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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  • SHALL
    As used in statutes and similar instruments, this word is generally imperative or mandatory; but it may be construed as merely permissive or directory, (as equivalent to "may,") to carry out the legislative intention and in cases where no right or benefit to any one depends on its being taken More...
  • SHAM PLEA
    See PLEA.
  • SHARE
    A portion of anything. When a whole is divided into shares, they are not necessarily equal. In the law of corporations and joint-stock companies, a share is a definite portion of the capital of a company. -Share and share alike In equal shares or proportions.-Share-certificate. A share-certificate is an instrument More...
  • SHAREHOLDER
    In the strict sense of the term, a "shareholder" is a person who has agreed to become a member of a corporation or company, and with respect to whom all the required formalities have been gone through; e. p., signing of deed of settlement registration, or the like. A shareholder More...
  • SHARP
    A "sharp" clause in a mortgage or other security (or the whole instrument described as "sharp") is one which empowers the creditor to take prompt and summary action upon default in payment or breach of other conditions.
  • SHARPING CORN
    A customary gift of corn, which, at every Christmas, the farmers in some parts of England give to their smith for sharpening their plow-irons, harrow-tines, etc. Blount.
  • SHASTER
    In Hindu law. The instrument of government or instruction; any book of instructions, particularly containing Divine ordinances. Wharton.
  • SHAVE
    While "shave" is sometimes used to denote the act of obtaining the property of another by oppression and extortion, it may be used in an innocent sense to denote the buying of existing notes and other securities for money, at a discount Hence to charge a man with using money More...
  • SHAW
    In old English law. A wood. Co. Litt 4b.
  • SHAWATORES
    Soldiers. CowelL
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