Latin Proverbs, Mottoes, Phrases, and Words: Group A

Toward this; for this [purpose].

Referring to this, for this thing, for this purpose, for a particular purpose or occasion, for the present matter or situation, temporary; as a committee might be, said of an argument or reason which applies only to a specific case.

An ad hoc committee is one whose existence is limited to the time it takes to dispose of the matter at hand; when the problem is solved, the committee goes out of existence.

1. Directed to the man; against the man.

Directed at a person's character, not to his logic or record; maliciously critical. In rhetoric, an ad hominem argument attacks the defenders of an opposing position personally rather than sticking to the point.

2. Appealing to personal prejudices or emotions rather than to reason; such as, an ad hominem debate or argument.
3. As part of a Christian ritual, standing behind the altar and facing the congregation (a reference to the celebrant).

To the point of horror.

The case is still before the court.

Members of the legal profession are enjoined from making any public statements or discussing about anything that is under adjudication (sub judice).

When people are under indictment and public officials accused of misconduct in office, they may invoke the statement for the purpose of avoiding public discussion of their court case.

To this place.

To the same [point or effect].

In agreement; at a meeting of the minds: "She said, the parties were ad idem."

From the day.

Dated from a certain day.

To ignorance.

The complete phrase is argumentum ad ignorantiam. Used in law, it is an argument in a trial that may be based on ad ignorantiam; that is, on one's opponent's ignorance of the facts in the case.

Also, a judicial decision may be appealed ad ignorantiam; that is, on the basis that the case was decided without knowledge of important information which was known but was unrevealed during the trial.

Without limit; indefinitely into the future; endlessly.

Jonathan Swift wrote: "So, naturalists observe, a flea hath smaller fleas that on him prey; and these have smaller still to bite ‘em; and so proceed ad infinitum."

The term is often used interchangeably with ad nauseam and the original Latin sense is "beyond limits".

At the beginning.

After the fashion of; like.

For the interval, temporarily, in the meantime.

Adjective.

Used in grammar when referring to a modifier (descriptive word/words) of a noun or a pronoun.

With the favor of God or with His help.