GRANDFATHER CLAUSE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does grandfather clause mean? 

• GRANDFATHER CLAUSE (noun)
  The noun GRANDFATHER CLAUSE has 1 sense:

1. an exemption based on circumstances existing prior to the adoption of some policy; used to enfranchise illiterate whites in south after the American Civil War

  Familiarity information: GRANDFATHER CLAUSE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GRANDFATHER CLAUSE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An exemption based on circumstances existing prior to the adoption of some policy; used to enfranchise illiterate whites in south after the American Civil War

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("grandfather clause" is a kind of...):

exemption; freedom (immunity from an obligation or duty)