Latin Proverbs, Mottoes, Phrases, and Words: Group M

(classical-language maxims, slogans, adages, proverbs, and words of wisdom that can still capture our modern imagination)

Expressions of general truths: Latin to English maxims, proverbs, and mottoes

Word entries are from Latin unless otherwise indicated.

media (MEE dee uh) (plural of medium)
1. The primary means of mass communication, especially, by newspapers, radio, and television, is regarded collectively by the reporters, journalists, etc., who work for organizations engaged in such presentations of information: The use of media, instead of "medium" with the meaning of "a mass medium", as with journalism and television, has become widespread in English.

The use of media like "agenda" and "data" seems to be well established as a singular.

— Compiled and based on information located in the Scott Foresman Advanced Dictionary by Scott, Foresman and Company; Glenview, Illinois; 1983; page 694.
2. In anatomy, the middle layer of the wall of a blood vessel or lymphatic vessel: Jane learned in her biology class that the media of the artery was composed of connective muscular tissues.
3. In entomology, the principal vein in the basic pattern of insect wing venation: Jeffrey studied his biology book regarding insects and found out that media referred to the main blood vessel in the movable organ for flying in butterflies, which was posterior to the radius and anterior to the cubitus.
The procedures of sending out information or news via channels of communication.
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Medicinae Doctor; M.D.
Doctor of Medicine.
medium (s) (noun), mediums (pl)
I. A middle quality, degree, or condition: Grace looked for size medium, not small, when she went to the department store to buy a top for her skirt.
2. Any of the varieties of paintings or drawings as determined by the material or technique used: There is a medium that utilizes any raw material or mode of expression used in an artistic or creative activity.
3. The channels of mass communication; such as newspapers, radio, television, etc.: Reporters, journalists, etc., who work for organizations engaged in such communication, use various forms of mediums.
4 Any physical material; such as, tapes, disks, paper, etc. which is used for recording or reproducing data, images, or sound: Jack looked for the best storage medium he could find and was told that CD-Rs would be best for his purpose.
5. Someone who is believed to communicate with the spirits of the dead: Jane consulted a medium, or clairvoyant, because she was hoping to get in contact with her mother who passed away the year before.
Someone who is supposedly able to communicate with deceased people.
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Meliorem lapsa locavit.
He has planted one better than the one fallen.

Motto on the Seal of the State of South Carolina, U.S.A., and on the Great Seal of the Northwest Territory, USA.

Melius bene imperare quam imperium ampliare.
Translation: "It is more important to reign the empire well than to increase it."

Motto of King Rudolf of Habsburg, Germany (1273-1291).

Memento mori.
Remember death.

"Remember that you must die." An object (such as a skull) is usually displayed as a reminder of death.

Memento ut diem sabbati sanctifices. Sex diebus operaberis, et facies omnia opera tua. Septimo autem die sabbatum Domini Dei tui est.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God.

As written in the Old Testament of the Bible, Exodus: xx, 8-10 (c. 700 B.C.). Also see Deuteronomy: v, 12.

memorabilia
Remembrances.

Things worthy of being remembered.

memoria in aeterna (Latin phrase)
In eternal remembranc: The headstone that Stella chose for her grandmother's grave was to include memoria in aeterna, or. in everlasting memory.
memoria technica
System of memory.

A mnemonical system or use of mnemonics.

Mens agitat molem.
Mind moves the mass.

Another version, "Mind animates matter." From the writings of Virgil; motto of the (Universitas Oregonensis) University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA; as well as, Rossall School, U.K.

Mens et manus. (Latin motto)
Translation: "Mind and hand."

A motto of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA; and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA.

Mens immota manet.
The steadfast mind endures.

A motto of perseverance and steadfastness.

Mens sana in corpore sano.
Translations: 1. "A sound mind in a sound body." -Juvenal
2. "A healthy mind in a healthy body."

Actually, the whole sentence is Orandum est ut sit mens sana in corpore sano.: "You should pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body."

Juvenal, in his Satires, suggests to us that we must pray for attainment of mens sana in corpore sano, and his phrase has found use for many centuries as the stated educational goal of many schools: "To train the body as well as the mind."

Public statements by some near-illiterate college athletes suggest that the sound body is too often achieved without accompanying improvement of the mind.

—Partially based on information from
Amo, Amas, Amat and More by Eugene Ehrlich;
Harper & Row, Publishers; New York; 1985; pages 184-185.
Mens, animus, corpus. (Latin motto)
Translation: "Mind, soul, body."

A motto of Colby-Sawyer College, New London, New Hampshire, USA.


Pointing to a page about a kleptomaniac Units of mottoes and proverbs listed by groups: A to X.