Bastardy process
Defined in 5 dictionaries — Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Black's (1891), Stimson (1881)
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
A procedure to compel a bastard’s father to support him.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
The statutory mode of proceeding against the putative father of a bastard to secure a proper maintenance for the bastard.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
The method provided by statute of proceeding against the putative father to secure a proper maintenance for the bastard.
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
The method provided by statute of proceeding against the putative father to secure a proper muaintenance for the bastard.
Glossary of Technical Terms, Phrases, and Maxims of the Common Law
Frederic Jesup Stimson · 1881
The statutory method of procedure against the putative father to secure the bastard's maintenance. Baston,/-. A staff or club; an officer, tipstaff.