What is the meaning of color of law?

noun

  • A mere semblance of legal right; something done with the apparent authority of law but actually in contravention of law.
    • usage: "the plaintiff claimed that under color of law the officer had deprived him of his civil rights"
WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
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APAWordNet. (2010). color of law. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/color_of_law/definitions/1323230
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "color of law" http://smartdefine.org/color_of_law/definitions/1323230 (accessed September 21, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, color of law, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/color_of_law/definitions/1323230>.
MLAWordNet. "color of law" 23 October 2010. Web. 21 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/color_of_law/definitions/1323230>