In the Civil law. The subscription of a name or signature to an instrument. Cod. 4, 19, 5, 7. A rescript of the prince or emperor, signed with his own hand, or sign manual. Cod. 1, 19, 1. “In the imperial law, casual homicide was excused by the indulgence of the emperor, signed with his own sign manual, annotatione principis.” 4 Bl. Comm. 187.