Legal Term Dictionary

One as to the validity of which there exists some doubt, either as to matter of fact or of law; one which invites or exposes the party holding it to litigation. .Distinguished from a "marketable" title, which is of such a character that the courts will compel its acceptance by More...

One as to the validity of which there exists some doubt, either as to matter of fact or of law; one which invites or exposes the party holding it to litigation. .Distinguished from a "marketable" title, which is of such a character that the courts will compel its acceptance by a purchaser who has agreed to buy the property or has bid it in at public sale. Herman v. Soiners, 158 Pa. 424, 27 Atl. 1050, 38 Am. St Rep. 851. Less...

L. Fr. A gift Otherwise written "don" and "done." The thirty-fourth chapter of Britton is entitled "De Donna."

L. Fr. A gift Otherwise written "don" and "done." The thirty-fourth chapter of Britton is entitled "De Donna." Less...

Doves are animals fera nature, and not the subject of larceny unless they are In the owner's custody; as, for example, in a dove-house, or when in the nest before they can fly. Com. v. Chace, 9 Pick. (Mass.) 15, 19 Am. Dec. 348; Ruckman v. Outwater, 28 N. J. More...

Doves are animals fera nature, and not the subject of larceny unless they are In the owner's custody; as, for example, in a dove-house, or when in the nest before they can fly. Com. v. Chace, 9 Pick. (Mass.) 15, 19 Am. Dec. 348; Ruckman v. Outwater, 28 N. J. Law, 581. Less...

Subject to be charged with dower; as dowable lands. Entitled or entitling to dower. Thus, a dowable Interest in lands is such as entitles the owner to have such lands charged with dower.

Subject to be charged with dower; as dowable lands. Entitled or entitling to dower. Thus, a dowable Interest in lands is such as entitles the owner to have such lands charged with dower. Less...

A widow who is endowed, or who has a jointure in lieu of dower. In England, this is a title or addition given to the widows of princes, dukes, earls, and other noblemen, to distinguish them from the wives of the heirs, who have right to bear the title "1 More...

A widow who is endowed, or who has a jointure in lieu of dower. In England, this is a title or addition given to the widows of princes, dukes, earls, and other noblemen, to distinguish them from the wives of the heirs, who have right to bear the title "1 Bl. Comm. 224." -Dowager-queen. The widow of the king. As such she enjoys most of the privileges belonging to her as queen consort. It is not treason to conspire her death or violate her chastity, because the succession to the crown is not thereby endangered. No man, however, can marry her without a special license from the sovereign, on pain of forfeiting hiB lands or goods. 1 Bl. Comm. 233. Less...

The provision which the law makes for a widow out of the lands or tenements of her husband, for her support and the nurture of her children. Co. Litt. 30a; "2 Bl. Comm. 130; 4 Kent, Comm. 35: 1 Washb. Real Prop. 146 ; Chapin v. Hill, 1 R. I. More...

The provision which the law makes for a widow out of the lands or tenements of her husband, for her support and the nurture of her children. Co. Litt. 30a; "2 Bl. Comm. 130; 4 Kent, Comm. 35: 1 Washb. Real Prop. 146 ; Chapin v. Hill, 1 R. I. 452; Hill v. Mitchell, 5 Ark. 610; Smith v. Hines, 10 Fla. 258; Hoy v. Varner, 100 Va. 600, 42 S. E. 690." Dower is an estate for the life of the widow in a certain portion of the following real estate of her husband, to which she has not relinquished her right during the marriage: (1) Of all lands of which the husband was seised in fee during the marriage; (2) of all lands to which another was seised in fee to his use; (3) of all lands to which, at the time of his death, he had a perfect equity, having paid all the purchase money therefor. Code Ala. 1886, s 1892. The term, both technically and in popular acceptation, has reference to real estate exclusively. "Dower," in modern use is and should be distinguished from "dowry. The former is a provision for a widow on her husband's death; the latter is a bride's portion on her marriage. Wendler v. Lambeth, 163 Mo. 428, 63 S. W. 684. -Dower ad ostium eccleslss. Dower at the church door or porch. An ancient kind of dower in England, where a man, (being tenant in fee-simple, of full age,) openly at the church door, where all marriages were formerly celebrated, after affiance made and troth plighted between them, endowed bis wife with the whole of his lands, or such quantity as he pleased, at the same time specifying and ascertaining the same. Litt. | 39; 2 Bl. Comm. 133.-Dower by tbe common law. The ordinary kind of dower in English and American law, consisting of a life interest in one-third of the lands of which the husband was seised in fee at any time during the coverture. Litt | 36; 2 Bl. Oomm. 132; 2 Steph. Comm. 302 ; 4 Kent, Comm. 35. -Dower by custom. A kind of dower in England, regulated by custom, where the quantity allowed the wife differed from the proportion of the common law; as that the wife should have half the husband's lands; or, hi some places, the whole; and, in some, only a quarter. 2 Bl. Comm. 132; Litt { 37.-Dower de la pluis belle. L. Fr. Dower of the fairest [part.] A species of ancient English dower, incident to the old tenures, where there was a guardian in chivalry, and the wife occupied lands of the heir as guardian in socage. If the wife brought a writ of dower against such guardian in chivalry, he might show this matter, and pray that the wife might be endowed de la pluis "belle of the tenement in socage. Litt. s 48. This kind of dower was abolished with the military tenures. 2 Bl. Comm. 132. -Dower en assensu patris. Dower by the father's assent. A species of dower ad ostiufs ecclesiat, made when the husband's father was alive, and the son, by his consent expressly given, endowed his wife with parcel of his father's lands. Litt. { 40; 2 Bl. Comm. 133; Grogan v. Garrison, 27 Ohio St 61.-Dower undo nihil babet. A writ of right which lay for a widow to whom no dower had been assigned. Less...

Stones dividing lands, etc CowelL

Stones dividing lands, etc CowelL Less...

In old English law. Endowment; dower. Grogan v. Garrison, 27 Ohio St 61.

In old English law. Endowment; dower. Grogan v. Garrison, 27 Ohio St 61. Less...

A woman entitled to dower ; a tenant in dower. 2 P. Wms. 707.

A woman entitled to dower ; a tenant in dower. 2 P. Wms. 707. Less...

The property which a woman brings to her husband In marriage; now more commonly called a "portion." By dowry Is meant the effects which tbe wife brings to the husband to support the expenses of marriage. Civil Code La. art. 2337. This word expresses the proper meaning of the "dos" More...

The property which a woman brings to her husband In marriage; now more commonly called a "portion." By dowry Is meant the effects which tbe wife brings to the husband to support the expenses of marriage. Civil Code La. art. 2337. This word expresses the proper meaning of the "dos" of the Roman, the "dot" of the French, and the "dote" of the Spanish, law, but is a very different thing from "dower,"with which it bas sometimes been confounded. By dowry, in the Louisiana Civil 'Code, is meant the effects which the wife brings to the husband to support the expenses of marriage. It is given to the husband, to be enjoyed by him so long as the marriage shall last, and the income of it belongs to him. He alone has the administration of it during marriage, and his wife cannot deprive him of it. The real estate settled as dowry is inalienable during marriage, unless the marriage contract contains a stipulation to the contrary. De Young v. De Young, 6 La. Ann. 786. Less...