Home UK English ad majorem Dei gloriam

Meaning of ad majorem Dei gloriam in English:

ad majorem Dei gloriam

Pronunciation /ad mʌɪˌ(j)ɔːrəm ˌdeɪiː ˈɡlɔːrɪəm/

adverb

(also ad maiorem Dei gloriam)

  • To the greater glory of God. Used especially as a dedicatory formula.

    The motto of the Society of Jesus.

Origin

Mid 17th century; earliest use found in John Taylor (1578–1653), poet. From post-classical Latin ad maiorem Dei gloriam, literally ‘to the greater glory of God’ from classical Latin ad + maiōrem, accusative of maior greater + Deī, genitive of Deus God + glōriam, accusative of glōria.