enabling clause
- noun
- /ɪˈneɪblɪŋ klɔz/
- Formal
:
cláusula habilitante
- Without an enabling clause, the law would lack the authority for officials to enforce its provisions.
Examples
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The legislation included an enabling clause that allowed the agency to issue penalties for violations.
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The new law includes an enabling clause for local governments.
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The court debated whether the enabling clause covered the new regulatory measures.
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An enabling clause allows agencies to act swiftly.
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The legislation included an enabling clause that allowed the agency to issue penalties for violations.
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Without an enabling clause, the law would lack the authority for officials to enforce its provisions.
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The court debated whether the enabling clause covered the new regulatory measures.
Synonyms
693
4.4
Laws made and passed by a parliament or other elected body
1
6.3
A law that gives authorities power to make people follow rules and carry out policies
A part of a law that gives officials the power to put the law into action
How Authorizing
- Formal
1
6.3
- Formal
- Formal
- Formal
313
5.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is compositionally built: 'enabling' (providing authority) modifies 'clause' (a provision), so the meaning 'a provision that gives authority to act' is directly derivable from the parts. While the term is legal in register, the adjective+noun combination follows normal semantic composition (and has parallels in other languages), so a B1 learner who knows both words should understand it.
Etymology
Enabling clause paints a simple picture: a small part of a law that works like a key or a switch to turn on official power. The word enabling means making action possible and the clause is the short law part, so this clause gives officials the 'power' 'to enforce' the law.