A rule for ending debate in a deliberative body

• Senatorial speed-up
• Debate-ending procedure
• Debate ending
• Debate ender
• Parliamentary procedure

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. a rule for limiting or ending debate in a deliberative body [syn: closure , gag rule , gag law ] v. terminate debate by calling for a vote; "debate was closured"; "cloture the discussion" [syn: closure ]

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. (context legal English) In legislative assemblies that permit unlimited debate (filibuster); a motion, procedure or rule, by which debate is ended so that a vote may be taken on the matter. For example, in the United States Senate, a three-fifths majority ...

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Cloture (US: ; British:), closure , or, informally, a guillotine is a motion or process in parliamentary procedure aimed at bringing debate to a quick end. The cloture procedure originated in the French National Assembly , from which the name is taken. ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1871, the French word for "closure, the action of closing," applied to debates in the French Assembly ("action of closing (debate) by will of a majority"), then to the House of Commons and U.S. Congress, from French clôture , from Old French closture (see ...