vi et armis

British  

/ ˈvaɪ ɛt ˈɑːmɪs /

noun

1. legal history a kind of trespass accompanied by force and violence

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Etymology

Origin of vi et armis

literally: by force and arms

Example Sentences

Squatters have camped on the land, and cling to it and hold it vi et armis; and these have to be ejected before peaceful settlement is possible.

From Expositions of Holy Scripture St. Mark by Maclaren, Alexander

At length I beheld old Ready-Money Jack making his way into the very thickest of the throng; tearing it, as it were, apart, and enforcing peace, vi et armis.

From Bracebridge Hall, or The Humorists by Irving, Washington

The period has been when Algiers prescribed the law, vi et armis, to the city itself—but the day and the disposition, have happily long since passed away.

From Norman's New Orleans and Environs Containing a Brief Historical Sketch of the Territory and State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time by Norman, B. M.

He had not to look twice before the whole posse commitatus of men and boys rushed forward, and seizing us vi et armis, carried us off in triumph towards their sorry-looking beasts.

From A Voyage round the World A book for boys by Kingston, William Henry Giles

Donald, Dugald, and I held Flora's fiery steed vi et armis till she got into the saddle.

From Our Home in the Silver West A Story of Struggle and Adventure by Stables, Gordon