CONSECRATIO CAPITIS

consecratio capitis (kon-s[schwa]-kray-shee-oh kap-i-tis). [Latin “consecrating the body”] Roman law. The act of declaring a wrongdoer an outlaw who could be killed on sight; the punishing of criminal behavior by re-legating an offender to the gods, i.e., leaving the person outside divine and human protection. See SACER; OUTLAWRY.