Bastardy
Defined in 7 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Black's (1891), Burrill (1850), Bouvier (1839)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The offense of begetting a bastard child; the condition of a bastard. BASTARDY PROCESS (or PROCEED- Ings). The statutory mode of proceeding against the putative father of a bastard to secure a proper maintenance for the bastard.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Law Dictionary and Glossary
George C. Kinney · 1893
Batardise, fr. " A defect of birth, objected of a child begotten out of wedlock; the state or condition of a bastard; the offense of begetting a bastard. Bastardy l)ond; a bond executed by the father of a bastard, conditioned for maintenance, etc. Bastardy process, or proceeding': a proceeding against the putative father of a bastard to secure maintenance.
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
The offense of begetting a bastard child. The condition of a bastard.
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
[L. Lat. basiardia.] A defect of birth, objected to one begotten out of wedlock. Bract, fol. 405, 416. This term is applied in the old books to pleas of illegitimacy, to suits for calling one a bastard, and generally to any examination or trial whether a man's birth be legitimate or not. Cowell. The state or condition of a bastard. 1 Bl. Com. 454. See Bastard.
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
John Bouvier · 1839
crim. law. The offence of begetting a bastard child; as, such a man is guilty of fornication and bastardy.