Familia

Lat.

In old English law. A family or household, including servants, that is, hired persons {merceruxrii or conductitii,) as well as bondmen, and all who were under the authority of one master, (daminus,) Bract, fol. 124 b, 171 b. Bracton uses the word in the original sense, as denoting servants or domestics. Id. ibid. A portion of land sufficient to maintain one family; sometimes called a hide of land, sometimes a manse, sometimes carucata or plough-land. Cowell. Spelman, Co, Litt. 69 a. See Hide. FAMILIES ERCISCUNDJi;, Actio. Lat.

In the civil law. An action brought by co-heirs for the partition of their inheritance; {quce competit coharedibus de dividenda hcereditate,) Inst. 4. 6. 20. Id, 4. 17. 4. Id. 3. 28. 4. Answering to the modern writ of partition. Coopers Notes in loc, Oiheryfhe termed judicium familia herciscundoB, 1 Mackeld. Civ. Law, 286, §271. j^roc^. fol. 443 b.