ad-
(Latin: to, a direction toward, addition to, near; at; used as a prefix)
The Latin element ad carries the idea of "in the direction of" and combines with many Latin words and roots to make common English words.
Notice that the d of ad usually changes into the same letter as the first letter of the following root or word when it is a consonant: ad-fix becomes affix, and ad-sign becomes assign; therefore, making a double consonant.
Another example includes: attract is ad-tract (drawn towards); so it has a double t. On the other hand adapt is simply ad-apt, with one d. For the same reason, there is only one d in adore and adumbrate, because ad- has combined with orare and umbra.
Since these Latin words begin with vowels and not consonants, the d of ad does not double; even with other letter formats as shown previously.
adjective
adjoin
adjourn
adjudge
adjudicate
1. In law, to hear and decide (a case), to reach a judicial decision about something; adjudge.
2. Someone who serves as a judge and to make an official decision about a problem or dispute.
adjunct
Ad Kalendas Graecas or Ad Calendas Graecas
[It shall be done] on the Greek Calends, i.e. never!
In the Roman calendar, the Calends meant the first day of the month. Since the Greeks did not have this term, the expression was used by the Romans to designate an event that would never occur.
Discussed in Suetonius' Lives of the Caesars: Augustus, chapter 87, section 1; in which Ad Calendas Graecas was explained to mean that the next day after never. Since the Greeks used no Kalends in their reckoning of time, the phrase was used about anything that could never take place.
Another Latin proverb with the same meaning: Paulo post futurum or "A little after the future."
An old English proverb that is similar says, "When two Sundays meet (come together)."
There is a French equivalent: L'arrest fera donné es prochaines Calendes Grecques. C'est ŕ dire: iamais. (from Rabelais, Gargantua) "The judgment shall be given out at the next Greek Calends, that is, never."
ad libitum; ad lib.
At pleasure; according to one's pleasure; freely, unscripted, improvised; extemporaneously.
This is usually shortened to ad lib. [with or without a period]. Ad lib is used both as a verb and as a noun.
When used in the entertainment world, to ad lib means to improvise, to add an impromptu word or statement to a script. As a noun, an ad lib is an "off-the-cuff", or unprepared, remark.
It is said that there are some politicians who have "carefully planned ad libs".
ad limina apostolorum
To the thresholds of the Apostles; to the highest authority.
This applies to matters appropriate for papal consideration and disposition before the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul. It is often abbreviated ad limina and is used in non-church situations to mean that a dispute must be settled by a higher authority.
ad litem
For the suit or action.
Used in law as a decision that is taken as valid only for the action being adjudicated and is a reference, for instance, of a guardian appointed to represent someone incapable of acting for himself/herself during the court case.
ad literam or ad litteram
To the letter; precisely.
ad locum; ad loc.
At the place or to the place.
At some place which is indicated.
ad majorem dei gloriam; A.M.D.G.
To [or for] the greater glory of God.
Motto used by the Jesuit order (Society of Jesuits).
Sometimes the full expression is cited as the rationale for actions taken by Christians.
ad manum
At hand.
admaxillary
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