se defendendo

[ see dee-fen-den-doh ]

adverb

, Law.

1. in self-defense:

   homicide committed se defendendo.

Word History and Origins

Origin of se defendendo¹

First recorded in 1540–50, se defendendo is from Latin sē dēfendendō

Example Sentences

Se defendendo, sē dē-fen-den′dō, n. the plea of a person charged with slaying another, that it was in his own defence.

From Project Gutenberg

If the former British Ministry had stood, we might have secured it from England, and, in that case, France would have been obliged to admit us to their islands, se defendendo.

From Project Gutenberg

Both the life and limbs of a man are of such high value, in the estimation of the law of England, that it pardons even homicide if committed se defendendo, or in order to preserve them.

From Project Gutenberg

For this decision Wither afterwards attacked Sir Richard Onslow as a traitor, in two tremendous effusions entitled Se Defendendo and Justitiarius Justificatus, of which the latter landed him in prison and was burnt by the common hangman.

From Project Gutenberg

When I wrote to you last year on reptiles, I wish I had not forgot to mention the faculty that snakes have of stinking se defendendo. 

From Project Gutenberg