Legal Term Dictionary

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  • DIFFICULT
    For the meaning of the phrase "difficult and extraordinary case," as used in New York statutes and practice, see Standard Trust Co. v. New York, etc., R. Co., 178 N. Y. 407, 70 N. E. 925; Fox v. Gould. 5 How. Prac. More...
  • DIFFORCIARE
    In old English law. To deny, or keep from one Difforciare rectum, to deny justice to any one, after having been required to do it.
  • DIGAMA OR DIGAMY
    Second marriage; marriage to a second wife after the death of the first, as "bigamy," in law,, is having two wives at once. Originally, a man who married a widow, or married again after the death of his wife, was said to be guilty of bigamy. Co. Litt. 40b, note,
  • DIGEST
    A collection or compilation, embodying the chief , matter of numerous books in one, disposed under proper heads or titles, and usually by an alphabetical arrangement, for facility in reference. As a legal term, "digest" is to be distinguished from '"abridgment. The latter is a summary or epitome of the More...
  • DIGESTA
    Digests. One of the titles of the Pandects of Justinian. Inst, proem, f.4. Bracton uses the singular, "Digestunu" Bract, fol. 19.
  • DIGESTS
    The ordinary name of- the Pandects of Justinian, which are now usually cited by the abbreviation "Dig." Instead of "Ff.," as formerly. Sometimes called "Digest," in the singular.
  • DIGGING
    Has been held as synonymous with "excavating," and not confined to the removal of earth. Sherman v. New York, 1 N. Y. 316.
  • DIGNITARY
    In canon law. A person holding an ecclesiastical benefice or dignity, which gave him some pre-eminence above mere priests and canons. To this class exclusively belonged all bishops, deans, archdeacons, etc.; but it now includes all the prebendaries and canons of the church. Brande.
  • DIGNITY
    In English law. An honor; a title, station, or distinction of honor. Dignities are a species of incorporeal hereditaments, in which a person may have a property or estate. 2 Bl. Comm. 37; 1 Bl. Comm. 396; 1 Crabb, Real Prop. 468, et seq.
  • DIJUDICATION
    Judicial decision or determination.
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