Legal Term Dictionary

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  • BEAU-PLEADER
    (to plead fairly.) In English law. An obsolete writ upon the statute of Marlbridge, (52 Hen. III. c. 11.) which enacts that neither in the circuits of the justices, nor in counties, hundreds, or courts-baron, any fines shall be taken for fair-pleading, i. e, for not pleading fairly or aptly More...
  • BED
    1. The hollow or channel of a water-course ; the depression between the banks worn by the regular and usual flow of the water. "The bed is that soil so usually covered by water as to be distinguishable from the banks by the character of the soil, or vegetation, or More...
  • BEDEL
    In English law. A crier or messenger of court, who summons men to appear and answer therein. Cowell. An officer of the forest, similar to a sheriffs special bailiff. Cowell. A collector of rents for the king. Plowd. 199, 200. A well-known parish officer. See BEADLE.
  • BEDELARY
    The jurisdiction of a bedel, as a bailiwick is the jurisdiction of a bailiff. Co. Litt. 2346; Cowell.
  • BEDEREPE
    A service which certain tenants were anciently bound to perform, as to reap their landlord's corn at harvest Said by Whishaw to be still in existence in some parts of England. Blount; Cowell; Whishaw.
  • BEER
    A liquor compounded of malt and hops. In its ordinary sense, denotes a beverage which is intoxicating, and is within the fair meaning of the words "strong or spirituous liquors," used in the statutes on this subject Tompkins County v. Taylor, 21 N. T. 175; Nevin v. Ladue, 3 Denio More...
  • BEFORE
    Prior to; preceding. In the presence of; under the official purview of; as id a magistrate's jurat, "before me personally appeared," etc. In the absence of any statutory provision governing the computation of time, the authorities are uniform that, where an act is required to be done a certain number More...
  • BEG
    To solicit alms or charitable aid. The act of a cripple In passing along the sidewalk and silently holding out his hand and receiving money from passers-by is "begging for alms," within the meaning of a statute which uses that phrase. In re Haller, 8 Abb. N. C. (N. Y.) More...
  • BEGA
    A land measure used in the East Indies. In Bengal it is equal to about a third part of an acre.
  • BEGGAR
    One who lives by begging charity, or who has no other means of support than solicited alms.
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