textualism

[ teks-choo-uh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. strict adherence to a text, especially of the Scriptures.
2. Law. the doctrine that a legal document or statute should be interpreted by determining the relatively objective ordinary meaning of its words and phrases, without regard to historical context or legislative history: originalism.

   Textualism holds, that when applying the law, the words of the Constitution itself are to be the final authority.

textualism

/ ˈtɛkstjʊəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. doctrinaire adherence to a text, esp of the Bible
2. textual criticism, esp of the Bible

Derived Forms

• ˈtextualist, nounadjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of textualism¹

First recorded in 1860–65; textual + -ism

Example Sentences

While textualism can’t really answer the question of how to read the CFAA, there are profound practical reasons to prefer Barrett’s approach to Thomas’s.

From Vox

Bork's textualism was also not likely to overturn a ton of democratically created laws.

From The Daily Beast