ad-

(From Latin: "to, toward, a direction toward, an addition to, near, at"; and changes to: "ac-, af-, ag-, al-, an-, ap-, aq-, ar-, as-, at-" and ad- is also combined with certain words that begin with the letters c, f, g, l, n, p, q, r, s, and t.)

The Latin element ad carries the idea of "in the direction of" and combines with many Latin words and roots to make common English words.

A capite ad calcem. (Latin)
Translation: "From head to heel; thoroughly."

Equivalent to "from top to bottom".

Ab ovo usque ad mala. (Latin)
Translation: "From the egg to the apples."

A Roman phrase similar to English, "From soup to nuts", but meaning "From start to finish". This definition is based on the fact that Roman dinners often started with eggs and ended with fruit.

From the beginning to the end of any enterprise, thoroughly or without qualification.

Ab uno ad omnes. (Latin)
Translation: "From one to all."
Abiit ad majores. (Latin)
He has gone to his forefathers.

He’s dead.

accede (ahk SEED) (verb), accedes; acceded; acceding
To comply with; consent to, approve; concede, yield to, acquiesce; to agree with, surrender to, conform to: The mayor acceded to the citizens' demands and a bridge was built across the river.
ad absurdum (adverb), more ad absurdum, most ad absurdum
A reference to how an argument demonstrates the ridiculousness of an opponent's proposition: Timothy tried to explain his line of reasoning to the others in the meeting, but it led to ad absurdum, because, as much as he tried to demonstrate his intention, they were all of a different opinion and didn't understand the obvious truth and sound judgment of the issue.
ad annum (Latin)
Up to the year.

Used to indicate a specific year date.

ad astra (Latin)
To the stars.

Ad astra is used as a motto by many organisations and as a proper title for different unrelated things, such as bands, games, and publications, like "Ad Astra", a short story by William Faulkner.

Ad astra per aspera. (Latin)
Translation: "To the stars through difficulties" or "To the stars in spite of difficulties."

The motto of the state of Kansas, USA and Campbell University, Buies Creek, North Carolina, USA.

This motto suggests that we achieve great things only by encountering and overcoming adversities. It will be rough going, but we will make it.

Ad augusta per angust. (Latin)
Translation: "To honors through difficulties."

Augusta refers to holy places and angusta to narrow spaces, therefore sometimes we cannot achieve great results without suffering by squeezing through narrow spaces.

ad calendas graecas (Latin)
At the Greek calends, that is never, or when hell freezes over.

This statement refers to the calends, the first day of the month which was a feature of the Roman calendar, but the Greeks had no calends!

The calends was the day that interest on borrowed money was to be paid, so for Roman debtors, they were tristes calendae, "the unhappy calends".

Ad captandam benevolentiam (Latin)
Translation: "To win good will."

For the purpose of winning good will.

ad captandum (Latin)
To please.

The technique of ad captandum is often used to win popular favor in entertainment, in political speeches, and in advertising.

ad captandum vulgus (Latin)
To please the common people.

To please or to win the favor of the masses or the crowd.

The implication is that such actions may not be in the best interest of society, but are intended only to achieve popularity or political goals, such as winning an elective office, publicizing movies, novels, sports, TV programs, or any promotion that wants the masses to be involved for their support.

ad clerum (Latin)
To the clergy.

A statement made by a church leader and intended only for the clergy as opposed to a statement ad populum, "to the people".