Grandfather-clause


noun
1.
U.S. History. a clause in the constitutions of some Southern states after 1890 intended to permit whites to vote while disfranchising blacks: it exempted from new literacy and property qualifications for voting those men entitled to vote before 1867 and their lineal descendants.
2.
any legal provision that exempts a business, class of persons, etc., from a new government regulation that would affect prior rights and privileges.
noun
1.
(US, history) a clause in the constitutions of several Southern states that waived electoral literacy requirements for lineal descendants of people voting before 1867, thus ensuring the franchise for illiterate White people: declared unconstitutional in 1915
2.
a clause in legislation that forbids or regulates an activity so that those engaged in it are exempted from the ban

Read Also:

  • Grandfathered rights

    noun phrase the legal privilege to use property based on descendants’ use; also called nonconforming rights , also written grandfather rights

  • Grandfatherly

    [gran-fah-th er-lee, grand-] /ˈgrænˌfɑ ðər li, ˈgrænd-/ adjective 1. of or characteristic of a . /ˈɡrænˌfɑːðəlɪ; ˈɡrænd-/ adjective 1. of, resembling, or suitable to a grandfather, esp in being kindly adj. 1824, from grandfather + -ly (1).

  • Grandfather rights

    noun phrase See grandfathered rights

  • Grand-feu

    [French grahn fœ] /French grɑ̃ ˈfœ/ noun, Ceramics. 1. a firing of ceramics at a high temperature. 2. the category of ceramic colors fired at high temperature.

  • Grand-finale

    noun 1. the concluding portion of a performance or entertainment, as a musical show, rodeo, etc., usually spectacular and involving most or all of the prior participants.


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