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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  • MAJUS JUS
    In old practice. Greater right or more right. A plea in the old real actions. 1 Reeve, Eng. Law, 476. Majus jus merum, more mere right Bract fol. 3L.
  • MAKE
    1. To cause to exist; to form, fashion, or produce; to do, perform, or execute; as to make an issue, to make oath, to make a presentment 2. To do in form of law; to perform with due formalities; to execute in legal form; as to make answer, to make More...
  • MAKER
    One who makes, frames, or ordains; as a "law-maker." One who makes or- executes; as the maker of a promissory note. See And v. Magruder, 10 Cal. 290; Sawyers v. Campbell, 107 Iowa, 397, 78 N. W. 56.
  • MAKING LAW
    In old practice. The formality of denying a plaintiff's charge, under oath, in open court, with compurgators. One of the ancient methods of trial, frequently, though inaccurately, termed "waging law," or "wager of law." 3 Bl. Comm. 341.
  • MAL
    A prefix meaning bad, wrong, fraudulent; as maladministration, malpractice, malversation, etc.
  • MAL GREE
    L. Fr. Against the will; without the consent. Hence the single word "rooipre," and more modern "maugre," (q. v.)
  • MAL-TOLTE
    Fr. In old French law. A term said to have arisen from the usurious gains of the Jews and Lombards in their management of the public revenue. Steph. Lect 372L.
  • MALA
    Lat. Bad; evil; wrongful. -Mala fides. Bad faith. The opposite of bona fides, (q. v.) Maid fide, in bad faith. Make fidei possessor, a possessor in bad faith. Mackeld. Rom. Law, s 297.-Mala in se. Wrongs in themselves; acts morally wrong; offenses against conscience. 1 Bl. Comm. 57. 58; 4 More...
  • MALADMINISTRATION
    This term is used, in the law-books, interchangeably with mfe-administration, and both words mean "wrong administration." Minkler v. State, 14 Neb. 183, 15 N. W. 331.
  • MALANDRINUS
    In old English law. A thief or pirate. Wals. 338.
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