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Ask.AboutLaw.com is collaborative project, sponsored by aboutlaw.com. It provides free access to articles in the field of legal history, legal philosophy, and legal documents. The primary resource is legal definitions of key words. The absolute majority of the definitions are based on  the seminal work of John Bouvier (1856 edition). The use and preservation of definitions from this work allows readers not only to know the legal meaning of words, but also the origins and evolution of key "words". Moreover, such definitions shed some light on the biases against and attitudes towards racial, ethnic, religious, and other dis-empowered social groups.  For instance, when the word "servant" is tied to the words, "negro or mulatto," one is able to see the legacy of racism in legal and political institutions. All legal definitions are derived from Bouvier's work, unless otherwise indicated.

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Most read last year

  • Legal meaning of, DAM... DYVOUR
    DAM .   A construction of wood, stone, or other materials, made across a stream of water for the purpose of confining it; a mole. 2. T...
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    MEASURE.  That which is used as a rule to determine a quantity. A certain quantity of something, taken for a unit, and which expresses...
  • CONSTRUCTION
    CONSTRUCTION , practice. It is defined by Mr. Powell to be "the drawing in inference by the act of reason, as to the intent of an...
  • CAPIAS
    CAPIAS , practice. This word, the signification of which is " that you take," is applicable to many heads of practice. Sever...
  • CARRIERS
    CARRIERS , contracts. There are two kinds of carriers, namely, common carriers, (q. v.) who have been considered under another head; a...
  • CANON
    CANON , eccl. law. This word is taken from the Greek, and signifies a rule or law. In ecelesiastical law, it is also used to designate...
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    M.  When persons were convicted of manslaughter in England, they were formerly marked with this letter on the brawn of the thumb.
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    CAPITAL CRIME . One for the punishment of which death is inflicted, which punishment is called capital punishment. Dane's Ab. Index, h...
  • ACCESS, ACCESSORY CONTRACT
    ACCESS , persons. Approach, or the means or power of approaching. Sometimes by access is understood sexual intercourse; at other times...
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