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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.

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COUNT
(Fr. comtc; from the Latin comes.) An earl.

(Fr. comtc; from the Latin comes.) An earl. Less...
COUNT-OUT
In English parliamentary law. Forty members form a house of commons; and, though there be ever so many at the beginning of a debate, yet, if during the course of it the house should be deserted by the members, till reduced below the number of forty, any one member may More...

In English parliamentary law. Forty members form a house of commons; and, though there be ever so many at the beginning of a debate, yet, if during the course of it the house should be deserted by the members, till reduced below the number of forty, any one member may have it adjourned upon its being counted; but a debate may be continued when only one member is left in the house, provided no one choose to move an adjournment Wharton. Less...
COUNTEE
In old English law. The most eminent dignity of a subject before the Conquest. He was prwfectus or propositus comitatus, and had the charge and custody of the county; but this authority Is now vested in the sheriff. 9 Coke, 46.

In old English law. The most eminent dignity of a subject before the Conquest. He was prwfectus or propositus comitatus, and had the charge and custody of the county; but this authority Is now vested in the sheriff. 9 Coke, 46. Less...
COUNTENANCE
In old English law. Credit; estimation. Wharton. Also, encouragement; aiding and abetting. Cooper v. Johnson, 81 Mo. 487.

In old English law. Credit; estimation. Wharton. Also, encouragement; aiding and abetting. Cooper v. Johnson, 81 Mo. 487. Less...
COUNTER
n. The name of two prisons formerly standing in London, but now demolished. They were the Poultry Counter and Wood Street Counter.

n. The name of two prisons formerly standing in London, but now demolished. They were the Poultry Counter and Wood Street Counter. Less...
COUNTER
adj. Adverse; antagonistic; opposing or contradicting; contrary. Silli-man v. Eddy, 8 How. Prac. (N. T.) 122. —Counter-affidavit. An affidavit made and presented in contradiction or opposition to an affidavit which is made the basis or support of a motion or application.—Counter-bond. In old practice. A bond of indemnity. 2 Leon. More...

adj. Adverse; antagonistic; opposing or contradicting; contrary. Silli-man v. Eddy, 8 How. Prac. (N. T.) 122. —Counter-affidavit. An affidavit made and presented in contradiction or opposition to an affidavit which is made the basis or support of a motion or application.—Counter-bond. In old practice. A bond of indemnity. 2 Leon. 90. —-Counter-deed. A secret writing, either before a notary or under a private seal, which destroys, invalidates, or alters a public one.— Counter-letter. A species of instrument of defeasance common in the civil law. It is executed by a party who has taken a deed of property, absolute on its face, but intended as security for a loan of money, and by it he agrees to reconveythe property on payment of a specified sum. The two instruments, taken together, constitute what is known in 'Louisiana as an "antichresis" (q. o.)—Counter-mark. A sign put upon goods already marked; also the several marks put upon goods belonging to several persons, to show that they must not be opened, ut in the presence of all the owners or their agents.—Counter-security. A security given to one who has entered into a bond or become surety for another; a countervailing bond of indemnity. Less...
COUNTER-CLAIM
A claim presented by a defendant in opposition to or deduction from the claim of the plaintiff. A species of set-off or recoupment introduced by the codes of civil procedure in several of the states, of a broad and liberal character. A counter-claim must be one "existing in favor of More...

A claim presented by a defendant in opposition to or deduction from the claim of the plaintiff. A species of set-off or recoupment introduced by the codes of civil procedure in several of the states, of a broad and liberal character. A counter-claim must be one "existing in favor of a defendant and against a plaintiff between whom a several judgment might be had in the action, and arising out of one of the following causes of action: (1) A cause of action arising out of the contract or transaction set forth in the complaint as the foundation of the plaintiff's claim, or connected with the subject of action; (2) in an action arising on contract, any other cause of action arising also on contract and existing at the commencement of the action." Code Proc. N. Y. § 150. The term "counter-claim,0 of itself, imports a claim opposed to, or which qualifies, or at least in some degree affects, the plaintiff's cause of action. Dietrich v. Koch, 30 Wis. 628. A counter-claim is an opposition claim, or demand of something due; a demand of something which of right belongs to the defendant in opposition to the right of the plaintiff. Silliman v. Eddy, 8 How. Prac. (N. x) 122. A counter-claim is that which might have arisen out of, or could have had some connection with, the original transaction, in view of the parties, and which, at the time the contract was made, they could have intended might in some event, give one party a claim against the other for compliance or non-compliance with its provisions. Conner v. Winton, 7 Ind. 523, 521. Less...
COUNTERFEIT
In criminal law. To forge; to copy or imitate, without authority or right, and with a view to deceive or defraud, by passing the copy or thing forged for that which is original or genuine. Most commonly applied to the fraudulent and criminal imitation of money. State v. Mc-Kenzle, 42 More...

In criminal law. To forge; to copy or imitate, without authority or right, and with a view to deceive or defraud, by passing the copy or thing forged for that which is original or genuine. Most commonly applied to the fraudulent and criminal imitation of money. State v. Mc-Kenzle, 42 Me. 302; U. S. v. Barrett (D. C.) Ill Fed. 369; State v. Calvin, R. M. Charlt (Ga.) 159; Mattison v. State, 3 Mo. 421. —Counterfeit coin. Coin not genuine* but resembling or apparently Intended to resemble or pass for genuine coin, including genuine coin prepared or altered so as to resemble or pass for coin of a higher denomination. U. S. v. Hopkins (D. C.) 26 Fed. 443; U. S. v. Bogart 24 Fed. Cas. 1185.—Counterfeiter. In criminal law. One who unlawfully makes base coin in imitation of the true metal, or forges false currency, or any instrument of writing, bearing a likeness and similitude to that which is lawful and genuine, with an intention of deceiving and imposing upon mankind. Thirman v. Matthews, 1 Stew. (Ala.) 384. Less...
COUNTER-FESANCE
The act of forging.

The act of forging. Less...
COUNTERMAND
A change or revocation of orders, authority, or instructions previously issued. It may be either express or implied; the former where the order or instruction already given is explicitly annulled or recalled; the latter where the party's conduct is incompatible with the further continuance of the order' or Instruction, as More...

A change or revocation of orders, authority, or instructions previously issued. It may be either express or implied; the former where the order or instruction already given is explicitly annulled or recalled; the latter where the party's conduct is incompatible with the further continuance of the order' or Instruction, as where a new order is given inconsistent with the former order. Less...

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