per curiam

adverb or adjective

per cu·​ri·​am (ˌ)pər-ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌäm How to pronounce per curiam (audio)
-ˈku̇r-
: by the court as a whole rather than by a single justice and usually without extended discussion
a per curiam decision

Examples of per curiam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In an unsigned per curiam opinion, a five-justice majority concluded that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear the states' claims and that the government should be given deference in retaining the money as litigation over it continues. Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2025 The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov. CHIEF JUSTICE KAREN R. BAKER CR-24-97. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 20 Mar. 2025 The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov. PROCEEDINGS OF Feb. 19, 2025 CHIEF JUDGE N. MARK KLAPPENBACH CR-24-183. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 20 Feb. 2025 The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov. PROCEEDINGS OF Feb. 13, 2025 JUSTICE RHONDA K. WOOD CR-24-388. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for per curiam

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin per curiam, literally, by the court

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of per curiam was in 1650

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Per curiam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/per%20curiam. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Legal Definition

per curiam

adverb or adjective
: by the court as a whole rather than by a single justice and usually without extended discussion
a per curiam affirmance
Etymology

Latin, by the court

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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