Legal Term Dictionary

An old writ directed to the sheriff, commanding him to charge one or more to repair a bridge.

An old writ directed to the sheriff, commanding him to charge one or more to repair a bridge. Less...

1. A combination of persons or corporations engaged in the same business, or for the purpose of engaging in a particular business or commercial or speculative venture, where all contribute to a common fund, or place their holdings of a given stock or other security in the hands and control More...

1. A combination of persons or corporations engaged in the same business, or for the purpose of engaging in a particular business or commercial or speculative venture, where all contribute to a common fund, or place their holdings of a given stock or other security in the hands and control of a managing member or committee, with the object of eliminating competition as between the several members of the pool, or of establishing a monopoly or controlling prices or rates by the weight and power of their combined capital, or of raising or depressing prices on the stock market, or simply with a view to the successful conduct of an enterprise too great for the capital of any member individually, and on an agreement for the division of profits or losses among the members, either equally or pro rata. Also, a similar combination not embracing the idea of a pooled or contributed capital, but simply the elimination of destructive competition between the members by an agreement to share or divide the profits, of a given business or venture, as, for example, a contract between two or more competing railroads to abstain from "rate wars" and (usually) to maintain fixed rates, and to divide their earnings from the transportation of freight in fixed proportions. See Green v. Higham, 161 Mo. 333, 61 S. W. 798; Mollyneaux v. Wittenberg, 39 Neb. 547, 58 N. W. 205; Kilbourn v. Thompson, 103 U. S. 195, 26 L. Ed. 377; American fciseuit Go. v. Klotz (C. C.) 44 Fed. 725; U. S. v. Trans-Missouri Freight Ass'n, 58 Fed. 65, 7 C. C. A. 15, 24 L. R. A. 73. "2. In various methods of gambling, a 'opoor' is a sum of money made up of the stakes contributed by various persons, the whole of which is then wagered as a stake on the event of a race, game, or other contest, and the winnings (if any) are divided among the contributors to the pool pro rata. .Or it is a sum similarly made up by the contributions of several persons, each of Whom then makes his guess or prediction as to the event of a future contest or hazard, the successful better taking the entire pool. See Ex parte Powell, 43 Tex. Cr. R. 391, 66 S. W. 298; Com. v. Ferry, 146 Mass. 203, 15 N. E 484; James v. State, 63 Md. 248; Lacey v. Palmer, 93 Va. 159, 24 S. E. 930, 31 L. R. A. 822, 57 Am. St. Rep. 795; People v. Mc-Cue, 87 App. Div. 72, 83 N. Y. Supp. 1088." "3. A body of standing water, without a current or issue, accumulated in a natural basin or depression in the earth, and not artificially formed." Less...

Agreements between competing railways for a division of the traffic, or for a pro rata distribution of their earnings united into a "pool" or common fund. 15 Fed. 667, note. See POOL.

Agreements between competing railways for a division of the traffic, or for a pro rata distribution of their earnings united into a "pool" or common fund. 15 Fed. 667, note. See POOL. Less...

As used in law, this term denotes those who are so destitute of property or of the means of support, either from their own olabor or the care of relatives, as to be a public charge, that 1B, dependent either on the charity of the general public or on maintenance More...

As used in law, this term denotes those who are so destitute of property or of the means of support, either from their own olabor or the care of relatives, as to be a public charge, that 1B, dependent either on the charity of the general public or on maintenance at the expense of the public. The term is synonymous with "indigent persons" and "paupers." See State v. Osawkee Tp., 14 Kan. 421, 19 Am. Rep. 99; In re Hoffen's Estate, 70 Wis. 522, 36 N. W. 407; Heuser v. Harris, 42 111. 430; Juneau County v. Wood County, 109 Wis. 330, 85 N. W. 387; Sayres v. Springfield, 8 N. J. Law, 169. -Poor debtor's oath. An oath allowed, in some jurisdictions, to a person who is arrested for debt. On swearing that he has not property enough to pay the debt, he is set at liberty.- Poor law. That part'of the law which relates to the public or compulsory relief of paupers. -Poor-law board. The English official body appointed under St. 10 A 11 Vict. c. 109, passed in 1847, to take the place of the poor-law commissioners, under whose control the general management of the poor, and the funds for their relief throughout the country, had been for some years previously administered. The poor-law board is now superseded by the local government board, which was established in 1871 by St. 34 & 35 Vict. c. 70. 3 Steph. Comm. 49. -Poor-law guardians. See GUARDIANS OF THE POOR.-Poor rate. In English law. A tax levied by parochial authorities for the relief of the poor. Less...

The bishop of Rome, and supreme head of the Roman Catholic Church. 4 Steph. Comm. (7th Ed.) 168-185.

The bishop of Rome, and supreme head of the Roman Catholic Church. 4 Steph. Comm. (7th Ed.) 168-185. Less...

The first fruits (primitiae or annates) were the flrst year's profits of all the spiritual preferments in the kingdom, according to a rate made by Walter, bishop of Norwich, in the time of Pope Innocent II., and afterwards advanced in value in the time of Pope Nicholas IV. This last More...

The first fruits (primitiae or annates) were the flrst year's profits of all the spiritual preferments in the kingdom, according to a rate made by Walter, bishop of Norwich, in the time of Pope Innocent II., and afterwards advanced in value in the time of Pope Nicholas IV. This last valuation was begun A. D. 1288, and finished 1292, and is still preserved in the exchequer. The taxes were regulated by it till tbe survey made in the twenty-sixth year of Henry VIII. 2 Steph. Comm. 567. Less...

The religion of the Roman Catholic Church, comprehending doctrines and practices.

The religion of the Roman Catholic Church, comprehending doctrines and practices. Less...

The vulgar ; the multitude.

The vulgar ; the multitude. Less...

An action for a statutory penalty or forfeiture, given to any such person or persons as will sue for it; an action given to the people in general. 3 Bl. Comm. 160.

An action for a statutory penalty or forfeiture, given to any such person or persons as will sue for it; an action given to the people in general. 3 Bl. Comm. 160. Less...

In reference to the construction of a statute, this term means that sense which people conversant with the Bubject-matter with which the statute Is dealing would attribute to it 1 Exch. Div. 248.

In reference to the construction of a statute, this term means that sense which people conversant with the Bubject-matter with which the statute Is dealing would attribute to it 1 Exch. Div. 248. Less...