colour of law

Từ điển WordNet v3.1 - WordNet Dictionary

noun

a mere semblance of legal right;
something done with the apparent authority of law but actually in contravention of law
- the plaintiff claimed that under color of law the officer had deprived him of his civil rights
• Syn:
color of law
• Topics:
law, jurisprudence
• Hypernyms:
semblance, gloss, color, colour