vel non

phrase

or not; used when discussing the existence or nonexistence of a condition, circumstance, etc

OriginLatin vel non →
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Meanings

phrase
  1. especiallylawor not; used when discussing the existence or nonexistence of a condition, circumstance, etc

    The undocumented status of these children vel non does not establish a sufficient rational basis for denying them benefits that the State affords other residents.

    June 1982, United States Supreme Court, Plyler v. Doe

Origin

  1. Latinvel non
  2. Englishvel non

From Latin vel non.

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

vel non. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/vel%20non

MLA

“vel non.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/vel%20non. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “vel non,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/vel%20non.

Source: vel non on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.