amendment

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

amend·ment AW [amendment amendments] BrE [əˈmendmənt] NAmE [əˈmendmənt] noun
1. countable, uncountable a small change or improvement that is made to a law or a document; the process of changing a law or a document
•to introduce/propose/table an amendment (= to suggest it)
•Parliament passed the bill without further amendment.
•~ to sth She made several minor amendments to her essay.
2. Amendmentcountable a statement of a change to the Constitution of the US
•The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.

Word Origin:
Middle English (in the sense ‘improvement, correction’): from Old French amendement, from amender, based on Latin emendare, from e- (variant of ex-) ‘out of’ menda ‘a fault’.

Culture:
In the US the first ten amendments to the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights. Each amendment to the US Constitution needs a two-thirds majority in each House and must be approved by 75% of the states.

Example Bank:
•He is simply exercising his First-Amendment rights.
•He moved an amendment limiting capital punishment to certain very serious crimes.
•In total 217 MPs backed the rebel amendment opposing the government.
•On a free vote, the amendment was carried by 292 votes to 246.
•Parliament accepted the amendment and the bill was passed.
•She withdrew her amendment and left the meeting.
•The Senate added numerous amendments to the bill.
•The amendment passed in 2001.
•The committee does not adequately consult others when drafting amendments.
•The new clause was accepted without amendment.
•The programme is subject to amendment.
•They have proposed an amendment to the federal constitution.
•a call to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution
•a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage
•an amendment to the Clean Water Act