Fuimus

Fuimus is the motto of the Bruce clan in Scotland. Fuimus is the first person plural perfect indicative of the verb to be. It means: "we have been." The word kings is implied for Robert I, better known as Robert the Bruce, and his son David II were kings of Scotland in the 14th century.

Sic Itur Ad Astra

Sic itur ad astra is the motto of the Royal Canadian Air Force & of the Hertfordshire and Essex High School & Science College among others. It means: 'Thus one goes to the stars', which is clearly an appropriate motto for an air force. The photo is taken from a gravestone at Dalmeny Kirk. Here ad astra is used figuratively to mean to immortality.

Incidentally, until 1968, the RCAF had the same motto as the RAF - Per ardua ad astra. 

Itur is the third person singular present passive of the verb eo, ire, ivi (or ii), itum to go.

Vivat Rex Carolus!

With the coronation happening just the other day, what could be more appropriate that to wish: 'Long live King Charles', or in Latin: 'Vivat Rex Carolus!'

Vivat is the third person present subjunctive of the verb vivo, vivere, vixi, victus, which means to live. The third person singular present indicative is vivit, which means he, she or it lives.

The viva of 'Viva España' which means: 'Long live Spain' in Spanish and the vive of 'Vive le roi' which means 'Long live the king' in French are both obviously cognate with vivat.

Nec Timeo, Nec Sperno

You find Latin in the most curious places. In this picture, the motto nec timeo, nec sperno adorns the corner of a head scarf from the former British retailer Tie Rack. It was the motto of the RAF's former 110 squadron, and, apparently, also of the O'Connors. Nec timeo, nec sperno means 'I neither fear nor despise.'

Qui Me Tangit, Vocem Meam Audit.

 

I found this Latin sentence on a bell in St Stephen's Church in Kirkby Stephen in Westmorland. 'Qui me tangit, vocem meam audit' means 'Who touches me, hears my voice.'

Tangit is third person singular present indicative of the 3rd conjugation verb tangere to touch, which appears in the phrase 'Noli me tangere.'  The other words are all pretty common.

Incidentally, St Stephen's Church is well worth a visit to see among other things the Loki Stone.

tango, tangere, tetigi, tactus 3rd conjugation to touch

Ars est celare artem

 Ars est celare artem means literally: the art is to hide the art, or in better English: the skill is in hiding the art.

Here the third declension noun ars, artis is given in the nominative (subject) and accusative (object) cases. Contrast that with ars gratia artis, where ars, artis is in the nominative and genitive cases.

ars, artis (f) art, skill

celo, celare, celavi, celatus to conceal or hide, disguise, keep in ignorance

Aquam igne et aqua haurio.

 

Aquam igne et aqua haurio is the clever motto inscribed above the door of the former Perth Waterworks. The 1832 neo-classical building housed a steam engine and a large tank to supply fresh water to the city of Perth. It is now the Fergusson Gallery. The motto translates as: "I draw water by fire and water."

Aquam is accusative and is the object of the verb haurio. lgne and aqua are both in the ablative and mean respectively by fire and by water.