Latin Abbreviations
Over 700 Latin abbreviations with Latin-English translations to explore. Abbreviation in writing is the practice of shortening a word or phrase. Abbreviations began to proliferate in the 19th century, to their almost invasive usage today.Vox populi (Vox pop.) - The voice of the people
Ad libitum (ad lib.) - At one's pleasure.
Ad locum (ad loc.) - At the place, at a specific location.
Ad valorem (Ad val.) - According to the value.
Aetatis (ae., aet., aetat.) - Of age, aged, at the age of. (As on portraits)
Alma Urbs (AU) - Beloved City. (i.e., Rome)
Anima Quiescat In Christo (AQIC) - May his (or her) Soul Repose in Christ.
Anno (an.) - Year.
Anno Domini (AD) - In the year of the Lord.
Anno Hegirae (AH) - In the year of the Hegira. (Islamic calendar)
Anno Martis (AM) - In the year of Mars. (Darian calendar)
Anno Mundi (AM) - In the year of the world. (Jewish calendar)
Anno Regni (AR) - In the year of the reign.
Anno Reparatae Salutis (ARS) - In the year of Our Redemption.
Anno urbis conditae (AUC) - From the year of founding of the city. (Rome)
Ante Christum (AC) - Before Christ.
Ante Christum Natum (ACN) - Before the birth of Christ.
Ante meridiem (AM) - Before midday.
Ante mortem (AM) - Before death.
Artium Baccalaureus (AB) - Bachelor of Arts.
Artium Magister (MA) - Master of Arts.
Auditor Camerae (AC) - Auditor of the Papal Treasury.
Baccalaureus Artium (BA) - Bachelor of Arts.
Baccalaureus Civilis (or Canonicae) Legis (BCL) - Bachelor of Civil (or Canon) Law.
Baccalaureus Divinitatis (BD) - Bachelor of Divinity.
Baccalaureus Legum (BL) - Bachelor of Law.
Baccalaureus Lit(t)erarum (B.Lit.) - Bachelor of Literature or Letters.
Baccalaureus Medicinae (BM) - Bachelor of Medicine.
Baccalaureus Musicae (B.Mus.) - Bachelor of Music.
Baccalaureus Philosophiae (B.Phil.) - Bachelor of Philosophy.
Baccalaureus Scientiae (BS., B.Sc.) - Bachelor of Science.
Baccalaureus Theologiae (BT) - Bachelor of Theology.
Baccalaureus Utriusque Juris (BUJ) - Bachelor of Both Laws. (i.e., Civil and Canon)
Beata Virgo (BV) - Blessed Virgin.
Beata Virgo Maria (BVM) - Blessed Virgin Mary.
Beatae Mariae Virginis Honore (BVMH) - To the honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Beatissime Pater (BP) - Most Holy Father.
Beatitudo Vestra (BV) - Your Holiness.
Bene Merenti (B., BMT) - To the Well-Deserving. (Success to those who deserve it)
Bene Quiescat (BQ) - May he or she Rest Well.
Bibas (for Vivas) In Christo (BIC) - May you Live In Christ.
Bona Fide (BF) - In good faith, genuine, legitimate.
Bonae Feminae (BF) - To the Good Woman.
Bonae Memoriae (Bon. Mem. BM) - Of Happy Memory.
Causa Mortis (CM) - Cause of death, an anticipation of death.
Circa (ca., cir., circ.) - About, approximately.
Clarissima Femina (CF) - Most Illustrious Woman.
Clarissima Puella (CP) - Most Illustrious Maiden.
Clarissimi Viri (CC. VV) - Illustrious Men.
Clarissimus Vir (Cl. V) - Most Illustrious Man.
Confoederatio Helvetica (CH) - Helvetian Confederation. (The official name of Switzerland)
Conjugi (COI) - To my Husband or Wife.
Conjugi Optimo (CO) - To my Excellent Husband.
Consules (CC., COSS) - Consuls.
Cras vespere (CV) - Tomorrow evening.
Cum (C) - With.
Cum Omnibus Bonis Quiescat (COBQ) - May he or she Repose With All Good souls.
Curatus (CC) - Curate. (Used chiefly in Ireland)
Curriculum vitae (CV) - The course of one's life; an academic resume.
Decanus Ruralis (DR) - Rural Dean.
Decessit sine prole (DSP) - Died without issue/children.
Dedit, Dedicavit (DD) - Gave, Dedicated.
Dei Gratia (DG) - By the grace of God.
Deo gratias (DG) - (We give) thanks to God.
Deo volente (DV) - God (being) willing. (Virgil)
Depositus (D., DEP) - Laid to rest.
Diis Manibus (DM) - To the Manes (of).
Diis Manibus Sacrum (DMS) - Sacred to the Manes (of).
Divinitatis Doctor (DD) - Doctor of Divinity.
Doctor Civilis (or Canonicae) Legis (DCL) - Doctor of Civil (or Canon) Law.
Doctor Divinitatis (DD) - Doctor of Divinity. (i.e., Theology)
Doctor Litterarum (D.Lit.) - Doctor of Literature.
Doctores (DD) - Doctors.
Domino Nostro (DN) - To Our Lord.
Dominus (D, DN, DNS, DNUS) - Lord.
Dominus Noster (DN) - Our Lord.
Dominus Noster Jesus Christus (DNJC) - Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Donum dedit; Dedicavit (DD) - Gave, Dedicated.
Dormit In Pace (DIP) - Sleeps in Peace.
Elizabeth Regina/Eduardus Rex (ER) - Queen Elizabeth/King Edward.
Et alia; et alii (et al.) - And other things; and other people.
Et cetera/etcetera (etc.) - And the rest; and so forth.
Ex Testamento (EX. TM) - In accordance with the Testament of.
Ex Voto (EV) - From the vow; In fulfilment of a vow.
Exempli Gratia (EG) - For (the sake of an) example.
Fecit (fec.) - Made by.
Fieri Curavit (FC) - Caused to be made.
Fieri Fecit (FF) - Caused to be made.
Filii (FF) - Sons.
Filius (F) - A son, Son of.
Foliis (ff.) - On the (following) pages.
Fratres (FF) - Brothers.
Haeres (H) - Heir.
Hic iacet sepultus (HJS) - Here lies buried.
Hic jacet (HJ) - Here lies. (Written on gravestones or tombs)
Hic requiescit in pace (HRIP) - Here rests in peace.
Hic Situs (HS) - Laid Here.
Hoc Loco Situs (HLS) - Laid (or Put) in This Place.
Hoc Monumentum Fieri Fecit (HMFF) - Caused This Monument to be Made.
Honoris causa (HC) - For the sake of honor. (As in doctorate, an honorary degree)
Ibidem (Ib., ibid.) - In the same place. (Usually in bibliographic citations)
Id est (ie.) - That is.
Idem (Id.) - The same.
Idem quod (IQ) - The same as.
Idibus (ID) - On the Ides.
Iesus Hominum Salvator (IHS) - Jesus Saviour of Men.
Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum (INRI) - Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. (INRI was written on the cross)
Ignis natura renovatur integra (INRI) - Through fire nature is reborn whole.
Ignotus (ign.) - Unknown.
Imperator (Imp.) - Emperor.
Imperatrix (Imp.) - Empress.
In Bono (INB) - In Good (odour).
In pace (INP) - In peace.
In partibus infidelium (IPI) - In parts inhabited by unbelievers. (Infidels)
Jesus (IC) - First and third letters of His name in Greek.
Jesus Christus (JC) - Jesus Christ.
Jesus, Maria, Joseph (JMJ) - Jesus, Mary, Joseph.
Juris Canonici Doctor, Juris Civilis Doctor (JCD) - Doctor of Canon Law, Doctor of Civil Law.
Juris Doctor (JD) - Doctor of Law.
Juris Utriusque Doctor (JUD) - Doctor of Both Laws. (Civil and Canon)
Juris Utriusque Licentiatus (JUL) - Licentiate of Both Laws.
Jus Liberorum Habens (ILH) - Possessing the Right of Children. (i.e., Eligibility to public office under age)
Lectori Salutem (LS) - Greetings to the reader.
Legis Civilis Docto (LCD) - Doctor of Civil Law.
Libra (lb.) - Pound, in weight or money.
Libra solidus denarius (LSD) - Pounds, shillings, pence.
Litterarum Humaniorum Doctor (LHD) - Doctor of Literature.
Loco citato (L.c., loc. cit.) - In the place cited.
Loco Sigilli (LS) - Place of the Seal.
Locus Monumenti (LM) - Place of the Monument.
Locus Sepulchri (LS) - Place of the Sepulchre.
Locus sigilli (LS) - The place of the seal.
Magister Artium (MA) - Master of arts.
Manu propria (MP) - With (one's) own hand. (Signed by one's hand)
Medicinae Doctor (MD) - Doctor of Medicine.
Meridies (M.) - Midday.
Missionarius Apostolicus (Miss. Apost., MA) - Missionary Apostolic.
Missionarius Rector (MR) - Missionary Rector.
Modus operandi (MO) - Method of operating; Method of work.
Monumentum Posuit (MP) - Erected a Monument.
Mutatur terminatio versiculi (MTV) - The termination of the little verse is changed.
Nativitas Domini Nostri Jesu Christi (Nativ. DNJC) - Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Nisi Prisus (NP) - No protest.
Nomen nescio (NN) - Name unknown. (I do not know the name, implying an unknown person)
Non fui, fui, non sum, non curo (NFFNSNC) - I was not, I was, I am not, I don't care. (Found on tombstones)
Non Repetatur (NR) - Do not repeat.
Nostra Domina, Notre Dame (ND) - Our Lady.
Nota Bene (NB) - Note well, observe carefully.
Notre Seigneur, Nostro Signore (NS) - Our Lord.
Novum Testamentum (NT) - New Testament.
Numero (No.) - By number.
Obiit (ob.) - He or she died.
Obiter (ob.) - In passing.
Opere citato (op. cit.) - In the work (cited) just quoted.
Parochus (PP) - Parish Priest. (Used mostly in Ireland)
Pax Tibi Cum Sanctis (PTCS) - Peace to Thee With the Saints.
Per annum (PA., Per an.) - Yearly. By the year.
Per centum (Per cent.) - Per hundred.
Per diem (PD) - Per day, daily allowance.
Per procurationem (per pro.) - By delegation to.
Permanens Rector (PR) - Permanent Rector.
Philosophiae Doctor (Ph. D.) - Doctor of Philosophy.
Piae Memoriae (PM) - Of Pious Memory.
Plus Minus (PM) - More (or) Less.
Poni Curavit (PC) - Caused to be Placed.
Poni Jussit (PI) - Ordered to be Placed.
Post Consulatum (PC., P. CONS) - After the Consulate.
Post meridiem (p.m.) - After midday.
Post meridiem (PM) - After midday.
Post mortem (PM) - After death. (Nowadays, the autopsy is performed by a coroner)
Post scriptum (PS) - Written later; A postscript.
Pro tempore (pro tem.) - For the time being. (Temporarily)
Propria manu (PM) - By one's own hand.
Propria Pecunia Posuit (PPP) - Erected at his own expense.
Proximo mense (Prox.) - Next month.
Quae vide (qq.v.) - Which things see.
Quam volueris (QV) - As much as wanted.
Quasi (Q.) - As it were, almost.
Qui Vixit (QV) - Who Lived.
Quiescat In Pace (QIP) - May he or she Rest in Peace.
Quod erat faciendum (QEF) - Which was to be done.
Quod vide (QV) - See this thing.
Qvod erat demonstrandum (QED) - (That) which has been demonstrated. (A statement of logical proof, especially in mathematics and law)
Qvod vive (QV) - Which see - a scholarly cross-reference.
Recipe (Rx.) - Take.
Regina, rex (R.) - Queen, King.
Requiescat In Pace (RIP) - May he or she rest in peace.
Reverendus Pater, Reverend Pere (RP) - Reverend Father.
Sacra Congregatio (SC) - Sacred Congregation.
Sacra Congregatio Concilii (SCC) - Sacred Congregation of the Council. (i.e., of Trent)
Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide (SCPF) - Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith.
Sacra Congregatio Indicis (SCI) - Sacred Congregation of the Index.
Sacra Rituum Congregatio (SRC) - Sacred Congregation of Rites.
Sacra Virgo (SV) - Holy Virgin.
Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus (STB) - Bachelor of Sacred Theology.
Sacrae Theologiae Licentiatus (STL) - Licentiate of Sacred Theology.
Sacred Theologiae Doctor (STD) - Doctor of Sacred Theology.
Sacrum Palatium Apostolicum (SPA) - Sacred Apostolic Palace, Vatican, Quirinal.
Salvo errore et omissione (SEEO) - Except for errors and omissions. (Appears on statements of 'account currents')
Salvo honoris titulo (SHT) - Excluding the title. (Used in writings to unfamiliar persons, as an excuse for not using the correct title)
Sanctissime Pater (SP) - Most Holy Father.
Sanctitas Vestra (SV) - Your Holiness.
Scilicet (sc.) - That is to say.
Secundum artem (SA) - According to art. (With pharmaceutical skill)
Semel In Die (SID) - Once a day.
Senatus Consultum (SC) - Decree of the Senate.
Senatus Consultum Ultimum (SCU) - Final decree of the Senate. (Martial law)
Senatus Populusque Romanus (SPQR) - The Senate and the Roman People. (The Aristocrats and the Commoners)
Sepultus (SP) - Buried.
Sequens (seq.) - The following (one)
Sequentia (seq., seqq.) - Following.
Servus Dei (SD) - Servant of God.
Si opus sit (SOS) - If there is need. if occasion require. if necessary.
Si vales valeo (SVV) - If you are well, I am well. (A common beginning for ancient Roman letters)
Sine anno (SA) - Without year. (Used in bibliographies to indicate that the date of publication of a document is unknown)
Sine data (SD) - Undated book.
Sine Die (SD) - Without a (set) day.
Sine loco (SL) - Without indication of place of printing.
Sine loco nec data (SLND) - Without indication of place or without date of printing.
Sine nomine (SN) - Without name. (Used in bibliographies to indicate that the publisher of a document is unknown)
Sine prole (SP) - Without issue.
Sit tibi terra levis (STTL) - May the earth rest lightly on you. (Gravestone inscription)
Spiritus In Deo (SID) - Spirit (rests) in God.
Sub Verbo (SV) - Under the word.
Sub voce (SV) - Under the voice.
Subscripta (SSA) - Subscribed.
Summus Pontifex (SP) - Supreme Pontiff, Pope.
Talis (Tal.) - Of such.
Ultimo (ult.) - Of the previous month.
Ultimo mense (ult.) - Last month.
Ut Dictum (ut dict., UD) - As directed.
Ut supra (ut sup.) - As above.
Varia lecto (VL) - Variant reading.
Versus (Vs.) - Against.
Vi coactus (VC) - On constrains. (Used when forced to sign - or else)
Vicarius Generali (VG) - Vicar-General.
Victoria Imperatrix Regina (VIR) - Victoria, Empress and Queen.
Victoria Regina (VR) - Queen Victoria.
Victoria Regina et Imperatrix (VRI) - Victoria, Queen and Empress.
Vide Super (VS) - See above.
Vir Bonus (VB) - A Good Man.
Vir Clarissimus (VC) - A Most Illustrious Man.
Vir Honestus (VH) - A Worthy Man.
Vir Magnificus (VM) - Great Man.
Vox populi (Vox pop.) - The voice of the people.