| 释义 |
grandfather clause (also grandfather proˌvision) noun [countable] (also grandfather rights [plural]) (all name) (law 法律) (informal) a part of a new law that allows those who already do the activity that is controlled or made illegal by the new law to continue to do so （免受新法规限制的）祖父条款，不追溯既往条款◆the new law does not allow any retail outlets in this zone but the grandfather clause exempts existing retail outlets. 新法规定在这个地区不允许开零售店，但祖父条款规定现有零售店可不受限制。 |