Latin for Lawyers

KALENDAE

Author’s note: The letter k was a part of the Latin alphabet but was rarely used to introduce a word. The letter c came to be used instead. Only a few words need be listed.

KALENDAE [L. calo, calare / to call, summons] The first day of each month of the Roman calendar. Interest on debts was due on this day, giving rise to the phrase tristes kalendae (sad days). The origin of our word calendar. KLEPTOMANIA [L. clepo, clepere (from the Greek) / to steal] A morbid but irresistible impulse or propensity to steal. A mental disease characterized by the inability to refrain from or to resist theft. Because the kleptomaniac has no ability to control his actions, the condition is deemed a defense to the crime of larceny in some jurisdictions.

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