In Scotch law. Improvements of an estate, other than mere repairs; betterments. 1 Bell, Comm. 73. Occasionally used in English and American law In the sense of valuable and lasting improvements or betterments. See Green V. Biddle, 8 Wheat. 84, 5 L. Ed. 547. Meliorem conditionem ecclesiae sua facere potest prselatus, deteriorem ne quaquam. Co. Litt 101. A bishop can make the condition of his own church better, but by no means worse. Meliorem conditionem snam facere potest minor, deteriorem nequaquam. Co. Litt 337. A minor can make his own condition better, but by no means worse. Melius est in tempore occurrere, quam post causam vulneratum remedium quserere. 2 Inst 299. It is better to meet a thing in time than after an injury inflicted to seek a remedy. Melius est jus deficiens quam jus in certum. Law that is deficient is better than law that is uncertain. Lofft, 395. Melius est omnia mala pati quam malo consentire. 3 Inst. 23. It is better to suffer every ill than to consent to ill. Melius est petere fontes quam sectari rivulos. It is better to go to the fountain head than to follow little streamlets. Melius est recurrere quam male cur rere. It is better to run back than to run badly; it is better to retrace one’s steps than to proceed improperly. 4 Inst 176.