Definition of Commence

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Definitions from Black's Law Dictionary: 2nd Edition and Ballentine's Law Dictionary as are available for each term in each dictionary.
  • Commence
    Black's Law Dictionary: 2nd Edition

    To commence a suit is to demand something by the institution of process in a court of justice. Cohens v. Virginia, 6 Wheat. 408, 5 In Ed. 257. To "bring" a suit is an equivalent term; an action is "commenced" when it is "brought," and vice versa. Goldenberg v. Murphy, 108 In S. 162, 2 Sup. Ct 388, 27 I Ed. 686.