turpis causa

An unsustainable suit for wages, on the part of a British pilot, for navigating a foreign ship to an enemy's port.

causa
causa (by Cicero, and also a little after him, caussa, Quint. 1, 7, 20; so Fast. Praenest. pp. 321...

A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.
turpis
turpis, e, adj. [Sanscr. root tarp-, to be ashamed], ugly, unsightly, unseemly, foul, filthy (class....

A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.
causa
causa (caussa) ae, f 1 CAV-, a cause, reason, motive, inducement, occasion, opportunity : te causa...

An Elementary Latin Dictionary
turpis
turpis e, adj.with comp.and sup.TARC-, ugly, unsightly, unseemly, repulsive, foul, filthy : aspect...

An Elementary Latin Dictionary