Grammar
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This document contains definitions for 11 foreign words and phrases that are commonly used in English. It was written by Dr. P. Saravanakumar of Vivekananda College in Madurai, India. The definitions provided are not literal translations from the original languages. Instead, they explain the meanings of these foreign terms as they are understood in English usage. Examples are given to illustrate the meaning and context for each word or phrase.
Grammar
- 1. ENGLISH FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS FOREIGN WORDS AND PHRASES IN ENGLISH Dr. P. SARAVANAKUMAR Assistant Professor of English Vivekananda College Tiruvedakam West Madurai 625 234.
- 2. FOREIGN WORDS AND PHRASES IN ENGLISH The English meanings given below are not necessarily literal translations. Foreign words and phrases should be set in italics if their meanings are likely to be unknown to the reader. Whether the expression is familiar or unfamiliar, however, is a matter of judgment. Below, all foreign words have been italicized for the sake of emphasis.
- 3. 1. ad absurdum : to the point of absurdity. "He tediously repeated his argument ad absurdum.“ 2. ad infinitum : to infinity. "The lecture seemed to drone on ad infinitum." 3. ad nauseam : to a sickening degree. "The politician uttered one platitude after another ad nauseam.“
- 4. 4. annus mirabilis : wonderful year. "Last year was the annus mirabilis for my company." 5. a priori : based on theory rather than observation. "The fact that their house is in such disrepair suggests a priori that they are having financial difficulties. 6. au courant : up-to-date. "The shoes, the hair, the clothes—every last detail of her dress, in fact—was utterly au courant.
- 5. 7. veni, vidi, vici : I came, I saw, I conquered. "After the takeover the business mogul gloated, Veni, vidi, vici. 8. Verboten : forbidden, as by law; prohibited. "That topic, I am afraid, is verboten in this household. 9. Vox populi : the voice of the people. "My sentiments echo those of the vox populi."
- 6. 10. Weltschmerz : sorrow over the evils of the world. "His poetry expressed a certain Weltschmerz, or world-weariness. 11. Zeitgeist : the spirit of the time; general trend of thought or feeling characteristic of a particular period of time. "She blamed it on the Zeitgeist, which encouraged hedonistic excess."
- 7. Thank You