Literæ

Letters. A term applied in old English law to various instruments in writing, public and private.

— Literæ dimissoriae. Dimissory letters, (q. v.)

— Literæ humaniores. A term including Greek, Latin, general philology, logic, moral philosophy, metaphysics; the name of the principal course of study in the University of Oxford. Wharton.

— Literæ mortnæ. Dead letters ; fulfilling words of a statute. Lord Bacon observes that "there are in every statute certain words which are as veins, where the life and blood of the statute cometh, and where all doubts do arise, and the rest are' Uteres mortuas, fulfilling words." Bac. St. Uses, (Works, iv. 189.)

— Literæ patentes. Letters patent; literally, open letters.

— Literæ procuratoriae. In old English law. Letters procuratory; letters of procuration; letters of attorney. Bract, fols. 40, 43.

— Literæ recognitionis. In maritime law. A bill of lading. Jac. Sea Laws, 172,

— Literæ sigillatæ. In old English law. Sealed letters. The return of a sheriff was se called. Fleta, lib. 2, c. 64, § 19.