grandfather clause

  • 1grandfather clause — n: a clause creating an exemption (as from a law or regulation) based on circumstances previously existing; specif: a provision inserted in the constitutions of some southern states after the Civil War requiring high standards of literacy and… …

    Law dictionary

  • 2grandfather clause — ☆ grandfather clause n. 1. a former law in some Southern states waiving electoral literacy requirements for those whose forebears voted before the Civil War, thus keeping the franchise for illiterate whites 2. a clause in some legislation… …

    English World dictionary

  • 3grandfather clause — An existing condition, usually in a contract or other agreement, that cannot be changed, even if the conditions are changed for others …

    The small dictionary of idiomes

  • 4Grandfather clause — A grandfather clause is a term used in U.S. English for an exception that allows an old rule to continue to apply to some existing situations, when a new rule will apply to all future situations. It is often used as a verb: to grandfather means… …

    Wikipedia

  • 5grandfather clause — A provision included in a new rule or regulation that exempts a business that is already conducting business in the area addressed by the regulation from penalty or restriction . Bloomberg Financial Dictionary * * * grandfather clause grandfather …

    Financial and business terms

  • 6grandfather clause — 1. U.S. Hist. a clause in the constitutions of some Southern states after 1890 intended to permit whites to vote while disfranchising blacks: it exempted from new literacy and property qualifications for voting those men entitled to vote before… …

    Universalium

  • 7grandfather clause — noun A clause or section, especially in a law, granting exceptions for people or organisations who were affected by previous conditions. Many building codes include a grandfather clause exempting older buildings until some amount of remodeling… …

    Wiktionary

  • 8grandfather clause — Provision in a new law or regulation exempting those already in or a part of the existing system which is being regulated. An exception to a restriction that allows all those already doing something to continue doing it even if they would be… …

    Black's law dictionary

  • 9grandfather clause — Provision in a new law or regulation exempting those already in or a part of the existing system which is being regulated. An exception to a restriction that allows all those already doing something to continue doing it even if they would be… …

    Black's law dictionary

  • 10Grandfather Clause — An exemption that allows persons or entities to continue with an activity they were engaging in before it became illegal through a change in regulation. For example, imagine there s a passing of a new law that states restaurants can serve only… …

    Investment dictionary