Mayhem
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
In criminal law. The act of unlawfully and violently depriving another of the use of such of his members as may render him less able, in fighting, either to defend himself or annoy his adversary.
8 Car. & P. 167; 4 Bl. Comm. 205.
The cutting or disabling, or weakening, a man's hand or finger, or striking out his eye or fore tooth, or depriving him of those parts the loss of vjhich abates his courage, are mayhems at common law.
4 Bl. Comm. 205.
The offense has been extended by statute to these and other injuries.
See 87 N. C. 509; 70 Iowa, 505.