Exdelicto

/ɛksdɛˈlɪktoʊ/ adjective

Definition

A legal term meaning 'arising from a tort or wrongdoing,' used to describe claims or rights that stem from a criminal or civil wrong.

Etymology

From Latin 'ex delicto,' where 'ex' means 'from' and 'delictum' means 'crime' or 'wrongdoing.' It's a legal phrase that entered English through 16th-century legal documents.

Kelly Says

Courts still use this Latin phrase constantly because it perfectly captures the legal idea that certain rights only exist because someone broke the law—it's more elegant than any English translation.

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