Latin Phrases

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Date:

Instructions: Common Latin phrases used in English and their meanings

1.
What does the Latin phrase 'carpe diem' mean?
A
Seize the day
B
For the people
C
In good faith
D
Love conquers all
2.
What does 'et cetera' (etc.) literally mean?
A
In conclusion
B
And the rest
C
For example
D
And so forth
3.
The legal term 'habeas corpus' roughly translates to what?
A
You shall have the body
B
Guilty as charged
C
Innocent until proven
D
The law is king
4.
What does 'vice versa' mean?
A
Approximately
B
Word for word
C
The other way around
D
In place of
5.
What does the phrase 'bona fide' mean?
A
Good friend
B
Beautiful day
C
Good luck
D
Good faith or genuine
6.
What does 'per capita' literally translate to?
A
For each city
B
By population
C
Per person
D
By the head
7.
The phrase 'alma mater' is used to refer to what?
A
A hometown
B
A loving mother
C
A church
D
One's former school or university
8.
What does 'status quo' mean?
A
A legal ruling
B
The existing state of affairs
C
A high rank
D
A new situation
9.
What does 'ad hoc' mean?
A
By accident
B
Permanently
C
For this specific purpose
D
In advance
10.
The phrase 'vox populi' translates to what?
A
Voice of the people
B
Popular vote
C
Public opinion
D
Voice of God
11.
What does 'mea culpa' mean?
A
My country
B
My mistake or my fault
C
My cup
D
My culture
12.
What does the phrase 'quid pro quo' mean?
A
Money for nothing
B
Quick response
C
Question and answer
D
Something for something
13.
What does 'persona non grata' mean?
A
An unwelcome person
B
A famous person
C
A grateful person
D
A personal matter
14.
The abbreviation 'e.g.' stands for 'exempli gratia.' What does it mean?
A
And so on
B
In other words
C
That is to say
D
For the sake of example
15.
What does 'cogito, ergo sum' mean?
A
Knowledge is power
B
I came, I saw, I conquered
C
I think, therefore I am
D
To each his own

Answer Key

Question 1

A. Seize the day

Question 2

B. And the rest

Question 3

A. You shall have the body

Question 4

C. The other way around

Question 5

D. Good faith or genuine

Question 6

D. By the head

Question 7

D. One's former school or university

Question 8

B. The existing state of affairs

Question 9

C. For this specific purpose

Question 10

A. Voice of the people

Question 11

B. My mistake or my fault

Question 12

D. Something for something

Question 13

A. An unwelcome person

Question 14

D. For the sake of example

Question 15

C. I think, therefore I am

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