E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
A vinculo matrimonii (Latin).
Divorced from marriage ties. A total divorce. A divorce a mensa et thoro is a partial divorce. The divorce a vinculo matrimonii is because the marriage was never legal, as in the case of bigamy, or marriage within the prohibited degrees; but a divorce a mensa et thoro is because the parties cannot live together from incompatibility of temper, in which case they may, if they choose, come together again.
