filius nullius
Defined in 5 dictionaries — Case Law, Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910), Black's (1891), Burrill (1850)
Definitions from Case Law
From 39 U.S. 178 - The Lessee of Henry Brewer v. Jacob Blougher · 1840Most cited · 74 citing opinions
According to the principles of the common law, an illegitimate child is filius nullius, and can have no father known to the law. And when the legislature speak, in general terms, of children of that description, without making any exceptions, we are bound to suppose they design to include the whole class.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
The son of nobody; i. e., a bastard.
Defined under Filius in Black's Law Dictionary.
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
The son of nobody; é. @., & bastard.
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
Lat. The son or child of nobody. Filius populi; a child of the people. Terms applied to a bastard. 1 BI Com. 469. 6 Co, 66 a. Fortescue de L. L, AnglicB, c. 40.