Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

desert principle

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.07 in modern English

Syllables: de-sert prin-ci-ple
IPA

22

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

4

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

name

The concept that offenders should be punished according to how blameworthy they are.

Example Sentences

"In that sense, the model represents a compromise: the basic structure of the penalty system is shaped by the desert principle, but crime-control considerations are given some scope in the choice of the individual offender's sentence."
"Bedau contends that the desert principle has no mode of measurement to determine the degree of harm implicated by […]"
"The desert principle is clearly unrelated to the demands of social control, rehabilitation, or reintegration."

Etymology

From desert (“a just punishment or reward”).

Inflected Forms

the desert principle (canonical)

Phrases

just deserts

Frequently Paired Words

just deserts

Questions

What does desert principle mean?: The concept that offenders should be punished according to how blameworthy they are.
Where does desert principle come from?: From desert (“a just punishment or reward”).

How to pronounce desert principle

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