cy pres

or cy·pres

[ see prey ]

preposition

1. as near as possible.

noun

1. the doctrine, applied especially to cases of charitable trusts or donations, that, in place of an impossible or illegal condition, limitation, or object, allows the nearest practicable one to be substituted.

cy pres

/ siː ˈpreɪ /

noun

1. law the doctrine that the intention of a donor or testator should be carried out as closely as practicable when literal compliance is impossible

Word History and Origins

Origin of cy pres¹

1475–85; < Anglo-French: literally, as near (compare French si près )

Word History and Origins

Origin of cy pres¹

C15: from Anglo-French, literally: as near (as possible, etc)

Example Sentences

Supreme Court questioned the legitimacy of a separate $8.5 million privacy settlement involving cy pres.

From Reuters

These “cy pres” settlements, as they are known, are used in class-action cases when it might be impractical to carve up low-value individual damages among a large number of plaintiffs.

From Washington Post

In what are known as “cy pres” awards, the lawyers bringing the lawsuit receive some money, and the remainder is given to organizations and charities while those who say they were wronged get nothing.

From Washington Post

And while Sotomayor noted that such cy pres settlements are rare, Frank said more will be on the way because of the 9th Circuit’s standards.

From Washington Post

At issue is a so-called cy pres settlement, a French term meaning "as near as possible."

From Los Angeles Times