res ipsa loquitur

Definition

The import of a thing or situation is obvious.

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from Latin rēs ipsa loquitur (“the thing speaks for itself”, literally “the thing itself speaks”).

Example Sentences

• "The court in that case established three criteria that must be shown for res ipsa loquitur to apply: The injury must be the kind that ordinarily doesn't occur in the absence of some type of negligence."
• "Res ipsa loquitur was frequently applied in cases involving foreign bodies in foodstuffs."