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

The liberum veto was abolished; confederations were prohibited as inconsistent with the genius of the constitution; and it was provided, that, after every quarter of a century, the constitution should be revised and amended.

From The American Quarterly Review No. XVIII, June 1831 (Vol 9) by Various

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)

Konarski was the first who ventured publicly to assail the liberum veto.

From Historical View of the Languages and Literature of the Slavic Nations by Robinson, Therese Albertine Louise von Jacob

Indeed, the days of the liberum veto were necessarily the days of legalized insurrection.

From The American Quarterly Review No. XVIII, June 1831 (Vol 9) by Various

Legislation by unanimity was actually tried in the kingdom of Poland, where each member of the assembly had the right of liberum veto on any measure, and it prevented progress, fostered violence, and spelled failure.

From Introduction to the Science of Sociology by Park, Robert Ezra