English
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Foreign Words used in English

FOREIGN WORDS LANGUAGE & MEANING
Ab initio Latin. From the beginning
Ad hoc Latin. For the specific purpose, case or situation at hand
Ad libitum Latin. At the discretion of the performer
Affaire d’amour French. A love affair
Aide de camp French. A military officer acting as secretary and confidential assistant to the superior of general or flag rank
Alma mater Latin. The school, college or a university that one has attended
Anno Domini Latin. In a specified year of the Christian era
Ante meridiem Latin. Before Noon
Au revoir French. Used to express farewell
Billet-doux French. A love letter
Bona fide Latin. Made or carried out in good faith; sincere
Boulevard French. A broad city street. Often tree-lined and landscaped
Bourgeoisie French. The middle class
Coup d’etat French. The sudden overthrow of a government, usually by a small group of persons in or previously in positions of authority
Cuisine French. A characteristic manner or style of preparing food
De facto Latin. In reality or fact
De jure Latin. According to law
Exempli gratia Latin. For example
En masse French. In one group or body; altogether
En route French. On or along the way
Erratum Latin. An error in printing or writing especially such an error noted in a list of corrections and bound into a book
Et cetera Latin. And other unspecified things of the same class; and so forth
Ex officio Latin. By virtue of office or position
Extempore Latin. Spoken, carried out or composed with little or no preparation or forethought
Fait accompli French. An accomplished, presumably irreversible deed or fact
Gourmet French. A connoisseur of fine food and drink
Gratis Latin. Without charge
Habeas corpus Latin. One of a variety of writs that may be issued to bring a party before a court or judge, having as its function the release of the party from unlawful restraint.
Ibidem Latin. In the same place. Used in footnotes and bibliographies to refer to the book, chapter, article, or page cited just before.
Id est Latin. That is to say.
Impasse French. 1) A road or passage having no exit; 2) A situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made; a deadlock or a stalemate.
In absentia Latin. While or although not present; in absence.
In memoriam Latin. In memory of; as a memorial to
In toto Latin. Totally; altogether
Laissez-faire French. 1) Noninterference in the affairs of others; 2) An economic doctrine that opposes governmental regulation of or interference in commerce beyond the minimum necessary for a free-enterprise system to operate according to its own economic laws.
Magnum opus Latin. A great work especially a literacy or artistic masterpiece.
Nom de plume French. Pen-name; assumed name used by a writer instead of original name.
Persona grata Latin. Fully acceptable or welcome especially to a foreign government
Post meridiem Latin. Afternoon; used chiefly in the abbreviated form to specify the hour
Post-mortem Latin. Of or relating to a medical examination of a dead body.
Prima facie Latin. At first sight; before closer inspection
Pro bono Latin. Done without compensation for the public good.
Pro rata Latin. In proportion, according to a factor that can be calculated exactly.
Pro tempore Latin. For the time being; temporarily
Quasi Latin. Having likeness to something; resembling
Répondez s’il vous plaît French. Please reply
Résumé French. A brief account of one’s professional or work experience and qualification
Sangfroid French. Coolness and composure, especially in trying circumstances
Status quo Latin. The existing condition or state of affairs
Sine die Latin. Without a day specified for a future meeting; indefinitely
Sine qua non Latin. An essential element or condition
Tete-a-tete French. Without the instrusion of a third person; in intimate privacy
Verbatim Latin. Using exactly the same words; corresponding word for word
Versus Latin. Against
Via Latin. By way of
Vide Latin. Used to direct a reader’s attention
Vice versa Latin. With the order or meaning reversed; conversely
Vis-a-vis  French  1) Face to face; with opposite to, 2) compared with, 3) in relation to
Viva voce Latin. By word of mouth
Vox populi Latin. Popular opinion or sentiment
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