PEREMPTORY • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Peremptory

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/pərˈɛmptəri/ Listen

adjective

Peremptory adj.

Precluding debate or expostulation; not admitting of question or appeal; positive; absolute; decisive; conclusive; final. "Think of heaven with hearty purposes and peremptory designs to get thither."

Positive in opinion or judgment; decided; dictatorial; dogmatical. "Be not too positive and peremptory." "Briefly, then, for we are peremptory."

Firmly determined; unawed. (Poetic)

Peremptory challenge (Law) See under Challenge.

Peremptory mandamus, a final and absolute mandamus.

Peremptory plea, a plea by a defendant tending to impeach the plaintiff's right of action; a plea in bar.

Synonyms: Decisive; positive; absolute; authoritative; express; arbitrary; dogmatical.

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Etymology of 'Peremptory'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Peremptory" Quotes from Famous Books

... they received to sit down, stand up, to try to remember their names,—which they were assured they could not, and did not,—and their general submission, of course in very trifling matters, to the sort of bullying directions addressed to them in a loud peremptory tone; to which they replied with the sort of stupefied languor of persons half asleep or under the influence of opium. I did not quite understand how they were thrown into this curious condition by the mere assumption of an immovable attitude and fixed gazing at a piece of coin; an experience ...

— Records of Later Life • Frances Anne Kemble

... him. It read: "Are you not coming to Ostend for us? Jane." An hour later a very pretty young lady in Ostend tore a telegram to pieces, sniffed angrily and vowed she would never speak to a certain young man again. His reply to her rather peremptory query by wire was hardly calculated to restore the good humor she had lost in not finding him at the dock. "Cannot come. Awfully sorry. Can't leave Brussels. Hurry on. Will explain here. Richard Savage." ...

— Castle Craneycrow • George Barr McCutcheon

... Sir," said I to the Chief of the Staff on my return. And my tone suggested both strong determination and peremptory command. ...

— Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 101, November 7, 1891 • Various

... You always think some one's after somebody else," said Ada, impatiently, whose high breeding obliged her to be rather peremptory with her simple parent. "Mr. Vernon is a pauper, and so is Hessie. And, besides, Hessie is not the kind of girl anybody would want ...

— Red Pottage • Mary Cholmondeley

... possible. She turned when she saw him coming, and walked beside him towards Mercy Farm, keeping step with him as they walked. When they got near Mercy, she turned and looked around her, expecting to see Oolanga or some sign of him. He was, however, not visible. He had received from his master peremptory orders to keep out of sight—an order for which the African scored a new offence up against her. They found Lilla and Mimi at home and seemingly glad to see them, though both the girls were surprised at the visit coming ...

— The Lair of the White Worm • Bram Stoker

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