Definitions for casus belliˈkeɪ səs ˈbɛl aɪ, ˈbɛl i; Lat. ˈkɑ sʊs ˈbɛl li; ˈkeɪ səs ˈbɛl aɪ, ˈbɛl i; {{ii}}Lat.{{/
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Random House Webster's College Dictionary
ca•sus bel•liˈkeɪ səs ˈbɛl aɪ, ˈbɛl i; Lat. ˈkɑ sʊs ˈbɛl li; ˈkeɪ səs ˈbɛl aɪ, ˈbɛl i; Lat. ˈkɑ sus ˈbɛl li(n.)(pl.)ca•sus bel•li
an event or political occurrence that brings about or is used to validate a declaration of war.
Category: Foreign Term
Origin of casus belli:
1840–50; < NL: lit., occurrence of war
Princeton's WordNet
casus belli(noun)
an event used to justify starting a war
Wiktionary
casus belli(Noun)
An act seen as justifying or causing a war.
Origin: From casus + belli.
Citation
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