In English parliamentary law. Forty members form a house of commons; and, though there be ever so many at the beginning of a debate, yet, if during the course of it the house should be deserted by the members, till reduced below the number of forty, any one member may have it adjourned upon its being counted; but a debate may be continued when only one member is left in the … [Read more...]

A claim presented by a defendant in opposition to or deduction from the claim of the plaintiff. A species of set-off or recoupment introduced by the codes of civil procedure in several of the states, of a broad and liberal character. A counter-claim must be one "existing in favor of a defendant and against a plaintiff between whom a several judgment might be had in the action, … [Read more...]

The portion of the earth's surface occupied by an independent nation or people; or the inhabitants of such territory. In its primary meaning "country" signifies "place;" and, in a larger sense, the territory or dominions occupied by a community ; or even waste and unpeopled sections or regions of the earth. But Its metaphorical meaning is no less definite and well understood; … [Read more...]

In criminal law. To forge; to copy or imitate, without authority or right, and with a view to deceive or defraud, by passing the copy or thing forged for that which is original or genuine. Most commonly applied to the fraudulent and criminal imitation of money. State v. McKenzle, 42 Me. 302; U. S. v. Barrett (D. C.) Ill Fed. 369; State v. Calvin, R. M. Charlt (Ga.) 159; … [Read more...]

A district into which a state is divided. 2. The United States are generally divided into counties; counties are divided into townships or towns. Law Dictionary - Alternative Legal Definition The name given to the principal subdivisions of the kingdom of England and of most of the states of the American Union, denoting a distinct portion of territory organized by itself for … [Read more...]