peremptory

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   putting an end to all debate or action

   A peremptory decree.

2. 2
   adj

   not allowing contradiction or refusal

   Spoke in peremptory tones.

3. 3
   adj

   Precluding debate or expostulation; not admitting of question or appeal

   There is no reason but if any of the outlawries be indeed without error, but it should be a peremptory plea to the person in a writ of error, as well as in any other action.

4. 4
   adj

   (of a date or deadline) Absolutely requiring compliance or attendance; brooking no further delay; to proceed whether a party attends or not; final.

   As this trial has now been postponed multiple times, there will be an adjournment to April 24, peremptory on the parties.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Peremptory first appeared in late Middle English as a legal term for an order or decree that admitted no refusal. It came through Anglo-Norman French from Latin peremptorius, meaning “deadly” or “decisive,” from perimere “destroy, cut off,” formed from per- “completely” and emere “take.”

From Anglo-Norman peremptorie, parentorie et al. (Modern French péremptoire), and its source, Latin peremptōrius (“deadly; precluding debate, decisive”), from perimō (“destroy, thwart”), from per- (“thorough”) + emō (“to obtain, buy”).

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