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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  • CAPTIVES
    Prisoners of war. As In the goods of an enemy, so also in his person, a sort of qualified property may be acquired, by taking him a prisoner of war, at least till his ransom be paid. 2 Bl. Comm. 402.
  • CAPTOR
    In international law. One who takes or seizes property in time of war; one who takes the property of an enemy. In a stricter sense, one who takes a prize at sea. 2 Bl. Comm. 401; 1 Kent, Comm. 86, 96, 103.
  • CAPTURE
    In international law. The taking or wresting of property from one of two belligerents by the other. It occurs either on land or at sea. In the former case, the property captured is called "booty;" iu the latter case, "prize." Capture, in technical language, is a taking by military power; More...
  • CAPUT
    A head; the head of a person; the whole person; the life of a person; one's personality; status; civil condition. At common law. A head. Caput comitatts, the head of the county; the sheriff; the king. Spelman. A person; a life. The upper part of a town. Cowell. A castle. More...
  • CAPUTAGIUM
    In old English law. Head or poll money, or the payment of it Cowell; Blount.
  • CAPUTIUM
    In old English law. A head of land; a headland. Cowell.
  • CARABUS
    In old English law. A kind of raft or boat Spelman.
  • CARAT
    A measure of weight for diamonds and other precious stones, equivalent to three and one-sixth grains Troy, though divided by jewelers into four parts called "diamond grains." Also a standard of fineness of gold, twenty-four carats being conventionally taken as expressing absolute purity, and the proportion of gold to alloy More...
  • CARCAN
    In French law. An instrument of punishment, somewhat resembling a pillory. It sometimes signifies the punishment Itself. Biret, Vocab.
  • CARCANUM
    A gaol; a prison.
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