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originalism
[ uh-rij-uh-nl-iz-uhm ]
noun
- the doctrine that a legal document or statute should be interpreted by determining its original meaning, or how it would have been understood by informed readers when it was first written.
- the doctrine that a legal document or statute should be interpreted according to the actual or supposed intent of the author or authors, taking into consideration the historical context.
- either of these doctrines in reference to legal interpretations of a constitution, especially the U.S. Constitution:
Judges who disagree with judicial activism, such as Justice Antonin Scalia, tend to embrace originalism.
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Other Words From
- o·rig·in·al·ist noun adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of originalism1
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Example Sentences
This is why “originalism” is so beloved of cultural conservatives: All it really means is “keep the status quo.”
Next, the court makes a totally different argument: constitutional originalism.
And even the primary dissenting opinion used a version of originalism.
But with time, and in no small part due to his efforts, originalism has become more accepted.
Not necessarily because originalism is the theory we all should embrace.
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