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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  • WINDOW
    An opening made in the wall of a house to admit light and air, and to furnish a view or prospect The use of this word in law Is chiefly In connection with the doctrine of ancient lights and other rights of adjacent owners. Window tax . A tax on More...
  • WINDSOR FOREST
    A royal forest founded by Henry VIII.
  • WINTER CIRCUIT
    An occasional circuit appointed for the trial of prisoners, in England, and in some cases of civil causes between Michaelmas and Hilary terms.
  • WINTER HETNING
    The season between 11th November and 23d April, which is excepted from the liberty of commonlng in certain forests. St. 23 Car. II. c. 3.
  • WISBY, LAWS OF
    The name given to a code /of maritime laws promulgated at Wisby, then the capital of Gothland, in Swe-den, in the latter part of the thirteenth cen-tury. This compilation resembled the laws of Oleron in many respects, and was early adopted, as a system of sea laws, by the commercial More...
  • WISTA
    In Saxon law. Half a hide of land, or sixty acres.
  • WIT
    To know; to learn; to be informed. Used only in the infinitive, to wit, which term is equivalent to "that is to say," "namely," or "videlicet."
  • WITAM
    The purgation from an offense by the oath of the requisite number of witnesses.
  • WITAN
    In Saxon law. Wise men; persons of information, especially in the laws; the king's advisers; members of the king's council; the optimates, or principal men of the kingdom. 1 Spence, Eq. Jur. 11, note.
  • WITCHCRAFT
    Under Sts. 83 Hen. VIII. c. 8, and 1 JaC I. c. 12, the offense of Witchcraft, or supposed intercourse with evil spirits, was punishable with death. These acts were not repealed till 1736. 4 Bl. Comm. 60, 61.
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