CETP - Foreign Words in English (List of 50 Selected Words for Sem 2 - Section 4 IFS)

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 The English language has received many words from other languages. Now, we see that words from different languages are being added to the Oxford Dictionary and other such publications. 

But, we need to know that from the beginning, LATIN and FRENCH languages have given many words to Engish vocabulary. These words are completely different in their spelling and pronunciation from normal English words.

You know many of these words, but did not think that these are actually from other languages. 

Here is a list of 50 Words to be learnt as Foreign Words in English.


  1. Ad hoc Latin. For the specific purpose, case or situation at hand
  2. Alma mater Latin. The school, college or university that one has attended
  3. Anno Domini Latin. In a specified year of the Christian era
  4. Ante meridiem Latin. Before Noon
  5. Bona fide Latin. Made or carried out in good faith; sincere
  6. Boulevard French. A broad city street. Often tree-lined and landscaped
  7. Cuisine French. A characteristic manner or style of preparing food
  8. De facto Latin. In reality or fact
  9. En masse French. In one group or body; altogether
  10. En route French. On or along the way
  11. Ex officio Latin. By virtue of office or position
  12. Extempore Latin. Spoken, carried out or composed with little or no preparation or forethought
  13. Impasse French. 1) A road or passage having no exit; 2) A situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made; a deadlock or a stalemate.
  14. In absentia Latin. While or although not present; in absence.
  15. In memoriam Latin. In memory of; as a memorial to
  16. In toto Latin. Totally; altogether
  17. Laissez-faire French. 1) Noninterference in the affairs of others; 2) An economic doctrine that opposes governmental regulation of or interference in commerce beyond the minimum necessary for a free-enterprise system to operate according to its own economic laws.
  18. Magnum opus Latin. A great work especially a literary or artistic masterpiece.
  19. Post meridiem Latin. Afternoon; used chiefly in the abbreviated form to specify the hour
  20. Post-mortem Latin. Of or relating to a medical examination of a dead body.
  21. Prima facie Latin. At first sight; before closer inspection
  22. Pro bono Latin. Done without compensation for the public good.
  23. Résumé French. A brief account of one’s professional or work experience and qualification
  24. Tete-a-tete French. Without the intrusion of a third person; in intimate privacy
  25. Verbatim Latin. Using exactly the same words; the corresponding word for word
  26. Versus Latin. Against
  27. Via Latin. By way of
  28. Vide Latin. Used to direct a reader’s attention
  29. Vice versa Latin. With the order or meaning reversed; conversely
  30. Vis-a-vis French  1) Face to face; with opposite to, 2) compared with, 3) in relation to
  31. Viva voce Latin. By word of mouth
  32. Vox populi Latin. Popular opinion or sentiment
  33. faux pas  French: a social blunder. “Suddenly, she realized she had unwillingly committed yet another faux pas.”
  34. modus operandi      Latin: a method of operating. “Her modus operandi is to sugarcoat the truth so thoroughly that the news almost seems welcome.”
  35. prima facie      Latin - Literally, “on the first encounter.” In legal terms, this refers to evidence that appears self-evident and needs no significant corroboration.

 - - - More words will be added through our class discussion! -------





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