[FONT=comic sans ms,sans-serif]Several foreign phrases are being used in everyday conversation and writing in English. Majority of them are of Latin origin. There are many French and Italian words also to add to the glamor and make the writing appear sophisticated. It will be beneficial for us to revise them one more time as they are valuable tools in the hands of a writer.[/FONT]
Foreign phrases in English.
- Thread starter Visalakshi Ramani
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OP
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1. ad absurdam (L) = to the point of absurdity.
2. ad hoc (L) = for this purpose.
3. adieu (Fr) = farewell.
4. affaire de coeur (Fr) = love affairs.
5. ad infinitum (L) = for ever.
6. ad lib (L) = without preparation.
7. ad valorem (L) = according to its value.
8. a fortiori (L) = with stronger reason.
9. aide de camp (Fr) = an assistant on the field.
10. aide memoire (Fr) = a reminder, an aid to the memory.
2. ad hoc (L) = for this purpose.
3. adieu (Fr) = farewell.
4. affaire de coeur (Fr) = love affairs.
5. ad infinitum (L) = for ever.
6. ad lib (L) = without preparation.
7. ad valorem (L) = according to its value.
8. a fortiori (L) = with stronger reason.
9. aide de camp (Fr) = an assistant on the field.
10. aide memoire (Fr) = a reminder, an aid to the memory.
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11. ante bellum (L) = before the war.
12. a la mode (Fr) = fashionable.
13. aqua vitae (L) = water of life.
14. ancien regime (Fr) = the old regime.
15. ad nauseam (L) = endlessly.
16. aurora borealis (L) = Northern lights
17. au contraire (Fr) = on the contrary.
18. au fait (Fr) = expert, up to date.
19. au naturel (Fr) = as in nature.
20. alma mater (L) = 'benign mother' applied by the old students to their school or college.
12. a la mode (Fr) = fashionable.
13. aqua vitae (L) = water of life.
14. ancien regime (Fr) = the old regime.
15. ad nauseam (L) = endlessly.
16. aurora borealis (L) = Northern lights
17. au contraire (Fr) = on the contrary.
18. au fait (Fr) = expert, up to date.
19. au naturel (Fr) = as in nature.
20. alma mater (L) = 'benign mother' applied by the old students to their school or college.
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21. alter ego (L) = one's second self, a friend, a representative.
22. anno Domini (L) = in the year of our Lord.
23. au revoir (Fr) = adieu till we meet again!
24. ars longa vita brevis (L) = Art is long, life is short.
25. bona fide (L) = in good faith.
26. bon voyage (Fr) = a good journey to you.
27. beau geste (Fr) = a fine gesture.
28. beau monde (Fr) = fashionable society.
29. bon vivant (Fr) = person of refined tastes.
30. bel esprit (Fr) = wit, elegance.
22. anno Domini (L) = in the year of our Lord.
23. au revoir (Fr) = adieu till we meet again!
24. ars longa vita brevis (L) = Art is long, life is short.
25. bona fide (L) = in good faith.
26. bon voyage (Fr) = a good journey to you.
27. beau geste (Fr) = a fine gesture.
28. beau monde (Fr) = fashionable society.
29. bon vivant (Fr) = person of refined tastes.
30. bel esprit (Fr) = wit, elegance.
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31. belles lettres (Fr) = writing valued for aesthetic qualities.
32. billet doux (Fr) = love letter.
33. bon mot (Fr) = witticism.
34. camera obscura (L) = dark chamber.
35. carpe diem (L) = seize the day.
36. casus belli (L) = justification for an act of war.
37.caveat emptor (L) = Let the buyer beware.
38. compos mantis (L) = sane.
39. corpus delicti (L) = evidence of a crime.
40. Cui bono (L) = To whose benefits?
32. billet doux (Fr) = love letter.
33. bon mot (Fr) = witticism.
34. camera obscura (L) = dark chamber.
35. carpe diem (L) = seize the day.
36. casus belli (L) = justification for an act of war.
37.caveat emptor (L) = Let the buyer beware.
38. compos mantis (L) = sane.
39. corpus delicti (L) = evidence of a crime.
40. Cui bono (L) = To whose benefits?
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41. carte blanche (Fr) = a free hand.
42. cause celebre (Fr) = a celebrated case.
43. c'est la vie (Fr) = that's life.
44. chez nous (Fr) = at our place.
45. comedie humaine (Fr) = human comedy.
46. comme ci comme ca (Fr) = so-so.
47. comme il faut = as it should be.
48. connoisseur (Fr) = a discerning judge.
49. cardon bleu (Fr) = high quality.
50. coup de grace (Fr) = death blow.
42. cause celebre (Fr) = a celebrated case.
43. c'est la vie (Fr) = that's life.
44. chez nous (Fr) = at our place.
45. comedie humaine (Fr) = human comedy.
46. comme ci comme ca (Fr) = so-so.
47. comme il faut = as it should be.
48. connoisseur (Fr) = a discerning judge.
49. cardon bleu (Fr) = high quality.
50. coup de grace (Fr) = death blow.
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51. coup d'etat (Fr) = sudden overthrow of a government.
52. coup de theatre (Fr) = unexpected event.
53. coup de main (Fr) = a sudden attack.
54. creme de la creme (Fr) = best of its kind.
55. cri de coeur (Fr) = heartfelt cry.
56. Dharma (Sanskrit) = cosmic law, personal duty.
57. de facto (L) = from the fact, actually , really.
58. de jure (L) = based on law, by right.
59. delirium tremens (L) = alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
60. de profundis (L) = out of the depths.
52. coup de theatre (Fr) = unexpected event.
53. coup de main (Fr) = a sudden attack.
54. creme de la creme (Fr) = best of its kind.
55. cri de coeur (Fr) = heartfelt cry.
56. Dharma (Sanskrit) = cosmic law, personal duty.
57. de facto (L) = from the fact, actually , really.
58. de jure (L) = based on law, by right.
59. delirium tremens (L) = alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
60. de profundis (L) = out of the depths.
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61. deus ex machina = improbabale explanation.
62. dramatis personal (L) = characters in a play.
63. de luxe (Fr) = splendid and expensive.
64. declasse (Fr) = fallen from favor.
65. decolletage (Fr) = low cut neckline.
66. deja vu (Fr) = illusion of having experienced something already.
67. de riqueur (Fr) = strictly required.
68. dernier cri (Fr) = latest style.
69. detente (Fr) = relaxation of a political tension.
70. de trop (Fr) = too much, superfluous.
62. dramatis personal (L) = characters in a play.
63. de luxe (Fr) = splendid and expensive.
64. declasse (Fr) = fallen from favor.
65. decolletage (Fr) = low cut neckline.
66. deja vu (Fr) = illusion of having experienced something already.
67. de riqueur (Fr) = strictly required.
68. dernier cri (Fr) = latest style.
69. detente (Fr) = relaxation of a political tension.
70. de trop (Fr) = too much, superfluous.
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71. double entendre (Fr) = double meaning.
72. du jour (Fr) = of the day.
73. e contra (late L) = conversely, contrary wise.
74. en masse (Fr) = in a body, universally.
75. en route (Fr) = on the road, let us go! march!
76. entente (Fr) = understanding.
77. entrepreneur (Fr) = contractor, builder.
78. exempli gratia (L) = for example.
79. ex gratia (L) = an act of grace.
80. ex-officio (L) = by virtue of office.
72. du jour (Fr) = of the day.
73. e contra (late L) = conversely, contrary wise.
74. en masse (Fr) = in a body, universally.
75. en route (Fr) = on the road, let us go! march!
76. entente (Fr) = understanding.
77. entrepreneur (Fr) = contractor, builder.
78. exempli gratia (L) = for example.
79. ex gratia (L) = an act of grace.
80. ex-officio (L) = by virtue of office.
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81. ex parte (L) = on one side.
82. ecce homo (L) = behold the man.
83. e pluribus unum (L) = out of many, one.
84. et al (L) = and others.
85. etc (L) = and so forth.
86. et tu, Brute? (L) = you too Brutus?
87. ex cathedra (L) = authoritative statement.
88. ex post facto (L) = retroactive.
89. eminence grise (Fr) = the power behind the throne.
90. enfant terrible (Fr) = child prodigy.
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91. en passant (Fr) = incidental.
92. entente cordiale (Fr) = alliance between countries.
93. entre nous (Fr) = confidentially.
94. espirit de corps (Fr) = team spirit.
95. fait accompli (Fr) = a thing already done.
96. faux pas (Fr) = a false step, a mistake.
97. flagrante delicto (L) = in the act.
98. femme fatale (Fr) = an attractive, dangerous woman.
99. film noir (Fr) = black film.
100. fin de siecle (fr) = jaded, decadent.
92. entente cordiale (Fr) = alliance between countries.
93. entre nous (Fr) = confidentially.
94. espirit de corps (Fr) = team spirit.
95. fait accompli (Fr) = a thing already done.
96. faux pas (Fr) = a false step, a mistake.
97. flagrante delicto (L) = in the act.
98. femme fatale (Fr) = an attractive, dangerous woman.
99. film noir (Fr) = black film.
100. fin de siecle (fr) = jaded, decadent.
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101. folie a deux (fr) = delusion shared by two people.
102. force majure (Fr) = irresistible force.
103. genius loci (L) = spirit of the place.
104. habeas corpus (L) = writ requiring the prisoner be brought to the trail.
105. homme de letters (Fr) = a man of letters.
106. haute couture (Fr) = trend setting fashion.
107. haute cuisine (Fr) = elaborate cookery.
108. hors de combat (Fr) = out of the fight, disabled.
109. hors d'oeuvre (Fr) = appetizer.
110. in camera (late L) = in a judge's private room, in secret.
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111. in extenso (L) = at full length.
112. in loco parentis (L) = in the place of a parent.
113. in memoriam (L) =to the memory or in the memory.
114. inter alia (L) = among other things.
115. inter se (L) = among themselves.
116. ibid (L) = in the same place.
117. id est (i.e) (L) = that is.
118. in absentia (L) = in the absence of.
119. in extremis (L) = in extremity.
120. in flagrante delicto (L) = in the act.
112. in loco parentis (L) = in the place of a parent.
113. in memoriam (L) =to the memory or in the memory.
114. inter alia (L) = among other things.
115. inter se (L) = among themselves.
116. ibid (L) = in the same place.
117. id est (i.e) (L) = that is.
118. in absentia (L) = in the absence of.
119. in extremis (L) = in extremity.
120. in flagrante delicto (L) = in the act.
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121. infra dig (L) = vulgar.
122. in medias res (L) = in the middle of things.
123. insitu (L) = in its place.
124. inst (L) = in the present month.
125. in toto (L) = in all, altogether.
126. in vino veritas (L) = There is truth in wine.
127. in vitro (L) = in a test tube.
128. ipso facto (L) = by definition.
129. ide'e fixe (Fr) = fixed idea.
130. joie de vivre (Fr) = joy of life.
122. in medias res (L) = in the middle of things.
123. insitu (L) = in its place.
124. inst (L) = in the present month.
125. in toto (L) = in all, altogether.
126. in vino veritas (L) = There is truth in wine.
127. in vitro (L) = in a test tube.
128. ipso facto (L) = by definition.
129. ide'e fixe (Fr) = fixed idea.
130. joie de vivre (Fr) = joy of life.
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131. je ne sais quoi (Fr) = I don't know what.
132. jeu d'esprit (Fr) = puzzle, brain teaser.
133. laissez faire = non interference in the matters of the others.
134. lese-majeste (Fr) = high treason.
135. lingua franca (It) = the corrupt Italian, the mixed language spoken by the Europeans in the East.
136. locus standi (L) = a place for standing, a right to interfere.
137. magnum opus (L) = a great work.
138. mala fide (L) = in bad faith, treacherously.
139. modus operandi (L) = plan for working, the mode of operation.
140. mutatis mutandis (L) = with the necessary changes.
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141. mea culpa (L) = my fault.
142. momento mori (L) =reminder of death.
143. mens sana in corpore sano (L) = A healthy mind in a healthy body.
144. modus vivendi (L) = way of living.
145. mot juste (Fr) = the right word.
146. nota bene (N.B.) (L) = mark well, note well.
146. ne plus ultra (L) = the best.
147. nil desperadum (L) = never despair.
148. non compos mentis (L) = not of sound mind.
149. nee (Fr) = born.
150. noblesse oblige (Fr) = Nobility obliges.
142. momento mori (L) =reminder of death.
143. mens sana in corpore sano (L) = A healthy mind in a healthy body.
144. modus vivendi (L) = way of living.
145. mot juste (Fr) = the right word.
146. nota bene (N.B.) (L) = mark well, note well.
146. ne plus ultra (L) = the best.
147. nil desperadum (L) = never despair.
148. non compos mentis (L) = not of sound mind.
149. nee (Fr) = born.
150. noblesse oblige (Fr) = Nobility obliges.
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151. nom de plume (Fr) = pseudonym.
152. nouveau riche (Fr) = newly rich.
153. obiter dictum (L) = something said by the way, a cursory remark.
154. objet d'art (Fr) = object of some artistic value.
155. objet trouve (fr) = found object.
156. outre (Fr) = exaggerated, excessive.
157. par excellence (Fr) = eminently, by way of ideal.
158. pari passu (L) = with equal pace, together, side by side.
159. post mortem (L) = after death.
160. prima facie (L) = on the first view.
152. nouveau riche (Fr) = newly rich.
153. obiter dictum (L) = something said by the way, a cursory remark.
154. objet d'art (Fr) = object of some artistic value.
155. objet trouve (fr) = found object.
156. outre (Fr) = exaggerated, excessive.
157. par excellence (Fr) = eminently, by way of ideal.
158. pari passu (L) = with equal pace, together, side by side.
159. post mortem (L) = after death.
160. prima facie (L) = on the first view.
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161. pro forma (L) = for the sake of form.
162. pro rata (L) = at the same rate.
163. pater familias (L) = father of the family.
164. pax (L) = peace.
165. per capita (L) = per person.
166. per diem (L) = per day.
167. perpetuum mobile (L) = in perpetual motion.
168. per se (L) = in itself.
169. persona non grata (L) = unwelcome person.
170. post scriptum (L) = post script.
162. pro rata (L) = at the same rate.
163. pater familias (L) = father of the family.
164. pax (L) = peace.
165. per capita (L) = per person.
166. per diem (L) = per day.
167. perpetuum mobile (L) = in perpetual motion.
168. per se (L) = in itself.
169. persona non grata (L) = unwelcome person.
170. post scriptum (L) = post script.
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171. primum mobile (L) = prime mover.
172. pro bono (L) = for the public good.
173. par avion (Fr) = by plane.
174. par excellence (Fr) = foremost.
175. passe-partout (Fr) = master key.
176. petit bourgeois (Fr) = lower middle class.
177. piece de resistance (Fr) = a show piece.
178. pied-a-terre (Fr) = an apartment in town.
179. plus ca change (Fr) = the more things change.
180. pret-a-porter (Fr) = ready to wear, to go.
172. pro bono (L) = for the public good.
173. par avion (Fr) = by plane.
174. par excellence (Fr) = foremost.
175. passe-partout (Fr) = master key.
176. petit bourgeois (Fr) = lower middle class.
177. piece de resistance (Fr) = a show piece.
178. pied-a-terre (Fr) = an apartment in town.
179. plus ca change (Fr) = the more things change.
180. pret-a-porter (Fr) = ready to wear, to go.
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181. prix fixe (Fr) = fixed price.
182. pure laine (Fr) = pure francophone.
183. Q.E.D (L) =that which was to be demonstrated.
184. qua (L) = as.
185. quid pro quo (L) = fair exchange.
186. quo vadis (L) = Where are you going?
187. q.v. (L) = refer to.
188. rara avis (L) = rare or unique person or thing.
189. re (L) = regarding, with reference to.
190. reductio ad absurdam (L) = reduction to absurdity.
182. pure laine (Fr) = pure francophone.
183. Q.E.D (L) =that which was to be demonstrated.
184. qua (L) = as.
185. quid pro quo (L) = fair exchange.
186. quo vadis (L) = Where are you going?
187. q.v. (L) = refer to.
188. rara avis (L) = rare or unique person or thing.
189. re (L) = regarding, with reference to.
190. reductio ad absurdam (L) = reduction to absurdity.
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191. rigor mortis (L) = stiffening of the body after death.
192. raison d'etre (Fr) = reason for being.
193. re'chauffe (Fr) = warmed up.
194. recherche (Fr) = exotic, obscure.
195. retrousse (fr) = turned up.
196. roman a clef (Fr) = history presented as a fiction.
197. respondez s'il vous plait or R.S.V.P. (Fr) = reply, if you please; an
answer will oblige.
198. sine die (L) = without a day appointed.
199. sine qua non (L) = an indispensable condition.
200. sub judice (L) = under consideration.
192. raison d'etre (Fr) = reason for being.
193. re'chauffe (Fr) = warmed up.
194. recherche (Fr) = exotic, obscure.
195. retrousse (fr) = turned up.
196. roman a clef (Fr) = history presented as a fiction.
197. respondez s'il vous plait or R.S.V.P. (Fr) = reply, if you please; an
answer will oblige.
198. sine die (L) = without a day appointed.
199. sine qua non (L) = an indispensable condition.
200. sub judice (L) = under consideration.
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201. summum bonum (L) = the chief good.
202. sanctum sanctorum (L) = holy of holies.
203. sic (L) = It is thus in the original.
204. sic transit gloria mundi (L) = Thus passes the glory of the world.
205. status quo (L) = current state of affairs.
206. sub rosa (L) = in secret, in confidence.
207. sui generis (L)= unique, one of a kind.
208. summa cum laude (L) = with the highest praise.
209. sang-froid (Fr) = equanimity, composure.
210. sans-souci (Fr) = carefree
202. sanctum sanctorum (L) = holy of holies.
203. sic (L) = It is thus in the original.
204. sic transit gloria mundi (L) = Thus passes the glory of the world.
205. status quo (L) = current state of affairs.
206. sub rosa (L) = in secret, in confidence.
207. sui generis (L)= unique, one of a kind.
208. summa cum laude (L) = with the highest praise.
209. sang-froid (Fr) = equanimity, composure.
210. sans-souci (Fr) = carefree
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211. savoir faire (Fr) = social tact.
212. soi-disant (Fr) = self-styled, so-called.
213. soupcon (Fr) = very small amount.
214. tabula rasa (L0 = an empty slate.
215. tempus fugit (L) = Time flies.
216. terra firma (L) = firm on solid ground.
217. terra incognita (L) = uncharted, unknown.
218. tete-a-tete (Fr) = intimate conversation.
219. tout le monde (Fr) = everyone.
220. trompe l'oeil (Fr) = deceive the eyes.
212. soi-disant (Fr) = self-styled, so-called.
213. soupcon (Fr) = very small amount.
214. tabula rasa (L0 = an empty slate.
215. tempus fugit (L) = Time flies.
216. terra firma (L) = firm on solid ground.
217. terra incognita (L) = uncharted, unknown.
218. tete-a-tete (Fr) = intimate conversation.
219. tout le monde (Fr) = everyone.
220. trompe l'oeil (Fr) = deceive the eyes.
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221. tour de force (Fr) = a feat of strength or skill.
222. ultima ratio (L) = final resort.
223. ultra vires (L) = beyond one's power.
224. vade mecum (L) = constant companion.
225. via dolorosa (L) = sorrowful way.
226. veni, vidi, vici (L) = I came, I saw, I conquered.
227. verbatim et litteratim (L) = word for word and a letter for letter.
228. verses or vs (L) = against, toward.
229. via (L) = by the way of.
230. via media (L) = a middle course.
222. ultima ratio (L) = final resort.
223. ultra vires (L) = beyond one's power.
224. vade mecum (L) = constant companion.
225. via dolorosa (L) = sorrowful way.
226. veni, vidi, vici (L) = I came, I saw, I conquered.
227. verbatim et litteratim (L) = word for word and a letter for letter.
228. verses or vs (L) = against, toward.
229. via (L) = by the way of.
230. via media (L) = a middle course.
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231. vice (L) = in the place of.
232. vice versa (L) = in terms of being exchanged.
233. viva voce (L) = by the living voice, by oral testimony.
234. volte-face (L) = a change of front.
235. vox populi, vox Dei (L) = The voice of the people is the voice of God.
236. vis-s-vis (Fr) = opposite, facing.
237. vive la difference (Fr) = Long live the difference.
238. GURU (Sanskrit) = spiritual guide , leader.
239. KARMA (Sanskrit) = Fate, effect of previous actions.
240. MANTRA (Sanskrit) = sacred incantations
232. vice versa (L) = in terms of being exchanged.
233. viva voce (L) = by the living voice, by oral testimony.
234. volte-face (L) = a change of front.
235. vox populi, vox Dei (L) = The voice of the people is the voice of God.
236. vis-s-vis (Fr) = opposite, facing.
237. vive la difference (Fr) = Long live the difference.
238. GURU (Sanskrit) = spiritual guide , leader.
239. KARMA (Sanskrit) = Fate, effect of previous actions.
240. MANTRA (Sanskrit) = sacred incantations
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