vague

views updated May 18 2018

vague / vāg/ • adj. of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning: many patients suffer vague symptoms. ∎  thinking or communicating in an unfocused or imprecise way: he had been very vague about his activities.DERIVATIVES: vague·ly adv.vague·ness n.vagu·ish adj.

Vague

views updated May 11 2018

VAGUE

Imprecise; uncertain; indefinite.

The term vague is frequently used in reference to a statute written in language that is so indefinite or lacking in precision that an individual of ordinary intelligence is forced to guess at its meaning. Statutes that are vague are ordinarily void on that ground.

cross-references

Void for Vagueness Doctrine.

vague

views updated May 21 2018

vague XVI. — F. — L. vagus wandering, inconstant, uncertain.