ferae naturae
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of ferae naturae
1655–65; < Latin: literally, of a wild nature
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Orchids must be classed with ferae naturae in which a landowner has no property.
From The Woodlands Orchids by Boyle, Frederick
At one end of it, the northern, a patch of the turf was gone—removed by some boy or other creature ferae naturae.
From Ghost Stories of an Antiquary by James, M. R. (Montague Rhodes)
"When Diana takes the field the chase is not wholly confined to objects ferae naturae," said Guy, darting a significant glance at his companion.
From Condensed Novels by Harte, Bret
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
