Literary notes about annul (AI summary)
In literature, the word "annul" is often used to denote the act of invalidating or nullifying agreements, decrees, or relationships. It appears prominently in legal and historical settings, such as petitions to dissolve marriages ([1], [2]), the cancellation of treaties and contracts ([3], [4], [5]), and even the revocation of official decrees by authorities ([6], [7], [8]). Beyond its strict legal usage, it also carries a metaphorical weight, suggesting the erasure of past actions or emotions in personal narratives ([9], [10]). In some cases, it highlights power dynamics where established orders are undone or rendered void, reflecting both societal and individual struggles against authority ([11], [12]). This duality—capturing both literal and figurative annulment—underscores its versatility as a literary device ([13], [14]).
- "He petitioned the German Diet to annul the marriage.
— from The Wit and Humor of America, Volume X (of X) - Physical incapacity is cause for divorce in Michigan; and suit to "annul" a marriage on this ground must be brought within two years:
— from A History of Matrimonial Institutions, Vol. 2 of 3 by George Elliott Howard - The same gentleman next contended that law can annul Treaties.
— from Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 1 (of 16) by United States. Congress - “Should the said Rip Van Winkle think fit to annul this contract within twenty years and a day, he shall be at full liberty to do so.
— from Representative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: Rip vanWinkle by Charles Burke - On the contrary, I always observed to them, that it would be unjust to annul that contract.
— from The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 2 (of 9) Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private by Thomas Jefferson - The governor could veto legislation, and the king annul any law under three years old.
— from History of the United States, Volume 1 by Elisha Benjamin Andrews - The tribunicia potestas which he also enjoyed, enabled him to annul any decree of the Senate, and of interfering in all the acts of the magistrates.
— from The Old Roman World : the Grandeur and Failure of Its Civilization. by John Lord - The Council had the power of annulling them, and frequently did annul them in cases of subordinate jurisdiction.
— from The State of Society in France Before the Revolution of 1789And the Causes Which Led to That Event by Alexis de Tocqueville - But she could not help feeling a delirious happiness too, and the thought of trying to annul what she had done did not even occur to her.
— from The Dark Flower by John Galsworthy - There is nothing in the past that can annul our right to each other; it is the first time we have either of us loved with our whole heart and soul."
— from The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot - But to annul by a retrospective statute patents, which in Westminster Hall were held to be legally valid, would have been simply robbery.
— from The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 5 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron - to displace, set aside; to abrogate, annul, violate, swerve from; reject, contemn: (L.G.)
— from A Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament by William Greenfield - So 'twas agreed between us, To annul such move as this if chance should strip My bent of cover.
— from The Mortal Gods, and Other Plays by Olive Tilford Dargan - But peers beyond her mesh, And wishes, and denies, — Lest interview annul a want That image satisfies.
— from Poems by Emily Dickinson, Three Series, Complete by Emily Dickinson
