Legal Definitions - decalvatio

Definition: Decalvatio (dee-kal-vay-shee-oh) is a historical practice of cutting off a person's hair to symbolize a total loss of honor. It was a Germanic practice that was interpreted by some early legal historians as scalping, but it actually referred only to the cutting of hair.

Example: In ancient Rome, decalvatio was used as a punishment for women who committed adultery. The woman's hair would be cut off in public to shame her and show that she had lost her honor.

Explanation: This example illustrates how decalvatio was used as a form of punishment to shame and dishonor someone. By cutting off a woman's hair in public, it was a way to show that she had committed a shameful act and had lost her honor in society.