Foreign words and phrases commonly used – CSEET
Foreign Words and Phrases
English has borrowed generously from other languages, more so from Latin, Greek, French and German. Many of the borrowed words have been anglicised and today are an integral part of English vocabulary in their original or modified form, e.g., restaurant, rapport, viva voce. There are many other expressions which are liberally used in English and yet continue to retain their foreign flavour. They are still outsiders and, in print, are italicised.
Some examples given below are of a technical nature pertaining to law, philosophy, politics and ‘officialdom’. The language of origin is indicated after the word or phrase within brackets. Here ‘L’ stands for ‘Latin’; ‘F’ for ‘French’ and ‘G’ for ‘Greek’.
Aab initio (L) : from the beginning ab origin (L) : from the origin addenda(L) : list of additions (addenda to a book) ad libitum (L) : speak or perform in public without advance preparation. (Extempore) ad valorem (L) : according to value ad hoc (L) : a body elected or appointed for a particular work (ad hoc committee) ad infinitum (L) : to infinity, endlessly, forever alma mater (L) : a school or a college which one has attended a la carte (F) : according to the card/list (A la carte dishes are available here) a la mode (F) : according to the fashion alter ego (L) : the other self; alternative personality; intimate friend (He is my alter ego – we go everywhere together) amende honorable (F) : a public or open apology, reparation amour proper (F) : self-love; self-esteem ancienregime (F) : the former order of things, a political or social system that has been displaced by a more modern one. a posteriori (L) : empirical, from effect to cause a priori (L) : from cause to effect (presumptive) Every science cannot be taught a priori. apropos (L) : with reference to (apropos our talk) au courant (L) : fully acquainted with matters, well-informed, up-to- date au fait (F) : expert, having detailed knowledge au revoir (F) : until we meet again (to say au revoir at parting) avant-propos (F) : preliminary matter, preface avant-garde (F) : new, unusual or experimental |
Bbeau ideal (F) : the ideal of perfection beau monde (F) : the world of fashion beaux sprits (F) : men of wit bete noire (F) : a special aversion (India has always been bete noire for Pakistan) bona fide (L) : genuine sincere (He is a bona fide citizen of India). bizarre (F) : strange, unknown bon voyage (F) : have a good journey |
Ccasus belli (L) : that which causes or justifies war causecelebre (F) : a famous case in law, controversial well-publicised issue charged’affaires (F) : a deputy to the Ambassador/a diplomatic representative to a minor country chef d’ oeuvre (F) : masterpiece (Mona Lisa is Vinci’s chef d’ oeuvre.) circa (L) : approximately (‘circa 1930′) confere (F) : colleague contretemps (F) : a minor dispute or disagreement corrigenda (L) : a thing to be corrected (in a book) coupd’etat (F) : violent change in government (There was a coup d’etatin Cambodia and the Kingwas overthrown.) coup de grace (F) : a finishing stroke (The coup de grace of the Russian Revolution brought about the total annihiliation of the Czar family.) cul-de-sac(F) : a blind alley (The failure of the policy of non- alignment in 1962 saw our foreign policy reach a cul- de-sac.) |
Ddebacle (F) : an utter failure or disaster (debacle of opposition in the election) de facto (L) : actual or in fact (de facto recognition to a state) de jure (L) : from the law, by right de novo (L) : anew, again (trial of a case) de’ nouement (L) : the end of a plot or narrative (in a play) deprofundis (L) : a heartfelt appeal or feeling dernierressort (F) : last resort detente (F) : easing of strained relations especially between countries dramatis personae (L) : characters of a novel, play or narrative |
Eelite (L) : select group or class (The elite of town) enfant terrible (F) : child who asks awkward questions; person or thing causing embarrassment by unruliness entrepreneur (F) : a person who sets up business taking greater financial risk en masse (F) : all together (They took leave enmasse.) en rapport (F) : in harmony entourage (F) : group of people accompanying a dignitary (P.M.’s entourage) errata (L) : list of errors esprit de corps (F) : the animating spirit of a particular group like a regiment et cetera (L) : and the rest eureka (G) : I (have) found it ! ex-officio (L) : by virtue of his office/status/position expose (F) : a report in the media that reveals something discreditable ex post facto (L) : with retrospective action or force |
Ffait accompli (F) : a thing already done/accomplished fact faux pas (F) : a social blunder |
Ggauche (F) : unsophisticated/socially awkward |
Hhoi polloi (G) : the common people |
Iimpasse (F) : a deadlock (Talks reached an impasse.) in extenso (L) : in full in memoriam (L) : in memory of in toto (L) : entirely/as a whole (The Committee’s recommendations were accepted in toto.) ipso facto (L) : by that very fact or act laissez-faire (F) : a policy of non-interference |
Mmala fide (L) : in bad faith (opposite of bona fide) malapropos (F) : ill-timed/inappropriately modus operandi (L) : a way of doing something (of a gang, group, etc.) mutatis mutandis (L) : with the necessary changes (Rules will come into force mutatis mutandis.) |
Nnoblesse oblige (F) : privilege entails responsibility nota bene (L) : note well (Abbreviation-N.B.) |
Ppar excellence (F) : better than the others of the same kind paripassu (L) : side by side, equally or equivalently per se (L) : by itself piece de resistance (F) : the important feature of a creative work or meal, etc. poste restante (F) : a department in the post office that keeps letters for a period till called for post mortem (L) : examination/analysis made after death/or an event has occured prima facie (L) : at first view of consideration (It is prima facie a good case.) probonopublico (L) : for the good of the public pro forma (L) : denoting a standard document or form pro rata (L) : according to rate or proportion protege (F) : one under the protection/guidance of another older or experienced person (SouthVietnam was U.S.’s protege.) |
Qquid pro quo (L) : a favour or advantage given in return for something |
Rraison d’ etre (F) : the most important reason for a thing’s existence resume (F) : a summary or curriculum vitae |
Ssanctum sanctorum (L) : holy of holies (temple, church, etc.) seriatim (L) : point by point sine die (L) : without a day being appointed (The meeting was adjourned sine die.) status quo (L) : the existing condition (status quo on the border should be maintained) ste t(L) : let it stand, do not deter subjudice (L) : under judicial consideration and therefore prohibited from public discussion (The case is sub judice.) subrosa (L) : confidentially/done in secret sui generis (L) : in a class by itself summumbonum (L) : the chief good |
Tterra incognita (L) : an unknown territory tour de force (F) : a notable feat of strength or skill |
Uultra vires (L) : beyond one’s authority |
Vverbatim (L) : word for word vice versa (L) : conversely videlicet (L) : namely, more formal term for viz. vis-a-vis (F) : in relation to, as compared with, in a position facing one another viva voce (L) : an oral examination voxpopuli, vox Dei (L) : the voice of the people is the voice of God |
ZZeigeist (G) : the defining spirit of a particular period or age |
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