capitis deminutio
noun
ca·pi·tis de·mi·nu·tio
ˈkapətə̇sˌdeməˈn(y)üshēˌō,
ˈkä…-ˌdāmə̇ˈnütēˌō
plural capitis deminutiones
-ˌn(y)üshēˈō(ˌ)nēz,
-ˌnütēˈō(ˌ)nās
Roman law
: impairment of legal status or civil capacity before the strict law through loss of freedom, citizenship, or family membership
Word History
Etymology
Latin, literally, diminution of life