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Caput lupinum

Defined in 4 dictionaries — Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1891), Burrill (1850), Bouvier (1839)

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

An outlaw.

A Dictionary of Law

Henry Campbell Black · 1891

In old English law. <A wolf's head. An outlawed felon

A New Law Dictionary and Glossary

Alexander M. Burrill · 1850

Lat. [Sax. wulfesheofod.] In Saxon and old English law. A wolf's head. An outlawed felon was anciently so called, because he might be slain or knocked in the head, like a wolf, by any one that should meet him. Bract. fol. 128 b, 134. Mirr. c. 4, sect. 4. Co. Litt. 128 b. 4 Bl. Com. 320. That is to say, he might be killed, if he resisted being taken, or endeavored to escape, but if he did neither, whoever killed him was bound to answer for him, as for any other person. This important explanation, given by Bracton, has been overlooked by some later writers. Bract. ub. sup. 2 Reeves' Hist. Eng. Law, 20.

A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States

John Bouvier · 1839

Eng. law, having the head of a wolf. An outlawed felon was said to have the head of a wolf, and might have been killed by any one legally. Now, such killing would be murder. 1 Hale, Pi. C. 497.