Law and Order: Latin Legalese, List 2

Many Latin words and phrases are used in English legal terminology. Learn the words on this list to build your lawyerly lexicon.
10 words 4 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. subpoena
    a writ issued to compel the attendance of a witness
  2. a priori
    reasoned from a general principle to a necessary effect
  3. status quo
    the existing state of affairs
  4. de facto
    existing, whether with lawful authority or not
  5. vice versa
    with the order reversed
  6. innuendo
    an indirect and usually malicious implication
  7. quasi
    having some resemblance
  8. bona fide
    undertaken in good faith
  9. animus
    a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
  10. lacuna
    a blank gap or missing part
Created on Wed Jun 11 14:56:25 EDT 2025 (updated Wed Jun 11 15:15:33 EDT 2025)

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