Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence

The useful or available four years. The period of four years allowed by the law of Scotland to a minor after attaining his majority within which " he may pursue for reduction of an

Of four parts. Applied to an indenture executed between four parties; hence made in four counterparts or copies.

Progeny of a white person and a mulatto; a person of one-fourth negro blood.

What sort of right. The name of an old English writ which lay where an ecclesiastical person had recovered judgment for lands, but had not issued execution, to inquire by what righ

1. To adapt; to make fit; to prepare. In a special sense of the word, it means to take the oath and give the bond required by law from an administrator, executor, public officer or

So long as; as long as. Quamdiu se bene gesserit. As long as he shall conduct himself well; during good behavior. A phrase used to express the tenure of judicial and other offices.

When. The initial word of several Latin phrases and maxims. Quando acciderint. When they shall come in; when they shall come to hand. A judgment against an executor or administrato

How much; as much. The initial word of several Latin phrases. Quantum damnificatus. How much is he damnified. The name applied to an issue directed by a court of equity to be tried

Originally, a period of f6rty days. 1. The space of forty days after the death of a husband seised of land, during which his -widow was entitled to remain in her husband's capital

Wherefore; for what reason; on what account. Used in the Latin form of several common-law writs, as illustrated below. Quare clausum fregit. Wherefore he broke the close. The empha

When used in a release, is said to extend not only to real and personal actions, but also to the causes of actions and suits; so that by the release of all quarrels, not only actio

One-fourth part; also specially used to designate the fourth part of a year. By statute in New York (1 Rev. Stat. 606, § 3), as well as by old common-law authorities (Co. Litt. 135

Fourth. Quarto die post. On the fourth day after. Appearance day, in the former English practice, the defendant being allowed four days inclusive, from the return of the writ, to m

To annul, overthrow, or vacate by judicial decision; as to quash an indictment. Que est le mesme. The law-French expression equivalent to the Latin quce est eadem, — which is the s

As if; as though; as if it were. This word is used, often by way of prefix to another word, to denote a resemblance, with some difference, between two subjects. It is applied to pe

Four. A Latin numeral, to which quartus (fourth) is the corresponding ordinal. Quatuor pedlbus currit. It runs upon four feet; it runs upon all-fours. A phrase which is used, in ma

The popular and commercial signification of the word quay involves the notion of a space of ground appropriated to the public use; such use as the convenience of commerce requires.

The female sovereign of a country under a monarchical form of government. A queen regent, regnant, or sovereign, is one who holds the crown in her own right. A queen consort is the

An expression in pleading, now obsolete, used to avoid prolixity in setting forth the chain of title alleged by a party claiming a prescriptive right.

Because. In the Latin forms of conveyances, quia was used as the apt word to introduce the consideration; in the same manner as si, to introduce a condition, and ut, the modus of t

Whatever. Quioquid plantatur solo, solo cedit Whatever is planted in the soil belongs to the soil. Every thing annexed to the soil in a permanent manner goes with the soil; the own

Quit; acquitted; freed; discharged; an acquittance; a discharge. A word which was commonly used by the clerk of the pipe and auditors in the exchequer in their acquittances or disc

Whoever will; any one who will. Any person without distinction. Quilibet potest renunciare juri pro se introducto. Any one may renounce a right introduced for his own benefit. Any

Every; every one. Quisque utitur jure auctoris. Every of stating the principle of the maxim, nemo plus Juris ad alium transferre potest quam ipse habet, q. v.

Whoever; -whatever; every one who; all that.

Clear; discharged; free; also, spoken of persons absolved or acquitted of a charge. Quit, in a deed, is tantamount to "sell" or " release," and will pass the land. Gordon V. Haywoo

Any; anyone; everyone. Quivis praesumitur bonus donee probetur contrarium. Every one is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved. A familiar principle of common law, called "

Of whom. This, the genitive plural of qui, is used as an English substantive. Thus employed, it signifies the number of persons belonging to a legisla^ five, corporate, or other bo

How many; what number; what part; what proportion. The feminine form of this Latin interrogative, quota, is used as a substantive in English. And the adverb derived from it, quotie

The name of a writ by which the question, by what authority persons claiming or usurping any ofiice, franchise, or liberty are acting, is litigated. In old English practice, the wr

When. This Latin adverb is sometimes spelled cum. Quum duo inter se pugnantia reperiuntur in testamento, ultimum ratum est. When two things repugnant to each other are found in a w