scofflawry

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From scofflaw +‎ -ry.

Noun[edit]

scofflawry (uncountable)

  1. A habitual disregard for minor laws or failure to respond to trivial courts summonses.
    • 1983 January 24, Frank Trippett, “Essay: A Red Light for Scofflaws”, in Time[1]:
      The dangers of scofflawry vary wildly. The person who illegally spits on the sidewalk remains disgusting, but clearly poses less risk to others than the company that illegally buries hazardous chemical waste in an unauthorized location.

Related terms[edit]