plenary

[plee-nuh-ree, plen-uh-]

adjective

1. full; complete; entire; absolute; unqualified.

   plenary powers.

2. attended by all qualified members; fully constituted.

   a plenary session of Congress.

noun

plural

plenaries 

1. a plenary session, meeting, or the like.

plenary

/ ˈplɛn-, ˈpliːnərɪ /

adjective

1. full, unqualified, or complete

   plenary powers

   plenary indulgence

2. (of assemblies, councils, etc) attended by all the members

noun

1. a book of the gospels or epistles and homilies read at the Eucharist

Other Word Forms

• plenarily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of plenary¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; from Late Latin plēnārius ( plenum, -ary ); replacing late Middle English plener, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin plēnāris ( -ar ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of plenary¹

C15: from Late Latin plēnārius, from Latin plēnus full; related to Middle English plener; see _plenum

Example Sentences

Just as in the Seal Team Six scenario, the president’s pardon power is also plenary, so there’s no exposure there either.

From Salon

On Friday, the Kremlin leader delivered the keynote speech at the forum's plenary session.

From BBC

A motion was passed in a plenary session of all 60 members, with no objections.

From BBC

There's an hour and a half in small groups, and an hour and a half of plenary sessions where they asked the questions.

From Salon

He added that those who made "irresponsible errors" would be dealt with at a plenary meeting next month.

From BBC