Definitions from Black's Law Dictionary: 2nd Edition and Ballentine's Law Dictionary as are available for each term in each dictionary.
  • Black's Law Dictionary: 2nd Edition

    A public announcement of an intended marriage, required by the English law to he made in a church or chapel, duting service, on three consecutive Sundays before the marriage is celebrated. The object is to afford an opportunity for any person to interpose an objection lf he knows of any impediment or other just cause why the marriage should not take place. The publication of the bans may be dispensed wdth by procuring a special license to marry.