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unlaw. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
unlaw, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
unlaw in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
unlaw you have here. The definition of the word
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unlaw, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology 1
From Middle English unlawe, unlaȝ, unlage, from Old English unlagu (“violation of law, illegality, injustice, lawlessness”), equivalent to un- (“lack or absence of”) + law.
Noun
unlaw (usually uncountable, plural unlaws)
- (obsolete) A crime, an illegal action.
- Absence of law; lawlessness.
2012, Read I. Myers, The Great Canadian Oligarchy: Flaws in Our Freedoms:In regard to abortion we are now lawless. The law of the land is no law at all; that is, unlaw reigns.
- (obsolete) A fine exacted from a transgressor of the law.
Etymology 2
From un- (“reversal, undoing”) + law.
Verb
unlaw (third-person singular simple present unlaws, present participle unlawing, simple past and past participle unlawed)
- (transitive) To deprive of the authority or character of law.
- (transitive) To put beyond the protection of the law; to outlaw.
- (transitive, obsolete, Scots law) To fine.