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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  • HANDSEL
    Handsale, or earnest money.
  • HANDWRITING
    The chirography of a person; the cast or form of writing peculiar to a person, Including the size, shape, and style of letters, tricks of penmanship, and whatever gives individuality to his writing, distinguishing it from that of other persons. In re Hyland's Will (Surr. Ct.) 27 N. Y. Supp. More...
  • HANG
    In old practice. To remain undetermined. "It has hung long enough; it is time it were made an end of." Holt, C. J.. 1 Show. 77. Thus, the present participle means pending; during the pendency. "If the tenant alien, hanging the precipe." Co. Litt. 266a,
  • HANGING
    In criminal law. Suspension by the neck; the mode of capital punishment used in England from time immemorial, and generally adopted In the United States. 4 Bl. Comm. 463. -Hanging in chains. In atrocious cases it was at one time usual, in England, for the court to direct a murderer, More...
  • HANGMAN
    An executioner. One who executes condemned criminals by hanging.
  • HANGWITE
    In Saxon law. A fine for illegal hanging of a thief, or for allowing him to escape. Immunity from such fine. Du Cange.
  • HANSE
    An alliance or confederation among merchants or cities, for the good ordering and protection of the commerce of its members. An imposition upon merchandise. Du Cange. -Hanse towns. The collective name of certain German cities, including Lubeck, Hamburg, and Bremen, which formed an alliance for the mutual protection and furtherance More...
  • HANSGRAVE
    The chief of a company; the head man of a corporation.
  • HANTELOD
    In old European law. An arrest, or attachment. Spelman.
  • HAP
    To catch. Thus, "hap the rent," "hap the deed-poll," were formerly used.
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