law of nations

Calque of Latin iūs gentium, originally meaning legal principles that are general to humanity. The sense “international law” became standard in the 17th–18th centuries, partly from reanalysis as referring to the law that pertains to nations as distinct entities, and partly from the supposition that any law governing relations between states must transcend the states themselves. See also English jus gentium, directly borrowed.

law of nations (uncountable)

1. Synonym of international law
2. (Early Modern, archaic) The shared set of legal principles said to be recognized by most peoples in the world; natural law.
   • 1616 August 5, Lancelot Andrewes, “A Sermon Preached Before the Kings Maiestie at Burleigh neere Okeham ”, in XCVI. Sermons, 2nd edition, published 1632, page 848:

     And this is the Law, not of the Persians alone (which yet was the Law of a hundred twentie seven Provinces;) nor ours alone (and so may seeme to be the Law of Nations) but, that which strikes it home, by vertue of this enrolement here, is the Law of God; […]

   • 1652, Daniel Cawdrey, Herbert Palmer, Sabbatum Redivivum: Or the Christian Sabbath Vindicated , volume 2, page 146:

     But this is monstrous, and unchristian, to say, That servants are wholly at their Masters command; and that by the Law of Nations: What? to murder, steal, lye at their commands? So they must, if this assertion of his be generally true; Is there no difference between the servant, and the asse, by the Law of Nations, or Nature?

   • 1693, James Dalrymple Stair, The Institutions of the Law of Scotland , 2nd edition, page 6:

     But for the most part the Law of Nations is nothing else but Equity, and the Law of Nature and Reason, which standeth as the common Rule among men, appointed of God, by which they may know; and crave each from other their Rights […]

• nation of laws