hostis humani generis

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English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin hostis hūmānī generis (enemy of the human race): hostis (enemy of the state) + hūmānī, genitive singular neuter of hūmānus (of man) + generis, genitive singular of genus (race).

Pronunciation

Noun

hostis humani generis (plural hostes humani generis)

  1. (international law) A person who has committed a criminal act so grave – originally maritime piracy and slave-trading, and now torture as well – that any nation may put on trial and, upon conviction, punish him or her.

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