Obs. exc. Hist. [n. of action f. L. tāli-s such, the like, as if from a vb. *tāliare: cf. late L. retāliāre to RETALIATE.] A return of like for like; retaliation; = TALION1.
[c. 1485. trans. Act 37 Edw. III., c. 18 (MS. Harl. 4999, lf. 67). That ther thei fynden suerte to pursue their Suggestiouns and to incurre and renne the same peyne this that the other shulde have if he were atteynt, in cas that his suggestioun be founde fals and of malice.]
1591. Lambarde, Archeion (1635), 123. The Commons of the Realme assented … in the Parliament 37. Edward 3. cap. 18. that these Petitioners should put in Suerties of Taliation.
1648. J. Beaumont, Psyche, XVII. xxvi. Just Heav’n this Taliation did decree, That Treason Treason’s deadly Scourge should be.
a. 1677. Hale, True Relig., III. 43. If men … justifie it by the Law of Taliation,… a Spirit of Revenge, an Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth, is … against the Doctrine of Christ.
1769. Blackstone, Comm., IV. i. 14. After one year’s experience [of 37 Edw. III., c. 18], this punishment of taliation was rejected, and imprisonment adopted in it’s stead.
