A Dictionary of Latin Words and Phrases

This book is immediately accessible with alphabetical listings of its quotes, usually accompanied by a brief description of the origins of the phrase and current usage/appearance in everyday English. A general index of quotes by topics - eg Love, Time, Rage and even a section on famous mottoes enhances the usefulness of this book. If you are ever stuck for a word or phrase to express how you are feeling, pick up this book - you may be surprised how often the English translation is as succinct as its Latin counterpart.

There is also a preface on Latin pronunciation and a concise section on the Latin writers to further enhance the reader’s understanding of the culture and sub-text of the time.

In summary this book will be appeal to anyone who has an interest in Rome, the culture of the time, the Latin language or even the evolution of our own language. It is accessible to anyone regardless of whether your previous Latin experience has been reading Asterix the Gaul or Caeser’s De Bello Gallico; and equally as rewarding to both readers.


Very Good- Helped a lot!!!   August 31, 2002
13 out of 16 found this review helpful

This book has saved my life. I didn't understand many words that my fellows used, and with this dictionary, i can surprise them with more phrases and words in latin. I also recommend Learn Latin by Peter Jones


A great book but not quite a dictionary of words.   April 6, 2008
Guy Dalziel (England)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

For me a dictionary of words would list every word alphabetically with the meaning of the word. This however is a dictionary of phrases from which you can deduce what each word means, such as lupus in fabula (the wolf in the story) and lupus pilum mutat, non mentem (the wolf changes his coat, not his character), in this case lupus clearly means wolf.

This is still a good book and will certainly help greatly, it has a pronunciation guide but no grammar guide and it's hard to see how far into the language this book will take me.

If you want a book that lists all the commonly used Latin phrases then this is for you, if you want to learn Latin then this book should be supplemented which another that actually teaches you the language and proper grammar.


Really useful   March 9, 2007
Mrs. A. Evans (Middlesex, England)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Can explain familiar and less encountered latin phrases. You can link them with English and is also helpful if you're learning Italian or French. Knowledge of etymology is so useful when you're trying to deconstruct grammar of an unfamiliar language.