purview

The part of a statute or a law that delineates its purpose and scope.

Purview refers to the enacting part of a statute. It generally begins with the words be it enacted and continues as far as the repealing clause. The purview is distinguished from other parts of a statute, such as the title, preamble, and savings clauses.

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purview noun ambit, area, arena, borderline, boundary, bounds, breadth, circumscription, compass, concern, confine, contemplation, delimitation, department, design, extent, latitudo, limit, limitation, limits, locus, magnitude, meaning, orbit, perimeter, plan, province, purpose, range, reach, scope, span, sphere, stretch, term, territory, view, zone
Associated concepts: purview of a statute

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See also: area, coverage, jurisdiction, province, scope

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PURVIEW. That part of an act of the legislature which begins with the words "Be it enacted," &c., and ends before the repealing clause. Cooke's R. 330 3 Bibb, 181. According to Cowell, this word also signifies a conditional gift or grant. It is said to be derived from the French pourvu, provided. It always implies a condition. Interpreter, h.t.