Main Entry: ca·sus bel·li

Pronunciation: \ˈkä-səs-ˈbe-ˌlē, ˈkā-səs-ˈbe-ˌlī\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural ca·sus belli \ˈkä-ˌsüs-, ˈkā-ˌsüs-\

Etymology: New Latin, occasion of war

Date: circa 1841

: an event or action that justifies or allegedly justifies a war or conflict