overlawn.
/ˈəʊvəlɔː/, U.S. /ˈoʊvərˌlɔ/, /ˈoʊvərˌlɑ/ A higher or overruling law.In later use chiefly referring to the decision of Justice Holmes reported in quot. 1922.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > [noun] > a law > other general types of law
judicialc1400
proper law1609
antinomy1644
cobweb law1649
post-law1663
overlaw1883
inn law1930
loi-cadre1953
1883 Bp. Browne in Guardian 1457 Well..may we believe the over-law of the Papacy to be the forerunner of the un-law of Antichrist.
1922 U.S. Rep. (Supreme Court) 257 432 There is no mystic over-law to which even the United States must bow.
1948 E. Crankshaw Russia & Russians 122 When every man regards himself as a law unto himself, and every man is different, it is evident that they have to be submitted to an ‘overlaw’.
1971 E. S. Corwin ‘Higher Law’ Background Amer. Const. Law 22 Definite texts of Roman law, teachings of the Church, and scriptural passages were projected upward, to become a mystical overlaw.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† overlawv.
Obsolete. rare.
transitive. To overcome by law; to defeat in an action at law.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > carry on or institute (an action) [verb (transitive)] > sue or institute action against > sue successfully
overlaw1562
1562 J. Heywood Fifth Hundred Epygr. (new ed.) in Wks. sig. Bb Pray hir to let fall thaction at law now, Or els..she will ouerlaw [1560 outlawe] yow.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2004; most recently modified version published online September 2018).
<
n.1883
v.1562