Dictionary

nation of laws en · NOUN

Etymology

Shortened from earlier phrase "nation of laws and not of men," a common expression of the rule of law.

Meanings

1. (US) A nation-state that is subject to the rule of law.
   • We talk a lot about being "a nation of laws," but some of the laws found on the books of states, counties and municipalities are a bit much. 1976, Carpenter - Volume 96–97, page 18:
   • If we are to be a nation of laws, we must follow the rule of law consistently and not abandon it when times get tough. 2012, Peter Jan Honigsberg, Our Nation Unhinged, page 16:

Forms

Translations (15)

de Rechtsstaat (nation-state subject to rule of law) · fi oikeusvaltio (nation-state subject to rule of law) · it stato di diritto (nation-state subject to rule of law) · sv rättsstat (nation-state subject to rule of law) · ko 법치국가 (nation-state subject to rule of law) · nl rechtsstaat (nation-state subject to rule of law) · af regstaat (nation-state subject to rule of law) · id negara hukum (nation-state subject to rule of law) · da retsstat (nation-state subject to rule of law) · fy rjochtssteat (nation-state subject to rule of law) · no rettsstat (nation-state subject to rule of law) · fr État de droit (nation-state subject to rule of law) · pt estado de direito (nation-state subject to rule of law) · gl estado de dereito (nation-state subject to rule of law) · bg правова държава (nation-state subject to rule of law)