Colloquium

pleading, a discourse, a conversation or conference. In actions of slander it is generally true that an action does not hie for words, on account of their being merely disgraceful to a person in his office, profession or trade; unless it be averred, that at the time of publishing the words, there was a colloquium concerning the office, profession or trade of the plaintiff. In its technical sense, the term colloquium signifies an averment in a declaration that there was a conversation or discourse on the part of the defendant, which connects the slander with the office, profession or trade of the plaintiff, and this colloquium ought to extend to the whole of the prefatory matter necessary to render the words actionable.

3 Bulst. 83; Vide Bac. Ab. Slander, S, n.

3; Dane’s Ab. Index, h. t; Com. Dig. Action upon the case for Defamation, G 7, 8, &c.; Stark. on Sland. 290, et seq. q