exception that proves the rule

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English

Etymology

Derived from the medieval Latin legal principle "exceptio probat regulam in casibus non exceptis" ("the exception tests the rule in the cases not excepted").

Examples
  • "Entry is free on Sundays."
    - This implies that entry is not free on the other six days of the week.
  • "Parking prohibited on Sundays."
    - This implies that parking is not prohibited on the other six days of the week.

Pronunciation

Noun

exception that proves the rule (plural exceptions that prove the rule or exceptions that prove rules)

  1. The rare occurrence of a counterexample to a rule, used to demonstrate that the rule exists.
    • 1688, , An Answer to a Paper Importing a Petition of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Six other Bishops to His Majesty‎, London: Henry Hills, page 14:
      A bishop ... is not bound to obey any Mandate but the King's; which Exception proves the Rule, and that he is inexcusably oblig'd to obey the King's
    • 1775, "A Gentleman of Lincoln's Inn", A Digest of Adjudged Cases in the Court of King's Bench‎, London: G. Kearsly and G. Robinson, page 85:
      Some statutes give justices of the peace a power of proceeding on default, but the exception proves the rule in the thing not excepted; it seems therefore that the defendant should have been apprehended by a warrant

Translations

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See also

References

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