Common Abbreviations

“Around.” Often used for dates that are not secure.

“Compare.” Often used when discussing two or more sources on the same topic.

Common in reference works.

“Edited by” or “Editor(s)”

“For example.” Do not confuse this with i.e.

“And others” (to denote multiple authors).

You can translate this in your mind as “and other similar things.” Commonly found at the end of lists to indicate that there are more examples and the list is not exhaustive.

Used to denote when a person was living, writing, or in their peak of production. This type of abbreviation is usually used in reference entries like encyclopedias or in commentaries, especially when specific dates are uncertain.

Among others/among other things

Literally “in the same place.” You will most often find this in footnotes to indicate a citation comes from the same source as cited directly above.

“That is.” What follows usually furthers a point just made by a specific reference, or explains it in different terms. This can be used to give an example, but only a very specific and pointed example. Do not confuse with e.g.

Used often in citations to refer to a footnote in another work.

Literally “note well.” You can understand this to mean “pay close attention to this” or “this is important.”

rec. (recensuit)

Edited by, often specifically in reference to editions of ancient texts.

sc. (scilicet)

“Namely” or “that is to say.” This is a clarifying remark, often used parenthetically in commentaries to provide a word missing in the text or to clarify a point.

vel sim. (vel similia)

viz. (videlicet)

Literally “it is permitted to see.” This is used to detail what came before, usually (nearly) exhaustively. You can translate it in your head as “namely” or “as follows."