Definition of Caveat

Lat. Let him beware. A formal notice or warning given by a party interested to a ceurt, judge or ministerial officer against the performance of certain acts within his power and jurisdiction. This process may be used in the proper courts to prevent (temporarily or provisionally) the proving of a will or the grant of administration or to arrest the enrollment of a decree in chancery when the party intends to take an appeal, to prevent the grant of letters patent, etc. It is also used, in the American practice, as a kind of equitable process, to stay the granting of a patent for lands. Wilson v. Gaston, 92 Pa. 207; Slocum v. Grandin, 38 N. J. Eq. 485; Ex parte Crafls, 28 S. C. 281, 5 S. E. 718; In re Miller's Estate, 166 Pn. 97, 31 Ali. 58. In patent law. A caveat is a formal written notice given to the officers of the patent-office, requiring them to refuse letters patent on a particuiar invention or device to any other person, until the party filing the caveat (called the "caveator") shall have an opportunity to establish his claim to priority of invention.