Cy Pres
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
construction. These are old French words which signify asnear as. In cases where a perpetuity is attempted in a will, the courts do not, if they can avoid it, construe the devise to be utterly void, but expound the will in such a manner as to carry the testator’s intentions into effect, as far as the rules respecting perpetuities will allow; this is called a construction cy pres. When the perpetuity is attempted in a deed all the limitations are totally void. Cruise Dig. t.
38, c. 9, s.
34; and vide 1 Vern. 250; 2 Ves. jr.
380, 386, 357,364; 3 Ves. jr. 141,220; 4 Ves. 13; Com. Dig. Condition, (L. 1); 1 Rop. Leg. 514; Swinb. pt. 4,s.7,a.4; Dane’s Ab. Index, h. t.; Toull. Dr. Civ. Fr. liv. 3, t. 3, n. 586, 595, 611; Domat, Loix Ciy. liv. 6,.t. 2,3. 1; 1 Supp. to Ves. jr. 134, 259, 317; 2 Ib. 316, 473; Boyle on Charities, D.