Duhaime's Law Dictionary Peremptory Definition: Final or absolute; not open to challenge. Related Terms: Peremptory Challenge Absolute, conclusive and final.1 In McGraff, Justice Angstman of the Supreme Court of Montana adopted these words: "(W)here, in a statute the word must is used in imposing a duty upon a public officer, it is mandatory and peremptory, — it excludes direction and it imposes upon him an absolute duty to perform the requirement of the statute." An adjournment to a date which is said to be peremptory means that the matter will go ahead on that date with no further applications for adjournment to be granted. REFERENCES: McGraff v. McGillvray, 339 P. 2d 47 8 (1959) Wolfe v. State, 178 SW 2d 274 (1944 - NOTE 1) Categories & Topics: Duhaime's Civil Litigation & Evidence Law Dictionary Always looking up definitions? Save time with our search provider (modern browsers only) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Law Dictionary, or if you have suggestion for a legal term, we'd love to hear from you!