A Dictionary of Latin Words and Phrases

by James Morwood

This authoritative and highly browsable guide provides an enlightening account of the meaning and history of Latin words and phrases that have entered the English language. Readers will find over 1000 phrases, sayings, mottoes, and proverbs, translated with examples of usage and fascinating citations and explanations of their first occurrence. A detailed A-Z appendix lists all Latin authors from Augustine to Virgil, together with details of their life and work. A thematic index offers immediate access to the maxims and phrases relating to such topics as death, betrayal, gossip, love, and money.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Language

240 pages, Hardcover

First published June 25, 1998

About the author

James Henry Weldon Morwood was an English classicist and author. He taught at Harrow School, where he was Head of Classics, and at Oxford University, where he was a Fellow of Wadham College, and also Dean. He wrote almost thirty books, ranging from biography to translations and academic studies of Classical literature.
His best-known work is The Oxford Latin Course (1987–92, with Maurice Balme, new ed, 2012), whose popularity in the USA led to the publication of a specifically American edition in 1996. Morwood is credited with helping to ensure the survival - even flourishing - of Classical education into the twenty-first century, both in the UK and the USA.

Reviews

[James Henderson]

A Dictionary of Latin Words and Phrases is a reference useful for both reading and writing. It contains both a thematic index and an index of proverbs -- that and additional notes by the author enhance the value of this dictionary. I keep it by my desk for handy access.

[max]

Latin phrase books generally fall into two categories: those that offer an English translation of the phrase, motto, maxim, proverb or saying (and nothing else), and those that translate the phrase and provide additional information on the historical origin of the phrase. This book falls into the latter category. While some phrases are simply translated, the author gives much interesting and useful information concerning others.

Also included:
(1) index of principal Latin authors, their dates and works;

(2) general index of topic areas (e.g., ambition, animals, art, beauty, beginnings) which is helpful in searching for a quotation connected with some sphere of human activity;

(3) index on Christianity and the church (agnus dei, corpus Christi, nunc dimittis, urbi et orbi);

(3) index on the law (habeas corpus, lex talionis, ex post facto);

(4) index of proverbs (famous English proverbs and their Latin equivalents).

All in all, an excellent reference work, one that I consult frequently in my Latin classes.

[Karen]

I need one for my library!

[Carol Hebden]

Useful reference

[Rachel]

An interesting selection of words and phrases for a slim book.

[Grace Tierney]

Another dictionary/phrase book for my language/etymology reference shelf. The subject index is very handy, as are the notes on key Latin authors.

[Adam Balshan]

3 stars [Phrasebook]
(U: 3.62, L: 3.07, M: 2.77)
Exact rating: 3.15

[Ronna]

This was not the book I was looking for, it is a small compilation of Latin Phrases NOT a dictionary! I was looking more for a comprehensive dictionary.