Legal Definitions - deminutio

Definition: Deminutio is a Latin term used in Roman law that means a loss or deprivation of something.

One example of deminutio is capitis deminutio, which means a reduction or alteration of a person's legal status. There are three types of capitis deminutio:

• Capitis deminutio maxima: This is the most severe form of capitis deminutio, which involves a person being reduced to slavery.
• Capitis deminutio media: This involves a loss of citizenship but not of freedom, such as banishment to an island or restricted area.
• Capitis deminutio minima: This involves a change of family, but both citizenship and freedom are retained.

For example, if a person was banished to an island for life, they would experience capitis deminutio media because they would lose their citizenship but retain their freedom.

Overall, deminutio refers to any type of loss or deprivation, but capitis deminutio specifically relates to a reduction or alteration of a person's legal status in Roman law.