statute

American  

[stach-oot, -oot] / ˈstætʃ ut, -ʊt /

noun

1. Law.

   1. an enactment made by a legislature and expressed in a formal document.

   2. the document in which such an enactment is expressed.

2. International Law. an instrument annexed or subsidiary to an international agreement, as a treaty.

3. a permanent rule established by an organization, corporation, etc., to govern its internal affairs.

---

statute British  

/ ˈstætjuːt /

noun

1. 1. an enactment of a legislative body expressed in a formal document

   2. this document

2. a permanent rule made by a body or institution for the government of its internal affairs

---

Etymology

Origin of statute

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English statut, from Old French estatut, from Late Latin statūtum, noun use of neuter of Latin statūtus “made to stand,” past participle of statuere “to make stand, set up,” verb derivative of status status

Example Sentences

Rulemaking is intricate work, they said, requiring expertise in the subject at hand as well as in existing statutes, regulations and case law.

From Salon

The statute of limitations may be tolled if your father was mentally incapacitated and/or if the fiduciary concealed material facts from a co-trustee or executor and made false representations when settling the estate.

From MarketWatch

The statute says suits can be filed within two years of the “date of discovery” of the disclosure.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I do think the statute revives the claim."

From Barron's

Two: there is no statute of limitations on friendliness.

From Salon

Related Words

• act
• bill
• decree
• edict
• measure
• regulation