The Collaborative International Dictionary
Unwritten \Un*writ"ten\, a.
Not written; not reduced to writing; oral; as, unwritten agreements.
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Containing no writing; blank; as, unwritten paper.
Unwritten doctrines (Theol.), such doctrines as have been handed down by word of mouth; oral or traditional doctrines.
Unwritten law. [Cf. L. lex non scripta.] That part of the law of England and of the United States which is not derived from express legislative enactment, or at least from any enactment now extant and in force as such. This law is now generally contained in the reports of judicial decisions. See Common law, under Common.
Unwritten laws, such laws as have been handed down by tradition or in song. Such were the laws of the early nations of Europe.
WordNet
n. law based on customary behavior
Wikipedia
Unwritten Law is an American rock band formed in 1990 in Poway, California They have released seven full-length studio albums and have toured internationally, including performances on the Warped Tour. They are notable for their singles " Seein' Red" and " Save Me (Wake Up Call)," both of which entered the top 5 in the US Modern Rock charts. Their sixth studio album, Swan, was released March 29, 2011.
Unwritten Law is the third album by the San Diego-based punk rock band Unwritten Law, released in 1998 by Interscope Records. It was their first album to chart, reaching No. 16 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart. Music videos were filmed for the songs "Teenage Suicide", "California Sky", "Holiday", " Cailin", and " Lonesome". "Cailin" and "Lonesome" were released as singles, the former being Unwritten Law's first song to chart, reaching No. 28 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Micah Albao performed as a session bassist on the album, the band's original bassist John Bell having departed the group the previous year. Following the recording sessions, Pat "PK" Kim of Sprung Monkey joined Unwritten Law as their new permanent bass player. The album includes guest appearances by Brandon Boyd and Mike Einziger of Incubus on the hidden track "418".
Unwritten Law may refer to:
- An unspoken rule.
- Unwritten Law, a U.S. punk rock band that started in 1990
- The Unwritten Law (film)
- "Unwritten Law", a song by The Sound from their 1980 album Jeopardy
- "The Unwritten Law", a song by Deep Purple from their 1987 album The House of Blue Light
- The Unwritten Law, a 1932 film starring Greta Nissen and Mary Brian, believed lost.
- The Unwritten Law Caper, the October 6, 1946 episode of The Adventures of Sam Spade, a radio series based loosely on the private detective character Sam Spade
Usage examples of "unwritten law".
But none of that's as important as the spot it puts you in with a jealous husband out to avenge his honor as per the unwritten law!
And therefore unlesse there be an Interpreter authorised by the Soveraign, from which the subordinate Judges are not to recede, the Interpreter can be no other than the ordinary Judges, in the same manner, as they are in cases of the unwritten Law.
More than ever was Boris resolved to serve in future not according to the written code, but under this unwritten law.
That was unwritten law: it gave too much offense to compare anyone's customs with those of the enemy.
It does seem to be an unwritten law that a bank must have a Classic portico--and a bank is not exactly the right institution to parade law-breaking and rebellion.
There was an unwritten law that nothing was to be molested that stood outside the door where it belonged.
He was carrying out some stupid ritualistic code-- the old unwritten law of the pre-Korean War years.
By unwritten law the deviltry was restricted to those under the age of twelve, and no property was to be destroyed or rendered so befouled or bollixed as to require expensive repairs.
Sean was breaking that unwritten law against bringing a German girl into their midst, socially.