US Statutes

Get the defined terms that govern this section

Changed on Nov 7, 2026

The term definitions that apply to a section: the ones the section defines in its own text, and the ones parsed from its chapter's definitions section.

Cost: 4 credits. Not-found, failed lookups, and calls that return no terms (no definitions in the section's own text and none in the chapter, or a definitions section whose text is not yet ingested) are all refunded.

A statute's terms of art are defined in a separate section elsewhere in the chapter, not in the provision you are reading: "person" routinely includes corporations, "employee" routinely excludes independent contractors. This resolves that section and returns its terms.

Many provisions define a term for themselves instead: As used in this section, "security" means .... Those come back first with source: section and a pinpoint naming the subdivision that carries the definition ((b)), so it can be cited to that subdivision. Only a quoted term with a scope phrase ("as used in this section") or opening a sentence or labelled unit counts; ordinary prose that happens to use "means" is not read as a definition. The section's own text is checked in every supported corpus, including ones with no chapter to scope a definitions section to.

Terms from the chapter's definitions section carry source: definitions_section; definitionsSection names where those came from, so a definition can be quoted and cited to the provision that actually carries it.

Scope: strongest on the U.S. Code, where a chapter's definitions section is conventionally structured and parses reliably. CFR and state codes are best-effort: publishers format definitions inconsistently, and a definitions section we can locate but not parse into terms returns empty with a note and is refunded. definitionsSection is still populated in that case, so you can fetch its text directly from /section/{actId}/body and read it yourself.

You are never charged for a chapter whose terms we could not return.

get/api/v1/us/statutes/section/{act_id}/definitions

Request

Base URL
https://api.vaquill.ai
Auth
- HTTP bearer
- or API key in header X-API-Key
TypeScript
https://skmtc.dev/vaquill/apis/vaquill-developer-api/docs/api/v1/us/statutes/section/:act_id/definitions/get.ts
A function with typed inputs. Its response is checked against the schema.

Path parameters

act_idstring required

Section identifier, e.g. USC_T42_C21_S1983 (42 U.S.C. § 1983). Take it from a /us/statutes/search, /resolve or /divisions result; do not assemble one. A citation such as 42 USC 1983 also works and adds the /resolve price (see GET /us/statutes/section/{actId}). State session laws (SSL_ ids) are read at /us/session-laws/{sessionLawId}.

Example:USC_T42_C21_S1983

Headers

Idempotency-Keystring nullable

Optional. 16 to 255 visible ASCII characters (a UUIDv4 works). Repeating the same request with the same key replays the original 2xx response for 24 hours without charging again. The same key on a different request is rejected. With the account's cacheQueryDerivedData retention setting off, no body is stored and a retry answers 409 idempotency_replay_unavailable, still without a second charge.

Example:3f9c2a1e-7b44-4d0a-9c1e-5a6b7c8d9e0f

Response

The section plus the defined terms governing it.

totalinteger

How many terms were found, which is more than terms holds when truncated is true.

truncatedboolean

True when the section or its definitions section defines more terms than terms carries (a very long definitions section). total is then the true count and terms the first of them in source order.

notestring nullable

Set when a step came up empty: the chapter has no definitions section, its text is not ingested yet, or the section's own text could not be checked for definitions. With no terms at all the call is refunded; with terms from the other step it is charged and this says what is missing.

processingTimeMsnumber

Server-side time for this request in milliseconds, excluding network transit. Useful for spotting a slow query; not billed on.

creditsConsumednumber

Credits actually charged for this call. Read it rather than assuming the list price: failed and refunded work bills 0.

Example response

{
  "section": {
    "source": "sct",
    "body": "(a) If within a reasonable time after written or oral notice...",
    "bodyUnavailable": true,
    "bodyUnavailableReason": "image_only_source",
    "bodyNote": "fetch_failed",
    "matchContexts": [
      {
        "text": "(a) An employer shall not retaliate against an employee who files a complaint",
        "highlights": [
          [
            7,
            15
          ],
          [
            26,
            35
          ]
        ]
      }
    ],
    "renumberedTo": "self:4651",
    "renumberedToLabel": "section 10105 of Title 34",
    "transferredTo": "34:10105",
    "transferredToLabel": "section 10105 of Title 34",
    "issueDate": "1999-05-25",
    "statutoryAuthority": [
      {
        "display": "15 U.S.C. 78o",
        "section": "78o",
        "title": 15,
        "type": "usc"
      }
    ],
    "implementingRegulations": [
      {
        "cfrTitle": 17,
        "display": "17 CFR Part 240",
        "part": "240",
        "partName": "General Rules"
      }
    ],
    "rescindedOn": "2016-07-01",
    "pendingAdoptions": [
      {
        "agency": "Department of Financial Services",
        "effectiveDate": "2026-09-23",
        "idNo": "DFS-23-26-00013-A",
        "issueDate": "2026-09-23",
        "scope": "part"
      }
    ],
    "adoptedAfterCurrentThrough": true,
    "responseBounds": {
      "truncated": true,
      "fields": [
        {
          "field": "publicLaws",
          "unit": "items",
          "total": 190,
          "returned": 50,
          "nextOffset": 50
        }
      ]
    },
    "effectiveDate": "2002-11-25",
    "effectiveDateRaw": "September 8, 1916",
    "historyEffectiveDate": "2009-06-19",
    "priorEffectiveDates": [
      "2004-12-17",
      "2012-11-01"
    ],
    "pendingAmendments": [
      {
        "id": "FRULES_FRCP_R26_P2027",
        "status": "approved_by_standing_committee",
        "cycle": 2027,
        "effectiveDate": "2027-12-01",
        "commentPeriodEnd": "2026-02-16",
        "sourceUrl": "https://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/pending-rules-and-forms-amendments",
        "textComplete": true,
        "commentDocketIds": [
          "USC-RULES-CV-2025-0004"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "abstract": "This regulation extends time-limited tolerances for pesticides.",
    "agencies": [
      "Environmental Protection Agency"
    ],
    "agencySlugs": [
      "environmental-protection-agency"
    ],
    "topics": [
      "Environmental protection",
      "Pesticides and pests"
    ],
    "documentTypeLabel": "Rule",
    "documentSubtype": "Proclamation",
    "action": "Final rule.",
    "president": "George W. Bush",
    "signingDate": "2026-04-02",
    "executiveOrderNumber": "14179",
    "proclamationNumber": "10886",
    "instrumentNumberSource": "derived_from_text",
    "datesText": "This regulation is effective December 14, 2001.",
    "frVolume": 66,
    "frStartPage": 64768,
    "frEndPage": 64775,
    "wordCount": 6271,
    "issuingAgency": "Pollution Control Board",
    "adoptingCitations": [
      "37 Ill. Reg. 16539"
    ],
    "lawImplemented": "Section 4656.1, Public Resources Code",
    "lastAmendedDate": "2013-10-04",
    "amendmentNote": "Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 16539, effective October 4, 2013",
    "currencyYear": 2025,
    "reviewDate": "11/1/2028",
    "originalEnactmentDate": "1934-06-27",
    "originalEnactmentDateRaw": "June 27, 1934",
    "releaseDate": "2018-06-14",
    "documentNumber": "21-CA-211066",
    "caseName": "Dunn-Edwards Corp.",
    "forum": "Administrative Proceeding",
    "court": "U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts",
    "relatedDocuments": [
      "Consent Order",
      "Stipulation"
    ],
    "settlementAmount": "$16,500",
    "requesters": [
      "Preece, Inc."
    ],
    "program": "Old-Age and Survivors Insurance",
    "languageCode": "es",
    "volume": 1,
    "articleNumber": "1",
    "articleName": "Declaration of Rights",
    "ruleSetCode": "NDSUPCTADMINR",
    "edition": "2025",
    "relatedCitations": [
      "RCW 28A.150.290"
    ],
    "supersessionActions": {
      "modifies": [
        "Rev. Proc. 2011-47"
      ]
    },
    "subtitle": "11",
    "subtitleName": "AIR QUALITY",
    "publisherKey": "430000000310400000000000000000000",
    "versionId": "11948",
    "referencedShortTitles": [
      "Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act"
    ],
    "subjectNumber": "47",
    "audience": "All Persons Engaged in Marketing",
    "sourceCharStart": 263194,
    "sourceCharEnd": 264198,
    "matchSegment": "note",
    "matchNoteYear": 1993,
    "alternateCitations": [
      "4 L.P.R.A. § 2077"
    ],
    "expirationDate": "2029-03-01",
    "expirationDateRaw": "03-01-2029",
    "sourcePageStart": 114,
    "sourcePageEnd": 114,
    "displayLabel": "MPEP § 2165.03",
    "publicationDate": "2001-12-14",
    "topLevelTitle": "Title 9: Criminal",
    "externalUrl": "https://www.mass.gov/regulations/240-CMR-200-licensure-of-cosmetologists",
    "sourceUrl": "https://www.mass.gov/regulations/240-CMR-200-licensure-of-cosmetologists"
  },
  "definitionsSection": {
    "source": "sct",
    "body": "(a) If within a reasonable time after written or oral notice...",
    "bodyUnavailable": true,
    "bodyUnavailableReason": "image_only_source",
    "bodyNote": "fetch_failed",
    "matchContexts": [
      {
        "text": "(a) An employer shall not retaliate against an employee who files a complaint",
        "highlights": [
          [
            7,
            15
          ],
          [
            26,
            35
          ]
        ]
      }
    ],
    "renumberedTo": "self:4651",
    "renumberedToLabel": "section 10105 of Title 34",
    "transferredTo": "34:10105",
    "transferredToLabel": "section 10105 of Title 34",
    "issueDate": "1999-05-25",
    "statutoryAuthority": [
      {
        "display": "15 U.S.C. 78o",
        "section": "78o",
        "title": 15,
        "type": "usc"
      }
    ],
    "implementingRegulations": [
      {
        "cfrTitle": 17,
        "display": "17 CFR Part 240",
        "part": "240",
        "partName": "General Rules"
      }
    ],
    "rescindedOn": "2016-07-01",
    "pendingAdoptions": [
      {
        "agency": "Department of Financial Services",
        "effectiveDate": "2026-09-23",
        "idNo": "DFS-23-26-00013-A",
        "issueDate": "2026-09-23",
        "scope": "part"
      }
    ],
    "adoptedAfterCurrentThrough": true,
    "responseBounds": {
      "truncated": true,
      "fields": [
        {
          "field": "publicLaws",
          "unit": "items",
          "total": 190,
          "returned": 50,
          "nextOffset": 50
        }
      ]
    },
    "effectiveDate": "2002-11-25",
    "effectiveDateRaw": "September 8, 1916",
    "historyEffectiveDate": "2009-06-19",
    "priorEffectiveDates": [
      "2004-12-17",
      "2012-11-01"
    ],
    "pendingAmendments": [
      {
        "id": "FRULES_FRCP_R26_P2027",
        "status": "approved_by_standing_committee",
        "cycle": 2027,
        "effectiveDate": "2027-12-01",
        "commentPeriodEnd": "2026-02-16",
        "sourceUrl": "https://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/pending-rules-and-forms-amendments",
        "textComplete": true,
        "commentDocketIds": [
          "USC-RULES-CV-2025-0004"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "abstract": "This regulation extends time-limited tolerances for pesticides.",
    "agencies": [
      "Environmental Protection Agency"
    ],
    "agencySlugs": [
      "environmental-protection-agency"
    ],
    "topics": [
      "Environmental protection",
      "Pesticides and pests"
    ],
    "documentTypeLabel": "Rule",
    "documentSubtype": "Proclamation",
    "action": "Final rule.",
    "president": "George W. Bush",
    "signingDate": "2026-04-02",
    "executiveOrderNumber": "14179",
    "proclamationNumber": "10886",
    "instrumentNumberSource": "derived_from_text",
    "datesText": "This regulation is effective December 14, 2001.",
    "frVolume": 66,
    "frStartPage": 64768,
    "frEndPage": 64775,
    "wordCount": 6271,
    "issuingAgency": "Pollution Control Board",
    "adoptingCitations": [
      "37 Ill. Reg. 16539"
    ],
    "lawImplemented": "Section 4656.1, Public Resources Code",
    "lastAmendedDate": "2013-10-04",
    "amendmentNote": "Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 16539, effective October 4, 2013",
    "currencyYear": 2025,
    "reviewDate": "11/1/2028",
    "originalEnactmentDate": "1934-06-27",
    "originalEnactmentDateRaw": "June 27, 1934",
    "releaseDate": "2018-06-14",
    "documentNumber": "21-CA-211066",
    "caseName": "Dunn-Edwards Corp.",
    "forum": "Administrative Proceeding",
    "court": "U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts",
    "relatedDocuments": [
      "Consent Order",
      "Stipulation"
    ],
    "settlementAmount": "$16,500",
    "requesters": [
      "Preece, Inc."
    ],
    "program": "Old-Age and Survivors Insurance",
    "languageCode": "es",
    "volume": 1,
    "articleNumber": "1",
    "articleName": "Declaration of Rights",
    "ruleSetCode": "NDSUPCTADMINR",
    "edition": "2025",
    "relatedCitations": [
      "RCW 28A.150.290"
    ],
    "supersessionActions": {
      "modifies": [
        "Rev. Proc. 2011-47"
      ]
    },
    "subtitle": "11",
    "subtitleName": "AIR QUALITY",
    "publisherKey": "430000000310400000000000000000000",
    "versionId": "11948",
    "referencedShortTitles": [
      "Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act"
    ],
    "subjectNumber": "47",
    "audience": "All Persons Engaged in Marketing",
    "sourceCharStart": 263194,
    "sourceCharEnd": 264198,
    "matchSegment": "note",
    "matchNoteYear": 1993,
    "alternateCitations": [
      "4 L.P.R.A. § 2077"
    ],
    "expirationDate": "2029-03-01",
    "expirationDateRaw": "03-01-2029",
    "sourcePageStart": 114,
    "sourcePageEnd": 114,
    "displayLabel": "MPEP § 2165.03",
    "publicationDate": "2001-12-14",
    "topLevelTitle": "Title 9: Criminal",
    "externalUrl": "https://www.mass.gov/regulations/240-CMR-200-licensure-of-cosmetologists",
    "sourceUrl": "https://www.mass.gov/regulations/240-CMR-200-licensure-of-cosmetologists"
  },
  "terms": [
    {
      "term": "person",
      "marker": "1",
      "source": "section",
      "pinpoint": "(b)",
      "pinpointPath": [
        "b"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "total": 12,
  "resolvedFrom": {
    "input": "26 U.S.C. § 1",
    "actId": "USC_T26_C1_S1",
    "via": "citation",
    "subsection": "(h)(11)",
    "matchLevel": "container",
    "container": {
      "kind": "chapter",
      "label": "U.S. Const. art. III",
      "childCount": 12,
      "children": [
        {
          "actId": "CONST_US_A3_S1",
          "citation": "U.S. Const. art. III, § 1",
          "status": "in_force"
        }
      ]
    },
    "repair": {
      "kind": "code_name",
      "cited": "Jud. Ct. Acts Law",
      "interpretedAs": "N.Y. Judiciary Law § 475",
      "alternatives": [
        {
          "actId": "STATE_NY_FCT_S475",
          "citation": "N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 475"
        }
      ]
    },
    "registerReference": {
      "citation": "36 Pa. Bull. 510",
      "state": "il",
      "kind": "page",
      "ruleCount": 2
    }
  },
  "processingTimeMs": 310.8,
  "creditsConsumed": 4
}

Changes

Nov 7, 2026340c0d24d0b6 Revision changes
- warning
  added the new response_size_cap enum value to the /// response property for the response status
- warning
  added the new response_size_cap enum value to the // response property for the response status
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  added the optional property to the response with the status
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  added the optional property to the response with the status
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  added the optional property to the response with the status
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  added the optional property to the response with the status
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  added the optional property to the response with the status
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  the response property // became required for the status
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  the response property // became required for the status
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  the response property // became required for the status
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  the response property / became required for the status
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  the response property / became required for the status
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  the response property / became required for the status
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  the response property / became required for the status
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  the response property / became required for the status
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  the response property / became required for the status
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  the response property / became required for the status
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  the response property / became required for the status
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  the response property / became required for the status
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  the response property / became required for the status
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  the response property / became required for the status

Operation history