English Explanatory Dictionary

res ipsa loquitur

English dictionary entry

Meanings

phrase
  1. The import of a thing or situation is obvious.
  2. A maxim where the very improbable facts of an accident imply the negligence of the defendant. It effectively shifts the burden of proof to the defendant.

Word forms

res ipsa loquitur

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from Latin rēs ipsa loquitur (“the thing speaks for itself”, literally “the thing itself speaks”).

Synonyms

clear cut cut and dried open and shut open and shut case
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