litigious
Meaning: Tending to go to law or initiate legal proceedings readily, often over minor matters. Describes a person, organisation, or culture excessively inclined to sue.
Litigious is almost always pejorative, implying that someone reaches for lawyers when less adversarial solutions are available. It collocates with 'society,' 'culture,' 'individual,' and 'approach.' British commentary often uses it to describe American legal culture by contrast. The related noun is 'litigiousness' and the practice is 'litigation.'
Examples
- The company's litigious reputation made potential partners reluctant to do business with them. 该公司好打官司的名声使潜在合作伙伴不愿与其做生意。La reputación litigiosa de la empresa disuadía a los posibles socios de hacer negocios con ella.その会社の訴訟好きな評判は、潜在的なパートナーの取引意欲を削いだ。그 회사의 소송을 일삼는 평판 때문에 잠재적 파트너들은 거래를 꺼렸다.
- We live in an increasingly litigious society where schools are afraid to let children play outside. 我们生活在一个越来越好诉讼的社会,学校甚至不敢让孩子在户外玩耍。Vivimos en una sociedad cada vez más litigiosa, donde los colegios temen dejar jugar a los niños al aire libre.私たちは訴訟がますます増える社会に生きており、学校は子どもを外で遊ばせることさえ恐れている。우리는 점점 더 소송이 만연한 사회에 살고 있어서, 학교조차 아이들을 밖에서 놀게 하는 것을 두려워한다.
- His litigious nature meant that even a minor boundary dispute ended up in the County Court. 他好打官司的性格意味着即使是小小的地界纠纷也会闹到郡法院。Su carácter litigioso hizo que incluso una nimia disputa sobre lindes acabase en el juzgado de condado.彼の訴訟好きな性格ゆえに、ささいな境界紛争でさえ郡裁判所に持ち込まれることになった。그의 소송벽 때문에 사소한 경계 분쟁마저 결국 카운티 법원에까지 가게 되었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: legal, journalism
Tone: disapproving
Origin & History
From Latin litigiosus (quarrelsome), from litigare (to dispute, to go to law), from lis (lawsuit) + agere (to drive). Entered English in the late 14th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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