ultra vires

[ uhl-truh-vahy-reez ]

/ ˌʌl trə ˈvaɪ riz /

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adverb, adjective Law.

beyond the legal power or authority of a corporation, corporate officer, etc. (opposed to intra vires).

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of ultra vires

First recorded in 1785–95; Latin: literally, beyond strength

Words nearby ultra vires

ultratropical, ultraviolet, ultraviolet astronomy, ultraviolet filter, ultraviolet radiation, ultra vires, ultravirus, ultrawideband, ulu, Ulúa, ululant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ultra vires in a sentence

I didn't say I represented the state, which is a different matter, and beset with ultra vires pitfalls.
The Little Brown Jug at Kildare|Meredith Nicholson
The moment it passes beyond these boundaries, its actions become ultra vires and tyrannical.
Exempting the Churches|James F. Morton. Jr.
"The Martians say they will go with us to Ultra Vires, so we won't get lost," she told him.
Rebels of the Red Planet|Charles Louis Fontenay
So strict is the rule that not even the consent of every individual shareholder can give validity to an ultra vires act.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 7|Various

To pay dividends out of capital is not only ultra vires but illegal, as constituting Dividends.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 7|Various

British Dictionary definitions for ultra vires

ultra vires

/ (ˈvaɪriːz) /

adverb, adjective

(predicative) law beyond the legal power or authority of a person, corporation, agent, etc

Word Origin for ultra vires

Latin, literally: beyond strength

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