Home US English locus poenitentiae

Definition of locus poenitentiae in English:

locus poenitentiae

(also locus penitentiae, locus paenitentiae)

Pronunciation /ˌləʊkəs ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃɪʌɪ/ /ˌləʊkəs ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃɪiː/ /ˌlɒkəs ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃɪiː/

See synonyms for locus poenitentiae

noun

Law

  • Opportunity to withdraw from an engagement or obligation before it is finalized (so long as a particular step has not been taken); an instance of this.

Origin

Late 17th century; earliest use found in James Dalrymple. From post-classical Latin locus poenitentiae opportunity for repentance from classical Latin locus + poenitentiae, genitive of poenitentia.