liberum veto

American  

[lib-er-uhm, lee-ber-] / ˈlɪb ər əm, ˈli bər- /

noun

1. a veto exercised by a single member of a legislative body whose rules require unanimity.

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Etymology

Origin of liberum veto

1785–95; < Latin līberum, neuter of līber free

Example Sentences

His plan aimed at the restoration of the royal prerogative and the abolition of the liberum veto, an abuse that made any durable improvement impossible.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 8 "Cube" to "Daguerre, Louis" by Various

This right of separation is simply the liberum veto resuscitated for the benefit of federal institutions.

From The Uprising of a Great People The United States in 1861. to Which is Added a Word of Peace on the Difference Between England the United States. by Booth, Mary L. (Mary Louise)

Thus was emphasized a second weakness in the Articles of Confederation, namely, the liberum veto which each State possessed whenever amendments to that instrument were proposed.

From The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation Annotations of Cases Decided by the Supreme Court of the United States to June 30, 1952 by Corwin, Edward Samuel

This law of the liberum veto, and the elective nature of the royal office, offered countless opportunities for foreign nations to interfere in the affairs of the Commonwealth.

From Pan Tadeusz Or, the Last Foray in Lithuania; a Story of Life Among Polish Gentlefolk in the Years 1811 and 1812 by Noyes, George Rapall

It was again the infinite folly of the liberum veto which, prior to the great partition, condemned Poland to chronic anarchy.

From The Constitution of the United States A Brief Study of the Genesis, Formulation and Political Philosophy of the Constitution by Beck, James M. (James Montgomery)