retributivism en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree English retributive Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íd͏̌d͏̌ō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Indo-European *-mos Proto-Indo-European *-mós Ancient Greek -μός (-mós) Ancient Greek -ισμός (-ismós)der. English -ism English retributivism From retributive + -ism.
Meanings
- (uncountable) A philosophy of law, stating that criminals should be punished (retribution) for the harm they have caused.