Latin terms and abbreviations
Some useful Latin terms and their abbreviations
Common Latin terms & abbreviations
c.
- circa
- = "approximately" or "around" (as in about the same)
- ex. "The island was populated c. 1500 bc."
- or "The system processed circa 10,000 data points"
e.g.
- exempli grati
- = "for the sake of an example" or "for example"
- ex. "Junk food, e.g., candy or ice cream, is yummie but bad for you"
- e.g. is usually set aside by parentheses
- ex. "Junk food (e.g., candy or ice cream) is yummie but bad for you"
etc.
- et cetera
- = "and others" or "and the rest"
- ex. "At the grocery store, I bought junk food like donuts, cookies, ice cream, etc."
i.e.
- id est
- = "that is" or "thereby"
- ex. "Junk food is yyummie but bad for you; i.e, I shouldn't eat it."
- i.e. is usually set aside by parentheses
sic
- = ""
- ex.
viz
- videlicet
- = Latin for "it is permitted to see"
- = "namely" or "specifically" (as in a clarification)
- used to add details, examples or a list
- ex. "Politicians are corrupt, viz. my representative, your representative and all of our representatives."
- viz is generally followed by a list specifying or detailing the prior statement
versus
- = ""
- ex.
Less common Latin terms & abbreviations
N.B.
- = ""
- ex.
sc
- contraction scilicet
- = "it is permitted to know", "it is certain", "you may be sure"
- = similar to "viz", but used to clarify as opposed to adding details or examples
- ex. "
- sc is uncommon
q.v.
- = ""
- ex.
s.v.
- = ""
- ex.
- = ""
- ex.
Latin terms & abbreviations used for citations
et al.
- = ""
- ex.
idib. & id.
- = ""
- ex.
passim
- = ""
- ex.
s.n.
- sine anno
- = "without a date", for unknown publication date
s.l.
- sine loco
- = "without a place", as in origin unknown
- usually used to reference an unknown place of publication
s.n.
- sine nomine
- = "without a name", for the publisher is unknown
Sources