What does desuetude mean?

Definitions for desuetude
ˈdɛs wɪˌtud, -ˌtyuddesue·tude

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word desuetude.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. desuetudenoun

    a state of inactivity or disuse

Wiktionary

  1. desuetudenoun

    disuse, obsolescence (for example, the state of a custom that is no longer observed nor practised)

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Desuetudenoun

    Cessation to be accustomed; discontinuance of practice or habit.

    Etymology: desuetudo, Latin.

    By the irruption of numerous armies of barbarous people, those countries were quickly fallen off, with barbarism and desuetude, from their former civility and knowledge. Matthew Hale.

    We see in all things how desuetude does contract and narrow our faculties, so that we can apprehend only those things wherein we are conversant. Government of the Tongue.

Wikipedia

  1. Desuetude

    In law, desuetude (; from French désuétude, from Latin desuetudo 'outdated, no longer custom') is a doctrine that causes statutes, similar legislation, or legal principles to lapse and become unenforceable by a long habit of non-enforcement or lapse of time. It is what happens to laws that are not repealed when they become obsolete. It is the legal doctrine that long and continued non-use of a law renders it invalid, at least in the sense that courts will no longer tolerate punishing its transgressors.The policy of inserting sunset clauses into a constitution or charter of rights (as in Canada since 1982) or into regulations and other delegated/subordinate legislation made under an act (as in Australia since the early 1990s) can be regarded as a statutory codification of this jus commune doctrine.

ChatGPT

  1. desuetude

    Desuetude is a state of disuse, discontinuance, or cessation of a practice, custom, law or right due to long period of inactivity or neglect. It is a condition in which something is no longer used, exercised or considered necessary resulting in its obsolescence.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Desuetudenoun

    the cessation of use; disuse; discontinuance of practice, custom, or fashion

  2. Etymology: [L. desuetudo, from desuescere, to grow out of use, disuse; de + suescere to become used or accustomed: cf. F. dsutude. See Custom.]

Wikidata

  1. Desuetude

    In law, desuetude is a doctrine that causes statutes, similar legislation or legal principles to lapse and become unenforceable by a long habit of non-enforcement or lapse of time. It is what happens to laws that are not repealed when they become obsolete. It is the legal doctrine that long and continued non-use of a law renders it invalid, at least in the sense that courts will no longer tolerate punishing its transgressors. The policy of inserting sunset clauses into a constitution or charter of rights or into regulations and other delegated/subordinate legislation made under an Act can be regarded as a statutory codification of the common-law doctrine.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Desuetude

    des′we-tūd, n. disuse: discontinuance of custom, habit, or practice. [L. desuetudodesuētum, desuescĕrede, neg., and suescĕre, to become used.]

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of desuetude in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of desuetude in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5


Translations for desuetude

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"desuetude." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 18 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/desuetude>.

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