outlawry

[ out-law-ree ]

noun

, plural out·law·ries.

1. the act or process of outlawing.
2. the state of being outlawed.
3. disregard or defiance of the law:

   a man whose outlawry had made him a folk hero.

Other Words From

• non·outlawry noun plural nonoutlawries

Word History and Origins

Origin of outlawry¹

1350–1400; Middle English outlauerie < Anglo-French utlagerie, Medieval Latin utlagāria < Middle English outlage outlaw + Anglo-French -erie -ry, Medieval Latin -āria -ary

Example Sentences

She went on, “Cheyenne, far from being a wild town of border outlawry, is a center of refined elegance and fashion.”

From New York Times

He knew what confronted him if he attacked these—outlawry, excommunication from official society, the loss of his whole social position.

From Project Gutenberg

In those same years Canute decreed in England that whoever committed a deed of outlawry should forfeit his lands to the King.

From Project Gutenberg

He appended his signature to the decree of outlawry launched in 1815 by the European powers against Napoleon.

From Project Gutenberg

A prince, town, or community, that incurred the sentence of outlawry, lost thereby at once all liberties, privileges, and graces.

From Project Gutenberg