Neck Verse
Defined in 6 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Black's (1891)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
A cant term for the verse which the ordinary gave a malefactor who prayed his clergy to read, and by reading which he escaped hanging. The flrst verse of the 51st Psalm, being that ordinarily given, was called the "neck verse." NEFAS (Lat.) That which is against right or the divine law (/as). A wicked or impious thing or act. Calv. Lex. NEFASTUS (Lat.)
In Roman law. A term applied to a day on which it was unlawful to administer justice. Adams, Rom. Ant. 129. NEGATIO CONCLUSIONIS EST ERROR In lege. The denial of a conclusion is error in law. Wingate, Max. 268.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
The Latin sentence Miserere ?nci, Deus, Ps. li. 1, because the reading of it was made a test for those who claimed benefit of clergy (a. v.). If a monk had been taken For stealing of bacon, For burglary, murder, or rape; If he could but rehearse (Well prompt) his neck-verse, •» He never could fail to escape. Brit. Apollo 1710; Whart. Diet.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Law Dictionary and Glossary
George C. Kinney · 1893
The cant name of the verse given to an accused person to read upon prayer of clergy.
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
The Latin sentence, “ Misérere mei, Deus,” was so called, because the reading of it was made a test for those who claimed benefit of clergy.