Depinitio.L

Abounding, limiting: defining, definition. Omnis deflnitio in jure perieulosa est. All limitation in law is perilous; defining in law is dangerous. Attempts to define the meaning of words, and to limit the application of statutes, are attended with more or less difiiculty. Thus, it is difficult to frame_ perfectly accurate definitions of sucli terms as accident; general agent, special agent; • bailment; boarder, guest, lodger; crimen falsi; ^ cruelty; dwelling-house; fraud;* internal police;* larceny; public policy;* reasonable doubt; slight, ordinary, and gross negligence; regulations of commerce as distinguished from police regulations. See those terms. Thus, also, as there are exceptions to almost every rule of law, and as circumstances alter cases infinitely, when a statute itself imposes no limitation upon its meaning or application, the courts, in construing the statute, as a rule, confine themselves to the circiunstances of the case in hand.