videlicet

Alternative forms

viz., vizt.,vid., videl.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin vidēlicet, which itself is a contraction of vidēre licet, meaning "it is permitted to see".

Pronunciation

Often read out in translation as namely or to wit.

IPA^(key): /vɪˈdɛlɪsɛt/
IPA^(key): /ˈneɪmli/
IPA^(key): /təˈwɪt/, /ˈtuːwɪt/
("to wit") Rhymes: -ɪt

Adverb

videlicet (not comparable)

Namely, to wit, that is to say (used when clarifying or naming the preceding item or topic)
- c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
  Videlicet,a Brothell, or ſo forth.
- 1993, Anthony Burgess, A Dead Man in Deptford‎, →ISBN:
  — […] My father did speak much of the day he was not speedily to forget, videlicet May Day of 1517, when there was great apprentice rioting against insolent foreigners.

Usage notes

Where videlicet is carefully distinguished from scilicet, viz. is used to provide glosses and sc. to provide omitted words or parenthetic clarification.

Synonyms

See namely