Cy Pres Definition
sē prā
noun
The cy-pres doctrine.
Webster's New World
The doctrine that permits the terms of a charitable trust to be modified to achieve a purpose close to the donor's original intent where the original purpose cannot be legally or practically achieved.
American Heritage
As near as. The equitable doctrine that a deed or will whose terms cannot be carried out may be modified by a court so that the intent of the instrument’s maker can be fulfilled as closely as possible.
Webster's New World Law
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
- cy pres doctrine
- rule of cy pres
adjective
As near(ly) as possible: designating or according to an equitable doctrine for the interpretation of legal instruments having specific terms which cannot be carried out literally, whereby the court attempts to reform the instrument in accordance with the general intent of the settlor, testator, etc. rather than allow it to fail.
Webster's New World
Origin of Cy Pres
-
Middle English from Anglo-Norman cy so, as (from Latin sīc so sic1) pres near (from Late Latin pressē close to) (from Latin pressus) (past participle of premere to press closely press1)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
Anglo-Norman cy pres, see French ci-près.
From Wiktionary
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