Legal Term Dictionary

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  • MAIM
    To deprive a person of a member or part of the body, the loss of which renders him less capable of fighting; to commit mayhem, (q. v.). State v. Johnson, 58 Ohio St 417, 51 N. E 40, 65 Am. St Rep. 769. In this respect "to wound" is distinguishable More...
  • MAIN
    L. Fr. A hand. More commonly written "meyn." --Main-a-maln. Immediately. Kelham.
  • MAIN
    Principal, chief, most important in size, extent, or utility. -Main ehamiel. The main channel of a river is that bed over which the principal volume of water flows. See St. Louis, etc, Packet Co. v. Keokuk & H. Bridge Co. (C. C.) 31 Fed. 757: Cessill v. State, 40 Ark. More...
  • MAINAD
    In old English law. A false oath; perjury. Cowell. Probably from Sax. "manath" or "tnainath" a false or deceitful oath.
  • MAINE-PORT
    A small tribute, commonly of loaves of bread, which in some places the parishioners paid to the rector in lieu of small tithes. Cowell.
  • MAINOUR
    In criminal law. An article stolen, when found in the hands of the thief. A thief caught with the stolen goods in bis possession is said to be taken "with the mainour," that is, with the property in manu, in his hands. 4 Bl. Comm. 307. The word seems to More...
  • MAINOVRE, OR MAINCEUVRE
    A trespass committed by hand. See 7 Rich. II. c 4
  • MAINPERNABLE
    Capable of being bailed; bailable; admissible to bail on giving surety by mainpernors.
  • MAINPERNOR
    In old practice. A surety for the appearance of a person under arrest, who is delivered out of custody into the hands of his bail. "Mainpernors" differ from "ball" in that a man's bail may imprison or surrender him up before the stipulated day of appearance; mainpernors can do neither, More...
  • MAINPRISE
    The delivery of a person into tbe custody of mainpernors, (q. v.) Also the name of a writ (now obsolete) commanding the sheriff to take the security of mainpernors and set the party at liberty.
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