English Explanatory Dictionary

grandfather clause

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A clause or section, especially in a law, granting exceptions for people or organisations who were affected by previous conditions.

Word forms

grandfather clause grandfather clauses

Etymology

From late 19th-century legislation and constitutional amendments passed by a number of U.S. Southern states, which created new literacy and property restrictions on voting, but exempted those whose grandfathers had the right to vote before the American Civil War. The intent and effect of such rules was to prevent poor and illiterate African American former slaves and their descendants from voting, but without denying poor and illiterate whites the right to vote.

Derived words

grandfather grandfather in
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