[L. ultrā beyond. Cf. F., Pg. ultra, It. oltre.]
1. In the phr. ultra vires, beyond the powers or legal authority (of a person, etc.; also used with ellipse of for).
1793. [Earl Dundonald], Descr. Estate of Culross, 59. This has proved, and must always prove, ultra vires of any one individual.
1806. G. Hutcheson, Treat. Justice of Peace, etc., II. 564, note. This judgment has been appealed from, as ultra vires, as far as regards the directions for building the cruive dike.
1884. Law Times, LXXVIII. 116/1. It was not ultra vires the directors to advance money on such security.
2. Lying beyond. (Cf. ULTRA- 1 c.)
1883. Ch. Times, XXI. 939/2. As the human eye is sensible only of impressions of light ranging from red to violet, it follows that we cannot be conscious or any hue ultra either of these.
