Oppression
Defined in 6 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Black's (1891), Anderson (1889)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The act of an officer in inflicting upon any person, with improper motive, any bodily harm, imprisonment, or other injury, not constituting extortion. Steph. Dig. art. 119; 4 Q. B. 475. OPTIiVIA ENIi Vl EST LEGIS INTERPRES consuetude. Usage is the best interpreter of law. 2 Inst. 18; Broom, Leg. Max. (3d London Ed.) 823.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
An act of cruelty, severity, unlawful exaction, domination, or excessive use of authority. U. S. v. Denver, 14 Fed. 597.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
The misdemeanor committed by a public officer, who, under color of his office, wrongfully inflicts upon any person any bodily harm, imprisonment, or other injury. 1 Russ. Crimes, 297; Steph. Dig. Crim. Law, 71.
A Dictionary of Law
William C. Anderson · 1889
An act of cruelty, severity, unlawful exaction, domination, or use of excessive authority.' Compare Extortion. ■ R. S. §§ 650, 652. 'R. S.,§ 651; United States v. Harris, 106 U. S. 629 (1882). ' Hannauer v. Woodruff, 10 Wall. 483 (1870); Silliman V. Hudson River Bridge Co., 1 Black, 582 (1861). See generally Durant v. Essex Company, 7 Wall. 110 (1868). < Weeth ■(/. New Eng. Mortgage Co., 106 U. S. 605 (1882), cases. * California Natural Stone Paving Co. v. Molitor, 113 U. S. 609 (1885). ' Williamsport Bank v. Knapp, 119 U. S. 360 (1886), cases; Jewell ij. Knight, 123 id. 432-33 (1887), cases. To make an act oppressive on the part of an^oflicer under Rev. St., § 3169, subdivision 1, it must be done willfully, "under color of law," and "without legal authority." '