Latin Abbreviations
Even though Latin is considered a dead language (no country officially speaks it), its influence upon other languages makes it still important. Latin words, expressions and abbreviations are present on different scientific and academic fields. Following you will find some important Latin abbreviations.
i.e. means that is, being the English translation of the latin id est
e.g. means for example, being the English translation of the latin exempli gratia
cf. means compare with or consult, being short for confer
et al. means "and others", being the English translation of the latin et alia or et alii
viz. (videlicet) means "namely" or "that is to say"
q.v. (quod vide) means "which to see" and is written after term or phrase that should be looked up elsewhere in the current document
ibid. (ibidem) means "in the same place" and is used in citations to refer to a previously listed work
Etc. The very familiar Latin abbreviation etc. stands for et cetera 'and the rest' or 'and so forth'. In English, we use the word etcetera or et cetera without necessarily being aware it is actually Latin.
c. circa. Used by historians to show that a date is approximate. Literally, the word means "around," and it is sometimes abbreviated "ca." Usage: Shortly after Henry IV seized the throne from Richard II, Geoffrey Chaucer died (c.1400 A.D.), perhaps due to old age.
vs. versus. "Turned against." Often used in abbreviations for legal trials--though "v." is more common. Usage: "In the case of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court eventually decided that abortion was a medical right." Don't confuse the term "vs." with "v.s." (see below). And don't confuse the word versus with verses.
vide. "Look" or "see." This phrase refers the reader back up to a previous statement or definition within the body of the paper. The must common uses are "vide 63" (which means "see page sixty-three"), v.s. vide supra ("see earlier" or "look above on this page") and v.i. vide infra ("See below" or "Look below"). Don't confuse v.s. (vide supra) with v. or vs. (versus). Usage: "For the definition of the Latin word videlicit, vide supra."
et al. (et alii) means "and others", or "and co-workers".[1] It can also stand for et alia, "and other things", or et alibi, "and other places". Example: "These results agree with the ones published by Pelon et al. (2002)."