ferae naturae

American  

[fee-ree nuh-toor-ee, -tyoor-ee] / ˈfi ri nəˈtʊər i, -ˈtyʊər i /

adjective

Law.

1. (of animals) wild or undomesticated (domitae naturae ).

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Etymology

Origin of ferae naturae

1655–65; < Latin: literally, of a wild nature

Example Sentences

We have adopted the Roman law as to animals ferae naturae, but the general tendency of our law is to favor appropriation.

From The Common Law by Holmes, Oliver Wendell

It may be indubitable that orchids are ferae naturae.

From The Woodlands Orchids by Boyle, Frederick

He didn’t mind any amount of chaff, and devoted himself to the pursuit of ferae naturae with a perseverance which was literally as laid down by the copy-books—its own reward.

From The Fire Trumpet A Romance of the Cape Frontier by Mitford, Bertram

In the Ettrick text Douglas says that there are no supplies, merely ferae naturae, but he will wait at Otterburn to give Percy his chance.

From Sir Walter Scott and the Border Minstrelsy by Lang, Andrew

For animals upon which the law sets no value, as a dog or cat, and animals ferae naturae, as a bear or wolf, cannot be considered as estrays.

From Commentaries on the Laws of England Book the First by Blackstone, William, Sir