executory, a. and n.
(ɛkˈsɛkjʊtərɪ)
[ad. L. ex(s)ecūtōri-us, f. ex(s)ecūtor: see executor and -ory. Cf. F. exécutoire.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to the execution or carrying out of a command, decree, law, instructions, etc.
| 1658–9 Burton's Diary (1828) III. 158 The question is only executory, not declarative; only as a direction to your Committee. 1706 Bp. of Lincoln Charge 19 This Constitution..was..only an Executory Declaration of the Ancient Ecclesiastical Law. a 1734 North Exam. iii. vii. §30 (1740) 524 The Contrivance at last came out of a Gray's Inn Cabal, as the Persons, active in the executory Part, make plain. 1790 Burke Fr. Rev. Wks. V. 357 What sort of person is a king to command executory service, who has no means whatsoever to reward it? 1851 Gladstone Glean. VI. xl. 27 The machinery for applying our principles to executory details is..very imperfect. |
b. Of a law, etc.: In execution or operation; in force, of force, operative.
| 1483 Act 1 Richard III, c. 6 §4 The aforesaid Ordinance [shall]..be executory from the Feast of the Annunciation..perpetually after to endure. 1649 Selden Laws Eng. ii. xxviii. (1739) 131 A Law, that was executory all the days of Henry Eighth. 1791 St. Papers in Ann. Reg. 139* Their decrees are rendered executory without requiring sanction. 1882 Manch. Guard. 21 July, The Canal Convention..as far as France is concerned is only executory after the Chamber has ratified it. 1885 Pall Mall G. 13 May 7/2 An action on the judgment..if the court sees in it nothing contrary to French law..may be declared executory without going into the merits. |
2. Concerned or charged with the execution of a command, decree, law, etc.; = executive A. 3.
| 1649 Selden Laws Eng. i. liv. (1739) 95 The power of Militia is either the Legislative or Executory power. 1796 Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 414 As far as I know anything of Mr. Dundas's office, it is merely executory. 1829 Blackw. Mag. XXV. 43 The Lord Lieutenant and the Secretary were cut down..into mere executory agents of the British Government. 1858 Gladstone Homer II. 128 The lower and executory parts of each of these functions..are taken up..by deities far inferior to her. |
3. Law. Of acts or dispositions: Designed to take or capable of taking full effect only at a future time. Opposed to executed.
| 1592 West 1st Pt. Symbol. §44 C, Euerie estate is either executed maintenant, or executorie by limitation of vse. 1670 Blount Law Dict. s.v. Agreement, The third is..Executory, in regard the thing is to be done afterwards. 1767 Blackstone Comm. ii. xxx. 443 A contract..may be executory, as if they agree to change [horses] next week. 1818 Colebrooke Treat. Obligations & Contracts I. 16 An executory contract..is one which is to be subsequently fulfilled. 1827 J. Powell Devises II. 203 The terms of the executory trust seemed to import that no conveyance was to be made to J. until the death of the wife. 1876 Digby Real Prop. vii. 328 Devises of future interests in land, or, as they were called, executory devises. |
† 4. Of or pertaining to an executor or to his duties: = executorial. Obs. rare—1.
| 1560 in Spottiswood Hist. Ch. Scot. (1677) iii. 164 The Rector..of the University must be exempted from all..burdens that may abstract them from attending the youth, such as Tutory, Curatory, Executory, and the like. |
B. n.
† 1. = executorship, executry. Obs. rare—1.
| 1496 Dives & Paup. (W. de W.) ix. vi. 355/2 Them that have mysgoten them by myspurchace, or by withholdynge of dette, or by false executorye. |
2. An executive body (see executive B. 2.)
| 1868 W. T. Thornton in Fortn. Rev. May 521 Unionist executories have all the requisite capacity for practising the compulsion with which current belief charges them. |