lex talionis

[ leks tal-ee-oh-nis ]
/ ˈlɛks ˌtæl iˈoʊ nɪs /

noun

the principle or law of retaliation that a punishment inflicted should correspond in degree and kind to the offense of the wrongdoer, as an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; retributive justice.
Also called talion.

Origin of lex talionis

First recorded in 1590–1600, lex talionis is from the Latin word lēx taliōnis law of talion

Words nearby lex talionis

British Dictionary definitions for lex talionis

lex talionis
/ (ˌtælɪˈəʊnɪs) /

noun

the law of revenge or retaliation

Word Origin for lex talionis

C16: New Latin