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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  • SORORICIDE
    The killing or murder of a sister; one who murders his sister. This Is not a technical term of the law.
  • SORS
    Lat. In the civil law. Lot; chance; fortune;, hazard; a lot, made of wood, gold, or other material. Money borrowed, or put out at Interest. A principal sum or fund, such as the capital of a partnership. Ainsworth; Calvin. In. eld English law. A principal lent on interest, as distinguished More...
  • SORTITIO
    Lat In the civil law. A drawing of lots. Sortitio judicum was the process of selecting a number of judges, for a criminal trial, by drawing lots.
  • SOUGH
    In English law. A drain or water-course. The channels or water-courses used for draining mines are so termed; and those mines which are near to any given sough, and lie within the same level, and are benefited by it, are technically said to lie within the title of that sough. More...
  • SOUL SCOT
    A mortuary, or customary gift due ministers, in many parishes of England, on the death of parishioners. It was originaHy voluntary and intended as amends for ecclesiastical dues neglected to be paid bi the life-time. 2 Bl. Comm. 425.
  • SOUND
    v. To have reference or relation to; to aim at An action is technically said to sound in damages where it is brought not for the specific recovery of a thing, but for damages only. Steph. PI. 105.
  • SOUND
    adj. Whole; in good condition; marketable. So used in warranties of chattels. See Brown v. Bigelow, 10 Allen (Mass.) 242; Hawkins Pemberton, 35 How. Prac. (N. Y.) 383; Woodbury v. Bobbins, 10 Cush. (Mass.) 522. -Sound and disposing mind and memory. This phrase Is often used in the law of More...
  • SOUNDING IN DAMAGES
    When an action is brought, not for the recovery of lands, goods, or sums of money, (as is the case in real or mixed actions or the personal action of debt or detinue,) but for damages only, as in covenant, trespass, etc., the action is said to be "sounding in More...
  • SOUNDNESS
    General health; freedom from any permanent disease. 1 Car. A M. 201.
  • SOURCES OF THE LAW
    The origins from which particular positive laws derive their authority and coercive force. Such are constitutions, treaties, statutes, usages, and customs. In another sense, the authoritative or reliable works, records, documents, edicts, etc., to which we are tp look for an understanding of what constitutes the law. Such, for example, More...
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