A species of estate less than freehold where lands and tenements are let by one man to another to have and to hold at the will of the lessor; and the tenant by force of this lease obtains possession. … [Read more...]

In old law. A hireling of servile condition. … [Read more...]

(verb) - In old English practice. To present or offer an excuse for not appearing in court on an appointed day in obedience to a summons; to cast an essoin. Spelman. This was anciently done by a person whom the party sent for that purpose, called an "essoiner."(noun) - In old English law. An excuse for not appearing in court at the return of the process. Presentation of such … [Read more...]

Seniority; the condition or right of the eldest; the privilege of the eldest-born. Particularly used of the privilege of the eldest among coparceners to make a first choice of purparts upon a voluntary partition. … [Read more...]

A person who made an essoin. Est aliqnid qnod non oportet etiam si licet; quicquid vero non licet certe non oportet. Hob. 159. There is that which is not proper, even though permitted; but whatever is not permitted is certainly not proper. … [Read more...]