nullity

[ nuhl-i-tee ]

noun

, plural nul·li·ties

1. the state or quality of being null; nothingness; invalidity.
2. something null.
3. something of no legal force or validity.
4. a person of negligible importance.

nullity

/ ˈnʌlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state of being null
2. a null or legally invalid act or instrument
3. something null, ineffective, characterless, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of nullity¹

From the Medieval Latin word nūllitās, dating back to 1560–70. See null, -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of nullity¹

C16: from Medieval Latin nullitās, from Latin nullus no, not any

Example Sentences

In the process of conversion, however, she’s reduced to a nullity with a grating personal manner.

From Seattle Times

Adopting this line would drastically narrow the reach of Section 3 of the amendment, leaving it close to a constitutional nullity.

From Los Angeles Times

Jefferson was right about the nullity of impeachment as it relates to the Supreme Court.

From Seattle Times

So what we're going to do is we're going to say, "That was a nullity, it never happened, we are nullifying her actions and . . ."

From Salon

Peroutka said that as attorney general he would not defend the Maryland statute that allows a woman to choose to have an abortion and said the statute is a “nullity.”

From Washington Post