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

Character of early, 30; lex talionis, 30; legal codes, 30–31 Legend-s.

From Myths and Legends of China by Werner, E. T. C. (Edward Theodore Chalmers)

"There is no law in this country but one, the lex talionis, while you and I are responsible for the lives of all these about us," said Maxwell.

From The League of the Leopard by Bindloss, Harold

Neither will I presume to suggest the operation of any lex talionis in respect of cruelty.

From Paul Faber, Surgeon by MacDonald, George

It was an antiquated system which sought to inflict punishment for every mortal thing—it was the lex talionis of the Old Testament, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

From Growth of the Soil by Hamsun, Knut

There is in every human breast a strong sense of what the learned call lex talionis, and children tit for tat.

From Moral Philosophy by Rickaby, Joseph , S. J.