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Meaning / Definition of

Patriot Act

Categories: Legal,

Shorthand label for a lengthy and complex package of federal antiterrorism and general crime control laws signed into law less than two months after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. (The legislations formal name is the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act.) The Patriot Act was reenacted in 2006. Some sections of the original law were deleted or amended. Some provisions, including the authority for roving wiretaps, expire in 2009 unless they are reenacted. Under the Patriot Act, it is a federal crime to commit dangerous and illegal acts on U.S. soil with the intent to intimidate or coerce the government or a civilian population. It is also a federal crime to hack into government computers, give financial assistance to terrorists, and to possess substances that can be used for biological or chemical weapons for nonpeaceful purposes.

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Definition / Meaning of

Increase

Categories: Banking,

nounan act of becoming larger ExamplesThere have been several increases in tax or tax increases in the last few years. • There is an automatic 5 per cent increase in price or price increase on January 1st. • Profits showed a 10 per cent increase or an increase of 10 per cent on last year.Usageincrease in the cost of livinga rise in the annual cost of livinga higher salary Examplesincrease in pay or pay increase • The government hopes to hold salary increases to 3 per cent.Usageshe had two increases last yearher salary went up twiceverbto grow bigger or higher ExamplesProfits have increased faster than the increase in the rate of inflation. • Exports to Africa have increased by more than 25 per cent. • The price of oil has increased twice in the past week.Usageto increase in priceto cost moreUsageto increase in size or valueto become larger or more valuableto make something bigger or higherUsagethe company increased her salary to £50,000the company gave her a rise in salary to £50,000"...turnover has the potential to be increased to over 1 million dollars with energetic management and very little capital" [Australian Financial Review]"...competition is steadily increasing and could affect profit margins as the company tries to retain its market share" [Citizen (Ottawa)]

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