a mensa et thoro

American  

[ey men-suh et thawr-oh, thohr-oh] / eɪ ˈmɛn sə ɛt ˈθɔr oʊ, ˈθoʊr oʊ /

adjective

Law.

1. pertaining to or noting a divorce that forbids spouses to live together but does not dissolve the marriage bond.

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a mensa et thoro British  

/ eɪ ˈmɛnsə ɛt ˈθɔːrəʊ /

adjective

1. law denoting or relating to a form of divorce in which the parties remain married but do not cohabit: abolished in England in 1857

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Etymology

Origin of a mensa et thoro

1590–1600; < Latin: literally, from board and bed. See mensal ², torus

Example Sentences

Persons seeking at the hands of the civil law relief in matrimonial troubles should have the right to ask for divorce a vinculo, or simple separation a mensâ et thoro, as they may elect.

From Project Gutenberg

Having succeeded thus far, you should have employed a proctor, and instituted a suit in the Ecclesiastical Court for a divorce a mensâ et thoro; that would have cost you £200 or £300 more. 

From Project Gutenberg

When you had obtained a divorce a mensâ et thoro, you had only to obtain a private Act for a divorce a vinculo matrimonii. 

From Project Gutenberg

Judicial Separation.—By the Matrimonial Causes Act a decree of judicial separation, which is equivalent in effect to a divorce a mensa et thoro under the old law, may be obtained either by the husband or wife on the ground of adultery, or cruelty, or desertion without legal cause for two years and upwards.

From Project Gutenberg

They resolve upon a voluntary separation from their husbands--a practical divorce a mensa et thoro--until peace with Sparta shall be proclaimed.

From Project Gutenberg