textualism

[teks-choo-uh-liz-uhm]

noun

1. strict adherence to a text, especially of the Scriptures.

2. Law.,  the doctrine that a legal document or statute should be interpreted by determining the relatively objective ordinary meaning of its words and phrases, without regard to historical context or legislative history.

   Textualism holds, that when applying the law, the words of the Constitution itself are to be the final authority.

textualism

/ ˈtɛkstjʊəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. doctrinaire adherence to a text, esp of the Bible

2. textual criticism, esp of the Bible

Other Word Forms

• textualist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of textualism¹

First recorded in 1860–65; textual + -ism

Example Sentences

What we have here is a classic dispute over textualism, the theory that judges should look exclusively to the plain text of the statute to discover its meaning.

From Slate

Gorsuch is a steadfast advocate of textualism.

From Slate

So, really, far from being “insufficiently pliable,” I think pure textualism is incessantly malleable—that’s its primary problem—and, indeed, it is certainly somehow always flexible enough to secure the majority’s desired outcome.

From Slate

The truth is that textualism does not constrain judges, and there are countless examples of its proponents contorting a statute’s text to reach their desired result.

From Slate

She and Kagan have taken a cautious attitude toward textualism, cognizant of its ability to deliver occasional victories for the left.

From Slate