right of search

American  

noun

International Law.

1. the privilege of a nation at war to search neutral ships on the high seas for contraband or other matter, carried in violation of neutrality, that may subject the ship to seizure.

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right of search British  

noun

1. the right of a belligerent to stop and search neutral merchant ships on the high seas in wartime

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Etymology

Origin of right of search

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

right of search

Google uses the open-source encyclopedia to populate the Knowledge Graphs that appear to the right of search results.

From Slate ● Feb. 15, 2019

A treaty is being negotiated with Great Britain with respect to the right of search of hovering vessels.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is the old question of the right of search come up again.

From War Letters of a Public-School Boy by Jones, Henry Paul Mainwaring

Then in regard to the important question with Spain as to the right of search, 3 Pitt has disarmed criticism by acknowledging that the course he followed during Wapole’s administration was indefensible.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various

Eldon, in the house of lords, went further, boldly justifying the right of search, and denying the American contention that original allegiance could be cancelled by naturalisation without the consent of the mother-country.

From The Political History of England - Vol XI From Addington's Administration to the close of William IV.'s Reign (1801-1837) by Brodrick, George C. (George Charles)