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law of nations

American  

law of nations British  

noun

  1. another term for international law

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of law of nations

First recorded in 1540–50

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.

With such customs, it is contrary to the law of nations that a city incapable of repelling their attack should stop their progress.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Antislavery tribunals penalized these companies, which were analogues of modern corporations, for violating the law of nations.

From Slate • Dec. 1, 2020

The statute allows federal courts to hear “any civil action by an alien for a tort only, committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States.”

From Washington Post • Oct. 11, 2017

The law of nations demanded it, he said.

From Salon • Jul. 11, 2015

But the general law of nations must only be invoked as supplementary to the special law recognised by the convention.

From The Oregon Territory Its History and Discovery by Twiss, Travers