Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » lynch law

lynch law

☆

the lawless practice of killing by lynching

Origin: formerly Lynch's law, after Capt. W. Lynch (1742-1820), member of a vigilance committee in Pittsylvania, Virginia (1780)

See lynch law in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The practice of lynching: “the injustices suffered by black citizens—disfranchisement, lynch law and mob rule” (Scot French).

Origin:

Origin: Probably after Charles Lynch (1736-1796), American militiaman and justice of the peace who held summary extralegal trials and whippings of supposed Tory sympathizers in Virginia during the American Revolution

Learn more about lynch law

lynch law Culture

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD