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Synonyms

Roman law

American  

noun

  1. the system of jurisprudence elaborated by the ancient Romans, a strong and varied influence on the legal systems of many countries.


Roman law British  

noun

  1. the system of jurisprudence of ancient Rome, codified under Justinian and forming the basis of many modern legal systems

  2. another term for civil law

"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 Roman law

First recorded in 1650–60


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:

Conservative and liberal judges alike questioned the arguments of Solicitor Gen. John Sauer, who represented the administration, saying he relied on “some pretty obscure sources,” including precedents that dated back to Roman law.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 5, 2026

Justinian carried out monumental building projects, codified Roman law, and oversaw the reconquest of parts of the Roman West.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023

Roman law considered the unborn a “potential person.”

From Washington Post ● Jun. 10, 2022

Under Roman law slaves were considered property and had no legal personhood.

From Reuters ● Nov. 6, 2021

In Roman law jurisdictions the situation was, as we have seen, very different.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

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