In old English law. This term was used as descriptive of the condition of an outlaw. Such persons were said to carry a wolf's head, (caput lupinum;) for if caught alive they were to be brought to the king, and if they defended themselves they might be slain and their heads carried to the king, for they were no more to be accounted of than wolves. Termes de la Ley, Woolferthfod. … [Read more...]

The seat of the lord chancellor of England In the house of lords, being a large square bag of wool, without back or arms, covered with red cloth. Webster; Brande. … [Read more...]

persons. In its most enlarged sense, this word signifies all the females of the human species; but in a more restricted sense, it means all such females who have arrived at the age of puberty. … [Read more...]

construction. One or more syllables which when united convey an idea a single part of speech. 2. Words are to be understood in a proper or figurative sense, and they are used both ways in law. They are also used in a technical sense. It is a general rule that contracts and wills shall be construed as the parties understood them; every person, however, is presumed to understand … [Read more...]

Old English language meaning bear witness to the following or take notice. Usually used to say persons named and signed a document witnessed the signators affixing their signature to a document. … [Read more...]