states' rights

Definitions of states' rights

1. noun

   the rights conceded to the states by the United States constitution
   type of:

   right

   an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature
2. noun

   a doctrine that federal powers should be curtailed and returned to the individual states
   types:

   nullification

   the states'-rights doctrine that a state can refuse to recognize or to enforce a federal law passed by the United States Congress

   type of:

   doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought

   a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school