Definitions for kangaroo court
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Random House Webster's College Dictionary
kan′garoo court′(n.)
a self-appointed tribunal that disregards or parodies existing principles of law or human rights, esp. such a court in a frontier area or among criminals in prison.
any crudely or irregularly operated court.
Origin of kangaroo court:
1850–55, Amer.
Princeton's WordNet
kangaroo court(noun)
an irregular unauthorized court
Wiktionary
kangaroo court(Noun)
A judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, or a group which conducts such proceedings, which is without proper authority, abusive, or otherwise unjust.
Origin: First attested 1853 in a Texas context, possibly from the notion of proceeding by leaps or because the kangaroo's appearance defies nature.
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"kangaroo court." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2013. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.definitions.net/definition/kangaroo court>.