Desperate
Defined in 6 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Black's (1891)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
Of which there Is no hope. This term is used frequently in making an inventory of a decedent's effects, when a debt is considered so bad that there is no hope of recovering it. It is then called a desperate debt, and, if it be so returned, it will be prima fade considered as desperate. See Toller, Ex'rs., 248; 2 Williams, Ex'rs., 644; 1 Chit. Prac. 580; 11 Wend. (N. Y.) 361.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
Of which there is no hope. This term is used frequently in making hope of recovering it. It is then called a desperate debt, and, if it be so returned, it will be prima facie considered as desperate. See Toll. Ex. 248; 2 Wms. Ex. 644; 1 Chitt. Pr. 5S0; Schultz v. Pulver, 11 Wend. (N. T.) 365.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
Hopeless; worthless. This term is used in inventories and schedules of assets, particularly by executors, etc., to describe debts or claims which are considered impossible or hopeless of collection. See Schultz v. Pulver, 11 Wend. (N. Y.) 365.
— Desperate debt. A hopeless debt; an irrecoverable obligation.
A Law Dictionary and Glossary
George C. Kinney · 1893
Hopeless, without hope of recovery, — applied to debts considered worthless.
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
Hopeless; worthless, This term is used in inventories and schedules of assets, particularly by executors, etc., to deseribe debts or claims which are considered impossible or hopeless of collection. See 11 Wend. 365.