The name of a judicial officer in Spain, and in those countries which have received their laws and institutions from Spain. His functions somewhat resembled those of mayor in small municipalities on the continent or justice of the peace in England and most of the United States. Castillero v. U. S., 2 Black, 17, 194, 17 L. Ed. 360. … [Read more...]

A cauldron into which boiling water was poured, in which a criminal plunged his arm up to the elbow, and there held it for some time, as an ordeal. Du Cange. … [Read more...]

The list of persons liable to military watches, who were at the same time exempt from trainings and musters. See Prov. Laws 1775 76, c. 10, … [Read more...]

In medical jurisprudence. The pathological effect (as distinguished from physiological effect) of excessive indulgence in intoxicating liquors. It is acute when induced by excessive potations at one time or in the course of a single debauch. An attack of delirium tremens and alcoholic homicidal mania are examples of this form. It is chronic when resulting from the longcontinued … [Read more...]

Probably a corruption of Laganum maris, lagan being a right, in the middle ages, like jetsam and flotsam, by which goods thrown from a vessel in distress became the property of the king, or the lord on whose shores they were stranded. Spelman; Jacob; Du Cange. … [Read more...]