moot (m t)n.1. Law A hypothetical case argued by law students as an exercise. 2. An ancient English meeting, especially a representative meeting of the freemen of a shire. tr.v. moot·ed, moot·ing, moots 1. a. To bring up as a subject for discussion or debate. b. To discuss or debate. See Synonyms at broach1. 2. Law To plead or argue (a case) in a moot court. adj.1. Subject to debate; arguable: a moot question. 2. a. Law Without legal significance, through having been previously decided or settled. b. Of no practical importance; irrelevant.
[Middle English, meeting, from Old English m t, gemt.]
moot ness n. Usage Note: The adjective moot is originally a legal term going back to the mid-16th century. It derives from the noun moot, in its sense of a hypothetical case argued as an exercise by law students. Consequently, a moot question is one that is arguable or open to debate. But in the mid-19th century people also began to look at the hypothetical side of moot as its essential meaning, and they started to use the word to mean "of no significance or relevance." Thus, a moot point, however debatable, is one that has no practical value. A number of critics have objected to this use, but 59 percent of the Usage Panel accepts it in the sentence The nominee himself chastised the White House for failing to do more to support him, but his concerns became moot when a number of Republicans announced that they, too, would oppose the nomination. When using moot one should be sure that the context makes clear which sense is meant. |
moot Adjective subject or open to debate: a moot point Verb to suggest or bring up for debate: a compromise proposal, involving building fewer flats, was mooted Noun (in Anglo-Saxon England) a local administrative assembly [Old English gemōt]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | moot - a hypothetical case that law students argue as an exercise; "he organized the weekly moot"causa, lawsuit, suit, case, cause - a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy; "the family brought suit against the landlord" law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order" | | Verb | 1. |  moot - think about carefully; weigh; "They considered the possibility of a strike"; "Turn the proposal over in your mind"see - deliberate or decide; "See whether you can come tomorrow"; "let's see--which movie should we see tonight?" premeditate - consider, ponder, or plan (an action) beforehand; "premeditated murder" debate - argue with one another; "We debated the question of abortion"; "John debated Mary" wrestle - engage in deep thought, consideration, or debate; "I wrestled with this decision for years" hash out, talk over, discuss - speak with others about (something); talk (something) over in detail; have a discussion; "We discussed our household budget" think twice - consider and reconsider carefully; "Think twice before you have a child" consider, study - give careful consideration to; "consider the possibility of moving" | | Adj. | 1. | moot - of no legal significance (as having been previously decided)law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order" irrelevant - having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue; "an irrelevant comment"; "irrelevant allegations" | | 2. | moot - open to argument or debate; "that is a moot question"controversial - marked by or capable of arousing controversy; "the issue of the death penalty is highly controversial"; "Rushdie's controversial book"; "a controversial decision on affirmative action" |
moot adjective 2. debatable, open, controversial, doubtful, unsettled, unresolved, undecided, at issue, arguable, open to debate, contestable, disputable  Translations
|
|
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
mooting