Latin Notes Trivia Quiz

Answer: Which was to be shown

The abbreviation Q.E.D. is most familiar for its use at the end of a mathematical proof, particularly in geometry. The proof starts by stating the premise, then adding statements, one at a time, accompanied by explanations of why this is true. The series of logically valid steps leads to the conclusion, which is the fact that was to be proved, and we triumphantly add Q.E.D.

Answer: Where are you going?

This phrase is not actually in everyday use, but will be familiar to many as the title of a 1951 movie adaptation of a book published in 1896 by Henryk Sienkiewicz, winner of the 1905 Nobel Prize in Literature. 'Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero' was originally written in Polish, but was quickly translated into multiple languages, and became an international best seller.

The film, starring Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr, was set during the time when Nero ruled the Roman Empire, and Christianity was emerging as a religion and a political force.

This was only one of numerous adaptations of the epic story.

Answer: By what authority?

If you use this phrase regularly, you are probably engaged in a legal practice. One example of its use would be in a case where someone (Party A) is claiming that property ostensibly belonging to another (Party B) should actually belong to Party A. The civil case would involve de jure writs from each party, establishing the basis for their claim of ownership.

Answer: As much as you want

The word quantum has become used to describe a discrete amount of something, as in quantum mechanics. It can more generally just mean any amount, and the Latin 'vis' means you wish. Medical prescriptions may include Q.V. as an instruction regarding how often the medicine is to be taken - it's as much as you want! If the prescriber prefers to write out full words, they may also write 'ad lib.', meaning at liberty, or freely.

Answer: Something for something

This is a literal translation from the Latin, meaning that there is an exchange of benefits in a transaction. This is a legal requirement for the formation of a contract - if only one person has anything to gain from the interaction, there is no legal contractual obligation. If I make a gift, and the object is faulty, I have no legal duty to fix or replace the gift.

But if you pay me for it, or if we have agreed to exchange items in a barter arrangement, then there is a contract.

Answer: Fair recompense

The literal translation would be as much as it merits (or is worth). This is another legal phrase, used when there is no legally enforceable contract. Someone who performs a service will be entitled to fair payment, which would be described as being quantum meruit payment. Should the parties disagree about the value of the work, a civil case may result in a third party making that judgment.

Answer: At the same place

In academic writing, the writer is expected to cite the source of any information they have obtained from other writers. This is done using footnotes (or endnotes). The first time a source is referenced, full details are provided. If the next reference is to the same work, the shorthand entry Ibid. is used, instructing the reader to refer to the previous note for full information. If there are other notes intervening, the shortened form involves giving the author's name and the abbreviation Op. Cit. ('Opus citatum'), meaning the work cited.

Answer: Refer to

More literally, the translation of 'quod vide' would be 'which see'. You are most likely to see it in scholarly writing, to refer back to a concept that has already been thoroughly explored in an earlier part of the work. Rather than repeating the information, the reader is told where to look for it.

Answer: Former

The term quondam is generally used with a sense of criticism about the change - a quondam hippy who is now a white-collar worker, for example. Or my quondam friend is criticising me in social media. The Latin word started being used in English during the 16th century, and has rather fallen out of use - but can be a fun alternative for the more mundane former.

Answer: The answer

Let's get technical here - 'quaesitus' is the perfect passive participle of the verb 'quaero', meaning seek or look. 'Quaesitus' therefore means that which has been sought, or more simply the answer. You may reach it following a quest or inquiry, both words that are etymologically related.