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Abbreviations that are Latin Posted by on Sep 24, 2014 in Latin Language

I find that most people are quite surprised when they learn that they use or at least reference Latin everyday especially in the forms of abbreviations. I have complied the following list to show just how common this is!

  • A.D (Latin: anno Domini) means “in the year of the Lord,” and it is used to describe any period that occurred after the birth year of Jesus Christ.
  • A.M (Latin: Ante Meridiem) means ” before mid-day,” which is exactly how we use it when telling time. [ P.M is post meridiem which means ” after mid-day.”]
  • C. (Latin: Circa) means “around or about;” this is used most commonly when described dates for artifacts. (Example: This painting is from c.1600)
  • C.V (Latin: curriculum vitae) means “course of life,” and this is befitting since a C.V is an extended form of a Resume.

  • Etc. (Latin: et cetera) means “and the others, and the other things, and the rest,” this is used at the end of a list to denote that they are additional items, but they are so similar and minuscule that an “etc.” will do.
  • e.g (Latin: exempli gratia) means “for example or for instance,”and this is used to give an example of something that was just previously explained.
  • P.S (Latin: post scriptum) means ‘ after what has been written,”this is used when someone is writing a letter or even email and has finished the body of their conversation, but has remembered something else they wish to add. Thus, they do so at the end of their correspondence with a P.S.
  • R.I.P (Latin: requiescat in pace) means  ” may he/she/it rest in peace,” this was originally a short saying or prayer said at a gravesite , but it has become a cliché example of death, graveyards, and Halloween.

  • S.O.S (Latin: si opus sit ) means “if there is a need,” and this expression is constantly turned to as one that is expressed to convey a need for help.
  • Stat (Latin: statim ) means “immediately;” this expression is often used accordingly in chaotic and high energy situations including medical rooms.
  • vs. (Latin: versus ) means “against,” which is scene with boxing, football or other competitive sporting event
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About the Author: Brittany Britanniae

Hello There! Please feel free to ask me anything about Latin Grammar, Syntax, or the Ancient World.