statute

Definitions

From Latin statutum, the past participle of statuere ('to set up, decree'). A statute is literally 'something that has been set down' — a rule formally established and made to stand as binding law. The same statuere gives constitute and institute.

Why It Means This

Don't confuse statute (a written law) with statue (a sculpture) or status (standing/rank) — all three come from the same 'stand/set up' root but landed on different ideas: a statute is set up as law, a statue is set up as an image, status is where you stand.

Common Collocations

• 1.statute of limitations诉讼时效法
• 2.by statute依据法令
• 3.enact a statute颁布法令
• 4.statute law成文法

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The practice is banned under a federal statute.

• 2.

  The statute sets a clear limit on working hours.

Easily Confused

statute vs statue vs status — statute = a written law (statute of limitations); statue = a sculpture; status = rank or condition. The spelling trap: statute has two t's plus -e, statue has no second t.