Legal Term Dictionary

Philanthropic; humane; having a desire or purpose to do good to men; intended for the conferring of benefits, rather than for gain or profit. This word is certainly more indefinite, and of far wider range, than "charitable" or "religious;" it would include all gifts prompted by good-will or kind feeling More...

Philanthropic; humane; having a desire or purpose to do good to men; intended for the conferring of benefits, rather than for gain or profit. This word is certainly more indefinite, and of far wider range, than "charitable" or "religious;" it would include all gifts prompted by good-will or kind feeling towards the recipient, whether an object of charity or not. The natural and usual meaning of the word would so extend it. It has no legal meaning separate from its usual meaning. "Charitable" has acquired a settled limited meaning in law, which confines it within known limits. But in all the decisions in England on the subject it has been held that a devise or bequest for benevolent objects, or in trust to give to such objects, is too indefinite, and therefore void. Norris v. Thomson, 19 N. J. Eq. 313; Thomson v. Norris. 20 X. J. Eq. 523; Suter v. Hilliard, 132 Mass. 413, 42 Am. Rep. 444; Pox v. Gibbs, 80 Me. 87. 29 Atl. 940. ' This word, as applied to objects or purposes, may refer to those which are in their nature charitable, and may also have a broader meaning and include objects and purposes not charitable in the legal sense of that word. Acts of kindness, friendship, forethought, or goodwill might properly be described as benevolent. It has therefore been held that gifts to trustees to be applied for "benevolent purposes" at their discretion, or to such "benevolent purposes" as they could agree upon, do not create a public charity. But where the word is used in connection with other words explanatory of its meaning, and indicating the intent of the donor to limit it to purposes strictly charitable, it has been held to be synonymous with, or equivalent to, "charitable." Suter v. Hilliard, 132 Mass. 412. 42 Am. Rep. 444; De Cainp v. Dobbins, 31 N. J. Eq. 095; Chamberlain v. Stearns, 111 Mass. 2 Less...

To give personal property by will to another. Lasher v. Lasher, 13 Barb. (N. Y.) 106. This word is the proper term for a testamentary gift of personal property only, the word "devise" being used with reference to real estate ; but if the context clearly shows the intention of More...

To give personal property by will to another. Lasher v. Lasher, 13 Barb. (N. Y.) 106. This word is the proper term for a testamentary gift of personal property only, the word "devise" being used with reference to real estate ; but if the context clearly shows the intention of the testator to use the word as synonymous with "devise," it may be held to pass real property. Dow v. Dow, 36 Ale. 216; Borg-ner v. Brown, 133 Ind. 391. 33 N. E. 92; Logan v. Logan. 11 Colo. 44, 17 Pac. 99: Laing v. Barbour. 119 Mass. 525 : Scholle v. Scholle, 113 N. Y. 261. 21 N. E. 84; In re Fetrow's Estate. 58 Pa. 427; Ladd v. Harvey. 21 N. H. 528; Evans v. Price, 118 111. 5 3, 8 N. E. 854. Less...

A gift by will of personal property; a legacy. A specific bequest Is one whereby the testator gives to the legatee all his property of a certain class or kind; as all his pure personalty. A residuary bequest is a gift of all the remainder of the testator's personal estate, More...

A gift by will of personal property; a legacy. A specific bequest Is one whereby the testator gives to the legatee all his property of a certain class or kind; as all his pure personalty. A residuary bequest is a gift of all the remainder of the testator's personal estate, after payment of debts and legacies, etc. An executory bequest is the bequest of a future, deferred, or contingent Interest In personalty. A conditional bequest is one the taking effect or continuing of which depends upon the happening or non-occurrence of a particular event. Mitchell v. Mitchell, 143 Ind. 113, 42 X. E. 4<>5; Farnam v. Farnam, 53 Conn. 201, 2 Atl. 325, 5 Atl. 682: Merrill v. College, 74 Wis. 415, 43 X. W. 104. Less...

In old English law, a sheepfold; also a place where the bark of trees was laid to tan.

In old English law, a sheepfold; also a place where the bark of trees was laid to tan. Less...

A shepherd.

A shepherd. Less...

In old English law. A term used in Domesday for a village or hamlet belonging to some town or manor.

In old English law. A term used in Domesday for a village or hamlet belonging to some town or manor. Less...

An officer having charge of a mine. A bailiff or chief officer among the Derbyshire miners, who, in addition to his other duties, executes the office of coroner among them. Blount; Cowell.

An officer having charge of a mine. A bailiff or chief officer among the Derbyshire miners, who, in addition to his other duties, executes the office of coroner among them. Blount; Cowell. Less...

The ancient name of the court now called "barmote." (q. v.)

The ancient name of the court now called "barmote." (q. v.) Less...

In Saxon,law. Burning; the crime of house burning, now called "arson." Cowell; Blount

In Saxon,law. Burning; the crime of house burning, now called "arson." Cowell; Blount Less...

In old law. A plain; open heath. Cowell.

In old law. A plain; open heath. Cowell. Less...