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Perhaps to make the question more broad, are there general rules guiding similar cases?

Sorry for confusion, I just mean the English word. Example:

A proof sans definitions is imprecise.

A proof sans definitions is imprecise.

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This belongs on English Language & Usage, it is a point of language in general and not a question about academic customs or rules. – F'x Feb 2 at 8:07
@F'x : there are answers on that site that use the word both italicized and not. I am exactly interested in academic customs in this respect (especially in the hard sciences) -- if any. I guess it's more likely that people haven't thought about it or don't care.... – bo1024 Feb 2 at 8:18
@bo1024 If I ask a question here, should I italicize "without" in a paper? What would your answer be? – scaaahu Feb 2 at 8:32
@scaahu In general no, because in most English usage the word "without" is not typically italicized. – bo1024 Feb 2 at 8:33
Is sans typically italicized? – scaaahu Feb 2 at 8:35
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closed as off topic by F'x, EnergyNumbers, scaaahu, Dave Clarke, Henry Feb 2 at 17:39

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1 Answer

up vote 3 down vote accepted

Sans has only one clear meaning in a non-technical dictionary: it means “without”. From the New Oxford American Dictionary:

sans |sænz|
preposition, literary, humorous
without: flavorful vegetarian dishes sans meat, eggs, or milk.

First: there is nothing specific to academic writing regarding italicization of sans. It is a regular question of writing style in English. It depends from person to person, or to your writing style or publisher guidelines (if they are specific enough to cover such borderline cases).

The reason it can be italicized is that it is borrowed from French (where it means the same). However, given that it was imported into English in the 14th century, I would argue that it's not a loan word anymore and doesn't require italicization. But it's pretty much a matter of personal preference.

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I upvoted this answer for at least two reasons: it answers the OP's question and it provides all the information needed as why. However, I wonder why OP is not happy yet? – scaaahu Feb 2 at 8:54
Oh yeah I forgot about the "accept" button (was trying to figure out what you meant by happy, haha). Thanks. – bo1024 Feb 2 at 8:58
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The truth is, though, that while "sans" has a well defined meaning, in current usage, it's considered (at best) mock-pretentious. I would go so far as to say that in formal academic writing, "sans" should not be used except in phrases taken directly from French (such as sans culottes or sans souci), in which case it would still be italicized. Otherwise, just use "without." – aeismail♦ Feb 2 at 11:24
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I strongly agree with aeismail: in formal academic writing, you should never use "sans" unless you have to (e.g., "sans serif" fonts). – Anonymous Mathematician Feb 2 at 15:09
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@LukeMathieson: As an example, try this article. – aeismail♦ Feb 2 at 16:17
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