statute

A written law or ordinance passed by a legislative body.

Noun

  1. A written law or ordinance passed by a legislative body.
    • The new statute limited working hours.
    • Parliament passed a statute on environmental protection.
    • criminal statute
  2. A rule of an organization or institution.
  3. A law or decree made by a sovereign, or by God.
  4. A (theoretical) type of statutory law specified as regulating a person or thing.

    1. Legal status of being subject to this.

  5. A statute fair.

Origin

From Middle English statut, from Old French statut, from Late Latin statutum (“a statute”), neuter singular of Latin statutus, past participle of statuō (“to set up, establish”).

Forms

statutes

Derived

counterstatute creature of statute laughing heir statute long arm statute long-arm statute nonclaim statute slayer statute statutable statute book statute law statute mile statute of frauds statute of limitations statute of repose statutorily statutory statutory rape substatute survival statute wrongful death statute