capitis deminutio

noun

ca·​pi·​tis de·​mi·​nu·​tio

ˈkapətə̇sˌdeməˈn(y)üshēˌō,

ˈkä…-ˌdāmə̇ˈnütēˌō

plural capitis deminutiones

-ˌn(y)üshēˈō(ˌ)nēz,

-ˌnütēˈō(ˌ)nās

Roman law

: impairment of legal status or civil capacity before the strict law through loss of freedom, citizenship, or family membership

Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, diminution of life

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