Latin Abbreviations Decoded

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Instructions: Discover what the everyday Latin shorthand you read all the time really stands for — from "e.g." and "i.e." to "etc." and "R.I.P."

1.
The abbreviation "etc." stands for "et cetera." What does "et cetera" literally mean in Latin?
A
And the rest
B
And so forth forever
C
Among other things
D
And so on always
2.
When a doctor writes "a.m." on a prescription, what Latin words does it stand for?
A
Ante meridiem
B
After morning
C
Ante matutinus
D
Argo meridiem
3.
"e.g." is used to introduce an example. What Latin phrase does it abbreviate?
A
Exempli gratia
B
Et gratis
C
Exemplar generalis
D
Ex gratiam
4.
"i.e." is used to clarify or rephrase something. What Latin words does it stand for?
A
Id est
B
In excelsis
C
Ita ergo
D
In extremis
5.
"R.I.P.," seen on gravestones, stands for a Latin phrase. What is the correct English translation?
A
Rest in peace
B
Return if possible
C
Remain in paradise
D
Rest in perpetuity
6.
"vs." is short for a Latin word used when comparing two things. What Latin word is it?
A
Versus
B
Vide supra
C
Veritas
D
Verbatim
7.
"N.B." appears at the start of important notes. What Latin phrase does it stand for?
A
Nota bene
B
Non bis
C
Nunc bello
D
Novum brevium
8.
"P.S.," added after signing a letter, stands for a Latin phrase. What does it mean?
A
After writing
B
Personal statement
C
Parting salutation
D
Previously stated
9.
"Q.E.D.," written at the end of a math proof, stands for which Latin phrase?
A
Quod erat demonstrandum
B
Quaerendum est dictum
C
Qui erat definitum
D
Quantum et demonstratum
10.
"A.D." is used with years in the modern calendar. What Latin phrase does it stand for?
A
Anno Domini
B
After Death
C
Ante Datum
D
Annus Definitum
11.
"ibid." appears in footnotes and means the source is the same as the one just cited. What Latin word is it short for?
A
Ibidem
B
Ibi dictum
C
In bibliotheca
D
Ibi definitum
12.
"Et al." is used in citations when there are many authors. What does "et al." stand for?
A
Et alii
B
Et alternatus
C
Et alimentum
D
Et alias
13.
"Viz." is used to introduce a precise list or clarification. What Latin word is it short for?
A
Videlicet
B
Videre
C
Virtutem
D
Visium
14.
"Cf." appears in academic writing and asks the reader to compare or consult another source. What Latin word does it abbreviate?
A
Confer
B
Circa
C
Confide
D
Consequitur
15.
"Sic" appears in brackets inside a quotation to signal something unusual. What does "sic" mean in Latin?
A
Thus / so
B
Mistake
C
See correction
D
Stated incorrectly

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