casus belli

[ key-suh s bel-ahy, bel-ee; Latin kah-soo s bel-lee ]

Synonyms for casus belli

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Antonyms for casus belli

noun. warning signal

noun. heart of an issue

Word Origin & History

1849, from Latin casus "case" (see case (n.1)) + belli, genitive of bellum "war" (see bellicose). An act justifying war.

He would be an "Ishmaelite," finding "casus belli" in all the purposes of fate.

He adds that with the Germans war is instinctive; there is no casus belli at all.

The Markgrafs casus belli was now gone; but his demands knew no bounds.

The farmer had taken his cats part, and scolded the man, and hence the casus belli.

If not, although a man of peace, I shall consider it a casus belli!

The casus belli was simple, but, as reported, most irritating.

If the Count Ferroll is discomfited by the prince, it may be a casus belli.

It was evident that no casus belli existed in any international sense.

His casus belli, accurately worded, would have read curiously.

It is the right of a sovereign State and by no code of ethics a casus belli.