original intent

Definitions of "original intent"
  1. The actual goal or purpose, particularly as it pertains to the creators of the U.S. Constitution
  2. A theory in constitutional law advocating that only the understandings and guarantees explicitly mentioned in the Constitution by its creators are legally valid
How to use "original intent" in a sentence
  1. The lawyers debated if the policy was in accordance with the original intent of the Second Amendment.
  2. Some legal experts consulted the original intent of the framers to interpret a controversial passage in the Constitution.
  3. The judge questioned whether the new regulation violated the original intent of the First Amendment.

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