[] ( ˈgrandfather rights []) () () () a part of a new law that allows those who already do the activity that is controlled or made illegal by the new law to continue to do so （免受新法规限制的）祖父条款，不追溯既往条款◆The new law does not allow any retail outlets in this zone but the grandfather clause exempts existing retail outlets. 新法规定在这个地区不允许开零售店，但祖父条款规定现有零售店可不受限制。