Legal Definitions - ludere in extremis

Definition: Ludere in extremis (loo-də-ree in ek-stree-mis) is a Latin term that means to make sport on one's deathbed. In history, it was believed that a person would never joke or play around when they were close to death.

Example: A dying man was surrounded by his family and friends. Despite his weakened state, he suddenly sat up and began telling jokes and making everyone laugh. His loved ones were surprised by his sudden burst of humor, but they knew that he was not playing around. He was simply trying to bring some joy and happiness to their last moments together.

Explanation: This example illustrates the concept of ludere in extremis because the dying man was making jokes and trying to make his loved ones laugh, even though he was close to death. His actions were not seen as trivial or unimportant, but rather as a way to bring some comfort and happiness to those around him during a difficult time.