The U.S. Constitution & Amendments: The U.S. Constitution, List 2

The Constitution is, quite simply, the basis of American democracy. The document details what the branches of government must do, what they are entitled to do, and what they cannot do. Read the full text here.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. reprisal
    a retaliatory action against an enemy
    To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water
  2. appropriation
    money set aside for a specific purpose, as by a legislature
    To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years
  3. insurrection
    organized opposition to authority
    To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions
  4. cession
    the act of surrendering possession or control
    To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings...
  5. magazine
    a storehouse where weapons and ammunition are stored
    To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings...
  6. forego
    be earlier in time; go back further
    To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
  7. habeas corpus
    a writ ordering a prisoner to be brought before a judge
    The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
  8. bill of attainder
    a legislative act pronouncing a person's guilt without trial
    No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
  9. ex post facto
    affecting things past
    No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
  10. census
    a periodic count of the population
    No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
  11. confederation
    the act of forming an alliance
    No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
  12. duty
    a government tax on imports or exports
    No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
  13. tonnage
    a tax imposed on ships that enter the US
    No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
  14. imminent
    close in time; about to occur
    No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
  15. devolve
    pass on or delegate to another
    In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
Created on Thu May 22 16:41:24 EDT 2025

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