• Ask a Legal Question
  • Submit Article
  • Law Dictionary
  • My Account
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Support
  • Site Search
Login or Sign up

The Law Dictionary

  • Home
  • Law Forum
  • Law Guide
  • Law Journal
  • Lawyers
  • Legal Forms & Files
  • Inbox
  • Alerts
Home » Law Dictionary » K » KEEP

KEEP

TheLaw.com Law Dictionary & Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed.

To hold, to retain possession.

(noun) – A strong tower or hold In the middle of any castle or fortification, wherein the besieged make their last efforts of defense, was formerly, In England, called a “keep;” and the inner pile within the castle of Dover, erected by King Henry II. about the year 1153, was termed the “King’s Keep;” so at Windsor, etc. It seems to be something of the same nature with what is called abroad a “citadel.” Jacob.

(verb) – 1. To retain In one’s power.or possession; not to lose or part with; to preserve or retalu. Benson v. New York, 10 Barb. (N. Y.) 235; Deans v. Gay, 132 N. C. 227, 43 S. E. 643. 2. To maintain, carry on, conduct, or manage; as, to “keep” a liquor saloon, bawdy house, gaming table, nuisance, Inn, or hotel State v. Irvin, 117 Iowa, 460, 91 N. W. 760; People v. Rice, 103 Mich. 350, 61 N. W 540; State v. Miller, 68 Conn. 373, 36 Atl. .795; State v. Cox, 52 Vt. 474.” 3. To maintain, tend, harbor, feed, and shelter; as. to “keep” a dangerous animal, to “keep” a horse at livery. Allen v. Ham, 63 Me. 536; Skinner v. Caughey. 64 Minn. 375, 67 N. W. 203.” 4. To maintain continuously and methodically for the purposes of a record; as, to”keep” books. See Backus v. Richardson, 5 Johns. (N. Y.) 483. 5. To maintain continuously and without stoppage or variation; as, when a vessel is said to “keep her course,” that is, continue in motion in the same general direction In which she was previously sailing. See The Britannia, 153 U. S. 130, 14 Sup. Ct. 795, 38 L. Ed. 060. Keep down interest. The expression “keeping down interest” is familiar in legal instruments, and means the payment of interest periodically as it becomes due; but it does not include the payment of all arrears of interest which may have become due on any security from the time when it was executed. 4 El. & Bl. 211. Keep house. The English bankrupt laws use the phrase “keeping house” to denote an act of bankruptcy. It is committed when a trader absents himself from his place of business and retires to his private residence to evade the importunity of creditors. The usual evidence of keeping house” is refusal to see a creditor who has called on the debtor at his house for money. Robs. Bankr. 119. Keep in repair. When a lessee is bound to keep the premises in repair, he must have them in repair at all times during the term; and, if they are at any time out of repair, he is guilty of a breach of the covenant 1 Barn. & Aid. 585. Keep open. To allow general access to one’s shop, for purposes of traffic, is a violation of a statute forbidding him to “keep open” his shop on the Lord’s day, although the outer entrances are closed. Com. v. Harrison, 11 Gray (Mass.) 308. To “keep open,” in the sense of such a law, implies a readiness to carry on the usual business in the store, shop, saloon, etc. Lynch v. People, 16 Mich. 472. Keeping term. In English law. A duty performed by students of law, consisting in eating a sufficient number of dinners in hall to make the term count for the purpose of being called to the bar. Mozley A Whitley. Keeping the peace. Avoiding a breach of the peace; dissuading or preventing others from breaking the peace.

Related Posts:

  • TENERE
  • HOLD
  • PETITION OF RIGHT
  • DOTE ASSIGNANDA
  • SECONDARY
  • TENENDUM

Filed Under: K

Add a New Legal Term

Can't find the legal word, term, phrase or abbreviation that you're seeking in our dictionary? Add or request a definition by filling out the short form below!

Add Dictionary Term
Sending

Law Dictionary & Guide App

Law App

Law App

Pro Law App

Pro Law App


  Over 2,000 Five Star Ratings

  •   Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed.
  •   Free: 14,000+ legal terms, Pro: 23,000+
  •   Law Guide & Law Journal
  •   Ask Questions & Get Answers
  •   Law Library & Lawyer Directory
  • Free Attorney Case Review

    Free legal consultation with a lawyer

    • About
    • FAQ
    • Contact
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy
    • Legal Terms
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • © 1995 – 2016 TheLaw.com LLC
    Legal Disclaimer: The content appearing on our website is for general information purposes only. When you submit a question or make a comment on our site or in our law forum, you clearly imply that you are interested in receiving answers, opinions and responses from other people. The people providing legal help and who respond are volunteers who may not be lawyers, legal professionals or have any legal training or experience. The law is also subject to change from time to time and legal statutes and regulations vary between states. It is possible that the law may not apply to you and may have changed from the time a post was made. All information available on our site is available on an "AS-IS" basis. It is not a substitute for professional legal assistance. Before making any decision or accepting any legal advice, you should have a proper legal consultation with a licensed attorney with whom you have an attorney-client privilege. For purposes of New York and New Jersey State ethics rules, please take notice that this website and its case reviews may constitute attorney advertising.
    © Copyright 1995 - 2015 TheLaw.com LLC. All Rights Reserved
    Go to mobile version