Some outcomes depend on a requirement so fundamental that, without it, the outcome cannot occur. This is the idea expressed by conditio sine qua non, a Latin…
Compos mentis is a Latin expression meaning “of sound mind” or “in possession of one’s faculties”. In modern English, it is associated with mental competence:…
Latin expressions often acquire new meanings when they move between classical texts, modern scholarship and everyday language. Cogitationes ad Verbum is a…
The Latin expression circulus vitiosus means a “vicious circle” or “flawed circle”. It describes a pattern in which a problem sustains itself, an explanation…
Ceteris paribus is a Latin expression meaning “all other things being equal”. In economics and science, it signals a deliberate simplification: one factor is…
Caveat emptor is a Latin phrase meaning “let the buyer beware”. It expresses the idea that a purchaser should examine goods, assess risks and understand the…
Few Latin expressions are as immediately understandable as cave canem. Usually translated as “beware of the dog”, the phrase combines a short command with a…
In international relations, a casus belli is an act, event or condition used to justify war. The Latin expression translates literally as “case for war”,…
“Carpe diem” is among the most recognisable Latin phrases in the English-speaking world. Usually translated as “seize the day”, it encourages people to value…
Trust is an essential part of commerce, yet it can be difficult to define in a contract, negotiation or professional relationship. The Latin expression bona…