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.
adopt
adoption
adoral
1. Situated toward or near the mouth.
2. Directed toward the mouth.
adore
1. To love someone intensely.
2. To like something or someone very much.
3. To regard with deep, often rapturous love.
4. To worship God, a god, or a spirit.
5. Etymology: from Old French aourer, "to adore, to worship"; from Latin adorare, "to speak to, to entreat, to beseech, to ask in prayer, to worship"; from ad-, "to" and orare, "to speak, to pray".
adorn
ad partes dolentes; ad part. dolent
To the painful parts.
ad patres
To the [fore]fathers; to the dead.
To the ancestors or to the dead. To go ad patres is to die; to send someone ad patres is to kill that person.
ad perpetuam rei memoriam
For the perpetual remembrance of the thing.
These words are traditionally used to open papal bulls.
ad populum
To the people.
Ad populum is intended for the ears of all the people, not just a limited or special few.
Ad praesens ova cras pullis sunt meliora.
Eggs today are better than chickens tomorrow.
Like the English proverb: "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." It is considered more important to hold on to what one has than to risk everything in speculation.
ad quem
For which; to whom.
Opposite of a quo (from which).
ad quod damnum
To what damage.
A legal phrase used for assessing damages relating to privately owned land that is taken for public use. The name of a writ formerly issuing from the English chancery, commanding the sheriff to make an inquiry "to what damage" a specified act, if done, will tend.
This writ is of ancient origin, and could be issued as a writ of right when a landowner was dissatisfied with the assessment of damages as a result of a condemnation commission.
ad referendum
For further consideration.
A legal phrase used for assessing damages relating to privately owned land that is taken for public use. The name of a writ formerly issuing from the English chancery, commanding the sheriff to make an inquiry "to what damage" a specified act, if done, will tend.
This writ is of ancient origin, and could be issued as a writ of right when a landowner was dissatisfied with the assessment of damages as a result of a condemnation commission.
ad rem
To the thing.
Translated as, "to the matter at hand; to the point; relevant" can be presented in various ways. This phrase contrasts with ad hominem in that debaters who argue ad rem address the matter at hand to score points in the debate; debaters who argue ad hominem personally attack their opponents to score points.
adrenal
1. Near or upon the kidney; denoting the suprarenal (adrenal) gland.
2. A suprarenal gland or separate tissue or product thereof.
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