non prosequitur

American  

[non proh-sek-wi-ter] / ˌnɒn proʊˈsɛk wɪ tər /

noun

Law.

1. a judgment entered against the plaintiff in a suit when the plaintiff does not appear in court to prosecute it.

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non prosequitur British  

/ ˈnɒn prəʊˈsɛkwɪtə /

noun

1. law (formerly) a judgment in favour of a defendant when the plaintiff failed to take the necessary steps in an action within the time allowed Compare nolle prosequi

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Etymology

Origin of non prosequitur

First recorded in 1760–70, non prosequitur is from Latin nōn prōsequitur literally, “he does not pursue (prosecute)”