Also 5 talyon, talyoune. [a. F. talion (14th c. in Godef. Compl.), ad. L. tāliōn-em, nom. tālio: see prec.] = RETALIATION; esp. in the Mosaic, Roman, and other systems of Law, the Lex talionis, or † talion law, the principle of exacting compensation, ‘eye for eye, tooth for tooth’; also, the infliction of the same penalty on the accuser who failed to prove his case as would have fallen upon the accused if found guilty.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, II. 3066. Vp-on Grekis for her offencioun, To parforme vp þe peyne of talioun.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S. T. S.), 273. He suld have the payne of talyoune…, that sik punycioun as the tothir suld have [had] that the crime is put on, sik punycioun sall he have.
1563. J. Man, Musculus’ Commonpl., 33 b. According to the equitie of the Talion law.
1635. Quarles, Embl., I. v. (1778), 23.
| The talion law was in request, | |
| And chanc’ry courts were kept in ev’ry breast. |
1646. Gaule, Cases Consc., 174. It is just Talion to deliver such up to Satan that have already given themselves unto him.
1738. Watts, Holiness of Times, 77. The Talion Law of punishment for injuries received amongst the Jews.
1762. J. Ogden, British Lion Rous’d, 181.
| On the heels of Guilt | |
| Just Vengeance treads; The blood of planters spilt | |
| Makes Mercy to the Talion-law give place— | |
| And ev’ry scalp, a French-man’s scalp repays. |
1816. W. Walton, trans. Puigblanch’s The Inquisition Unmasked, II. vi. 260. Those who may turn out false shall be punished with the talion-law.
1879. Rollin-Tilton, trans. Amicis’ Morocco (1882), 294. She … demanded that in virtue of the law of talion, he should order the English merchant’s two front teeth to be broken.
1880. Muirhead, Gaius, III. § 223. By the Twelve Tables the penalties of personal injury were,—for destruction of any of the members, talion.
