Chief

[Fr. chef; L. Lat. caput.] A head or lord. In feudal law, those tenants who held immediately under the king, in right of his crown and dignity, were called his tenants in capite, or in chief — that is, head tenants, holding from the head {de capite) of the government.

2 Bl. Com. 60.

GilL Com. Fleas, Introd.

17.

In practice

A principal thing, as distinguished from that which is incidental or subordinate. To declare in chief, in the old books, signified to declare for the principal cause of action.

1 Tidd's Fr. 419.

A -beginning; that which comes first in order of proceedings. Examination in chief is the first examination of a witness on a trial, by the counsel of the party on whose behalf he is called, as distinguished from his cross-examination.

3 Carr. <S: F. 113.