cruel and unusual

cruel and unusual definition - legal

adj

Characteriza-tion of punishment that is unduly harsh and goes beyond the recognized purposes of punishment in a civilized society. “Cruel and unusual punishment” has frequently been asserted in connection with attempts to overturn death penalty statutes or forms of execution, e.g., electric chair.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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