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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  • BLACK BOOK OF THE EXCHEQUER
    The name of an ancient book kept in the English exchequer, containing a collection of treaties, conventions, charters, etc.
  • BLACK CAP
    The head-dress worn by the judge in pronouncing the sentence of death. It is part of the judicial full dress, and is worn by tbe judges on occasions of especial state. Wharton.
  • BLACK CODE
    A name given collectively to the body of laws, statutes, and rules in force in various southern states prior to 1865, which regulated the institution of slavery, and particularly those forbidding their reception at public inns and on public conveyances. Civil Rights Cases, 109 U. S. 3, 3 Sup. Ct More...
  • BLACK GAME
    In English law. Heath fowl, in contradistinction to red game, as grouse.
  • BLACK-LIST
    A list of persons marked out for special avoidance, antagonism, or enmity on the part of those who prepare the list or those among whom it is intended to circulate; as where a trades-union "blacklists" workmen who refuse to conform to its rules, or where a list of insolvent or More...
  • BLACK-MAIL
    1. In one of its original meanings, this term denoted a tribute paid by English dwellers, along the Scottish border to influential chieftains of Scotland, as a condition of securing immunity from raids of marauders and border thieves. 2. It also designated rents payable in cattle, grain, work, and the More...
  • BLACK MARIA
    A closed. wagon or van in which prisoners are carried to and from the jail, or between the court and tbe jail.
  • BLACK RENTS
    In old English law. Rents reserved in work, grain, provisions, or baser money, in contradistinction to those which were reserved in white money or silver, which were termed "white rents," (reditu* albi,) or blanch farms. Tomlins; Whishaw.
  • BLACK-ROD, GENTLEMAN USHER OF
    In England, the title of a chief officer of the king, deriving his name from the Blaclc Rod of office, on the top of which reposes a golden lion, which he carries.
  • BLACK WARD
    A subvassal, who held ward of the king's vassal.
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