1. A legal doctrine asserting that territory without a recognized sovereign can be claimed by any state that discovers and occupies it
The colonial powers used the doctrine of terra nullius to justify their territorial acquisitions in Africa and Australia.
Os poderes coloniais usaram a doutrina de terra de ninguém para justificar suas aquisições territoriais na África e Austrália.
2. Land that is unclaimed or unowned by any person or state
The explorers believed the newly discovered lands were terra nullius and open for settlement.
Os exploradores acreditavam que as terras recém-descobertas eram terra de ninguém e abertas para colonização.