Res
/reɪz/noun
A thing, matter, or legal object of concern, especially in legal terminology.
Did you know?The legal phrase res ipsa loquitur means “the thing itself speaks,” a doctrine in which the circumstances of an event can serve as evidence of negligence.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
rēs
“A thing, object, matter, affair, or circumstance”
Late Latin
Latin
rēs
“A thing or matter, including a subject of legal concern”
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
rēs
“A legal thing, property, case, or matter”
16th–17th Century
Legal Latin
res
“A thing or matter treated as the object of legal rights or proceedings”
17th Century
English
res
“A legal matter, case, or object of litigation”
Modern English
English
res
“A thing or matter, especially as used in legal phrases such as res judicata and res ipsa loquitur”