[see prey] 
Law.| 1. | as near as possible. |
| 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. |
| 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).] |
