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Tn old English law. Buffer ; the king's butler, whose office it was to select out of the cargo of every vessel laden with wine, one cask at the prow and another at the stern, for the king's use. Fleta, lib. 2, c. 22. … [Read more...] about PINCERNA

In old Scotch law. An excavation or cavity in the earth in which women who were under sentence of death were drowned. … [Read more...] about PIT

Lat. In the civil law. A pledge or pawn; a delivery of a thing to a creditor, as security for a debt. Also a thing delivered to a creditor as security for a debt. … [Read more...] about PIGNTUS

Slang for a notice to an employee that the employee has been fired or laid off. Also may refer to the title certificate for a motor vehicle. … [Read more...] about PINK SLIP

civil law. This word signifies in English, pledge or pawn. It is derived, says Gaius, from pugnium, the fist, because what is delivered in pledge is delivered. in hand. Dig. 50, 16, 238, 2. This is one of several instances of the failure of the Roman jurists, when they attempted etymological explanation of words. The elements of pignus (pig) is contained in the word pa(n)g-o, … [Read more...] about PIGNUS