Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

res ipsa loquitur

American  
[reez ip-suh loh-kwi-ter, lok-wi-, rays] / ˈriz ˈɪp sə ˈloʊ kwɪ tər, ˈlɒk wɪ-, ˈreɪs /

noun

Law.
  1. the rule that an injury is due to the defendant's negligence when that which caused it was under their control or management and the injury would not have happened had proper management been observed.


res ipsa loquitur British  
/ reɪs ˌɪpsɑː ˈlɒkwɪtə /
  1. law the thing or matter speaks for itself

"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

Etymology

Origin of res ipsa loquitur

First recorded in 1650–60, res ipsa loquitur is from Latin rēs ipsa loquitur literally, “the thing speaks for itself”


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Nevertheless, the concept of res ipsa loquitur applies here.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 2, 2022

If you thought your party was good, then it was – res ipsa loquitur.

From Fox News ● Aug. 28, 2020

At least in my opinion, and I suspect in the court of public opinion, while he may have gotten away with it, res ipsa loquitur.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2015

As an old surgeon, I can tell you about a legal principal called "res ipsa loquitur" which means, "The thing speaks for Itself."

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2015

No doubt res ipsa loquitur gives a possible mode of treating cases where one maintains something likely to get out of hand and do injury.

From An Introduction to the Philosophy of Law by Roscoe Pound

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 14,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training