That of which there is hope. Thus a debt which one may hope to recover may be called "sperate," in opposition to "desperate." See 1 Chit. Pr. 520. … [Read more...]

Lat. A spoiler or destroyer. It is a maxim of law, bearing chiefly on evidence, but also upon the value generally of the thing destroyed, that everything most to his disadvantage is to be presumed against the destroyer, (spoliator,) contra spoliatorem omnia prcesumuntur. 1 Smith, Lead. Cas. 315. Spoliatns debet ante omnia restitni. A party despoiled [forcibly deprived of … [Read more...]

Lat. Hope of surviving. 3 Atk. 762 ; 2 Kent, Comm. 424. Spos est Tigilantis somninm. Hope is the dream of the vigilant 4 Inst. 203. Spes impnnitatis continnnm affectum tribuit delinquendi. The hope of impunity holds out a continual temptation to crime. 3 Inst 236. … [Read more...]

Lat. In the civil and common law. A thing violently or unlawfully taken from another. … [Read more...]

Lat. The hope of recovery or recapture; the chance of retaking property captured at sea, which prevents the captors from acquiring complete ownership of the property until they have definitely precluded it by effectual measures. 1 Kent, Comm. 101. … [Read more...]