last antecedent rule

noun

A doctrine of statutory interpretation according to which qualifying phrases attach and refer to only the last antecedent.

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Meanings

noun

alternative rule of the last antecedent

  1. lawA doctrine of statutory interpretation according to which qualifying phrases attach and refer to only the last antecedent.
Cite this entry
APA

last antecedent rule. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/last%20antecedent%20rule

MLA

“last antecedent rule.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/last%20antecedent%20rule. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “last antecedent rule,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/last%20antecedent%20rule.

Source: last antecedent rule on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.