noun
The inherent power and obligation of a state government
or sovereign, usually delegated in part to municipalities, to make whatever
laws are appropriate and necessary to maintain public safety and security,
morality, health, and propriety, which can neither be surrendered by the
legislature nor transferred in toto
away from the state. Such power is conferred by the Tenth Amendment to the
United States Constitution, and is subject to and bound by considerations of
due process.