textualist
- adjective
- /ˈtɛkstʃuəlɪst/
- Formal
:
textualista
- Under a textualist approach to constitutional interpretation, the purposes underlying a constitutional provision cannot be allowed to trump the plain meaning of the constitutional text.
- textualist approach
Examples
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In this introduction to the symposium issue, I survey the contours of Scalia's textualist jurisprudence, as found not only in A Matter of Interpretation but elsewhere in his many opinions and other writings, where he states his views more passionately, energetically, and humorously.
Academic text (1999) -
If we had held to a textualist approach, we would have interpreted the words literally and arrived at the opposite meaning of the point that Derrida was trying to make.
Academic text (1994) -
And even then, the strict textualist approach runs into some ambiguities.
Blog text (21) -
Scalia's textualist critique of legislative history has produced dramatic results.
Academic text (1999) -
Since ascending the High Bench in 1986, Justice Scalia has assiduously and consistently pursued a textualist jurisprudence.
Academic text (1999) -
It agreed with the textualist position that the absurdity doctrine should be limited to linguistic problems; otherwise, the judiciary can assume too much power by waving its hand and declaring "absurdity" whenever the law produces an unpleasant result.
Academic text (2010) -
This symposium issue of Perspectives on Political Science offers additional commentaries on Scalia's essay; however, unlike those found in the volume itself, these commentaries are entirely sympathetic (n2) to Scalia's textualist approach.
Academic text (1999) -
In A Matter of Interpretation, Justice Scalia acknowledges that his textualist approach is regarded in "some sophisticated circles" of the legal profession as "simpleminded, 'wooden,' 'unimaginative,' 'pedestrian'" (Scalia, A Matter, 23).
Academic text (1999) -
A strict textualist believes that the law should be interpreted based solely on its written words.
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In legal debates, the textualist perspective often emphasizes what the text explicitly states.
Synonyms
2
7.5
Taking words only in their exact meaning without looking for deeper meaning
1
8.4
Reading words exactly as they are and not looking for a deeper meaning
How Literal
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Textualist comes from text (from Latin textus, 'woven') and the ending -ist, meaning 'a person who does or believes something'. A textualist attitude means paying attention only to the exact words of a text — looking at the 'weave' of the words rather than outside ideas.