Economist Style Guide - Redress Information & Analysis

l
Latin
Here are some common Latin words and phrases, together with their
translations.
ab initio from the beginning
ad hoc for this object or purpose (implied and “this one
only”); therefore, without a system, spontaneously
ad hominem to an individual’s interests or passions; used of an
argument that takes advantage of the character of
the person on the other side
ad infi nitum to infi nity, that is, endlessly
ad lib., ad libitum at pleasure. Used adverbially or even as a verb
when it means to invent or extemporise
ad nauseam to a sickening extent
ad valorem according to value (as opposed to volume)
a fortiori with stronger reason
annus mirabilis wonderful year, used to describe a special year,
one in which more than one memorable thing
has happened; for instance 1666, the year of the
Great Fire of London and the English defeats of the
Dutch
a priori from cause to effect, that is, deductively or from
prior principle
casus belli the cause of war
carpe diem literally pluck the day, but seize the day is more
common; enjoy the moment; make the most of life
cave! “Watch out!” (imperative); once used at boys’
private schools in Britain
caveat emptor let the buyer beware
ceteris paribus other things being equal
cf short for confer, meaning compare
circa around or about: used for dates and large
quantities; can be abbreviated to c or c.
de facto in point of fact
de jure from the law; by right
193