With the legal jargon used by professionals in the financial and business sectors, it’s understandable to not have heard of or be familiar with the term “infra.” Understanding what this Latin prefix actually means can go a long way in expanding your legal and business knowledge. After all, you never know when you might find a relevant use for the word.
The word “infra” originates from the Latin language, and it’s a prefix that is tied to the word “below.” When used in a legal context, it is most commonly used to indicate that something is being referred to as it relates to a law referred to below it. For example, a codicil is an addition or an amendment to a will; however, an infracodicil would be an addition or an amendment to a codicil.
You will also encounter “infra” when dealing with legal cases or opinions. For instance, if a court refers to a prior decision that was issued by a different court at the same tier, the later court may refer to the other decision as “infra,” meaning “below.” This allows the court to refer to the prior decision quickly and concisely, while avoiding the need to repeating the entire decision.
Beyond the legal world, the prefix “infra” is also used in other contexts, such as in engineering and science. For instance, “infrared” or “infralight” are both terms used to refer to light emissions that are lower in frequency than those provided by natural visible light.
Conclusion
By understanding the meaning of “infra,” you can be well-equipped to understand and deal with legal cases, opinions, and documents in the business world. This Latin prefix is used in both the legal and scientific fields, indicating “below” or lower in frequency. As such, understanding when and how to use “infra” would be a great asset for any business professional.