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Definition of plenary - 4 dictionary results

ple⋅na⋅ry

  [plee-nuh-ree, plen-uh-] adjective, noun, plural -ries.
Use plenary in a Sentence
–adjective
1. full; complete; entire; absolute; unqualified: plenary powers.
2. attended by all qualified members; fully constituted: a plenary session of Congress.
–noun
3. a plenary session, meeting, or the like.
Origin:
1375–1425; < LL plēnārius (see plenum, -ary ); r. late ME plener < AF < LL plēnāris (see -ar 1 )

Related forms:
ple⋅na⋅ri⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ple·na·ry   (plē'nə-rē, plěn'ə-)   
adj.  

  1. Complete in all respects; unlimited or full: a diplomat with plenary powers.

  2. Fully attended by all qualified members: a plenary session of the council.


[Late Latin plēnārius, from Latin plēnus, full; see pelə-1 in Indo-European roots.]
ple'na·ri·ly adv., ple'na·ri·ness n.
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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Word Origin & History

plenary 
1517, earlier plenar (c.1290), from M.L. plenarius "entire, complete," from L. plenus "full," from PIE *ple- "to be full" (see poly-).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ple·na·ry
Pronunciation: 'plE-n&-rE, 'ple-
Function: adjective
: full and complete in every respect: as a : ABSOLUTE 1 <plenary power> b : fully attended or constituted plenary session of the legislature> c : including all steps in due order plenary proceeding> —compare SUMMARY
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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