higher law

noun

an ethical or religious principle considered as taking precedence over the laws of society, and to which one may appeal in order to justify disobedience to a constitution or enacted law with which it conflicts.

Origin of higher law

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Words nearby higher law

higher, higher apsis, higher arithmetic, higher criticism, higher education, higher law, higher mathematics, higher rate, higher self, higher still, higher-up

Example sentences from the Web for higher law

  • I suppose, then, that you go to the Bible for your politics, and that you are a sort of higher-law man.

    The Iron Furnace |John H. Aughey