idem

American  

[ahy-dem, id-em] / ˈaɪ dɛm, ˈɪd ɛm /

pronoun

1. the same as previously given or mentioned.

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idem British  

/ ˈaɪdɛm, ˈɪdɛm /

1. the same: used to refer to an article, chapter, etc, previously cited

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Etymology

Origin of idem

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin īdem

Explanation

In legal or academic writing, idem is used in footnotes to mean "the same as previously mentioned." For a research paper, you can use idem to indicate you're citing a different page of the exact same source. The Latin idem means "the same," and it's usually abbreviated as id. These days, most academics prefer to use the term ibid., or "in the same place," in scholarly bibliographies, or to simply repeat the author's last name. If you do come across idem in footnotes, endnotes, or a legal document, you'll know it means "this information comes from the same work and author as the last citation."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

idem

Yet the very word “identity” points toward the trouble: It comes from the Latin idem, meaning “the same.”

From New York Times ● Aug. 10, 2018

But banned are such standard and numbing footnote fare as ed. cit., loc. cit., op. cit., idem and ibid.

From Time Magazine Archive

"But this gentleman has taken up the defence of the notorious Dick Turpin in so singular a manner, that——" "Quod factu fœdum est, idem est et Dictu Turpe," returned Small.

From Rookwood by William Harrison Ainsworth

After which he rendered the ancient love chant 'Ludus idem, ludus vetus,' with singular sweetness and expression.

From The Black Poodle And Other Tales by F. Anstey

I knew the military superstition which holds the maxim Non bis in idem to be as applicable on a battle-field as in a court of justice.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 380, June, 1847 by Various