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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  • SLAVERY
    The condition of a slave; that civil relation in which one man has absolute power over the life, fortune, and liberty of another.
  • SLAY
    This word, in an indictment adds nothing to the force and effect of the word "kill," when used with reference to the taking of human life. It is particularly applicable to the taking of human life in battle; and, when it is not used in this sense, it is synonymous More...
  • SLEDGE
    A hurdle to draw traitors to execution. 1 Hale, P. C 82.
  • SLEEPING PARTNER
    A dormant partner; one whose name does not appear in the firm, and who takes no active part in tbe business, but who has an interest in the concern, and shares the profits, and thereby becomes a partner, either absolutely, or aa respects third persons.
  • SLEEPING RENT
    In English law. An expression frequently used in coal-mine leases and agreements for the same It signifies a fixed or dead, i. e., certain, rent as distinguished from a rent or royalty varying with the amount of coals gotten, and is payable although the mine should not be worked at More...
  • SLIGHT
    As to slight "Care," "Evidence,'* "Fault" and "Negligence," see those titlea.
  • SLIP
    1. In negotiations for a policy of insurance. In England, the agreement is hi practice concluded between the parties by a memorandum called the "slip," containing the terms of the proposed Insurance, an4 initialed by the underwriters. Sweet "2. Also that part of a police court which is divided off More...
  • SLIPPA
    A stirrup. There is a tenure of land in Cambridgeshire by holding the sovereign's stirrup. Wharton.
  • SLOUGH
    An arm of a river, flowing between islands and the main-land, and separating the islands from one another. Sloughs have not the breadth of the main river, nor does the main body of water of the stream flow through them. Dunlieth & D. Bridge Co. v. Dubuque County, 55 Iowa, More...
  • SLOUGH SILVER
    A rent paid to the castle of Wigmore, in lieu of certain days' work in harvest, heretofore reserved to the lord from his tenants. Cowell.
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