This document contains definitions for 11 foreign words and phrases that are commonly used in English. It was written by Dr. P. Saravanakumar of Vivekananda College in Madurai, India. The definitions provided are not literal translations from the original languages. Instead, they explain the meanings of these foreign terms as they are understood in English usage. Examples are given to illustrate the meaning and context for each word or phrase.

1. ENGLISH FOR COMPETITIVE
EXAMINATIONS
FOREIGN WORDS AND PHRASES IN ENGLISH
Dr. P. SARAVANAKUMAR
Assistant Professor of English
Vivekananda College
Tiruvedakam West
Madurai 625 234.

2. FOREIGN WORDS AND PHRASES IN
ENGLISH
The English meanings given below are not
necessarily literal translations. Foreign
words and phrases should be set in italics if
their meanings are likely to be unknown to
the reader. Whether the expression is
familiar or unfamiliar, however, is a matter
of judgment. Below, all foreign words have
been italicized for the sake of emphasis.

3. 1. ad absurdum : to the point of absurdity.
"He tediously repeated his argument ad
absurdum.“
2. ad infinitum : to infinity.
"The lecture seemed to drone on ad
infinitum."
3. ad nauseam : to a sickening degree.
"The politician uttered one platitude after
another ad nauseam.“

4. 4. annus mirabilis : wonderful year.
"Last year was the annus mirabilis for my
company."
5. a priori : based on theory rather than
observation.
"The fact that their house is in such
disrepair suggests a priori that they are
having financial difficulties.
6. au courant : up-to-date.
"The shoes, the hair, the clothes—every
last detail of her dress, in fact—was utterly
au courant.

5. 7. veni, vidi, vici : I came, I saw, I
conquered.
"After the takeover the business mogul
gloated, Veni, vidi, vici.
8. Verboten : forbidden, as by law;
prohibited.
"That topic, I am afraid, is verboten in
this household.
9. Vox populi : the voice of the people.
"My sentiments echo those of the vox
populi."

6. 10. Weltschmerz : sorrow over the evils of
the world.
"His poetry expressed a certain
Weltschmerz, or world-weariness.
11. Zeitgeist : the spirit of the time; general
trend of thought or feeling
characteristic of a particular period of
time.
"She blamed it on the Zeitgeist, which
encouraged hedonistic excess."

7. Thank You