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Textualism - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Textualism is a method of interpreting legal or religious texts by focusing strictly on their literal meaning, without considering external context or the author's intent. It emphasizes the exact wording.

textualism

/ˈtɛkstʃuəˌlɪzəm/ /ˈtɛkstjʊəˌlɪzəm/

Definition:

Strict adherence to the exact wording of a text, especially in legal interpretation.

Synonyms:

literalism, strict constructionism, formalism

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

loose interpretation, contextualism

Common Collocations:

judicial textualism, constitutional textualism, statutory interpretation

Derivatives:

textualist, textualistic

Usage Tips:

Use 'textualism' when discussing legal theories focused on the literal meaning of texts, not intent or context.

Common Phrases:

strict textualism, modern textualism, originalist textualism

Etymology:

Derived from 'textual' (relating to text) + '-ism' (denoting a practice or philosophy).

Examples:

  • 1. The judge applied textualism to interpret the statute precisely.
  • 2. Textualism emphasizes the plain meaning of legal documents over legislative intent.
  • 3. Critics argue that textualism ignores broader societal context in law.
  • 4. Scholars debate whether textualism promotes consistency or rigidity in rulings.

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