三さん族ぞくの罪つみ

noun

crime implicating one's three types of relatives

Rare historical term from Chinese-influenced legal systems, referring to a crime so severe that punishment extends to the offender's three sets of relatives (usually father's side, mother's side, and wife's side).

See also: 三族

• 古こ代だい中ちゅう国ごくでは、三さん族ぞくの罪つみに問とわれると一いち族ぞくが処しょ罰ばつされた。

  In ancient China, if one was charged with a crime implicating the three types of relatives, the whole clan was punished.