droits of Admiralty
ˈdrȯits-
English law
: certain rights or perquisites (as the proceeds of enemies' ships seized in port or taken by uncommissioned captors or from wrecks and derelicts) that formerly belonged to the Court of Admiralty but are now allowed to the captor
Word History
Etymology
Middle French droit law, right, from Medieval Latin directum, from neuter of Late Latin directus just, from Latin, straight, direct