decree nisi

American  

[nahy-sahy] / ˈnaɪ saɪ /

noun

Law.

1. a decree, especially of divorce, that will become absolute at a later date.

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decree nisi British  

/ ˈnaɪsaɪ /

noun

1. a provisional decree, esp in divorce proceedings, which will later be made absolute unless cause is shown why it should not Compare decree absolute

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Etymology

Origin of decree nisi

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

A decree nisi was due to be granted in March 2021.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2022

His children cried, last August, when he announced he would be leaving, when he filed the paperwork to complete his decree nisi, and that was enough to persuade him to stay.

From New York Times • Aug. 5, 2021

And it replaces the terms "decree nisi" and "decree absolute" with "conditional order" and "final order".

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2020

So far, she has helped more than 1,000 couples, many of whom apologise to each other and go out for drinks despite their decree nisi.

From The Guardian • Jan. 14, 2017

This again is undefended and the decree nisi goes as of course.

From The Law and the Poor by Parry, Edward Abbott

Related Words

• annulment
• breakup
• dissolution
• separation
• split