uti possidetis

[yoo-tahy pos-i-dee-tis]

noun International Law.

the principle that vests in either of the belligerents at the end of a war all territory actually occupied and controlled by them.

Origin of uti possidetis

From the Latin word utī possidētis literally, as you possess, as you hold

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British Dictionary definitions for uti possidetis

uti possidetis

noun

international law the rule that territory and other property remains in the hands of the belligerent state actually in possession at the end of a war unless otherwise provided for by treaty

Word Origin for uti possidetis

from Latin, literally: as you possess

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