IdiomDaily LifeFrench

Manu militari

Meaning: By force; with physical compulsion.

Literally: By military hand

Example: “Les manifestants ont été expulsés manu militari de la mairie.” — The protesters were forcibly thrown out of city hall.

Origin: A Latin ablative kept intact in French legal and journalistic register. It describes an eviction or removal carried out by whoever has the strength to do it.

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