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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  • DECLARE
    To solemnly assert a fact before witnesses, e. p., where a testator declares a paper signed by him to be his last will and testament. Lane v. Lane, 95 N. T. 498. This also is one of the words customarily used in the promise given by a person who is More...
  • DECLINATION
    In Scotch law. A plea to the jurisdiction, on the ground that the judge is interested in the suit.
  • DECLINATOIRES
    In French law. Pleas to the Jurisdiction of the court; also of lis pendens, and of connexitd, (q. v.)
  • DECLINATORY PLEA
    In English practice. The plea of sanctuary, or of benefit of clergy, before trial or conviction. 2 Hale, P. C 236; 4 BL Comm. 333. Now abolished. 4 Steph. Comm. 400, note; Id. 436, note
  • DECLINATURE
    In Scotch practice. An objection to the jurisdiction of a judge. Bell.
  • DECOCTION
    The act of boiling a substance in water, for extracting its virtues. Also the liquor in which a substance has been boiled; water impregnated with the principles of any animal or vegetable substance boiled in it Webster; Sykes v. Magone (C. C.) 38 Fed. 497. In an indictment "decoction" and More...
  • DECOCTOR
    In the Roman law. A bankrupt; a spendthrift; a squanderer of public funds. Calvin.
  • DECOLLATIO
    In old English and Scotch law. Decollation; the punishment of beheading. Fleta, lib. 1, c. 21, % 6.
  • DECONFES
    In French law. A name formerly given to those persons who died without confession, whether they refused to confess or whether they were criminals to whom the sacrament was refused.
  • DECOY
    To inveigle, entice, tempt, or lure; as, to decoy a person within the jurisdiction of a court so that he may be served with process, or to decoy a fugitive criminal to a place where he may be arrested without extradition papers, or to decoy one away from his place More...
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