organic law
1
7.9
- noun
- /ɔrˈɡænɪk lɔ/
- Formal
:
ley orgánica
- Attaining the freedom and independence of a free inhabitant under Article IV of the Articles of Confederation of November 15, 1777, requires a basic understanding of all four Organic Laws, a writing by the President.
Examples
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Each state must align its laws with the organic law established by the federal government to ensure consistency.
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The four Organic Laws of the United States of America represent four different constitutions above the level of the states.
Blog text (8) -
Knowing constitutional law requires full knowledge of all four Organic Laws of the United States of America, and the only way to acquire that knowledge is to read and study those laws.
Blog text (8) -
Moreover, it required the passage of an "organic law" to translate that status into reality in education and other spheres of public life.
Academic text (2012) -
It is safe to assert that no government proper ever had a provision in its organic law for its own termination.
Blog text (33) -
Georgia's organic law did authorize the common council to appoint a governor, subject to approval by the crown, although control of the militia fell to the governor of South Carolina.
Academic text (2009) -
The remaining three Organic Laws: the Articles of Confederation of November 15, 1777, the Northwest Ordinance of July 13, 1787, and the Constitution of September 17, 1787, are binding upon the two classes of states which constitute the two unions.
Blog text (8) -
The Constitution of the United States serves as the organic law that outlines the structure of the government.
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Amending the organic law requires a rigorous process involving both legislative and public approval.
Synonyms
484
5.1
A set of rules, often written, that shows how a country or organization is run
1
5.6
A set of basic rules that explains how a country's government works and what rights people have
How Fundamental
Surface Forms
Morphology
organic + law
The adjective 'organic' (meaning 'forming an inherent part of something') combined with 'law' gives a clear clue that this refers to a foundational or inherent kind of law, so a learner who knows both words can infer a basic/fundamental legal sense. However, 'organic law' is a specialized constitutional/legal term and may be confused with the more common sense of 'organic' (e.g. natural/biological), so the precise governmental/constitutional nuance is not fully predictable without exposure; the construction is common in other languages (e.g. Spanish, French), which supports partial transparency.
Etymology
Organic law comes from the idea of a living body: organic refers to the body's 'organs' that give it shape and keep it working. So organic law is the law that shapes a country, the basic rules or 'constitution'.