Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun Government by clubs or violence; the use of arms or force in place of law.
- noun In the game of loo, a rule that when clubs are trumps no player may pass or give up his hand.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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Trimalchio determined the matter between them, neither of them stood to his sentence, but fell to club-law, and broke each others pots.
The Satyricon of Petronius Arbiter 20-66 Petronius Arbiter
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I do not use the word 'honor' with any reference to political principles: _loyal_ and _disloyal_ I take to be merely relative terms in that ancient and formidable court known in this country by the name of 'club-law.'
Robert Burns How To Know Him William Allan Neilson 1907
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Christianity has abolished club-law, and purely moral restraints, or the terror of the penalties of the next world, do not, to the limited imagination of the Fijian, quite take its place.
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 6 Sex in Relation to Society Havelock Ellis 1899
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England understands by freedom only club-law, with the club always in her own hand.
Gems (?) of German Thought William Archer 1890
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` ` Law! 'said Andrew, ` ` hout, ay --- there will be club-law eneugh.
Rob Roy 1887
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But as club-law pervaded the ancient system of Scandinavia, Meming had the humour of refusing to work for any customer save such as compelled him to it with force of arms.
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Many was the rude questioner, whose curiosity had been quenched in drink; many the insufferable pryer, whom club-law had been called upon to silence.
The Complete Prose Works of Martin Farquhar Tupper Martin Farquhar Tupper 1849
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"So far that is satisfactory," said Adair; "as the fellows can't injure those in the boat; but, notwithstanding that, they may give us club-law or run their daggers into us, so it won't do to try them too much."
The Three Commanders William Henry Giles Kingston 1847
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Not peaceable signing with ink; but browbeating, bloodshedding, appeal to primary club-law!
The French Revolution Thomas Carlyle 1838
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Not to say that in these times of discord and club-law, offences and committals are, at any rate, more numerous.
The French Revolution Thomas Carlyle 1838
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