Unenacted: meaning, definitions and examples
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unenacted
[ ˌʌnɪˈnæktɪd ]
law context
Unenacted refers to a law or statute that has been proposed but not yet passed or enacted into law. This term is often used in legal discussions to describe legislation that is still pending approval.
Synonyms
pending, proposed, unpassed.
Examples of usage
- The unenacted bill was debated in Congress for months.
- Many unenacted laws remain on the books, awaiting votes.
- Unenacted regulations can create confusion among businesses.
Etymology
The term 'unenacted' is derived from the prefix 'un-', indicating negation or absence, and 'enacted', which comes from the Latin root 'actare', meaning to act or do. The word 'enact' itself entered the English language in the late 16th century, originally referring to the act of making something into law. Over time, with the evolution of legislative processes, the term 'unenacted' emerged to specifically highlight laws that are proposed but not yet formalized. This distinction is particularly important in legal and political discussions, where the status of proposed legislation can significantly impact governance and policy.