moot

To suggest an idea so that people can discuss it.

• They mooted a new plan.
• The idea was first mooted at a staff meeting.
• Would the council moot a change to the rules?

Similar words: suggest, propose, raise

Common phrases: moot an idea, moot a proposal, moot a plan

To discuss a question or idea and consider different views.

• They mooted the question for hours.
• Scholars once mooted whether the king had acted fairly.
• The committee will moot the merits of both plans.

Similar words: debate, discuss

Common phrases: moot a question, moot an issue, moot the merits

To make a question or issue no longer matter or need a decision.

• The agreement mooted the dispute.
• A new law may moot the entire case.
• Her resignation mooted the question of whether she should be dismissed.

Similar words: render irrelevant

Common phrases: moot the issue, moot a case, moot an appeal

To argue an imagined legal case as practice, usually while studying law.

• The students mooted a case.
• She will moot before three visiting judges.
• We mooted the same imaginary dispute in two different teams.

How to use it: moot before someone (The students mooted before a panel of lawyers.)

Common phrases: moot a case, moot before judges

Considered only as an idea or discussion, without a practical purpose.

• This is a moot question.
• The class explored a moot problem with no real case behind it.
• Their discussion remained a moot exercise, with no practical goal.

Similar words: academic, theoretical, hypothetical

Opposites: practical

Common phrases: moot question, moot discussion, moot exercise

A practice court session in which law students argue an imagined case.

• Our class held a moot.
• She argued for the defendant in the moot.
• The judges praised both teams after yesterday's moot.

Similar words: moot court

Common phrases: student moot, moot competition, annual moot

A community process in parts of Africa that settles disputes and helps opponents live together again.

• The elders arranged a moot.
• Both families spoke at the moot before agreeing to make peace.
• The moot helped the neighbors return to community life.

Similar words: community arbitration

Common phrases: community moot, hold a moot, local moot

A gathering, often a camp, for members of the older age group in scouting.

• Our Rovers attended a moot.
• They pitched their tents at the international moot.
• The next moot will bring together scouts from many countries.

Similar words: Rover gathering

Common phrases: international moot, rover moot, attend a moot