Caveat emptor definition

Caveat emptor

Topics Caveat emptor Definition

WordNet

(1) A commercial principle that without a warranty the buyer takes upon himself the risk of quality

WiktionaryText

From caveat the subjunctive of caveo ("I beware") + emptor ("buyer").

Used as a warning to anyone buying something that there might be unforeseen problems or faults with what is bought.
A provision of Roman law which gave the seller of a house the legal right to keep quiet about any defects of a house which he was selling.