lex talionis

[ leks-tal-ee-oh-nis ]
See synonyms for lex talionis on Thesaurus.com
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.

Origin of lex talionis

1
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin lēx tāliōnis “law of talion” (see talion)

Words Nearby lex talionis

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How to use lex talionis in a sentence

  • Perhaps she has something to complain of; but if she has any conscience at all, she ought to recognize the lex talionis.

    Guy Livingstone; | George A. Lawrence

British Dictionary definitions for lex talionis

lex talionis

/ (ˌtælɪˈəʊnɪs) /


noun
  1. the law of revenge or retaliation

Origin of lex talionis

1
C16: New Latin

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