nullius filius

English

Alternative forms

• filius nullius

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin nullius filius (“nobody's son”), from Latin nullius + filius.

Noun

nullius filius

1. (Latinate) A child of unknown parentage; an orphan.
2. (law) The son of no one; a bastard.
   • 1856, Bouvier Law Dictionary, 6th edition:

     A bastard is considered nullius filius as far as regards his right inherit. But the rule of nullius filius does not apply in other respects

Synonyms

• (son of no one): by-blow, see also Thesaurus:bastard