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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  • ORFGILD
    In Saxon law. The price or value of a beast A payment for a beast The payment or forfeiture of a beast. A penalty for taking away cattle. Spelman.
  • ORGANIC ACT
    An act of congress conferring powers of government upon a territory. In re Lane, 135 U. S. 443, 10 Sup. Ct 760, 34 L. Ed. 219.
  • ORGANIC LAW
    The fundamental law, or constitution, of a state or nation, written and unwritten; that law or system of laws or principles which defines and establishes the organization of its government. St Louis v. Dorr, 145 Mo. 466, 46 S. W. 976; 42 L. R. A. 086, 68 Am. St. Rep. More...
  • ORGANIZE
    To establish or furnish with organs; to systematize; to put into working order; to arrange in order for the normal exercise of Its appropriate functions. The word "organize," as used In railroad and other charters, ordinarily signifies the choice and qualification of all necessary officers for the transaction of the More...
  • ORGANIZED COUNTY
    A county which has its lawful officers, legal machinery, and means for carrying out the powers and performing the duties pertaining to it as a quasi municipal corporation. In re Section No. 6t 66 Minn. 32, 68 N. W. 323.ORGILD. In Saxon law. Without recompense; as where no satisfaction was More...
  • ORIGINAL
    Primitive; first in order; bearing its own authority, and not deriving authority from an outside source; as original jurisdiction, original writ, etc. As applied to documents, the original is the first copy or archetype; that from which another Instrument is transcribed, copied, or imitated. -Original bill. In equity pleading. A More...
  • ORIGINALIA
    In English law. Transcripts sent to the remembrancer's office in the exchequer out of the chancery, distinguished from recor&o, which contain the judgments and pleadings in actions tried before the barons. Origine propria neminem posse vo-Inntatc sna onlmi manifestnm est. It is evident that no one is able of his More...
  • ORNEST
    In old English law. The trial by battle, which does not seem to have been usual in England before the time of the Conqueror, though originating in the kingdoms of the north, where it was practiced under the name of "holmgang," from the custom of fighting duels on a small More...
  • ORPHAN
    Any person (but particularly a minor or infant) who has lost both (or one) of his or her parents. More particularly, a fatherless child. Soohan v. Philadelphia, 33 Pa. 24; Poston v. Young, 7 J. J. Marsh. (Ky.) 501; Chicago Guaranty Fund Life Soc. v. Wheeler, 79 111. App. 241; More...
  • ORPHANAGE PART
    That 'portion of an intestate's effects which his children were entitled to by the custom of London. This custom appears to have been a remnant of what, was once a general law all over England, namely, that a father should not by his will bequeath the entirety of his personal More...
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