#Latin phrase

• From the absurd — A Latin phrase meaning 'from the absurd'. It is used in medical logic, bioethics, and forensic expert reports to prove a clinical truth or a cause of death by demonstrating that any alternative hypothesis would lead to an impossible or contradictory conclusion.
• From ancient times — An old graphical or medical variant for 'ab antiquo', meaning 'from ancient times' or 'since antiquity'. In a medical context, bioethics, and clinical deontology, it is used to refer to treatment principles, ethical rules (such as the Hippocratic Oath), or therapeutic practices that have been established and recognized as valid since ancient times.
• Since olden days — A medieval graphical or alternative variant for the phrase 'ab antiquo', meaning 'since antiquity'. In clinical medical language and bioethics, it refers to customs, ancestral deontological standards, or patient-care principles passed down through generations, whose moral authority is recognized due to their age.
• Since antiquity — The classical and correct Latin form for 'from ancient times' or 'since antiquity'. In toxicology, pharmacognosy, and medical ethics, it is used to emphasize that certain therapeutic effects, prohibitions (e.g., using poisons for political or medical purposes), or professional oaths have been in force and respected since the earliest times of human civilization.
• At random / Incoherently — A Latin phrase literally translated as 'from this one and from that one' or 'about this and about that'. In clinical psychology, neurology, and psychiatry, it describes a chaotic, incoherent speech with no logical connection between ideas, typical of patients experiencing delirium episodes, dementia, acute mental confusion, or severe intoxication with psychoactive substances.
• From the beginning — A Latin phrase meaning 'from the beginning' or 'from first principles'. In biochemistry and computational pharmacology, it refers to calculations or simulations based strictly on the laws of quantum mechanics, without relying on preexisting empirical data (e.g., ab initio protein folding). In forensic medicine, it describes an act, toxic exposure, or pathological condition present from the very start.
• From the origin — A Latin phrase meaning 'from the origin' or 'from the very beginning'. In medical genetics and embryology, it is used to describe a chromosomal anomaly, congenital malformation, or metabolic disorder present in the organism's biological framework since the moment of conception (ab origine), as opposed to conditions acquired later in life.
• From the egg / From the very beginning — A Latin phrase derived from Horace's writings, meaning literally 'from the egg'. In embryology and developmental toxicology, it refers to analyzing a biological process, cellular mechanism, or the action of a teratogenic agent (malformation-inducing toxin) traced right from the egg-cell (zygote) stage or from the moment of fertilization to fully map fetal development disruptions.
• From start to finish — A Latin phrase from Horace's Satires, literally meaning 'from the egg to the apples' (referring to the traditional course of a Roman banquet). In academic, medical, and psychological contexts, it is used metaphorically to describe an exhaustive, comprehensive, and chronological analysis of a phenomenon, pathology, or individual development, covering the entire spectrum from the absolute origin to the final phase of manifestation.
• From one learn all — A Latin phrase from Virgil's Aeneid, literally meaning 'from one learn all'. In clinical and epidemiological contexts, it is used to describe a typical case or a representative sample within a population, suggesting that the detailed analysis of a single characteristic subject allows for the understanding of the general manifestations of an entire pathology or epidemic.
• From the founding of the city — A Latin phrase meaning literally 'from the founding of the city' (referring to the foundation of Rome in 753 BC). In academic contexts and the history of medical sciences, it is used metaphorically to date or describe an event, institution, or school of thought analyzed right from the official moment of its establishment or fundamental structuring.
• Adhuc sub iudice lis est — A legal and literary aphorism of Latin origin, extracted from Horace's 'Ars Poetica', literally translated as 'The lawsuit is still before the judge' or 'The dispute has not yet been resolved'. In a structural and conceptual sense, the phrase is used in contemporary legal and journalistic terminology to designate a case pending before a court, upon which a final judgment has not yet been rendered, forbidding public speculation.
• Aes triplex — A metaphorical expression originating from the writings of the Latin poet Horace (Odes, I, 3), literally meaning 'triple bronze' or 'triple brass'. In a figurative sense, the structural concept describes extreme courage, uncommon boldness, unshakable moral fortitude, or a heart protected by an impenetrable spiritual armor against imminent dangers or death. The term has been widely adopted in world literature and philosophical essays to illustrate strength of character.
• Aeternum vale — A metaphorical expression originating from the Latin language, literally meaning 'farewell forever' or 'adieu for eternity'. In a cultural and literary sense, this structural concept is utilized to express a final, definitive, and tragic salute, typically spoken in the face of death, at the grave of a loved one, or during moments of irreversible separation, being a classical formula frequently encountered in ancient elegies and funerary inscriptions.
• Do what you are doing — A Latin expression literally translated as 'Do what you are doing'; an ancient exhortation to maximum concentration, conscious presence, and dedication in executing any current task. The principle demands that an individual devote their entire attention and energy to the task of the present moment, without being distracted by intrusive thoughts, other projects, or external worries, considered an axiom of efficiency and mindfulness avant la lettre.
• The die has been cast — A famous Latin expression literally translated as 'the die has been cast', historically attributed by Suetonius to Julius Caesar at the moment of crossing the Rubicon river in 49 BC. This symbolic action marked the start of the civil war against the Roman Senate, and the maxim is universally used today to describe an irreversible decision, a major turning point from which there is no turning back.
• Alma mater — An allegorical expression from Latin, literally translated as 'nourishing mother', historically used by Romans to designate kind goddesses (Ceres, Cybele) and universally adopted in medieval and modern academic environments to refer to the university, college, or school that a person graduated from, which provided their intellectual and spiritual formation.
• Alter ego — Another personality or a second self of a person, representing a hidden, complementary, or idealized facet of someone's identity. In literature, it designates a character who speaks on behalf of the author or faithfully reflects their traits, while in daily life it indicates an extremely close and trusted friend, considered a perfect spiritual replica.
• Amantes, amentes — A famous Latin phrase originating from a comedy by the playwright Terence (Andria), literally translated as 'Lovers are madmen' or 'Those who love are out of their minds'. The expression highlights the paronymic wordplay between 'amantes' (lovers) and 'amentes' (madmen), used for centuries to describe the state of irrationality that accompanies intense romantic passion.
• Plato is my friend, but truth is a better friend — A philosophical aphorism of ancient origin, attributed in various forms to Plato and Aristotle, literally translated as 'Plato is my friend, but truth is a better friend'. The phrase defines the deontological and moral imperative of valuing objective truth above any personal friendship, attachment, academic authority, or loyalty to a mentor.