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Cone and Key

Black's Law Dictionary · Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

Black's Law Dictionary

In old English law

A woman at fourteen or fifteen years of age may take charge of her house and receive cone and key; that is, keep the accounts and keys.

Cowell.

Said by Lord Coke to be cover and keye, meaning that at that age a woman knew what in her house should be kept under lock and key.

2 Inst. 203.