CultureJuly 15, 2026

enumeration

/ɪˌnuː.məˈreɪ.ʃən/

Definition

The act of explicitly listing or specifying items, rights, or powers in a formal document.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'enumeratio,' meaning to count out or list. It entered English in the 16th century via French, retaining its root sense of methodical accounting or itemizing.

In the news

In the article, the word refers to the Founders' practice of specifically outlining government powers within the Constitution. This enumeration was intended to clarify the limits of federal authority, leaving all other rights to the people.

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