Artificial
Black's Law Dictionary · Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
Black's Law Dictionary
Created by art or by law; existing only by force of or in contemplation of law.
— Artificial force. In patent law. A natural force so transformed in character or energies by human power as to possess new capabilities of action; this transformation of a natural force into a force practically new involves a true inventive act. Wall v. Leek, 66 Fed. 555, 13 C. C. A. 630.
— Artificial persons. Persons created and devised by human laws for the purposes of society and government, as distinguished from natural persons. Corporations are examples of artificial persons. 1 Bl. Comm. 123. Chapman v. Brewer, 43 Neb. 890, 62 N. W. 320, 47 Am. St Rep. 779 ; Smith v. Trust Co., 4 Ala. 568.
— Artificial presumptions. Also called "legal presumptions;" those which derive their force and effect from the law, rather than their natural tendency to produce belief. 3 Starkie, Ev. 1235. Gulick v. Loder, 13 N. J. Law, 72, 23 Am. Dec. 711.
— Artificial succession. The succession between predecessors and successors in a corporation aggregate or sole. Thomas v. Dakin, 22 Wend. (N. Y.) 100.