sumptuary law


noun

a law regulating personal habits that offend the moral or religious beliefs of the community.
a law regulating personal expenditures designed to restrain extravagance, especially in food and dress.

Origin of sumptuary law

First recorded in 1590–1600

Words nearby sumptuary law

British Dictionary definitions for sumptuary law

sumptuary law

noun

(formerly) a law imposing restraint on luxury, esp by limiting personal expenditure or by regulating personal conduct in religious and moral spheres