diriment

American  

[dir-uh-muhnt] / ˈdɪr ə mənt /

adjective

1. causing to become wholly void; nullifying.

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diriment British  

/ ˈdɪrɪmənt /

adjective

1. (of an impediment to marriage in canon law) totally invalidating

2. rare  nullifying

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Etymology

Origin of diriment

1840–50; < Latin diriment-, stem of dirimēns, present participle of dirimere; diremption

Example Sentences

Caius is going to the altar to be married; Claudius knows of a diriment impediment to the marriage, but cannot make it known without causing a scene and giving great scandal.

From Project Gutenberg

Example: If in a pagan country Christians were so few that they could marry only infidels, and if distance or other circumstances made it impossible to seek a dispensation, the diriment impediment of disparity of worship would seem to cease for those Christians.

From Project Gutenberg

Example: In itself, it is not unlawful to make an informal will, but it is unlawful to marry with a diriment impediment.

From Project Gutenberg

Example: One may not contract marriage with a diriment impediment, on the plea that the Church would not wish the impediments to oblige under the serious inconvenience that exists in one's case.

From Project Gutenberg

The impediment of disparity of worship became diriment through custom; it was custom that introduced the obligation of the Divine Office, and that mitigated the early law of fast.

From Project Gutenberg