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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  • BASSE JUSTICE
    In feudal law. Low justice; the right exercised by feudal lords of personally trying persons charged with trespasses or minor offenses.
  • BASTARD
    An illegitimate child; a child born of an unlawful intercourse, and while its parents are not united in marriage. Tim-mins v. Lacy, 30 Tex. 135; Miller v. Anderson, 43 Ohio St. 473, 3 N. E. 605, 54 Am. Rep. 823; Pettus v. Dawson, 82 Tex. 18, 17 S. W. 714; More...
  • BASTARDA
    In old English law. A female bastard. Fleta, lib. 5, c. 5, f 40.
  • BASTARDIZE
    To declare one a bastard, as a court does. To give evidence to prove one a bastard. A mother (married) cannot bastardize her child. Bas tardus nullius est Alius, ant nlins populi. A bastard is nobody's son, or the son of the people. Bastardus non potest habere hnrcdem nisi de More...
  • BASTARDY
    The offense of begetting a bastard child. The condition of a bastard. Dinkey v. Com., 17 Pa. 129, 55 Am. Dec. 542.
  • BASTARDY PROCESS
    The method provided by statute of proceeding against the putative father to secure a proper maintenance for the bastard.
  • BASTON
    In old English law, a baton, club, or staff. A term applied to officers of the wardens of the prison called the "Fleet," because of the staff carried by them. Cowell; Spelman; Termes de la Ley.
  • BATABLE-GROUND
    Land that is in controversy, or about the possession of which there is a dispute, as the lands which were situated between England and Scotland before the Union. Skene.
  • BATAILLE
    In old English law. Battel; the trial by combat or duellum.
  • BATH, KNIGHTS OF THE
    In English law. A military order of knighthood, instituted by Richard II. The order was newly regulated by notifications in the London Oasette of 25th May, 1847, and 16th August, 1850. Wharton
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