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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  • PORTION DISPONIBLE
    Fr. In French law. That part of a man's estate which he may bequeath to other persons than his natural heirs. A parent leaving one legitimate child may dispose of one-half only of his property; one leaving two, one-third only; and one leaving three or more, one-fourth only; and it More...
  • PORTIONER
    In old English law. A minister who serves a benefice, together with others; so called because he has only a portion of the tithes or profits of the living; also an allowance which a vicar commonly has out of a rectory or impropriation. Cowell. In Scotch law. The proprietor of More...
  • PORTIONIST
    One who receives a portion; the allottee of a portion. One of two or more incumbents of the same ecclesiastical benefice.
  • PORTMEN
    The burgesses of Ipswich and of the Cinque .Ports were so called.
  • PORTMOTE
    In old English law. A court held in ports or haven towns, and sometimes In Inland towns also. Cowell; Blount.
  • PORTORIA
    In the civil law. Duties paid in ports on merchandise. Taxes levied in old times at city gates. Tolls for passing over bridges.
  • PORTSALE
    In old English law. An auction; a public sale of goods to the highest bidder; also a sale of fish as soon as it is brought into the haven. Cowell.
  • PORTSOKA, OR PORTSOKEN
    The suburbs of a city, or any place within its jurisdiction. Somner; Cowell. Portos est locus in qno exportantnr et import antmr meroes. 2 Inst. 148. A port Is a place where goods are exported or imported.
  • POSITIVE
    Laid down, enacted, or prescribed. Express or affirmative. Direct, absolute, explicit As to positive "Condition," "Evidence," "Fraud," "Proof," and "Servitude," see those titles.
  • POSITIVE LAW
    Law actually and specifically enacted or adopted by proper authority for the government of an organized jural society. "A 'law" in the sense in which that term is employed in jurisprudence, is enforced by a sovereign political authority. It is thus distinguished not only from all rules which, like the More...
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