Porter

Defined in 5 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

The name of an ancient English officer who bore or carried a rod before the justices. The door keeper of the English parliament also bears this name. One who is employed as a common carrier to carry goods from one place to another in the same town is also called a porter. Such person is, in general, answerable as a common carrier. Story, Bailm. § 496. PORTGREVE (from Saxon gerefa, reeve or bailiff, and port). A chief magistrate in certain maritime towns. The chief magistrate of London was anciently so called, as appears from a charter of King William I. Instead of this portgreve of London, the succeeding kings appointed two bailiffs, and afterwards a mayor. Camden, Hist. 325.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

An English court officer who carried a white rod before the justices.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

The name of an ancient English officer who bore or carried a rod before the justices. The door-keeper of the English parliament also bears this name. One who is employed as a common carrier to carry goods from one place to another in the same town is also called a porter. Such person is, in general, answerable as a common carrier. Story, Bailm. § 496. PORTGREVE (from Sax. gcrefa, reeve or bailiff, and port). A chief magistrate in certain maritime towns. /The chief magistrate of London was anciently so called, as appears from a charter of king William I. Instead of this portgreve of London, the succeeding king appointed two bailiffs, and afterwards a mayor. Camden, Hist. 325.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

1. In Old English law, this title was given to an officer of the courts who carried a rod or staff before the justices.
2. A person who keeps a gate or door; as the door-keeper of the houses of parliament
3. One who carries or conveys parcels, luggage, etc., particularly from one place to another in the same town.

A Law Dictionary and Glossary

George C. Kinney · 1893

Z./r. To bear; to bring. Port action: brought action. Porter date: to bear data Porter foy: to bear faith, an expression in the old oath of fealty. Porter record: to bear record.