ferae naturae
adjective
fe·rae na·tu·rae
ˈfer-ˌī-nə-ˈtu̇r-ˌī 
: wild by nature and not usually tamed
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Our modern understanding of animals’ legal status derives from 19th-century American common law cases, which adopted the classical Roman legal approach to wild animals, or ferae naturae.
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Angela Fernandez, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
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Angela Fernandez, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
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“Ferae naturae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ferae%20naturae. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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ferae naturae
adjective
fe·rae na·tu·rae
ˈfir-ē-nə-ˈchu̇r-ē, -ˈtu̇r-, -ˈtyu̇r-; ˈfer-ˌī-nä-ˈtü-ˌrī
: wild by nature : not usually tamed
Note: Animals like wild ducks or bees are considered ferae naturae. At common law they cannot be claimed as one's property except under certain circumstances, as when captured.
Etymology
New Latin, literally, of a wild nature
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