A promise that is worthless and not binding under contract law. On its surface it may appear to be something of value, for example, if you make a promise to work for someone for five years unless you quit sooner, there is no contract of employment at length because, in essence, you can quit at any time. … [Read more...]

The condition before the law, or the social status, of a bastard; the state or condition of one whose parents were not Intermarried at the time of his birth. Miller v. Miller, 18 Hun (N. Y.) 509; Brown v. Belmarde, 8 Kan. 52. … [Read more...]

The prefix to the title of a prince of the blood in England. … [Read more...]

That which is contrary to law; it is usually applied to bastards, or children born out of lawful wedlock. The Louisiana Code divided illegitimate children into two classes: (1) Those born from two persons who, at the moment when such children were conceived, could have lawfully intermarried; and (2) those who are born from persons to whose marriage there existed at the time … [Read more...]

This term is sometimes used as equivalent to "exemplary" "vindictive" or "punitive" damages. Murphy v. Hobbs 7 Colo. 541 5 Pac. 119. 49 Am. Rep. 366 … [Read more...]