per curiam

adverb or adjective

per cu·ri·am | \ (ˌ)pər-ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌäm

How to pronounce per curiam (audio)

, -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

Examples of per curiam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web However, in November 2020, a per curiam ruling of the Supreme Court in Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo changed the analysis specifically as to church closings. — Star Tribune, "Readers Write: Constitutional rights, the filibuster, policing, the southern border," 11 Apr. 2021 The announcement, made in a per curiam opinion from the seven-member court, will allow jury trials already underway to continue for the time being. — Jeannie Roberts, Arkansas Online, "State will get newest nurses on job quickly," 21 Nov. 2020 In an unsigned per curiam opinion, the Chief joined the four liberals and a (conflicted) Justice Brett Kavanaugh in declaring moot a challenge to New York City’s onerous gun regulation (New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. City of New York). — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "The Chief Justice Ducks on Gun Rights," 27 Apr. 2020 Ephrat Livni The US Supreme Court today issued a per curiam opinion—an unsigned decision, often signaling unanimity—dismissing a supremely controversial New York gun law case that had Americans up in arms. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "Dissenting justices claim Supreme Court was “manipulated” in New York gun case," 27 Apr. 2020 The justices issued a unanimous per curiam, or unsigned, opinion on Tuesday announcing the suspension. — Cory Shaffer, cleveland, "Ohio Supreme Court yanks law license of Cleveland attorney convicted in Breaking Bad-inspired money laundering scheme," 19 Nov. 2019 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.

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Last Updated

16 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Per curiam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/per%20curiam. Accessed 5 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for per curiam

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

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