narrow construction

Cultural  

1. A theory of interpretation of the Constitution that holds that the courts, particularly the Supreme Court, should be bound by the exact words of the Constitution, or by the original intent of the framers of the Constitution, or a combination of both. (Compare broad construction.)

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Example Sentences

In response, Gorsuch laid down an important new rule: Constitutional avoidance may be used to narrow “construction of a criminal statute,” but it cannot be used to broaden one.

From Slate

It's also notable that this narrow construction of "election interference activities" doesn't answer some of the other important questions about whether Trump might have been compromised by Russia due to his lies about the secret $300 million deal for Moscow Trump Tower, or why he seemed so eager to lift sanctions on Russia after the 2016 election.

From Salon

Rob Mance of Potomac said he’s all for slowing down traffic in the narrow construction zone, which he drives through frequently.

From Washington Post

In his narrow construction of U.S. “national interest,” Obama has undermined Congress’s efforts and missed his opportunity to significantly help the vulnerable victims of this abhorrent practice.

From Washington Post

The researchers can narrow construction dates to within a year or two by analysing tree-ring patterns in the wooden support beams in the ceilings and then matching them to an established tree-ring chronology for the region.

From Nature