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Unconstitutional - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Unconstitutional : adj : not consistent with or according to a constitution; contrary
to the U.S. Constitution [ant: constitutional]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Unconstitutional : \Un*con`sti*tu"tion*al\, a.
Not constitutional; not according to, or consistent with, the
terms of a constitution of government; contrary to the
constitution; as, an unconstitutional law, or act of an
officer. --Burke. -- Un*con`sti*tu"tion*al"i*ty, n. --
Un*con`sti*tu"tion*al-ly, adv.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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UNCONSTITUTIONAL. That which is contrary to the constitution.
2. When an act of the legislature is repugnant or contrary to the
constitution, it is, ipso facto, void. 2 Pet. R. 522; 12 Wheat. 270; 3 Dall.
286; 4 Dall. 18.
3. The courts have the power, and it is their duty, when an act is
unconstitutional, to declare it to be so; but this will not be done except
in a clear case and, as an additional guard against error, the supreme court
of the United States refuses to take up a case involving constitutional
questions, when the court is not full. 9 Pet. 85. Vide 6 Cranch, 128; 1
Binn. 419; 5 Binn. 355; 2 Penna 184; 3 S. & R. 169; 7 Pick. 466; 13 Pick.
60; 2 Yeates, 493; 1 Virg. Cas. 20; 1 Blackf. 206 6 Rand. 245 1 Murph. 58;
Harper, 385 1 Breese, 209 Pr. Dee. 64, 89; 1 Rep. Cons. Ct. 267 1 Car. Law
Repos. 246 4 Munr. 43; 5 Hayw. 271; 1 Cowen, 550; 1 South. 192; 2 South.
466; 7 N H. Rep. 65, 66; 1 Chip, 237, 257; 10 Conn. 522; 7 Gill & John. 7; 2
Litt. 90; 3 Desaus. 476.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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