per curiam

adverb or adjective per cu·ri·am \ (ˌ)pər-ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌäm , -ˈku̇r- \

Definition of per curiam

: by the court as a whole rather than by a single justice and usually without extended discussion

a per curiam decision

Recent Examples of per curiam from the Web

Several justices issued dissenting statements, though the order was entered per curiam.

— jonathan lai, Philly.com, "Pa. Supreme Court strikes down congressional map as unconstitutional, orders change before May primary," 22 Jan. 2018
In his opinion, Thomas recognizes this fact, calling out the per curiam majority for injecting squishy standards into an already complex case.

— mark joseph stern, Slate Magazine, "SCOTUS Splits the Travel Ban Baby," 26 June 2017
Roberts did not explicitly dissent from that ruling, which was issued per curiam without a single author.

— mark joseph stern, Slate Magazine, "Marriage Equality May Soon Be in Peril," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'per curiam.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of per curiam

Medieval Latin per curiam, literally, by the court

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1650

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Law Dictionary

per curiam

adverb or adjective per cu·ri·am \ pər-ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌäm, -ˈku̇r-, -əm \

legal Definition of per curiam

: by the court as a whole rather than by a single justice and usually without extended discussion

a per curiam affirmance

Origin and Etymology of per curiam

Latin, by the court

Seen and Heard

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

show

per curiam

Definition of per curiam

Recent Examples of per curiam from the Web

Origin and Etymology of per curiam

Law Dictionary

per curiam

legal Definition of per curiam

Origin and Etymology of per curiam

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

loath

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

Name That Thing

Bee Cubed

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Trending: HRC: Media Opened Door to 'Charlatans'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

per curiam

Definition of per curiam

Recent Examples of per curiam from the Web

Origin and Etymology of per curiam

Law Dictionary

per curiam

legal Definition of per curiam

Origin and Etymology of per curiam

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Trending: HRC: Media Opened Door to 'Charlatans'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes