Legal Advice Banner

Legal Advice Mobile Banner

Connect one-on-one with a legal expert who will answer your question

Chat Now

Connect one-on-one with a legal expert who will answer your question

Chat Now

Ask a question, get an answer ASAP!

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.

Speak with a Lawyer 3

Speak with a Lawyer 4

Browse
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

FILE
n. A thread, string, or wire upon which writs and other exhibits in courts and offices are fastened or filed for the more safe-keeping and ready turning to the same. Spelman; Cowell; Tomlins. Papers put together and tied in bundles. A paper is said also to be filed when it More...

n. A thread, string, or wire upon which writs and other exhibits in courts and offices are fastened or filed for the more safe-keeping and ready turning to the same. Spelman; Cowell; Tomlins. Papers put together and tied in bundles. A paper is said also to be filed when it is delivered to the proper officer, and by him received to be kept on file. 13 Vin. Abr. 211; 1 Litt. 113; 1 Hawk. P. C. 7, 207.; Phillips v. Beene, 38 Ala. 251; Holman v. Chevaillier, 14 Tex. 338; Beebe v. Morrell, 76 Mich. 114, 42 N. W. 1119, 15 Am. St. Rep. 288. But in general, "file," or "the files," is used loosely to denote the official custody of the court or the place In the offices of a court where the records and papers are kept. Less...
FILE
v. In practice. To put upon the flies, or deposit in the custody or among the records of a court. "Filing a bill" in equity is an equivalent expression to "commencing a suit." "To file" a paper, on the part of a party, is to place it in the official More...

v. In practice. To put upon the flies, or deposit in the custody or among the records of a court. "Filing a bill" in equity is an equivalent expression to "commencing a suit." "To file" a paper, on the part of a party, is to place it in the official custody of the clerk. "To file," on the part of the clerk, is to indorse upon the paper the date of its reception, and retain it in his office, subject to inspection by whomsoever it may concern. Holman v. Chevaillier, 14 Tex. 339. The expressions "filing" and "entering of record" are not synonymous. They are nowhere so used, but always convey distinct ideas. "Filing" originally signified placing papers in order on a thread or wire for safe-keeping. In this country and at this day it means, agreeably to our practice, depositing them in due order in the proper office. Entering of record uniformly implies writing. Naylor v. Moody, 2 Blackf. (Ind.) 247. Less...
FILEINJAID
Brit. A name given to villeins in the laws of Hoel Dda. Barring. Obs. St. 302.

Brit. A name given to villeins in the laws of Hoel Dda. Barring. Obs. St. 302. Less...
FILIATE
To fix a bastard child on some one, as its father. To declare whose child it is. 2 W. Bl. 1017. Filiatio non potest probari. Co. Litt. 126. Filiation cannot be proved.

To fix a bastard child on some one, as its father. To declare whose child it is. 2 W. Bl. 1017. Filiatio non potest probari. Co. Litt. 126. Filiation cannot be proved. Less...
FILIATION
The relation of a child to its parent; correlative to "paternity." o The judicial assignment of an illegitimate child to a designated man as its father. In tbe civil law. The descent of son or daughter, with regard to his or her father, mother, and their ancestors.

The relation of a child to its parent; correlative to "paternity." o The judicial assignment of an illegitimate child to a designated man as its father. In tbe civil law. The descent of son or daughter, with regard to his or her father, mother, and their ancestors. Less...
FILICETUM
In old English law. A ferny or bracky ground: a place where fern grows. Co. Litt. 4b: Shep. Touch. 95.

In old English law. A ferny or bracky ground: a place where fern grows. Co. Litt. 4b: Shep. Touch. 95. Less...
FILIOLUS
In old records. A godson. Spelman.

In old records. A godson. Spelman. Less...
FILIUS
Lat. A son; a child. A distinction was sometimes made, in the civil law, between "filii" and "liberi;" the latter word including grandchildren, (nepotes,) the former not. Inst. 1, 14, 5. But, according to Paulus and Julianus, they were of equally extensive import. Dig. 50, 10, 84; Id. 50, 16, More...

Lat. A son; a child. A distinction was sometimes made, in the civil law, between "filii" and "liberi;" the latter word including grandchildren, (nepotes,) the former not. Inst. 1, 14, 5. But, according to Paulus and Julianus, they were of equally extensive import. Dig. 50, 10, 84; Id. 50, 16, 201. -Filins familias. In the civil law. The son of a family; an unemancipated son. Inst. 2, 12, nr.; Id. 4, 5, 2; Story, Confl. Laws, ? 61. -Filins mulieratu*. In old English law. The eldest legitimate Bon of a woman, who previously had an illegitimate son by his father. Glanv. lib. 7, c. 1. Otherwise called "mutter." 2 Bl. Comm. 248.-Filins anllins. The son of nobody; i. e., a bastard.-Filins popnli. A son of the people; a natural child. Filins est nomen natures, sed hseres nomen juris. 1 Sid. 193. Son is a name of nature, but heir is a name of law. Filins in utoro matris est pars visco-rum matris. 7 Coke, 8. A son in the mother's womb is part of the mother's vitals. Less...
FILL
To make full; to complete; to satisfy or fulfill; to possess and perform the duties of. The election of a person to an office constitutes the essence of his appointment; but the office cannot be considered as actually fitted until his acceptance, either express or implied. Johnston v. Wilson, 2 More...

To make full; to complete; to satisfy or fulfill; to possess and perform the duties of. The election of a person to an office constitutes the essence of his appointment; but the office cannot be considered as actually fitted until his acceptance, either express or implied. Johnston v. Wilson, 2 N. H. 202, 9 Am. Dec 50. Where one subscribes for shares in a corporation, agreeing to "take and filY' a certain number of shares, assumpsit will lie against him to recover an assessment on his shares; the word "fill," in this connection, amounting to a promise to pay assessments. Bangor Bridge Co. v. McMahon, 10 Me. 47& To fill a prescription Is to furnish, prepare, and combine the requisite materials in due proportion as prescribed. Ray v. Burbank, 61 Ga. 505, 34 Am. Rep. 103. Less...
FILLY
A young mare; a female colt An indictment charging the theft of a "filly" is not sustained by proof ol the larceny of a "mare." Lunsford v. State, 3 Tex. App. 448, 28 Am. Rep. 414.

A young mare; a female colt An indictment charging the theft of a "filly" is not sustained by proof ol the larceny of a "mare." Lunsford v. State, 3 Tex. App. 448, 28 Am. Rep. 414. Less...

Showing 300 of 745

Legal Dictionary

Legal Resources

Top Legal Categories

Accident Law

Accident Law

Accident Law Basics, Motorcycle Accident Law, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Slip and Fall Accidents, Wrongful Death and

more

Bankruptcy Law

Bankruptcy Law

Bankruptcy Law Basics, Consumer Bankruptcy, Business Bankruptcy, Debt & Collections, Credit Problems and

more

Business Law

Business Law

Business Law Basics, Starting A Business, Types of Businesses, Naming A Business and

more

Child Custody Law

Child Custody

Child Custody Law Basics, Child Custody Procedure, Child Visitation, Father’s Rights, Modifying A Child Order and

more

Child Support Law

Child Support

Child Support Basics, Child Support Calculation, Failure to Pay Child Support, Modifying Child Support, and

more

Criminal Law

Criminal Law

Criminal Law Basics, Arrests and Searches, Drug Charges, Drunk Driving, Marijuana Laws, Juvenile Laws and

more

Divorce Law

Divorce

Divorce Law Basics, Types of Divorce, Property Distribution and

more

Drunk Driving Law

Drunk Driving

Drunk Driving Law Basics, DUI Checkpoints, DUI Testing, DUI Defenses and

more

Employment Labor Law

Employment Labor Law

Employment/ Labor Law Basics, Hiring & Firing, Wage & Hour, Job Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Workers Compensation and

more

Estate Planning Law

Estate Planning

Estate Planning Basics, Elder Law, Living Wills, Probate, Trusts, Wills, and

more

Family Law

Family Law

Family Law Basics, Adoption, Divorce Law, Child Custody, Child Support, Spousal Support, Marriage and

more

Immigration Law

Immigration Law

Immigration Law Basics, Asylum, Citizenship, Green Cards, Permanent Residents, Visas and

more

Injury Law

Injury Law

Personal Injury Law Basics, Defective Products, Dangerous Drugs, Property Damage and

more

Landlord Tenant

Landlord Tenant

Real Estate Law Basics, Commercial Real Estate, Foreclosure, Landlord Tenants, Mortgages, Residential Real Estate, Zoning and

more

Real Estate Law

Real Estate Law

Real Estate Law Basics, Commercial Real Estate, Foreclosure, Landlord Tenants, Mortgages, Residential Real Estate, Zoning and

more

Social Security Law

Social Security Law

Social Security Law Basics, Applying for Benefits, Eligibility and

more

Traffic Law

Traffic Law

Traffic Law Basics, License Suspension, Traffic Court, Traffic Violations and

more