lex talionis

American  

[leks tal-ee-oh-nis] / ˈlɛks ˌtæl iˈoʊ nɪs /

noun

1. the principle or law of retaliation that a punishment inflicted should correspond in degree and kind to the offense of the wrongdoer, as an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; retributive justice.

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lex talionis British  

/ ˌtælɪˈəʊnɪs /

noun

1. the law of revenge or retaliation

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Etymology

Origin of lex talionis

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin lēx tāliōnis “law of talion” ( see talion ( def. ))

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lex talionis

To the Hindu, on the other hand, the lex talionis is a law of life still enforced.

From India's Problem, Krishna or Christ by Jones, John P. (John Peter)

"Sár," here the Koranic word for carrying out the venerable and undying lex talionis the original basis of all criminal jurisprudence.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 01 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

If the lex talionis, in the same spirit of impartial jocularity, could be applied as efficaciously to all "practical jokers," civilised Society might soon be rid of one of its most intolerable pests.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 105, August 19th 1893 by Various

A fortnight afterwards I was informed that the poor wretch, having threatened to apply the lex talionis to M. Bonaparte, had been arrested and sent to Brest, on his way to Cayenne.

From Napoleon the Little by Hugo, Victor

In the criminal law the ruling principle was the lex talionis.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1 "Austria, Lower" to "Bacon" by Various