In old English law. A word of disgrace and obloquy, pronounced on either champion, in the ancient trial by battle, proving recreant, t. e., yielding. Glanville (alls it "infestum et inverecundum verbum" His condemnation was amittere liberam legem, i.e.t to become infamous, and not to be accounted liber et legalis homo, being suprised by the event to have been proved forsworn, … [Read more...]

A wife; so called, from her being under the cover or protection of her husband, baron or lord. … [Read more...]

A foreign merchant, but generally taken for one who has a stall in a fair or market. Blount. … [Read more...]

The state or condition of a married woman. 2. During coverture, the being of the wife is civilly merged, for many purposes, into that of her husband; she can, therefore, in general, make no contracts without his consent, express or implied. 3. To this rule there are some exceptions: she may contract, when it is for her benefit, as to save her from starvation. 4. In some cases, … [Read more...]

Lat. We create. One of the words by Which a corporation in England was formerly created by the kiug,: 1 Bl. Comm. 473. … [Read more...]