act
In a legal context, an act refers generally to the exercise of will expressed through conduct, or a formal expression of law. The term is used in both criminal law and legislative contexts.
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CIVICS
ad hoc
Ad hoc is Latin for "to this" and means “for this purpose only.”
Common examples are an ad hoc committee or an ad hoc commission created for a specific or one-time purpose to address issues that fall outside the scope of other existing committees or commissions. Ad hoc committees are formed on a temporary basis.
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ad valorem
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ad valorem tax
Ad valorem is a Latin phrase that translates to “according to the value.”
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ADA
See: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
[Last reviewed in November of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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ADEA
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) was issued in 1967 and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson and prohibits discrimination on the basis of age.
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adequate and independent state grounds
Adequate and independent state grounds is a doctrine that limits the U.S. Supreme Court’s jurisdiction to review state court judgments.
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adequate remedy
An adequate remedy is one that affords complete relief with reference to the particular matter in controversy and which is appropriate given the circumstances of the case.
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adjusted basis
Adjusted basis is the cost basis of an asset adjusted for various events during its ownership.
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adjusted gross income (AGI)
Adjusted gross income (AGI) is defined as the gross income earned by an individual minus several adjustments made to that income, such as trade and business deductions.