previous question
1
8.9
- noun
- /ˈpriːviəs ˈkwɛsʧən/
- Formal
:
cuestión previa
- To expedite proceedings, a delegate motioned to vote on the previous question instead of continuing the debate.
- previous question motion
- moving the previous question
Examples
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(n71) Walsh explained that during this process, the Senate would operate under traditional parliamentary procedures, which include procedural mechanisms (such as a motion for the previous question) to control filibusters.
Academic text (2004) -
State the motion: for example, "I move the previous question."
Blog text (13) -
Today, the previous question motion is generally understood as a method for cloture.
Academic text (2004) -
After sufficient debate, a majority would force a vote on the rule change either "by moving the previous question, or by a motion under certain circumstances to lay on the table."
Academic text (2004) -
With no previous question motion available, a minority could hold unlimited debate and prevent a vote on any debatable proposition.
Academic text (2004) -
The previous question being moved and seconded, the question for the chair shall be: "Shall the main question now be put?" and if the nays prevail, the main question shall not then be put.
Academic text (2004) -
It was against this backdrop of limited debate that Vice President Aaron Burr, in 1806, approached the previous question motion.
Academic text (2004) -
(n44) When Senator John Calhoun (D-SC) made it clear that the Democratic minority would not be rushed, Clay called for a revival of the previous question motion "to allow a majority to control the business of the Senate."
Academic text (2004) -
During the debate, the chairman called for the previous question to end discussion and proceed to a vote.
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Members of the assembly agreed that it was time to address the previous question and make a decision.
Synonyms
1
6.9
An action that stops debate and makes the group take a vote
To end a debate by asking members to vote now
Surface Forms
Morphology
A B1 learner who knows 'previous' (prior) and 'question' would most likely interpret 'previous question' as simply an earlier or preceding question; the literal compositional meaning is straightforward. However, the specialized parliamentary sense — a formal motion to end debate and proceed to an immediate vote — is an institutionalized, technical usage that cannot be reliably inferred from the constituents alone, so the expression is only partially transparent.
Etymology
The noun previous question may come from old meetings where someone called for the previous question, meaning the main question that started the talking. So today it means a motion 'to end the debate' and vote right away.