The abuse of official influence in the affairs of government; corruption. This word has lately been adopted to signify that those persons who are employed in bureaus abuse their authority by intrigue to promote their own benefit, or that of friends, rather than the public good. The word is derived from the French. Law Dictionary - Alternative Legal Definition A system in which … [Read more...]
BURGHMOTE
In Saxon law. A court of justice held semi annually by the bishop or lord in a burg, which the thanes were bound to attend without summons. … [Read more...]
BURNING IN THE HAND
In old English criminal law, laymen, upon being accorded the benefit of clergy, were burned with a hot iron in the brawn of the left thumb, in order that, being thus marked, they could not again claim their clergy. 4 Bl. Comm. 367. … [Read more...]
BURG, BURGH
A term anciently applied to a castle or fortified place; a borough, (q. v.) Spelman. … [Read more...]
BURGLAR
One who commits burglary. One who breaks into a dwelling house in th« night time with intent to commit a felony. Wilson v. State, 34 Ohio St. 200; O'Connor t. Press Pub. Co., 34 Misc. Rep. 564, 70 N. Y. Supp. 367. … [Read more...]