In canon law. A term including any form of apostolical letter emanating from the pope. The answer of the pope in writing. Diet Droit Can. In the civil law. A species of imperial constitutions, being the answers of the prince Bl. Law Dict.(2d E d.)65 In Individual cases, chiefly given in response to inquiries by parties in relation to litigated suits, or to inquiries by the judges, and which became rules for future litigated or doubtful legal questions. Mackeld. Rom. Law,