casus belli
an event or political occurrence that brings about a declaration of war.
Origin of casus belli
1Words Nearby casus belli
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use casus belli in a sentence
Unfortunately we had no casus belli against Spain, and could not found one on secret information.
The Political History of England - Vol. X. | William HuntHere, as I have said, was the real casus belli,—a constant irritation that had at length got past bearing.
The Colonel of the Red Huzzars | John Reed ScottThe Porte was persuaded not to regard the invasion of the Danube principalities as a casus belli.
A History of the Nineteenth Century, Year by Year | Edwin EmersonThen, in case of such special edict, Martha Biggs should go, and thence should arise the new casus belli.
Orley Farm | Anthony TrollopeThe casus belli was simple, but, as reported, most irritating.
Scotch Wit and Humor | W. H. (Walter Henry) Howe
British Dictionary definitions for casus belli
/ Latin (ˈkɑːsʊs ˈbɛliː) /
an event or act used to justify a war
the immediate cause of a quarrel
Origin of casus belli
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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