Bull
Defined in 5 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910), Black's (1891), Bouvier (1839)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
A letter from the pope of Rome, written on parchment, to which is attached There are three kinds of apostolical rescripts,—the "brief," the "signature," and the "bull," which last is most commonly used in legal matters. Bulls may be compared to the edicts and letters patent of secular princes. When the bull grants a favor, the seal is attached by means of silken strings; and when to direct execution to be performed, with flax cords. Bulls are writr ten in Latin, in a round and Gothic hand. Ayliffe, Par, 132; Ayliffe, Pand. 21; Merlin, Report. BULLA (Lat.) A seal used by the Roman emperors during the lower empire, and which was of four kinds, — gold, silver, wax, and lead. These are described by Spelman in detail. A letter, brief, or charter, sealed with such a seal (literae bullatae). Spelman. A brief, mandate, or bull of the pope, having usually a leaden, but sometimes a golden, seal. Spelman; Blount; Cowell; Burrill.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
In ecelesiastical law. An instrument granted by the pope of Rome, and sealed wilh a seal of lead, containing some decree, commandment, or other public act, emanating from the pontiff, Bull, in this sense, corresponds with edict or letters patent from other governments. Cowell; 4 Bl. change, meaning one who speculates for arise in the market.
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
John Bouvier · 1839
eccles. law. A letter from the pope of Rome, written on parchment, to which is attached a leaden seal, impressed with the images of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. There are three kinds of apostolical rescripts, the brief, the signature, and the bull, which is most commonly used in legal matters. Bulls may be compared to the edicts and letters-patent of secular princes: when the bull grants a favour the seal is attached by means of silken strings, and when to direct execution to be performed, with flax cords. They are written in latin in a round and gothic hand. Ayl. Par. 132; Ayl. Pand. 21; Merl. Rep. h. t.