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# statute

noun (a statute, statutes)

«statute» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (formal) A law that has been written down and passed by a parliament or government. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/statute/#m1)
2. (formal) A written rule of an organisation, such as a university. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/statute/#m2)

### In the lessons

It is a formal and legal word. In civics and history lessons pupils learn that statutes are laws made by parliament, unlike rules from old custom or judges. In exam or official texts: «required by statute». Phrases: «by statute», «statute book», «statute of limitations».

### Examples

- (formal) The new statute protects wild birds. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/statute/#x1)
- (formal) Seat belts are required by statute. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/statute/#x2)
- Parliament passed a statute about school attendance. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/statute/#x3)
- In plain words, a statute is a written law. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/statute/#x4)
- The statute was changed after people complained. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/statute/#x5)
- The university's statutes say who can be a member. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/statute/#x6)

### Note

Countable: «a statute», «statutes». Do not confuse «statute» (a law) with «statue» (a carved figure) or «stature» (height, importance). Adjective: «statutory» (required by law), as in «statutory holiday».

## In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it is a law given by God, often one "for ever throughout your generations." It usually refers to commands whose reason is not given.

**Interpretation.** Tradition calls such commands chukim and says we keep them because God commanded, even without understanding them. The red heifer is the famous example.

### Examples

- This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations. (Torah LEV.17.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/statute/#x1)
- If ye walk in My statutes, and keep My commandments, and do them; (Torah LEV.26.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/statute/#x2)
- There He made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He proved them; (Torah EXO.15.25, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/statute/#x3)
- Blessed art Thou, O LORD; teach me Thy statutes. (Writings PSA.119.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/statute/#x4)
- If they profane My statutes, and keep not My commandments; (Writings PSA.89.32, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/statute/#x5)
- That they might keep His statutes, and observe His laws. (Writings PSA.105.45, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/statute/#x6)

### Note

Countable: «a statute», «statutes». Do not confuse «statute» (a law) with «statue» (a carved figure) or «stature» (height, importance). Adjective: «statutory» (required by law), as in «statutory holiday».

## Early Modern English

### Meaning

A law or rule that is written down and fixed, here one given by God. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/S/statute/#m1)

### Then and now

Today a statute is a formal law passed by parliament. In the Torah it is a law or decree from God, not one voted in by people.

### Examples

- This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations. (Torah LEV.17.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/S/statute/#x1)
- There He made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He proved them; (Torah EXO.15.25, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/S/statute/#x2)
- And it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.' (Torah NUM.27.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/S/statute/#x3)

### Note

Today: law, rule.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «statute» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/statute/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«statute» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/statute.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «statute» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/statute/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«statute» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/statute.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «statute» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/S/statute/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«statute» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/emode/w/statute.html) on Mova free.