Additio Probat Minoritatem

An addition proves inferiority. Coke, 4th Inst. 80; Wingate, Max. 211, max. 60; Litt. § 293; Co. Litt. 189a. ADDITION (Lat. additio, an adding to). Whatever is added to a man's name by way of title or description, as additions of mystery, place, or degree. Cowell; Termes de la Ley; 10 Wentw. PI. 371; Salk. 5; 2 Ld. Raym. 988; 1 Wils. 244. Additions are: (1) Additions of estate, as "esquire," •'gentleman," and the like. These titles can, however, be claimed by none, and may be assumed by any one. In Nash v. Battersby, 2 Ld. Raym. 986, 6 Mod. 80, the plaintiff declared with the addition of gentleman. The defendant pleaded in abatement that the plaintiff was no gentleman. The plaintiff demurred, and it was held ill; for, said the court, it amounts to a confession that the plaintiff is no gentleman, and then not the person named in the count. He should have replied that he is a gentleman. (2) Additions of mystery, as scrivener, painter, printer, manufacturer, etc. (3) Additions of places, descriptions by the place of residence, as "A. B., of Philadelphia," and the like. See Bac. Abr.; Doct. Plac. 71; 2 Viner, Abr. 77; 1 Lilly, Reg. 39; 1 Mete. (Mass.) 151. In French Law. A supplementary process to obtain additional information. Guyot, Rep. Univ.

/. An addition indicates minority, or inferiority.