n. 1 a written law passed by a legislative body, e.g. an Act of Parliament. 2 a rule of a corporation, founder, etc., intended to be permanent (against the University Statutes). 3 divine law (kept thy statutes). statute-barred (of a case etc.) no longer legally enforceable by reason of the lapse of time. statute-book 1 a book or books containing the statute law. 2 the body of a country's statutes. statute law 1 (collect.) the body of principles and rules of law laid down in statutes as distinct from rules formulated in practical application (cf. common law, case-law (see CASE(1))). 2 a statute. statute mile see MILE 1. statute-roll 1 the rolls in the Public Records Office containing the statutes of the Parliament of England. 2 = statute-book. statutes at large the statutes as originally enacted, regardless of later modifications.
[ ME f. OF statut f. LL statutum neut. past part. of L statuere set up f. status: see STATUS ]