post·li·min·i·um | \ ˌpōs(t)lə̇ˈminēəm \
variants:
or postliminy \ (ˈ)⸗ˈlimənē \
plural postliminia\ ˌ⸗lə̇ˈminēə \ or postliminies
Definition of postliminium
1 : a Roman legal doctrine whereby those captured by an enemy are regarded as having died freemen before capture to protect those claiming under them and whereby upon their return to the jurisdiction of Rome the captives regain their suspended property and civil rights
2 : the right or rule of international law under which when persons or things taken by an enemy in war come again under the control of their own state they as a general rule regain the rights belonging or relating to them before capture
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on postliminium
What made you want to look up postliminium? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Farm Idioms Quiz
- What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share postliminium