Real Dictionary

cy pres in American English
adverb: as near as possible
noun: the doctrine, applied esp. to cases of charitable trusts or donations, that, in place of an impossible or illegal condition, limitation, or object, allows the nearest practicable one to be substituted

cy pres in British English
noun: the doctrine that the intention of a donor or testator should be carried out as closely as practicable when literal compliance is impossible

cy-pres in American English
as near(ly) as possible: designating or according to an equitable doctrine for the interpretation of legal instruments having specific terms which cannot be carried out literally, whereby the court attempts to reform the instrument in accordance with the
the cy-pres doctrine