exception that proves the rule en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
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").
Meanings
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The rare occurrence of a counterexample to a rule, used to demonstrate that the rule exists.
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
1688, [anonymous], 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: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
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:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| exceptions that prove the rule | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| exceptions that prove rules | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Relateds
every law has its loophole · exception proves the rule · the exception proves the rule · honor in the breach · the proof of the pudding is in the eating · more honored in the breach
Translations (16)
de Ausnahme, die die Regel bestätigt (occurrence of counterexample) · pl but see wyjątek potwierdza regułę (occurrence of counterexample) · sv undantaget som bekräftar regeln (occurrence of counterexample) · fr exception qui confirme la règle (occurrence of counterexample) · nb unntaket som bekrefter regelen (occurrence of counterexample) · hu a szabályt erősítő kivétel (occurrence of counterexample) · de more idiomatically one says Ausnahmen bestätigen die Regel (occurrence of counterexample) · fi poikkeus, joka vahvistaa säännön (occurrence of counterexample) · ru исключе́ние, подтвержда́ющее пра́вило (occurrence of counterexample) · pt exceção que prova a regra (occurrence of counterexample) · nl uitzondering die de regel bevestigt (occurrence of counterexample) · cs výjimka potvrzující pravidlo (occurrence of counterexample) · nn unntaket som bekreftar regelen (occurrence of counterexample) · it eccezione che conferma la regola (occurrence of counterexample) · es excepción que confirma la regla (occurrence of counterexample) · cs výjimka potvrzuje pravidlo (occurrence of counterexample)