I. ˈsta(ˌ)chü]t also -_chə] sometimes -_chu̇]; usu ]d.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English statut, statute, from Old French statut, estatut, estatu, from Late Latin statutum, from Latin, neuter of statutus, past participle of statuere to stand up, set up, station, from status position, condition, state — more at status
1. : something laid down or declared as fixed or established: as
a. : the edict of a ruler
my acts, decrees, and statutes I deny — Shakespeare
b. : a law enacted by or by the authority of the supreme legislative branch of a government and especially of a representative government : the written will of a legislature expressed with all the requisite forms of legislation as distinguished from the common or unwritten law — compare act , bill , common law , constitution , decree , edict , ordinance
c. : an act of a corporation or of its founder intended as a permanent rule or law
the statutes of a university
d. : an international instrument setting up an agency and regulating its scope or authority
the statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice
2. obsolete
a. : statute merchant
b. : statute staple
3. : statute fair
4.
[Middle English, influenced in meaning by statue ]
: statue
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English statuten, from statut, statute, n.
: to establish (a law) by statute : decree
III. adjective
Etymology: statute (I)
: fixed by statute : statutory
a statute mile
a statute ton