'Casus belli' definitions:
Definition of 'casus belli'
(from WordNet)
noun
An event used to justify starting a war
Definition of 'Casus belli'
From: GCIDE
- Casus \Ca"sus\, n. [L.] An event; an occurrence; an occasion; a combination of circumstances; a case; an act of God. See the Note under Accident. [1913 Webster]
- Casus belli, an event or combination of events which is a cause war, or may be alleged as a justification of war.
- Casus fortuitus, an accident against which due prudence could not have provided. See Act of God, under Act.
- Casus omissus, a case not provided for by the statute. [1913 Webster]