grandfather clause

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noun

U.S. History. a clause in the constitutions of some Southern states after 1890 intended to permit white people to vote while disfranchising Black people: it exempted from new literacy and property qualifications for voting those men entitled to vote before 1867 and their lineal descendants.

any legal provision that exempts a business, class of persons, etc., from a new government regulation that would affect prior rights and privileges.

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Origin of grandfather clause

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Words nearby grandfather clause

Grande Prairie, Grande-Terre, grandeur, Grand Falls, grandfather, grandfather clause, grandfather clock, grandfatherly, grandfather paradox, grandfather's chair, grandfather's clock

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use grandfather clause in a sentence

The measure contained no grandfather clause for minors who were already undergoing treatment.
Judge blocks Ark. anti-trans youth health care law from taking effect|Chris Johnson|July 21, 2021|Washington Blade
Earl Spencer adds, “Effectively, my great-grandfather sold his children to his father-in-law.”
The Real-Life ‘Downton’ Millionairesses Who Changed Britain|Tim Teeman|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They would not, for example, supersede federal law regarding the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment.
A Field General in the War on Christmas|David Freedlander|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His grandfather, a pastor, had visited the church decades before—in the 1980s—when the church was popular within the community.
Beaten By His Church for Being Gay|Justin Jones|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

His great-grandfather, David Yellin, was a prominent Zionist scholar and Israeli pioneer.
Trans in the Holy Land: ‘Marzipan Flowers,’ Tal Kallai, and the Shattering of Israel’s LGBT Taboos|Itay Hod|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, his grandfather was named Marion—also the birth name of John Wayne.
‘Archer’ Season 6 Preview: Cast and Crew on Rebranding and Dropping ISIS|Marlow Stern|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He grew very restless, for it was a long time before Grandfather Mole appeared.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
But she told Grandfather Mole that it was all right—that she knew a person of his age ought not to go without his breakfast.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
And he had waited so long for Grandfather Mole that he had begun to feel hungry again.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
One thing was certain: Grandfather Mole could travel much faster through the water than he could underground.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
Then Jimmy remembered suddenly that he had to meet Grandfather Mole over there.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey

British Dictionary definitions for grandfather clause

grandfather clause

noun

US history a clause in the constitutions of several Southern states that waived electoral literacy requirements for lineal descendants of people voting before 1867, thus ensuring the franchise for illiterate White people: declared unconstitutional in 1915

a clause in legislation that forbids or regulates an activity so that those engaged in it are exempted from the ban

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

grandfather clause

Origin of grandfather clause

Words nearby grandfather clause

Words related to grandfather clause

How to use grandfather clause in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for grandfather clause