ferae naturae

[ fee-ree nuh-toor-ee, -tyoor-ee ]

adjective

, Law.

1. (of animals) wild or undomesticated ( domitae naturae ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferae naturae¹

1655–65; < Latin: literally, of a wild nature

Example Sentences

I characterized the Turks as almost 'ferae naturae.'

From Project Gutenberg

A game farm, like a decoy for wild water-fowl, is treated as a trade or business; but a game preserve in which full-grown animals fly or run wild is subject to the ordinary incidents of the law as to animals ferae naturae.

From Project Gutenberg

He didn’t mind any amount of chaff, and devoted himself to the pursuit of ferae naturae with a perseverance which was literally as laid down by the copy-books—its own reward.

From Project Gutenberg

The most destructive of the ferae naturae, as regards human life, are, however, the snakes.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be indubitable that orchids are ferae naturae.

From Project Gutenberg