parens patriae

Main Entry: par·ens pat·ri·ae
Pronunciation: 'par-&nz-'pa-trE-"E, -'pA-, -trE-"I; 'pär-ens-'pä-trE-"I
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, parent of the country
: the state in its capacity as the legal guardian of persons not sui juris and without natural guardians, as the heir to persons without natural heirs, and as the protector of all citizens unable to protect themselves parens patriae and not as adversary —Kent v. United States, 383 U.S. 541 (1966)>