res ipsa loquitur

English

Etymology

From the Latin phrase rēs ipsa loquitur (“the thing speaks for itself”).

Phrase

res ipsa loquitur

The import of a thing or situation is obvious.
(law) A maxim where the very improbable facts of an accident imply the negligence of the defendant. It effectively shifts the burden of proof to the defendant.

Synonyms

(import is obvious): clear cut, cut and dried, open and shut, open and shut case

Coordinate terms

prima facie

Translations

maxim where improbable facts imply negligence

Spanish: la cosa habla por sí misma

Swedish: saken talar för sig själv

Latin

Alternative forms

rēs loquitur ipsa ()

Etymology

From rēs (“thing”) + ipsa (“herself”), the feminine of ipse (“himself”) because rēs is a feminine word + loquitur (“she speaks”) the third-person form of loquor (“I speak”). Literally meaning "the thing itself speaks" or "the matter itself speaks".

Phrase

rēs ipsa loquitur

the thing speaks for itself

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