section 1983

noun | \ ˈsek-shən-ˌnīn-tēn-ˌā-tē-ˈthrē \ | sec·tion 1983

1. : the section of title 42 of the U.S. Code that makes a person liable for depriving another of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the U.S. Constitution and laws while acting under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage of a state