noun
an interpretation of the U.S. constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions (particularly decisions of the Supreme Court)
• Syn: ↑broad interpretation
• Hypernyms: ↑interpretation, ↑interpreting, ↑rendition, ↑rendering
* * *
(in the US) the idea that it is not necessary to follow the exact words of the Constitution when new laws are made
Useful english dictionary. 2012.