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Noun: cy pres doctrine
  1. A rule that when literal compliance is impossible the intention of a donor or testator should be carried out as nearly as possible
    "The court applied the cy pres doctrine to redirect the funds to a similar charitable purpose"; "The court applied the rule of cy pres doctrine to redirect the funds to a similar charitable purpose";
    - cy pres, rule of cy pres

Derived forms: cy pres doctrines

Type of: regulation, rule

Encyclopedia: Cy pres doctrine