English has borrowed a large number of words and phrases from foreign languages. Here are some of them:
Satus quo (Latin) an existing state of affairs
These events, though alarming, are not expected to alter the status quo.
Stereo (Greek) recorded sound reproduced using two or more speakers
Stet (Latin) leave unchanged or do not delete
Stigma (Greek) a brand, stain, or mark of shame or disgrace
Stiletto (Italian) a woman’s shoe that has a very high thin heel
Stimulus (Latin) something that helps a process to develop more quickly or more strongly
Tax cuts provided the stimulus which the slow economy needed.
Stipend (Latin) an amount of money paid regularly to someone
Stoic (Greek) someone who does not show their emotions and does not complain when bad things happen to them
Stratum (Latin) is a layer of rock or earth. It also means a social class in a society.
We belong to different social strata.
Stucco (Italian) a type of plaster that is used especially to cover the outside walls of buildings
Stupa (Sanskrit) a dome-shaped Buddhist shrine
Stupor (Latin) a state in which you cannot think, speak, see, or hear clearly, usually because you have drunk too much alcohol or taken drugs
Ron was lying at the bottom of the stairs in a drunken stupor.
Suave (French) someone who is suave is polite, confident and relaxed, sometimes in an insincere way
Sub judice (Latin) a legal case being considered sub judice is now being dealt with by a court, and therefore is not allowed to be publicly discussed
Subpoena (Latin) a written order to come to a court of law and be a witness
Substratum (Latin) a layer that lies underneath another layer, especially in the earth
Sudoku (Japanese) a game in which you have to write numbers in a large square which is made up of 81 smaller squares. Each line of squares across and down and each of the nine groups of nine squares must contain the numbers from 1 to 9 once only.
Suede (French) soft leather with a slightly rough surface
There are suede shoes and jackets.
Suite (French) a set of rooms, especially expensive ones, in a hotel
The hotel has a suite of rooms for palace guests.
Sultan (Arabic) a ruler in some Muslim countries
Supremo (Spanish) someone who controls a particular activity, organisation or industry and has unlimited power
Svelte (Italian) thin and graceful
Amanda is slim, svelte, and sophisticated.
Swami (Hindi) a Hindu religious teacher
Symbiosis (Greek) a relationship between people or organisations that depend on each other equally
Symposium (Greek) a formal meeting in which people who know a lot about a particular subject have discussions about it, as in a symposium on women’s health