Engl. law. When an action of debt is brought against a man upon a simple contract, and the defendant pleads nil debit, and concludes his plea with this formula, And this he is ready to defend against him the said A B and his suit, as the court of our lord the king here shall consider, , he is said to wage his law. He is then required to swear he owes the plaintiff nothing, and … [Read more...]

A superstitious mode of trial which till lately disgraced the English law. 2. The last case of this kind was commenced in the year 1817, but not proceeded in to judgment; and at the next session of the British parliament an act was passed to abolish appeals of murder, treason, felony or other offences, and wager of battel, or joining issue or trial by battel in writs of right. … [Read more...]

A wager is a contract by which two or more parties agree that a certain sum of money or other thing shall be paid or delivered to one of them on the happening of an uncertain event or upon the ascertainment of a fact which is in dispute between them. A contract in which the parties stipulate that they shall gain or lose upon the happening of an uncertain event in which they … [Read more...]

contracts. To give a pledge or security for the performance of anything; as to wage or gage deliverance; to wage law Co. Litt. 294. This word is but little used. 2. Compensation for work that is performed at a certain rate, usually hourly. It is an amount paid to manual workers or skilled workers. … [Read more...]

In old English law. A weigh; a measure of cheese, salt, wool, etc., containing two hundred and fifty-six pounds avoir-dupois. Cowell, Spelman. … [Read more...]