Riot-act
noun
1.
an English statute of 1715 providing that if 12 or more persons assemble unlawfully and riotously, to the disturbance of the public peace, and refuse to disperse upon proclamation they shall be considered guilty of felony.
Idioms
2.
read someone the riot act,
to reprimand; censure:
The principal read them the riot act for their behavior at the assembly.
to give (someone) a sharp warning.
noun
1.
(criminal law) (formerly in England) a statute of 1715 by which persons committing a riot had to disperse within an hour of the reading of the act by a magistrate
2.
read the riot act to someone, to warn or reprimand someone severely
Read Also:
- Rioted
noun 1. a noisy, violent public disorder caused by a group or crowd of persons, as by a crowd protesting against another group, a government policy, etc., in the streets. 2. Law. a disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons acting together in a disrupting and tumultuous manner in carrying out their […]
- Rioter
noun 1. a noisy, violent public disorder caused by a group or crowd of persons, as by a crowd protesting against another group, a government policy, etc., in the streets. 2. Law. a disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons acting together in a disrupting and tumultuous manner in carrying out their […]
- Riot girl
noun, adjective a young aggressive feminist; by extension, an aggressive female rock-and-roll musician
- Riot grrrl
riot grrrl
- Riot-gun
noun 1. a gun, especially a shotgun with a short barrel, for quelling riots rather than inflicting serious injury.