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Glite Dictionary
Salic law

Salic law

1 9.9
Rules that stop women from inheriting thrones or land
  • noun
  • /ˈseɪlɪk lɔː/
  • Specialized
: ley salica
  • Debates over Salic law shaped succession disputes in several medieval kingdoms.

Examples

  • The historian presented a detailed analysis of Salic law and its influence on European monarchies.

  • The Salic law prevented women from inheriting the throne.

  • Under Salic law, women were barred from inheriting the French throne.

  • Many European monarchies were influenced by Salic law.

  • Germany's Salic law prevented women from inheriting the throne, ensuring that only male heirs could succeed.

  • Many European monarchies adopted Salic law to restrict succession to males, which influenced royal lineages.

  • The Salic law has historically been a significant factor in determining the heirs to the French crown.

Surface Forms

Salic law singular
Salic laws plural

Morphology

Salic + law

The structure is simply adjective + noun, so a learner who knows 'Salic' as relating to the Salian/Salic people and 'law' would understand this denotes a body of law associated with that group. However, the culturally specific sense (notably the rule excluding female succession) is a specialised historical/legal meaning that cannot be predicted from the constituents alone. Because the attribution is transparent but the crucial legal implication is not, this is best classified as semi-transparent.

Etymology

The name Salic law comes from the Salian Franks, an old tribe whose rules said only men could inherit land or the throne. So today Salic law means a rule that 'does not allow women to inherit' when deciding who gets the crown or land.