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textualism

[ teks-choo-uh-liz-uhm ]

noun

  1. strict adherence to a text, especially of the Scriptures.
  2. Law. the doctrine that a legal document or statute should be interpreted by determining the relatively objective ordinary meaning of its words and phrases, without regard to historical context or legislative history: originalism.

    Textualism holds, that when applying the law, the words of the Constitution itself are to be the final authority.



textualism

/ ˈtɛkstjʊəˌlɪzəm /

noun

  1. doctrinaire adherence to a text, esp of the Bible
  2. textual criticism, esp of the Bible


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Derived Forms

  • ˈtextualist, nounadjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of textualism1

First recorded in 1860–65; textual + -ism

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Example Sentences

Bork's textualism was also not likely to overturn a ton of democratically created laws.

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textual criticismtextualist