Pit
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
A hole dug in the earth, which was filled with water, and in which women thieves were drowned, instead of being hung. The punishment of the pit was formerly common in Scotland. PIT AND GALLOWS (Law Lat, fossa et fwca).
In Scotch law
A privilege of inflicting capital punishment for theft, given by King Malcolm, by which a woman could be drowned in a pit (fossa) or a man hanged on ttie galltfws (/ttrcfc). De Hj Diet.; Stair, I-nst.
277, § 62.
PIX (Lafc) A mode of testing coin. The ascertaining whether fcdin is of the proper standard is, in England, called "pixing" it; inquisition called the "trial of the pix," before a jury of members of the Goldsmith's Company.
2 Steph. Comm. 540, note.
PIXIS (Law Lat.) In old pleading. A box. Cro. Jac. 664. "Trover was brought de una pixide, Anglice, a box full of bands," etc. Id. A box for deeds and muniments.
Latch, 195.