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civil union definition - legal

n

A relationship between cohabitating members of the same sex, legally recognized in some states, that conveys to the couple some or all attributes, benefits, and rights of marriage for purposes of that stateÂ’s law, but not for purposes of other statesÂ’ laws or federal law. See also cohabitation and marriage.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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