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mare liberum

noun ma·re li·be·rum \ ˈmär-(ˌ)ā-ˈlē-bə-ˌru̇m \

Definition of mare liberum

1 : a navigable body of water (such as a sea) that is open to all nations

2 : freedom of the seas

Origin and Etymology of mare liberum

New Latin, literally, free sea

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1652

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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