cy pres - 4 dictionary results
cy pres
[see prey] 
Law.–preposition
| 1. | as near as possible. |
–noun
| 2. | the doctrine, applied esp. to cases of charitable trusts or donations, that, in place of an impossible or illegal condition, limitation, or object, allows the nearest practicable one to be substituted. |
Also, cypres.
Origin:
1475–85; < AF: lit., as near (cf. F si près)
1475–85; < AF: lit., as near (cf. F si près)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To cy pres
| cy pres (sē' prā') n. The legal doctrine that allows a court freedom in interpreting the terms of a will or gift if carrying out the terms literally would be impracticable or illegal. At the same time, the general intent of the testator or donor is supposed to be observed as closely as possible. [Middle English, from Anglo-Norman : cy, so, as (from Latin sīc, so; see sic1) + pres, near (from Late Latin pressē, close to, from Latin pressus, past participle of premere, to press closely; see press1).] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Main Entry: 1cy pres
Pronunciation: "sE-'prA
Function: noun
Etymology: Anglo-French, as near (as possible)
: a rule in the law of trusts and estates that provides for the interpretation of instruments as nearly as possible in conformity with the intention of the testator when literal construction is illegal, impracticable, or impossible
Main Entry: 2cy pres
Function: adverb
: in accordance with the rule of cy pres
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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