Duress

[L. Fr. duresse; Lat. durities, duritia.] Constraint, compulsion. The state of compulsion or necessity in which a person is induced, by the restraint of his liberty, or menace of bodily harm, to execute a deed, or do any other legal act, or to commit a misdemeanour; and which constraint may afterwards be taken advantage of, to avoid such act, or its consequences.

1 Bl. Com. 130. 2 Id. 292. 4 Id. 30. 1 Steph. Com. 130, 442. 2 Kent's Com. 453.

Termes de la ley.