Descriptio Personae
Defined in 4 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Kinney (1893), Stimson (1881)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
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.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
A Law Dictionary and Glossary
George C. Kinney · 1893
I. I. Description of the person.
Glossary of Technical Terms, Phrases, and Maxims of the Common Law
Frederic Jesup Stimson · 1881
I. Description of the person. Designatio unius est ezclusio alterius, I. The special mention of one is [implies] the exclusion of the other.