unwritten law
noun
a law that rests for its authority on custom, judicial decision, etc., as distinguished from law originating in written command, statute, or decree.
the unwritten law,
the supposed principle of the right of the individual to avenge wrongs against personal or family honor, especially in cases involving relations between the sexes: sometimes urged in justification of persons guilty of criminal acts of vengeance.
Origin of unwritten law
First recorded in 1635–45
Words nearby unwritten law
unwrap,
unwreathe,
unwrinkle,
unwritten,
unwritten constitution,
unwritten law,
unyielding,
unyoke,
unzip,
unzipped,
uo
Example sentences from the Web for unwritten law
If they weren't sincere, why are there nothing but unwritten-law crimes all over France and Italy?
The Limit |Ada Leverson
British Dictionary definitions for unwritten law
unwritten law
noun
the law based upon custom, usage, and judicial decisions, as distinguished from the enactments of a legislature, orders or decrees in writing, etc
the unwritten law
the tradition that a person may avenge any insult to family integrity, as used to justify criminal acts of vengeance
Idioms and Phrases with unwritten law
unwritten law
An accepted although informal rule of behavior, as in It's an unwritten law that you lock the gate when you leave the swimming pool. [Mid-1400s]