Legal Term Dictionary

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  • BURNING IN THE HAND
    In old English criminal law, laymen, upon being accorded the benefit of clergy, were burned with a hot iron in the brawn of the left thumb, in order that being thus marked, they could not again claim their clergy. 4 Bl. Comm. 367.
  • BURROCHIUM
    A burroch, dam, or small wear over a river, where traps are laid for the taking of fish. Cowell.
  • BURROWMEALIS
    In Scotch law. A term used to designate the rents paid into the king's private treasury by the burgesses or inhabitants of a borough.
  • BURSA
    Lat A purse.
  • BURSAR
    A treasurer of a college.
  • BURSARIA
    The exchequer of collegiate or conventual bodies; or the place of receiving, paying, and accounting by the bursars. Also stipendiary scholars, who live upon the burse, fund, or joint-stock of the college.
  • BURYING ALIVE
    In English law. The ancient punishment of sodomites, and those who contracted with Jews. Fleta, lib. 1, c. 27, f 3.
  • BURYING-GROUND
    A place set apart for the interment of the dead; a cemetery. Appeal Tax Court v. Academy, 50 Md. 353.
  • BUSCARL
    In Saxon and old English law. Seamen or marines. Spelman.
  • BUSHEL
    A dry measure, containing four pecks, eight gallons, or thirty-two quarts. But the dimensions of a bushel, and the weight of a bushel of grain, etc., vary in the different states in consequence of statutory enactments. Richardson v. Spafford, 13 Vt 245; Milk v. Christie, 1 Hill (N. Y.) 106; More...
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