in hoc signo vinces(L.), in this sign thou wilt conquer—i.e. in the Cross [the motto of Constantine the Great].
in limine(L.), on the threshold.
in loco parentis(L.), in the place of a parent.
in magnis et voluisse sat est(L.), in great things even to have wished to try is enough.
in malem partem(L.), in an unfavourable manner.
in medias res(L.), into the midst of things.
in memoriam(L.), to the memory of: in memory.
in nubibus(L.), in the clouds.
in pace(L.), in peace.
in partibus infidelium(L.), in unbelieving countries—where there are no strictly territorial Catholic dioceses.
in petto(It.), within the breast: in reserve.
in posse(Late L.), in potential existence: in possibility.
in propriâ personâ(Late L.), in person.
in puris naturalibus(Late L.), quite naked.
in re(L.), in the matter of.
in rerum naturâ(L.), in nature.
in secula seculorum(L.), for ever and ever.
in situ(L.), in its original situation.
instar omnium(L.), worth all the rest.
in statu pupillari(Late L.), in a state of wardship.
in statu quo(Late L.), in the former state.
InsulaorInsulæ(L.), Lille.
integer vitæ scelerisque purus(L.), blameless in life and clear of crime.
inter alia(L.), among other things;—inter alios, among other persons.
inter arma silent leges(L.), amid wars laws are silent.
intérieur(Fr.), interior, home, inside.
inter nos(L.), between ourselves.
inter pocula(L.), over one's cups.
in terrorem(L.), as a warning.
inter se(L.), amongst themselves.
in toto(L.), in the whole: entirely.
intra muros(L.), within the walls.
in transitu(L.), on the passage.
in usum Delphini(L.), for the use of the Dauphin: toned down to suit the young person.
in utrumque paratus(L.), prepared for either alternative.
invenit(L.), [T.D.] devised [this].
in vino veritas(L.), in wine the truth [comes out].
invitâ Minervâ(L.), against the will of Minerva, against the grain.
ipse dixit(L.), he himself said it: his mere word.
ipsissima verba(L.), the very words.
ipso facto(L.), in the fact itself: virtually.
ira furor brevis est(L.), rage is a brief madness.
Ispalis(L.), Seville.
Italia irredenta(It.), unredeemed Italy—the parts of Italy not yet freed from foreign domination—South Tyrol, Dalmatia, Trieste, &c.
Italicè(L.), in Italian.
iterum(L.), again.
ivresse(Fr.), drunkenness.
jacta est alea(L.), the die is cast.
jam proximus ardet Ucalegon(L.), already [the house of] our next-door neighbour, Ucalegon, is in flames.
je n'en vois pas la nécessité!(Fr.), I don't see the necessity for that! [said in reply to a man who pleaded, 'But one must live somehow'].
je ne sais quoi(Fr.), I know not what.
jet d'eau(Fr.), a jet of water.
jeu de mots(Fr.), a play on words: a pun.
jeu d'esprit(Fr.), a witticism.
jeunesse dorée(Fr.), gilded youth, luxurious young fops.
joci causâ(L.), for the sake of the joke.
judex damnatur cum nocens absolvitur(L.), the judge is condemned when the guilty man is acquitted.
Jungfernbraten(Ger.), roast-pork with juniper-berries.
Jupiter Pluvius(L.), rain-bringing Jupiter: rainy weather.
jure divino(L.), by divine law.
jure humano(L.), by human law.
juris utriusque doctor(L.), doctor both of canon and of civil law.
jus gladii(L.), the right of the sword.
juste milieu(Fr.), the just mean, the happy medium.