Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

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

A papal edict.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

In ecclesiastical law. An instrument granted by the pope of Rome, and sealed with 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. Comm. 110; 4 Steph. Comm. 177, 179. This is also a cant term of the Stock Exchange, meaning one who speculates for a rise in the market.

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.