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

“We have no right to complain that we receive measure for measure,” he said; “and yet sir, though the lex talionis may be justified, it makes it none the less bitter.”

From Janice Meredith by Ford, Paul Leicester

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

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)

A singular example of the lex talionis occurred among the natives at this place.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 432 Volume 17, New Series, April 10, 1852 by Chambers, Robert

In fact, it seems that a savage lex talionis is wholly satisfying to the feudists on both sides.

From Violence and the Labor Movement by Hunter, Robert