United; combined; undivided; done by or against two or more unitedly; shared by or between two or more.
A “joint” bond, note, or other obligation is one in which the obligors or makers (being two or more in number) bind themselves jointly but not severally, and which must therefore be prosecuted in a joint action against them all. A “joint and several” bond or note is one in which the obligors or makers bind themselves both jointly and individually to the obligee or payee, and which may be enforced either by a joint action against them all or by separate actions against any one or more at the election of the creditor. Joint action. An action in which there are two or more plaintiffs, or two or more defendants. Joint debtor acts. Statutes enacted in many of the states, which provide that judgment may be given, for or against one or more of several plaintiffs, and for or against one or more of several defendants, and that “ia an action against several defendants, the court may, in its discretion, render judgment against one or more of them, leaving the action to proceed against the others, whenever a several judgment is proper.” The name is also given to statutes providing that where an action is instituted against two or more defendants upon, an alleged joint liability, and some of them are served with process, but jurisdiction is not obtained over the others, the plaintiff may still proceed to trial against those who are before the court, and, if he recovers, may have judgment against all of the defendants whom he shows to be jointly liable. 1 Black. Judgm. gft 208. 235, And see Hall v. Lanning, 91 U. S. 168. 2. L. Ed. 271. Joint debtors. Persons united in a joint liability or indebtedness. Joint lives. This expression is used to designate the duration of an estate or right which is granted to two or more persons to be enjoyed so long as they both (or all) shall live. As soon as one dies, the interest determines. See Highley v. Allen. 8 Mo. App. 524.
As to joint “Adventure,” “Ballot” “Committee,” “Contract,” “Covenant” “Creditor,” “Executors,” “Flat” “Fine,” “Heirs,” “Indictment,” “Session,” “Tenancy,” “Tenants,” “Trespassers,” and “Trustees,” see those titles. As to joint-stock banks, see BANK; joint-stock company, see COMPANY; joint-stock corporation, see CORPORATION.