Manus

Lat. A hand. In the civil law, this wod signified power, control, authority, the right of physical coercion, and was often used as synonymous with "potestas." In old English law, it signified an oath or the person taking an oath; a compurgator.

— Manus mortua. A dead hand; mortmain. Spelman.

I. In old English laiv. A hand; an oath, as taken with the hand on the gospels; a person making oath; a compurgator; a degree or condition. Manu brevi: with a short hand; briefly. Manu est claag. Manus mediaa: of a middle rank. Manns mortna: a dead hand; mortmain.

In the dvil law. Power or authority.

Lat. A hand. In the civil law, this word signified power, control, authority, the right of physical coercion, and was often used as synonymous with “potestas.” In old English law, it signified an oath or the person taking an oath; a compurgator.

A hand. F. main, q. v. Manu brevi. With shorthand: briefly. Manu forti. With strong hand: forcibly. See Hand, 3. Molliter manus imposuit. He laid hands upon him lightly. A plea justifying an assault or trespass, committed to preserve the peace, to prevent a crime, or to protect one's habitation.'*

I. A hand. An oath; a person swearing, a compurgator. Manu brevi: with a short hand, briefly. Manu forti: with strong hand. Manus mortua (a dead hand): mortmain.

The hand. Manu brevi With short hand; briefly; directly. Manu forti. With strong hand. Technical words of pleading in cases of trespass and forcible entry, in the Latin forms of writs and declarations. The term implies greater force than is expressed by the words vi et armis. State V. Ray, 10 Ired. L. 39.

anciently signified the person taking an oath as a compurgator. The use of this word probably came from the party laying his hand on the New Testament.