Legal Term Dictionary

The act of scraping, scratching, or shaving the surface of a written instrument, for the purpose of removing certain letters or words from it It is to be distinguished from "obliteration," as the latter word properly denotes the crossing out of a word or letter by drawing a line through More...

The act of scraping, scratching, or shaving the surface of a written instrument, for the purpose of removing certain letters or words from it It is to be distinguished from "obliteration," as the latter word properly denotes the crossing out of a word or letter by drawing a line through it with ink. But the two expressions are often used interchangeably. See Penny v. Corwithe, 18 Johns. (N. Y.) 499. Less...

In old English law. A rase; a measure of onions, containing twenty Hones, and each flonis twenty-five heads. Fleta, lib. 2, c 12, | 12.

In old English law. A rase; a measure of onions, containing twenty Hones, and each flonis twenty-five heads. Fleta, lib. 2, c 12, | 12. Less...

Within the meaning of a tax law, this term means "taxable estate;" the real and personal property which the legislature designates as "taxable." Marshfleld v. Middlesex, 55 Vt 546.

Within the meaning of a tax law, this term means "taxable estate;" the real and personal property which the legislature designates as "taxable." Marshfleld v. Middlesex, 55 Vt 546. Less...

Lat. In the civil law. To hold a thing ratified; to ratify or confirm it Dig. 46, 8, 12, 1.

Lat. In the civil law. To hold a thing ratified; to ratify or confirm it Dig. 46, 8, 12, 1. Less...

Proportional or relative value, measure, or degree; the proportion or standard by which quantity or value is adjusted. Thus, the rate of interest is the proportion or ratio between the principal and interest So the buildings in a town are rated for insurance purposes; i. e., classified and individually estimated More...

Proportional or relative value, measure, or degree; the proportion or standard by which quantity or value is adjusted. Thus, the rate of interest is the proportion or ratio between the principal and interest So the buildings in a town are rated for insurance purposes; i. e., classified and individually estimated with reference to their insurable qualities. In this sense also we speak of articles as being in "first-rate" or "second-rate" condition. Absolute measure, value, or degree. Thus, we speak of the rate at which public lands are sold, of the,rates of fare upon railroads, etc. See Georgia R. & B. Co. v. Maddox, 116 Ga. 64, 42 S. E. 315; Chase v. New York Cent. R. Co., 26 N. Y. 526; People v. Dolan, 36 N. Y. 67. The term is also used as the synonym or "tax;" that is, a sum assessed by governmental authority upon persons or property, by proportional valuation, for public purposes. It is chiefly employed in this sense in England, but Is there usually confined to taxes of a local nature, or those raised by the parish; such as the poor-rate, borough-rate, etc. It sometimes occurs in a connection which gives it a meaning synonymous with "as sessment;" that is, the apportionment of a tax among the whole number of persons who are responsible for It by estimating the value of the taxable property of each, and making a proportional distribution of the whole amount Thus we speak of "rating" persons and property. In marine insurance, the term refers to the classification or scaling of vessels based on their relative state and condition in regard to insurable qualities; thus, a vessel In the best possible condition and offering the best risk from the underwriter's standpoint ia "rated" as "A 1." See Insurance Companies v. Wright, 1 Wall. 472, 17 L. Ed. 505. -Rate of exchange. In commercial law. The actual price at which a bill, drawn in one country Upon another country, can be bought or obtained in the former country at any given time. Story, Bills, ? 31.-Rate-tithe. In English law. When any sheep, or other cattle, are kept in a parish for less time than a yearP the owner must pay tithe for them pro rata, according to the custom of the place. Fitzh. Nat. Brev. 51. Less...

The confirmation of a previous act done either by the party himself or by another; confirmation of a voidable act See Story, Ag. 250, 251; 2 Kent "Comm. 237; Norton v. Shelby County,

The confirmation of a previous act done either by the party himself or by another; confirmation of a voidable act See Story, Ag. 250, 251; 2 Kent "Comm. 237; Norton v. Shelby County, Less...

Lat. Confirmation, "agreement, consent, approbation of a contract Saltmarsh v. Candia, 51 N. H. 76

Lat. Confirmation, "agreement, consent, approbation of a contract Saltmarsh v. Candia, 51 N. H. 76 Less...

Rate; proportion; degree. Reason, or understanding. Also a cause, or giving judgment therein. -Ratio decidendi. The ground of decision. The point in a case which determines the judgment.-Ratio legis. The reason or occasion of a law; the occasion of making a law. Bl. Law Tracts, 3. Ratio est formalis eansa More...

Rate; proportion; degree. Reason, or understanding. Also a cause, or giving judgment therein. -Ratio decidendi. The ground of decision. The point in a case which determines the judgment.-Ratio legis. The reason or occasion of a law; the occasion of making a law. Bl. Law Tracts, 3. Ratio est formalis eansa eonsnetndi* nis. Reason is the formal cause of custom. Ratio est legis aninta; mntata legis rations mntatnr et lea. 7 Coke, 7. Reason is the soul of law; the reason of law being changed, the law Is also changed. Ratio est radios divini lnminis. Co. Litt. 232. Reason is a ray of the divine light Ratio et anctoritas, dno olarissima mnndi lnmina. 4 Inst 320. Reason and authority, the two brightest lights of the world. Ratio legis est . anima legis. Jenk. Cent. 45. The reason of law is the soul of law. Ratio potest allegari denoiente lege; sod ratio vera et legalis, et non appa-rens. Co. Litt. 191. Reason may be alleged when law is defective; but it must be true and legal reason, and not merely apparent. Less...

A Latin phrase equivalent to "alimony."

A Latin phrase equivalent to "alimony." Less...

A writ that lay for the wife against the executors of her husband, to have the third part of his goods after his just debts and funeral expenses had been paid. Fitzh. Nat Brev. 122.

A writ that lay for the wife against the executors of her husband, to have the third part of his goods after his just debts and funeral expenses had been paid. Fitzh. Nat Brev. 122. Less...