Legal Term Dictionary

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  • SIGN
    To affix one's name to a writing or instrument, for the purpose of authenticating it or to give it effect as one's act. To "sign" is merely to write one's name on paper, or declare assent or attestation by some sign or mark, and does not, like "subscribe,** require that More...
  • SIGN-MANUAL
    In English law. The signature or subscription of the king is termed his "sign-manual." There is this difference between what the sovereign does under the sign manual and what he or she does under the great seal, viz., that the former la' done as a personal act of the sovereign; More...
  • SIGNATORIUS ANNULUS
    Lat In the civil law. A signet-ring; a seal-rlngi Dig. 50, 16" 74.
  • SIGNATURE
    In eeelesiastieal law. The name of a sort of rescript without seal, containing the supplication, the signature of the pope or his delegate, and the grant of a pardon. In contracts. The act of writing one's name upon a deed, note, contract or other instrument, either to identify or authenticate More...
  • SIGNET
    A seal commonly used for the sign manual of the sovereign. Wharton, The signet is also used for the purpose of civil justice in Scotland. Bell.
  • SIGNIFICATION
    In French law. The notice given of a decree, sentence, or other judicial act.
  • SIGNIFICAVIT
    In ecclesiastical law. When this word is used alone, it means, tbe bishop's certificate to the court of chancery in order to obtain the writ of excommunication; but, where the words "writ of signifl-cavtt" are used, the meaning is the same as "tcrit de excommunicato capiendo" Shelf. Mar. & Div. More...
  • SIGNING JUDGMENT
    In. English practice. The signature or allowance of the proper officer of a court, obtained by the party entitled to judgment in an action, expressing generally that judgment is given in Ills favor, and which stands in the place of its actual delivery by the judges themselves. Steph. PL 110, More...
  • SIGNUM
    Lat. In tne Roman and civil law. A sign; a mark; a seal. The seal of an Instrument. Calvin. A species of proof. By "signa" were meant those species of indicia which come more immediately under the cognizance of the senses; such as stains of blood on the person of More...
  • SILENCE
    The state of a person who does not speak, or of one who refrains from speaking. In the law of estoppel, "silence" Implies knowledge and an opportunity to act upon it. Pence v. Langdon, 09 U. S. 581, 25 L. Ed. 420; Stewart v. Wyoming Cattle Ranch Co., 128 U. More...
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