res nullius

noun

res nul·li·us | \ ˌrāsnəˈlēəs, rāˈsnu̇lē-; ˌrēznəˈlīəs, rēzˈnəlēəs\

Definition of res nullius

1 : a thing belonging to no one whether because never appropriated (as a wild animal) or because abandoned by its owner but acquirable by appropriation

2 : property not subject to private ownership under Roman law

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