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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  • DENUNTIATIO
    In old English law. A public notice or summons. Bract 202b.
  • DEODAND
    (L. Lat. Deo dandum, & thing to be given to God.) In English law. Any personal chattel which was the immediate occasion of the death of any reasonable creature, and which was forfeited to the 'crown to be applied to pious uses, and distributed in alms by the high almoner. More...
  • DEOR HEDGE
    In old English law. The hedge inclosing a deer park.
  • DEPART
    In pleading. To forsake or abandon the ground assumed in a former pleading, and assume a new one. See DEPARTURE. In maritime law. To leave a port; to be out of a port. To depart imports more than to sail, or set sail. A warranty in a policy that a More...
  • DEPARTMENT
    1. One of the territorial divisions of a country. The term is chiefly used in this sense in France, where the division of the country Into departments Is somewhat analogous, both territorially and for governmental purposes, to the division of an American state Into counties. 2. One of the divisions More...
  • DEPARTURE
    In maritime law. A deviation from the course prescribed in the policy of Insurance. In pleading. The statement of matter in a replication, rejoinder, or subsequent pleading, as a cause of action or defense, which is not pursuant to the previous pleading of the same party, and which does not More...
  • DEPARTURE IN DESPITE OF COURT
    In old English practice. The tenant in a real action, having once appeared, was considered as constructively present in court until again called upon. Hence if, upon being demanded, he failed to appear, he was said to have "departed in despite [i. e., contempt] of the court"
  • DEPASTURE
    In old English law. To pasture. "If a man depastures unprofitable cattle in his ground." Bunb. 1, case L
  • DEPECULATION
    A robbing of the prince or commonwealth; an embezzling of the public treasure.
  • DEPENDENCY
    A territory distinct from the country in which the supreme sovereign power resides, but belonging right> fully to It, and subject to the laws and regulations which the sovereign may think proper to prescribe U. S. v. The Nancy, 3 Wash. C. C. 286, Fed. Cas. No. 15,854. It differs More...
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