Necessaries

Such things as are proper and necessary for the sustenance of man. As used to describe those things for which an infant may lawfully contract, necessaries are such articles, suitable to the infant's station in life, as are needful to supply the personal requirements of the infant, whether of body or mind.

12 Met. (Mass.) 561.

It includes board and lodging (23 Vt. 378), medical attendance (42 Conn. 203), or education suitable to the infant's station in life (16 Vt. 683). It does not include services essential to the improvement or protection of his property rights (12 Met. [Mass.] 559; 32 N. H. 345), but does include services essential to secure or protect his personal rights (68 Hun [N. Y.] 589; 12 Kan. 463). As used to describe those things for which a wife may pledge her husband's credit, it has a slightly narrower significance, excluding instruction (40 Conn. 75), and including only those things which are presently needful for the present support of the wife and family; but the nature of the support for which she is entitled to contract depends on the husband's means and station in life (114 Mass. 429). As used to describe those things for which a master may hypothecate the ship, it includes such articles fit and proper for the ship as the owner would, in the exercise of reasonable prudence, have ordered, if present.

Maude & P. Shipp. 71.