A mulct anciently paid by one who killed another, to the kindred of the deceased. Spelman. … [Read more...]

In old English law. An officer In the exchequer, to whom it belonged to provide wood for the tallies, and to cut the sum paid upon them, etc. … [Read more...]

That kind of punishment used by the ancients, and still used by the Chinese, called by Staunton the "wooden collar," by which the neck of the malefactor is bent or weighed down. Enc. Lond. … [Read more...]

The chief officer of police or superintendent of markets in a large town or city in India. … [Read more...]

As near as possible. 1 The rule of cy-press is a rule for the construction of instruments in equity, by which the intention of the party is carried out as near as may be, when it would be impossible or illegal to give it literal effect. Thus, where a testator attempts to create a perpetuity, the court will endeavor, Instead of making the devise entirely void, to explain the … [Read more...]