ar·tic·u·late  (är-tky-lt) adj. 1. Endowed with the power of speech. 2. Composed of distinct, meaningful syllables or words, as human speech. 3. Expressing oneself easily in clear and effective language: an articulate speaker. 4. Characterized by the use of clear, expressive language: an articulate essay. 5. Anatomy Consisting of sections united by joints; jointed. v. (-lt) ar·tic·u·lat·ed, ar·tic·u·lat·ing, ar·tic·u·lates v.tr. 1. To pronounce distinctly and carefully; enunciate. 2. To utter (a speech sound) by making the necessary movements of the speech organs. 3. To express in coherent verbal form; give words to: couldn't articulate my fears. 4. To fit together into a coherent whole; unify: a plan to articulate nursing programs throughout the state. 5. Anatomy To unite by forming a joint or joints. 6. Architecture To give visible or concrete expression to (the composition of structural elements): a spare design in which windows and doors are barely articulated. v.intr. 1. To speak clearly and distinctly. 2. To utter a speech sound. 3. Anatomy To form a joint; be jointed: The thighbone articulates with the bones of the hip. [Latin articultus, past participle of articulre, to divide into joints, utter distinctly, from articulus, small joint; see article.] ar·ticu·late·ly adv. ar·ticu·late·ness, ar·ticu·la·cy (-l-s) n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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---

ar•tic•u•lat•ed (ɑrˈtɪk yəˌleɪ tɪd) 

adj.

1. (of a vehicle) built in sections that are hinged or otherwise connected so as to allow flexibility of movement.

2. articulate (def. 7).

[1545–55]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Thesaurus Legend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Adj.

1.

articulated - consisting of segments held together by joints articulate unarticulated - not consisting of segments that are held together by joints

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

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articulated

adjective attached, joined, coupled, jointed, hinged an articulated lorry

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

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 Translations

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Rational Basis Test

Also found in: Wikipedia

0.01 sec.

Ads by Google Date Sexy Korean Women Korean Dating and Singles Site. Find the Perfect Korean Woman Now! www.KoreanCupid.com A judicial standard of review that examines whether a legislature had a reasonable and not an Arbitrary basis for enacting a particular statute. Courts employ various standards of review to assess whether legislative acts violate constitutionally protected interests. The U.S. Supreme Court has articulated the rational basis test for those cases where a plaintiff alleges that the legislature has made an arbitrary or irrational decision. When a court employs the rational basis test, it usually upholds the constitutionality of the law, because the test gives great deference to the legislative branch. A law that touches on a constitutionally protected interest must be rationally related to furthering a legitimate government interest. In applying the rational basis test, courts begin with a strong presumption that the law or policy under review is valid. The Burden of Proof is on the party making the challenge to show that the law or policy is unconstitutional. To meet this burden, the party must demonstrate that the law or policy does not have a rational basis. This is difficult to prove, because a court can usually find some reasonable ground for sustaining the constitutionality of the challenged law or policy. For example, a state law that prohibits performing dentistry without a license deprives laypersons of their constitutionally protected rights to make contracts freely and discriminates against those unable or unwilling to obtain a license. But a court would undoubtedly uphold the constitutionality of the law because the license requirement is a rational means of advancing the state's legitimate interests in public health and safety. For a hundred years, the rational basis test has been part of the U.S. Supreme Court's review of cases that alleged denial of Equal Protection of the laws. State and federal laws are filled with discriminations, or classifications, of various kinds. A law that would apply universally and treat all persons equally is virtually impossible to craft. Because all laws classify by imposing special burdens or by conferring special benefits on some people and not others, there are always persons who are displeased. For example, when a state limits the privilege to purchase and consume intoxicating liquor to persons twenty-one and older, it is engaging in Age Discrimination. But a court would find this was not a denial of equal protection because the legislature has a legitimate interest in restricting the drinking age and the law advances that interest in a rational way. Under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, persons are entitled to equal protection of the laws. The Supreme Court, in Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway Co. v. Ellis, 165 U.S. 150, 17 S. Ct. 255, 41 L. Ed. 666 (1897), first articulated the rational basis test under equal protection. The Court stated that "it is not within the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment to withhold from States the power of classification." However, the Court continued, "it must appear" that a classification is "based upon some reasonable ground—some difference which bears a just and proper relation to the attempted classification—and is not a mere arbitrary selection." A person challenging a law on equal protection grounds has a very difficult task. The Supreme Court has used the rational basis standard to practice judicial restraint and to limit its ability to overturn legislation. In areas of social and economic policy, where constitutionally suspect classifications (race, religion, alienage, or national origin) are not at issue, nor are any fundamental constitutional rights at stake, a law must be upheld if there is any "reasonably conceivable state of facts that could provide a rational basis for the classification" (United States Railroad Retirement Bd. v. Fritz, 449 U.S. 166, 101 S. Ct. 453, 66 L. Ed. 2d 368 [1980]). In addition, the Court does not require a legislature to articulate its reasons for enacting a statute, holding that "[i]t is entirely irrelevant for constitutional purposes whether the conceived reason for the challenged distinction actually motivated the legislature" (FCC v. Beach Communications, Inc., 508 U.S. 307, 113 S. Ct. 2096, 124 L. Ed. 2d 211 [1993]). Thus, the Court stated, a "legislative choice is not subject to courtroom fact-finding and may be based on rational speculation unsupported by evidence or empirical data" (FCC v. Beach Communications). This means that a court is permitted to find a rational basis for a law, even if it is one that was not articulated by the legislature. Because of these factors, application of the rational basis test usually results in the upholding of the law. Nevertheless, it remains the primary test for determining the constitutionality of classifications that encroach on economic interests. Further readings Johnson, Virginia H. 2001. "Application of the Rational Basis Test to Treaty-Implementing Legislation: The Need for a More Stringent Standard of Review." Cardozo Law Review 23 (November). Irr, Melissa. 2001. "United States v. Morrison: An Analysis of the Diminished Effect of Congressional Findings in Commerce Clause Jurisprudence and a Criticism of the Abandonment of the Rational Basis Test." University of Pittsburgh Law Review 62 (summer). Cross-references Fifth Amendment; Fourteenth Amendment; Judicial Review. West's Encyclopedia of American Law, edition 2. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Ads by Google Brain Training Games Improve memory and attention with scientific brain games. www.lumosity.com Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.

Rational Basis Test

Also found in: Wikipedia

0.01 sec.

This site: Follow: Join the Word of

Ads by Google Date Sexy Korean Women Korean Dating and Singles Site. Find the Perfect Korean Woman Now! www.KoreanCupid.com A judicial standard of review that examines whether a legislature had a reasonable and not an Arbitrary basis for enacting a particular statute. Courts employ various standards of review to assess whether legislative acts violate constitutionally protected interests. The U.S. Supreme Court has articulated the rational basis test for those cases where a plaintiff alleges that the legislature has made an arbitrary or irrational decision. When a court employs the rational basis test, it usually upholds the constitutionality of the law, because the test gives great deference to the legislative branch. A law that touches on a constitutionally protected interest must be rationally related to furthering a legitimate government interest. In applying the rational basis test, courts begin with a strong presumption that the law or policy under review is valid. The Burden of Proof is on the party making the challenge to show that the law or policy is unconstitutional. To meet this burden, the party must demonstrate that the law or policy does not have a rational basis. This is difficult to prove, because a court can usually find some reasonable ground for sustaining the constitutionality of the challenged law or policy. For example, a state law that prohibits performing dentistry without a license deprives laypersons of their constitutionally protected rights to make contracts freely and discriminates against those unable or unwilling to obtain a license. But a court would undoubtedly uphold the constitutionality of the law because the license requirement is a rational means of advancing the state's legitimate interests in public health and safety. For a hundred years, the rational basis test has been part of the U.S. Supreme Court's review of cases that alleged denial of Equal Protection of the laws. State and federal laws are filled with discriminations, or classifications, of various kinds. A law that would apply universally and treat all persons equally is virtually impossible to craft. Because all laws classify by imposing special burdens or by conferring special benefits on some people and not others, there are always persons who are displeased. For example, when a state limits the privilege to purchase and consume intoxicating liquor to persons twenty-one and older, it is engaging in Age Discrimination. But a court would find this was not a denial of equal protection because the legislature has a legitimate interest in restricting the drinking age and the law advances that interest in a rational way. Under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, persons are entitled to equal protection of the laws. The Supreme Court, in Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway Co. v. Ellis, 165 U.S. 150, 17 S. Ct. 255, 41 L. Ed. 666 (1897), first articulated the rational basis test under equal protection. The Court stated that "it is not within the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment to withhold from States the power of classification." However, the Court continued, "it must appear" that a classification is "based upon some reasonable ground—some difference which bears a just and proper relation to the attempted classification—and is not a mere arbitrary selection." A person challenging a law on equal protection grounds has a very difficult task. The Supreme Court has used the rational basis standard to practice judicial restraint and to limit its ability to overturn legislation. In areas of social and economic policy, where constitutionally suspect classifications (race, religion, alienage, or national origin) are not at issue, nor are any fundamental constitutional rights at stake, a law must be upheld if there is any "reasonably conceivable state of facts that could provide a rational basis for the classification" (United States Railroad Retirement Bd. v. Fritz, 449 U.S. 166, 101 S. Ct. 453, 66 L. Ed. 2d 368 [1980]). In addition, the Court does not require a legislature to articulate its reasons for enacting a statute, holding that "[i]t is entirely irrelevant for constitutional purposes whether the conceived reason for the challenged distinction actually motivated the legislature" (FCC v. Beach Communications, Inc., 508 U.S. 307, 113 S. Ct. 2096, 124 L. Ed. 2d 211 [1993]). Thus, the Court stated, a "legislative choice is not subject to courtroom fact-finding and may be based on rational speculation unsupported by evidence or empirical data" (FCC v. Beach Communications). This means that a court is permitted to find a rational basis for a law, even if it is one that was not articulated by the legislature. Because of these factors, application of the rational basis test usually results in the upholding of the law. Nevertheless, it remains the primary test for determining the constitutionality of classifications that encroach on economic interests. Further readings Johnson, Virginia H. 2001. "Application of the Rational Basis Test to Treaty-Implementing Legislation: The Need for a More Stringent Standard of Review." Cardozo Law Review 23 (November). Irr, Melissa. 2001. "United States v. Morrison: An Analysis of the Diminished Effect of Congressional Findings in Commerce Clause Jurisprudence and a Criticism of the Abandonment of the Rational Basis Test." University of Pittsburgh Law Review 62 (summer). Cross-references Fifth Amendment; Fourteenth Amendment; Judicial Review. West's Encyclopedia of American Law, edition 2. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Ads by Google Brain Training Games Improve memory and attention with scientific brain games. www.lumosity.com Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.

cu·mu·la·tive

  [kyoo-myuh-luh-tiv, -ley-tiv]  Show IPA

adjective

1.

increasing or growing by accumulation or successive additions: the cumulative effect of one rejectionafter another.

2.

formed by or resulting from accumulation or the addition of successive parts or elements.

3.

of or pertaining to interest or dividends that, if not paid when due, become a prior claim for paymentin the future: cumulative preferred stocks.

Origin: 
1595–1605; cumulate + -ive

Related forms

cu·mu·la·tive·ly, adverb

cu·mu·la·tive·ness, noun

un·cu·mu·la·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins

World English Dictionary

cumulative  (ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv)
— adj
1.	growing in quantity, strength, or effect by successive additions or gradual steps: cumulative pollution
2.	gained by or resulting from a gradual building up: cumulative benefits
3.	finance
	a. (of preference shares) entitling the holder to receive any arrears of dividend before any dividend isdistributed to ordinary shareholders
	b. (of dividends or interest) intended to be accumulated if not paid when due
4.	statistics
	a. (of a frequency) including all values of a variable either below or above a specified value
	b. (of error) tending to increase as the sample size is increased
'cumulatively
— adv
'cumulativeness
— n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:07

Cumulative is always a great word to know.

So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:

a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.

a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.

LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

cumulative 

c.1600, from L. cumulatus, pp. of cumulare "to heap," from cumulus "heap" (see cumulus) + -ive.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source

American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

cumulative  cu·mu·la·tive (ky&oomacr;m'yə-lā'tĭv, -yə-lə-tĭv) 
adj.

1.  Increasing or enlarging by successive addition.
2.  Acquired by or resulting from accumulation.
3.  Of or relating to the sum of the frequencies of experimentally determined values of arandom variable that are less than or equal to a specified value.
4.  Of or relating to experimental error that increases in magnitude with each successive measurement.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Ho