Latin Translation: Delemus

by Daniel MacCabe
(Oak Harbor, WA, USA)

Dear Latin Teacher,

I am the Public Affairs Officer for Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TEN, a Naval unit operating the P-3 maritime patrol aircraft. On our crest we have the Latin word "Delemus" with nothing else. I saw the earlier discussion on the word used with omnia, and translated to "we destroy everything." Is it correct for "Delemus" to stand on its own? If it is used as only Delemus, what is its English meaning?

Thanks!


Dear Daniel,

The Latin word delemus means we destroy, wipe out, or erase. It even means we kill or exterminate.

English derivatives include delete, deletion, and deleterious.

Hope this helps, and thanks for asking a Latin teacher.

Sincerely,

John

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