Legal Term Dictionary

Search our free database of thousands of legal terms. The easiest-to-read, most user-friendly guide to legal terms.This dictionary is from the early 20th century and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Search
  • BLACK-MAIL
    1. In one of its original meanings, this term denoted a tribute paid by English dwellers, along the Scottish border to influential chieftains of Scotland, as a condition of securing immunity from raids of marauders and border thieves. 2. It also designated rents payable in cattle, grain, work, and the More...
  • BLACK MARIA
    A closed. wagon or van in which prisoners are carried to and from the jail, or between the court and tbe jail.
  • BLACK RENTS
    In old English law. Rents reserved in work, grain, provisions, or baser money, in contradistinction to those which were reserved in white money or silver, which were termed "white rents," (reditu* albi,) or blanch farms. Tomlins; Whishaw.
  • BLACK-ROD, GENTLEMAN USHER OF
    In England, the title of a chief officer of the king, deriving his name from the Blaclc Rod of office, on the top of which reposes a golden lion, which he carries.
  • BLACK WARD
    A subvassal, who held ward of the king's vassal.
  • BLACKLEG
    A person who gets his living by frequenting race-courses and places where games of chance are played, getting the best odds, and giving the least he can, but not necessarily cheating. That is not indictable either by statute or at common law. Burnett v. Allen, 3 HurL A N. 379.
  • BLADA
    In old English law. Growing erops of grain of any kind. Spelman. All manner of annual grain. Cowell. Harvested grain. Bract. 2176; Reg. Orig. 94b, 95.
  • BLADARIUS
    In old English law. A corn-monger; meal-man-or corn-chandler; a bladier, or engrosser of corn - or grain. Blount
  • BLANC SEIGN
    In Louisiana, a paper signed at the bottom by him who intends to bind himself, give acquittance, or compromise, at the discretion of the person whom he intrusts with such blanc seign, giving him power to fill it with what he may think proper, according to agreement Musson v. U. More...
  • BLANCH HOLDING
    An ancient tenure of the law of Scotland, the duty payable being trifling, as a penny or a pepper-corn, etc., If required; similar to free and common socage.
Showing 280 of 553