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…
Latin sayings often survive because they compress a large moral question into a few carefully chosen words. Bene tamen vivendum can be read as “nevertheless,…
“Aut Caesar aut nihil” translates as “either Caesar or nothing”. It is a compact Latin expression for extreme ambition: the speaker wants the highest possible…
Aurora borealis is the scientific name for the northern lights, a luminous display produced when energy from the Sun interacts with Earth’s upper atmosphere.…
Ars gratia artis is a compact Latin phrase meaning “art for art’s sake”. It expresses the belief that creative work has value because it is art, rather than…
The Latin phrase ante bellum means “before the war”. In historical writing, it identifies a period that came before a particular conflict, though its meaning…