grandfather clause
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.


grandfather clause

noun

Definition of GRANDFATHER CLAUSE

: a clause creating an exemption based on circumstances previously existing; especially : a provision in several southern state constitutions designed to enfranchise poor whites and disenfranchise blacks by waiving high voting requirements for descendants of men voting before 1867

Examples of GRANDFATHER CLAUSE

  1. Because of a grandfather clause, the strict emission standards only apply to new cars.

First Known Use of GRANDFATHER CLAUSE

1900

Rhymes with GRANDFATHER CLAUSE

grandfather clause

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Constitutional provision enacted by seven Southern U.S. states (1895–1910) to deny suffrage to African American men. It exempted descendants of men who voted before 1867 from meeting new literacy and property requirements. Since African American men were not granted voting rights until passage of the 15th Amendment in 1870, this clause effectively prevented them, and many impoverished and illiterate whites, from voting. The U.S. Supreme Court declared such clauses unconstitutional in 1915.

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: grandfather clock
Previous Word in the Dictionary: grandfather chair
All Words Near: grandfather clause

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up grandfather clause? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Name That Thing

Take Our 10-Question Quiz

Get Our Free Apps
Voice Search, Favorites,
Word of the Day, and More
Join Us on FB & Twitter
Get the Word of the Day and More