talion

[ tal-ee-uhn ]

noun

1. lex talionis.

talion

/ ˈtælɪən /

noun

1. the system or legal principle of making the punishment correspond to the crime; retaliation

Word History and Origins

Origin of talion¹

1375–1425; < Latin tāliōn- (stem of tāliō ) exaction of compensation in kind; replacing late Middle English talioun < Anglo-French < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of talion¹

C15: via Old French from Latin tāliō, from tālis such

Example Sentences

But it is to be questioned whether the rule of talion is the right one for the Kabyles.

From Project Gutenberg

In the primitive code of the talion nothing was more simple—an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth—thou hast killed; I kill thee.

From Project Gutenberg