In old England practice. That species of original writ, otherwise called a "prcecipe," which was framed in the alternative, commanding the defendant to do the thing required, or show the reason wherefore he had not done it. 3 BL Comm. 274. … [Read more...] about OPTIONAL WRIT
O
ORATRIX
A female petitioner; a female plaintiff in a bill in chancery was formerly so called. … [Read more...] about ORATRIX
OPUS
Latin: Work; labor; the product of work or labor, Opus locatum. The product of work let for use to another; or the hiring out of work or labor to be done npon a thing. Opus manincum. In old English law. Labor done by the hands; manual labor; such as making a hedge, digging a ditch. Fleta, lib. 2, c 48, { 8. Opus novum. In the civil law. A new work. By this term was meant … [Read more...] about OPUS
ORBATION
Deprivation of one's parents or children, or privation in general. Little used. … [Read more...] about ORBATION
OR
(A) Short for On Recognizance; a release from jail without bail. (B) This syllable in the termination of words has an active signification, and usually denotes the doer of an act; as, the grantor, he who makes a grant; the vendor, he who makes a sale; the feoffor, he who makes a feoffment. (C) A term used in heraldry, and signifying gold; called "sol" by some heralds when it … [Read more...] about OR