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Definition of originalist

originalist

/əˈrɪdʒənəlɪst/
o · rig · i · nal · ist
Plural:originalists
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originalist Lexical Profile

originalist Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

American A judge, legal scholar, or person who interprets a text, particularly the United States Constitution, based on the public understanding or intent at the time of its adoption.

Example

"The newly appointed Supreme Court justice is known as a staunch originalist who closely analyzes historical dictionaries from the founding era."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for originalist

Word Nuance & Usage

Often used in the context of American constitutional law to describe a specific judicial philosophy, standing in contrast to the 'living Constitution' approach.

• Nearby Words

orientalization
origanum
originalism
originalist
orinoco
orinoco crocodile
oriole

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 20th century in American legal scholarship, combining 'original' and the suffix '-ist', to describe legal scholars and judges who adhere strictly to the original public meaning of the Constitution.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Originalist. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/originalist
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