adj. 1 (of a statement or command) admitting no denial or refusal. 2 (of a person, a person's manner, etc.) dogmatic; imperious; dictatorial. 3 Law not open to appeal or challenge; final. 4 absolutely fixed; essential. peremptory challenge Law a defendant's objection to a proposed juror, made without needing to give a reason. peremptorily adv. peremptoriness n.
[ AF peremptorie, OF peremptoire f. L peremptorius deadly, decisive, f. perimere perempt- destroy, cut off (as PER-, emere take, buy) ]