ferae nature

Definition

Ferae naturae is a Latin phrase used as an adjective (or adjectival phrase) in legal and zoological contexts.

  • Legal context: Refers to animals that are wild by nature, as opposed to domesticated animals. In law, such animals are considered property only while captured or confined; if they escape, they revert to their wild state.
  • Zoological context: Describes species that are inherently wild, untamed, and not domesticated.
Usage Examples
  • (The wolf was wild by nature, not a domesticated animal.)
  • (They are inherently wild species.)
  • (The deer was a wild animal, not a domesticated one.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Ferae naturae" vs. "domitae naturae": The opposite of "ferae naturae" is "domitae naturae," meaning animals that are tame or domesticated by nature.

    • Dogs are generally considered domitae naturae, while wolves are ferae naturae. (Dogs are naturally tame; wolves are naturally wild.)

  • Legal principle of "ferae naturae": In property law, wild animals belong to no one until captured; they are "res nullius" (things belonging to no one).

    • The fish in the ocean are ferae naturae, so they become property only when caught. (They are wild and unowned until captured.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Fera natura (Latin): The singular form; a single wild animal.

    • The fera natura escaped from the zoo. (One wild animal.)

  • Ferae naturae (Latin plural): The plural form; wild animals collectively.

    • The law protects ferae naturae within national parks. (All wild animals collectively.)
Synonyms
  • Wild: Not domesticated; living in a natural state.
  • Untamed: Not trained or controlled by humans.
  • Feral: Having returned to a wild state after being domesticated.
Related Idioms
  • "Wild as a hawk": An idiom meaning untamed or fiercely independent; not directly related to "ferae naturae" but conveys a similar idea of wildness.
    • The child was wild as a hawk, refusing to obey any rules. (The child was untamed and free-spirited.)
Phrasal Verbs
  • Run wild: To behave without restraint or control, often used for animals or children.
    • The horses ran wild on the open plains. (They were free and untamed.)
    • The garden was run wild with weeds. (It was overgrown and uncontrolled.)