Litera

pi. literae, I.

In old English law. A letter; the letter, as distinguished from the meaning of a writing; a term applied in the plural to various instruments in writing, public and private. Litera acquietantise: a letter of acquittance. Litera cambii: a letter of exchange. Litera Pisana: the Pisan letter, — a term applied to the old character in which the copy of the Pandects formerly kept at Pisa was written. Liters dimissorise: dimissory or dismissory letters. Literse mortuae: dead letters; fulfilling wdrds of a statuta procuratoria): letters proouiatory; letters of procuration; letters of attorney. Liters recog'uitioiiis: a bill of lading. Literae sigillatse: sealed letters, — applied to the return of a sheriff, v. Qui hceret, etc

Lat. A letter. Tho letter of a law, as distinguished from its spirit. See

Letter; written character. IdtercB. Letters, writings, documents. Qui hseret in litera, hseret in cortiee. He who clings to the letter, sticks in the bark. He who regards the mere words of ■ Murray v. Ballou, 1 Johns. Ch. 676-80 (1815), cases, Kent, Ch. See generally i Cent. Law J. 27-29 (1877), cases; 26 id. 411-17 (18S8), cases; 14 Am. Deo. 774; 1 Story, Eq. §§ 405-7; 3 Pars. Contr. 282. ' See 3 Bl. Com. 298; Story, Eq. PI. § 877. s 37 N. J. E. 397. 4 See Homer v. Cilley, 14 N. H. 100 (1843); WUliamsti. Hempstead County, 39 Ark. 179 (1883). an instrument cannot arrive at its meani Btg.l See CONSTEUCTION.

I. A letter the letter from the spirit of Litera ezccimbii: a bill of exchange. net: the written letter lasts. Literae Literee patentes: open writs; letters ratorise: letters of attorney. Literae of lading. Literae sig Ulatae: sealed sheriff.

The Latin word for which "letter" is the English equivalent. It is used, also the plural, literae, in the Roman law and in the law Latin in the same way as we use "letter" and "letters," to signify various official documents; as literae cambii, a bill of exchange; literae patentes, letters-patent; literae procuratoriae, letters of attorney.