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positive law

American  

noun

  1. customary law or law enacted by governmental authority (as distinguished fromnatural law ).


Etymology

Origin of positive law

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

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How does positive-law compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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"Natural" means without the enforcement of positive law, man-made law.

From New York Times ● Jan. 12, 2015

“Freedom Riders” implicitly and ably conveys the powerlessness of positive law in the face of a toxic cultural emotionalism.

From New York Times ● May 15, 2011

If valid, they place all persons within their reach under the obligation of positive law, binding equally those who assent and those who do not assent.

From Time Magazine Archive

This positive law is to be regarded as sanctioned and recognised by all the members of the state.

From The World As Will And Idea (Vol. 1 of 3) by Arthur Schopenhauer

The slaveholders had, themselves, as we have so often seen, acknowledged slavery to be an evil, and had, therefore, defended it chiefly from the point of view of positive law.

From The Middle Period 1817-1858 by John William Burgess

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