lynch law
noun
the administration of summary punishment, especially death, upon a suspected, accused, or convicted person by a mob acting without legal process or authority.
Origin of lynch law
1805–15,
Americanism; after the self-instituted tribunals presided over by William
Lynch (1742–1820) of Pittsylvania, Va., c1776
Words nearby lynch law
Example sentences from the Web for lynch law
British Dictionary definitions for lynch law
lynch law
noun
the practice of condemning and punishing a person by mob action without a proper trial
Cultural definitions for lynch law
lynch law
The punishment of supposed criminals, especially by hanging, by agreement of a crowd and without a genuine criminal trial. Lynch law was used in the early settlement of the West as a way of maintaining minimal law and order before a sheriff and courts could be set up. It has also been used to deprive unpopular suspects of their rights and to satisfy a mob's thirst for vengeance. Lynch law was often used by whites in the South to terrorize and subjugate blacks.