definitions

peremptory

[ puh-remp-tuh-ree, per-uhmp-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]
/ pəˈrɛmp tə ri, ˈpɛr əmpˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /
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adjective

leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal; imperative: a peremptory command.
imperious or dictatorial.
positive or assertive in speech, tone, manner, etc.
Law.
  1. that precludes or does not admit of debate, question, etc.: a peremptory edict.
  2. decisive or final.
  3. in which a command is absolute and unconditional: a peremptory writ.

RELATED WORDS

forthwith, swiftly, promptly, arbitrarily, immediately, readily, speedily, expeditiously

Nearby words

pereiopod, pereira, pereira bark, pereirine, perelman, peremptory, peremptory challenge, peremptory exception, perencephaly, perendale, perennate

Origin of peremptory

1505–15; < Latin peremptōrius final, decisive, literally, deadly, destructive (derivative of perimere to take away fully, destroy, slay), equivalent to per- per- + em-, base of emere to buy, orig. to take + -tōrius -tory1, with intrusive p

Related forms

Can be confused

peremptory preemptive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for peremptorily

British Dictionary definitions for peremptorily

peremptory

/ (pəˈrɛmptərɪ) /

adjective

urgent or commandinga peremptory ring on the bell
not able to be remitted or debated; decisive
positive or assured in speech, manner, etc; dogmatic
law
  1. admitting of no denial or contradiction; precluding debate
  2. obligatory rather than permissive

Derived Forms

peremptorily, adverbperemptoriness, noun

Word Origin for peremptory

C16: from Anglo-Norman peremptorie, from Latin peremptōrius decisive, from perimere to take away completely, from per- (intensive) + emere to take
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