A Latin principle meaning 'let the buyer beware,' placing the responsibility on purchasers to examine goods and assume risks before buying. Modern consumer protection laws have significantly limited this doctrine.
Direct Latin phrase: 'caveat' (let him beware) from 'cavere' (to be on guard) and 'emptor' (buyer) from 'emere' (to buy). This Roman commercial principle dominated Anglo-American law until the 20th century consumer protection movement.
Caveat emptor was the legal equivalent of 'no returns, no exchanges' on steroids! In the old days, if you bought a horse and it died the next day, tough luck - but modern law has flipped this completely, giving buyers extensive protection and putting the burden on sellers to ensure quality.
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