vi et armis

/ ˈvaɪ ɛt ˈɑːmɪs /

noun

1. legal history a kind of trespass accompanied by force and violence

Word History and Origins

Origin of vi et armis¹

literally: by force and arms

Example Sentences

My blood runs cold to think of the mischief that has been done by those men called priests; they are the bane of society, for they rule the mass of society vi et armis and they rule it wrongfully; they do not give it a chance of obtaining a mouthful of intellectual food without steeping it in the poison of their superstitious dogmas, and till we take the antidote of free discussion we shall never be free.

From Project Gutenberg

With regard to this document, in the first place, the statement that the English Government had "ordered" Shanghae and Woo-sung to be defended vi et armis, is simply untrue.

From Project Gutenberg

When William the Conqueror subdued this kingdom he gave the estate of this family to one of his own followers, and lent him a thousand men for the purpose of taking possession, vi et armis.

From Project Gutenberg

No doubt it had been very improper--all those years ago--for a Protestant invader to seize, vi et armis, the territory of a Catholic nation--to eject the sons of the soil by force, in favour of themselves and their heirs.

From Project Gutenberg

Not only does it necessitate a witch doctor sending in his power to fetch it vi et armis, it also places the medical man in a position of grave responsibility regarding its disposal when secured.

From Project Gutenberg