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
  • DIPLOMA
    In the civil law. A royal charter; letters patent granted by a prince or sovereign. Calvin. An instrument given by colleges and societies on the conferring of any degrees. State v. Gregory, 83 Mo. 130, 53 Am. Rep. 565; Halliday v. Butt 40 Ala. 183. A license granted to a More...
  • DIPLOMACY
    The science which treats of the relations and interests of nations with nations. Negotiation or intercourse between nations through their representatives. The rules, customs, and privileges of representatives at foreign courts.
  • DIPLOMATIC AGENT.
    In international law. A general name for all classes of persons charged with tbe negotiation, transaction, or superintendence of the diplomatic business of one nation at the court of another. See Rev. St. U. S. ? 1674 (U. S. Comp. St 1901, p. 1149).
  • DIPLOMATICS
    The science of diplomas, or of ancient writings and documents; the art of judging of ancient charters, public documents, diplomas, etc., and discriminating the true from the false. Webster.
  • DIPSOMANIAC
    A person subject to dipsomania. One who has an irresistible desire for alcoholic liquors. See INSANITY.
  • DIPTYCHA
    Dlptychs; tablets of wood, metal, or other substance, used among the Romans for the purpose of writing, and folded like a book of two leaves. The dlptychs of antiquity were especially employed for public registers. They were used in the Greek, and afterwards in the Roman, church, as registers of More...
  • DIRECT
    Immediate; by the shortest course; without circuity; operating by an Immediate connection or relation, instead of operating through a medium; the opposite of indirect. In the usual or natural course or line; Immediately upwards or downwards; as distinguished from that which is out of the line, or on the side More...
  • DIRECTION
    1. The act of governing; management; superintendence. Also the body of persons (called "directors") who are charged with the management and administration of a corporation or institution. 2. The charge or Instruction given by the court to a jury upon a point of law arising or Involved In tbe case, More...
  • DIRECTOR OF THE MINT
    An Officer having the control, management, and superintendence of the United States mint and its branches. He is appointed by the president by and with the advice and consent of the senate
  • DIRECTORS
    Persons appointed or elected according to law, authorized to manage and direct the affairs of a corporation or company. The whole of the directors collectively form the board of directors. Brandt v. Godwin (City Ct) 3 N. Y. Supp. 809; May-nard v. Insurance Co., 34 Cal. 48, 91 Am. Dec. More...
Showing 760 of 1146