sumptuary law

noun

1. a law regulating personal habits that offend the moral or religious beliefs of the community.
2. a law regulating personal expenditures designed to restrain extravagance, especially in food and dress.

sumptuary law

noun

1. (formerly) a law imposing restraint on luxury, esp by limiting personal expenditure or by regulating personal conduct in religious and moral spheres

Word History and Origins

Origin of sumptuary law¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

The sumptuary law for burying the dead in woollen, still occupies its place in their statute book.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Holmes justly remarks: "This sumptuary law, for the matter and style, is a curiosity."

From Project Gutenberg

He was very strict in his superintendence of the public morals, and passed a sumptuary law to restrain extravagance.

From Project Gutenberg

Such an arrangement partakes of all the vice of a sumptuary law, and sumptuary laws are in their very essence mistakes.

From Project Gutenberg

Surely there should be a sumptuary law compelling pastry-cooks to deal in cellars or behind drawn blinds.

From Project Gutenberg