twenty-first amendment
LowFormal, legal, academic
Definition
Meaning
The amendment to the U.S. Constitution that repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, ending the national prohibition of alcohol.
It symbolizes the process of constitutional repeal in American law and is often referenced in discussions on federalism, state powers, and historical legal changes.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A proper noun, always capitalized; primarily used in American English contexts related to U.S. constitutional history.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily an American term; in British English, it is used only in contexts discussing U.S. history, law, or international comparisons.
Connotations
In American English, it connotes the end of prohibition and a shift in federal-state dynamics; in British English, it may be viewed as an example of constitutional amendment mechanisms.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English due to its direct relevance to U.S. constitutional law and history.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitutionan amendment known as the Twenty-firstunder the Twenty-first AmendmentVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “repealed by the Twenty-first Amendment”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; may appear in discussions about alcohol industry regulations or historical business impacts from prohibition's end.
Academic
Common in law, history, and political science courses focusing on U.S. constitutional amendments and federalism.
Everyday
Used in general conversations about American history, particularly regarding prohibition and its repeal.
Technical
Frequently referenced in legal texts, constitutional law analyses, and historical documents on U.S. governance.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Parliament debated ratifying the Twenty-first Amendment.
American English
- Congress moved to enact the Twenty-first Amendment.
adverb
British English
- The law was changed, Twenty-first Amendment in mind.
American English
- Prohibition ended, pursuant to the Twenty-first Amendment.
adjective
British English
- The Twenty-first Amendment legislation was pivotal.
American English
- Post-Twenty-first Amendment policies varied widely.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The Twenty-first Amendment ended prohibition in the United States.
- After the Twenty-first Amendment was ratified, alcohol became legal again.
- The ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment marked a significant shift in U.S. federal and state relations.
- Scholars often cite the Twenty-first Amendment as a precedent for the repeal of constitutional amendments, highlighting its implications for judicial review.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: '21 drinks to celebrate the end of prohibition' – linking the number 21 to the legal drinking age and the amendment's purpose.
Conceptual Metaphor
Repeal as erasing a mistake; the amendment as a corrective tool in democratic governance.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation might confuse 'amendment' with 'поправка' without context; ensure capitalization and specify it refers to the U.S. Constitution to avoid ambiguity.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect capitalization, e.g., 'twenty-first amendment' instead of 'Twenty-first Amendment'; confusing it with other amendments like the First Amendment.
Practice
Quiz
What did the Twenty-first Amendment do?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the amendment to the U.S. Constitution that repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, ending the national prohibition of alcohol.
It was ratified on December 5, 1933.
It demonstrated the process of repealing a constitutional amendment and returned alcohol regulation to the states, influencing federalism.
It allows states to regulate alcohol, leading to varied laws across the U.S., and is often referenced in legal cases involving state versus federal powers.