Kissing The Book
Defined in 5 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Black's (1891)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
A ceremony used in taking the corporal oath; the object being, as the canonists say, to denote the assent of the witness to the oath in the form it is imposed. The witness kisses either the whole Bible, or some portion of it; or a cross, in some countries. See the ceremony explained in Oughton's Ordo, tit. Ixxx.; Consitt. Courts pt. 3, sec. 1, §3; Junkin, Oath, 173, 180; 2 Poth. Obi. (Evans
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
A ceremony used in taking the corporal oath, the object being, as the canonists say, to denote the assent of the witness to the oath in the form it Is imposed. The witness kisses either the whole Bible, or some portion of it; or a cross in some countries. See the ceremony explained In Oughton’s Ordo. tit. Ixxx.; Consitt. on Courts, part 3, sect. 1, S 3; Junkin, Oath 173, 180; 2 Pothier, Obi., Evans ed. 234. In Pennsylvania, by act of 1895, the witness places his right hand on the Bible, but does not kiss it.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
The ceremony of touching the lips to a copy of the Bible, used in adininistering oaths. It is the external symbol of the witness’ acknowledgment of the obligation of the oath.