nisi

American  

[nahy-sahy, nee-see] / ˈnaɪ saɪ, ˈni si /

adjective

1. not yet final or absolute (used, especially in law, to indicate that a judgment or decree will become final on a particular date unless set aside or invalidated by certain specified contingencies).

   a decree nisi.

---

nisi British  

/ ˈnaɪsaɪ /

adjective

1. (postpositive) law (of a court order) coming into effect on a specified date unless cause is shown within a certain period why it should not

   a decree nisi

---

Etymology

Origin of nisi

< Latin: if not, unless (conjunction)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nisi

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

From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2022

And that's only the beginning of what the nil nisi bonum faithful evaded.

From Salon ● May 8, 2021

My high school Latin teacher taught me the ethic of de mortuis nil nisi bonum: Say nothing but good about the dead.

From Slate ● Jul. 8, 2016

Again, de mortuis nil nisi bonum, but let's not forget that the legend of JFK is largely that -- a legend.

From New York Times ● Nov. 28, 2015

The experience of true, passionate love that had been snatched away from me just when it had been in my grasp— Nil satis nisi optimum, interrupted my father’s voice, booming inside my head.

From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson