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

• https//writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/latin-terms-and-abbreviations/

• https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/abbreviationsS_Z.aspx