RIOT ACT

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

Meaning:

A former English law requiring mobs to disperse after a magistrate reads the law to them

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("Riot Act" is a kind of...):

law (legal document setting forth rules governing a particular kind of activity)

Domain category:

jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)

Holonyms ("Riot Act" is a part of...):

criminal law (the body of law dealing with crimes and their punishment)

Meaning:

A vigorous reprimand

Example:

I read him the riot act

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("riot act" is a kind of...):

rebuke; reprehension; reprimand; reproof; reproval (an act or expression of criticism and censure)