Ab Abusu Ad Usum Non Valet Consequentia –  This phrase comes from Latin. It refers to a legal maxim “Abusive use does not preclude proper use”, applicable in the area of Tort Law. This legal maxim is based on the notion that “abusu”, or abuse, is a voluntary human act. Also entirely voluntary is to refrain from the abusive use and to prefer proper use. This definition applies to all things subject to proper and improper use, which are legion. Guns and knives are two obvious ones.

* Translation has been kindly contributed by our reader M.M.