q.v.

Writing & Everyday abbreviation · Latin

q.v.
Stands forQuod vide (which see)
CategoriesWriting & Everyday

q.v. stands for Quod vide (which see), a Latin abbreviation.

Tells the reader that a term just mentioned has its own entry elsewhere in the same encyclopedia, dictionary or index. It works as a cross-reference, placed in parentheses after the word.

Example: The style was later revived by the Pre-Raphaelites (q.v.), who admired its bright, flat colors.

Usage notes

The plural is qq.v. (quae vide), used when several cross-referenced terms appear together. Older reference works such as the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica relied heavily on it; online references replaced it with hyperlinks. It differs from cf. (compare) and s.v. (under the word): q.v. means an entry exists under that exact heading.

More Latin abbreviations

  • p.p. – Per procurationem (by agency, on behalf of)
  • P.P.S. – Post-post-scriptum (a second postscript)
  • P.S. – Post scriptum (postscript)
  • pinx. – Pinxit (painted it)
  • pro tem. – Pro tempore (for the time being)
  • prox. – Proximo mense (next month)
  • QED – Quod erat demonstrandum (which was to be demonstrated)
  • R.I.P. – Requiescat in pace (may he or she rest in peace)
  • re – In re (in the matter of, regarding)
  • s.l. – Sine loco (without place)
  • s.n. – Sine nomine (without name)
  • S.P.Q.R. – Senatus Populusque Romanus (the Senate and People of Rome)

See all 53 Latin abbreviations →