English noun: colour of law | |||
1. | colour of law (attribute) a mere semblance of legal right; something done with the apparent authority of law but actually in contravention of law | ||
Samples | The plaintiff claimed that under color of law the officer had deprived him of his civil rights. | ||
Synonyms | color of law | ||
Broader (hypernym) | color, colour, gloss, semblance | ||
Domain category | jurisprudence, law | ||