res nullius

English

Etymology

From Latin rēs nūllīus (“nobody's thing”).

Noun

res nullius

1. (law) Something that has no owner and is not subject to the jurisdiction of any state, but is susceptible to national appropriation.

Coordinate terms

• terra nullius

References

• A Law Dictionary: Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, John Bouvier, Childs & Peterson: 1856.