Descriptio Personae
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Description of the person. In wills, it frequently happens that the word "heir" is used as a descriptio personae. It is then a sufficient designation of the person. In criminal cases,. a mere descriptio personae or addition, if false, can be taken advantage of only by plea in abatement.
1 Mete. (Mass.) 151.
The most common use of the term is in respect to designations as "agent," "executor," etc., attached to the name of one executing an instrument. If such designation is not sufficient to indicate that he is acting in an official or representative capacity, it is said to be descriptio personae, and he is bound personally.
See 120 Mass. 92; 136 N. Y. 655; 5 111. 325; 19 Mo. 193.