Legal Definitions - noxa

Definition: Noxa (nok-sə) is a Latin term that means "injury." It has several meanings:

1. In Roman law, it refers to harm done or an offense committed, such as injury to a person or property, especially by a slave or son. This gave rise to noxal liability, which means the obligation to pay for damage committed by a son, slave, or animal. For example, if a slave caused damage to someone's property, the owner of the slave would have to pay for the damage or surrender the slave to the injured party.
2. It can also refer to an offense in general.
3. It can refer to the punishment for an offense.
4. It can refer to something that exerts a harmful effect on the body.

For example, if someone is exposed to toxic chemicals, those chemicals can be considered a noxa because they can harm the body.

The examples illustrate how the term "noxa" can have different meanings depending on the context. In Roman law, it referred to a specific type of liability for harm caused by a slave or son. In general usage, it can refer to any offense or harm, as well as the punishment for that offense. It can also refer to something that causes harm to the body, such as a toxic substance.