Latin Term Meaning in English Example Use
Ad hoc For this purpose / specially arranged An ad hoc committee was formed.
Ad infinitum To infinity / forever The discussion continued ad infinitum.
Ad valorem According to value Ad valorem tax is charged on imports.
Alma mater Nourishing mother / school or university attended Dhaka University is his alma
mater.
Alter ego Second self He treats his friend as his alter ego.
Anno Domini (A.D.) In the year of our Lord (after Christ) The year 2025 A.D.
Ante meridiem (A.M.) Before midday 10 A.M.
Post meridiem (P.M.) After midday 5 P.M.
Bona fide In good faith / genuine A bona fide student.
Carpe diem Seize the day He lived by the motto carpe diem.
Corpus Body Corpus callosum (brain structure).
Curriculum vitae (CV) Course of life He sent his curriculum vitae.
De facto In fact / actually existing He is the de facto leader.
De jureBy law / legally The king was de jure ruler.
Et cetera (etc.) And other things Books, pens, paper, etc.
Ex officio By virtue of office The vice-chancellor is ex officio chairperson.
Homo sapiens Wise man (modern human) Homo sapiens evolved thousands of years ago.
In toto Entirely The plan was accepted in toto.
Ipso facto By that very fact If he is dead, he is ipso facto unable to pay debts.
Magnum opus Great work (masterpiece) Shakespeare’s magnum opus is often considered
Hamlet.
Mea culpa My fault He admitted mea culpa.
Per annum Per year Salary is $50,000 per annum.
Per capita Per head / per person GDP per capita is increasing.
Persona non grata An unwelcome person He was declared persona non grata by the
embassy.
Post mortem After death A post mortem examination was done.
Pro bono For the public good / without payment He worked pro bono for the charity.
Quid pro quo Something for something (exchange) A quid pro quo deal.
Status quo Existing state of affairs They want to maintain the status quo.
Tabula rasa Blank slate A child’s mind is a tabula rasa.
Vox populi Voice of the people The vox populi was against the law.
