Int’l law. A white flag used as a signal when one belligerent wishes to communicate with the other in the field. • The bearers of such a flag may not be fired on, injured, or taken prisoner, as long as they carry out their mission in good faith.
flag, n. 1. A usu. rectangular piece of cloth, bunting, or other material decorated with a distinctive design and used as a symbol or signal. 2. Something symbolized by the display of a flag, such as a ship or nationality. See DUTY OF THE FLAG; LAW OF THE FLAG. flag of convenience. Int’l law. A
fetiales (fee-shee-ay-leez), n. pl. Roman law. The order of priests whose duties concerned international relations and treaties, including the declaration of war and peace. — Also spelled feciales. “Feciales [were] … priests among the Romans, Etruscans, and other ancient nations of Italy, who acted as heralds of peace and war. Their persons were sacred from
perfidy (p[schwa]r-f[schwa]-dee).Int’l law. A combatant’s conduct that creates the impression that an adversary is entitled to, or is obliged to accord, protection under international law, when in fact the conduct is a ruse to gain an advantage. • Acts of perfidy include feigning an intent to negotiate under a flag of truce, or feigning protected