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Feud
What is Feud? A clear definition with examples, FAQ and related legal terms.
A feud, also known in more extreme cases as a blood feud, vendetta, faida, clan war, gang war, private war, or mob war, is a long-running argument or fight, often between social groups of people, especially families or clans. Feuds begin because one party perceives itse…
Feud — Definition and meaning
A feud, also known in more extreme cases as a blood feud, vendetta, faida, clan war, gang war, private war, or mob war, is a long-running argument or fight, often between social groups of people, especially families or clans. Feuds begin because one party perceives itself to have been attacked, insulted, injured, or otherwise wronged by another. Intense feelings of resentment trigger an initial retribution, which causes the other party to feel greatly aggrieved and vengeful. The dispute is subsequently fueled by a long-running cycle of retaliatory violence. This continual cycle of provocation and retaliation usually makes it extremely difficult to end the feud peacefully. Feuds can persist for generations and may result in extreme acts of violence. They can be interpreted as an extreme outgrowth of social relations based in family honor. A mob war occurs when two or more rival families begin open warfare with one another, destroying each other's businesses and assassinating family members. Mob wars are generally disastrous for all concerned, and can lead to the rise or fall of a family.
The importance of Feud
Feud appears in U.S. legal practice
across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can
determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations.
For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often
carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to
costly missteps.
How Feud is applied
In practice, Feud is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an
issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next.
The definition shown above is sourced from
Wikipedia ,
which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice.
Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the
precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for
your specific case.
