List of Latin phrases

This page lists English translations of several Latin phrases and abbreviations, such as "i.e." and "et cetera". Some of these are themselves translations of Greek phrases.

T

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;Tabula rasa

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:"Scraped tablet" — i.e., "a blank slate". Romans used to write on wax-covered wooden tablets, which were erased by scraping with the flat end of the stylus. John Locke used the term to describe the human mind at birth before it had acquired any knowledge.

Related Topics:
Wax - Tablet - Stylus - John Locke - Human mind

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;Tabula gratulatoria

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:"List of congratulations."

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;Talis qualis

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:"As such"

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;Taliter qualiter

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:"Somewhat"

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;Tempora Heroica

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:"The Heroic Age."

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;Tempus fugit

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:"Time flies."

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;Ter in die (tid)

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:"Thrice a day" ()

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;Terminus ad quem

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:"Limit until which" — see Terminus ante quem. May also refer to the earliest possible starting date of a non-punctual event (period, era, etc.).

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;Terminus ante quem

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:"Limit before which" — in archaelogy or history refers to the date before which an artifact or feature must have been deposited.

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;Terminus a quo

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:"Limit from which" — see Terminus post quem. May also refer to the latest possible ending date of a non-punctual event (period, era, etc.).

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;Terminus post quem

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:"Limit after which" — in archaelogy or history refers to the date after which an artifact or feature must have been deposited.

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;Terra firma

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:"Solid ground."

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;Terra incognita

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:"Unknown land."

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;Terra nullius

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:"Empty land."

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;Tertium non datur

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:"No third is given" — logical axiom that a claim is either true or false, with no third option.

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;Timeo Danaos, et dona ferentes

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:"I fear the Greeks, even bearing gifts." — in Virgils Aeneid, II, 49, said by Laocoon with reference to the Trojan Horse. The complete qoute is quidquid id est, timeo Danaos, et dona ferentis ("Whatever it is, I fear...").

Related Topics:
Virgil - Aeneid - Laocoon - Trojan Horse

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;Translatio imperii

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:"Transfer of rule" — belief in the transfer of the Empire from the Roman Empire of antiquity to the medieval Holy Roman Empire.

Related Topics:
Roman Empire - Holy Roman Empire

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;Treuga Dei

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:"Truce of God" — a decree by the medieval Church that all feuds should be cancelled during the Sabbath (effectively from Wednesday or Thursday night until Monday).

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;Tu autem

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:"You, also" — see memento mori.

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;Tuebor

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:"I will protect." — One finds this phrase on the Great Seal on the flag of the state of Michigan.

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;Tu fui, ego eris

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:"I was you, you will be me" — i.e., "What you are, I was; what I am, you will be."; a gravestone inscription to remind the reader that death is unavoidable.

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;Tu quoque

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:"You too" - logical fallacy where one attempts to defend her position by pointing out the same weakness in her opponent. For example, if a politician was criticized of advocating a plan that is not adequately funded, and she replies that her opponent's plan also is not adequately funded. Pointing out the weakness in the opposing plan does not make her plan any more fundable.

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;Tu quoque fili

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:"You too, son" — attributed to Julius Caesar; see Et tu, Brute.

Related Topics:
Julius Caesar - Et tu, Brute

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