Legal Definitions - in detrimentum animi

Definition: In detrimentum animi (in de-trə-men-təm an-ə-mI) is a Latin phrase that means "to the injury of the soul." This phrase was used historically to refer to the grounds upon which a person was prohibited from questioning a legal document that they had sworn to never question.

Example: In medieval times, a person might swear an oath to a lord or king, promising to never question their authority or the legitimacy of their rule. If that person later had reason to doubt the legitimacy of the ruler, they would be prohibited from speaking out against them, even if it went against their own conscience. This was said to be in detrimentum animi, as it could cause harm to the person's soul to go against their oath.

The example illustrates how the phrase was used historically to enforce loyalty and obedience, even at the expense of personal beliefs or values. It highlights the power dynamics at play in medieval society, where questioning authority was often seen as a threat to the social order.