Precontract

Defined in 7 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Abbott (1879), Bouvier (1839)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

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

An engagement entered into by a person which renders him unable to enter into another; as, a promise or covenant of marriage to be had afterwards. When made per verba de presenti, it is in fact a marriage, and in that case the party making it cannot marry another person.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

A contract by which one is incapacitated from entering into a second contract.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

An engagement entered into by a person which renders him unable to enter into another; as, a promise or covenant of marriage to be had afterwards. When made per verba de prccsenti, it is in fact a marriage, and in that case the party making it cannot marry another person. Bish. Mar. & D. § 53; 1 Bish. Mar. Div. & Sep. § 280, 1891. See Promise of Marriage.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

A contract or engagement made by a person, which is of such a nature as to preclude him from lawfully entering into another contract of the same nature. See 1 Bish. Mae, & Div. §§ 112, 272.

A Law Dictionary and Glossary

George C. Kinney · 1893

A contract made before another contract, — especially applied to marriage contracts.

Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence

Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879

A contract, which, having been made before another attempted contract, avoids or prevents the latter. The term is used especially with reference to a contract of marriage, which, according to the ancient law, rendered void a subsequent marriage solemnized in violation of it. See Cowel; 1 Bl. Com. 435; 2 Steph. Com. 240.

A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States

John Bouvier · 1839

is an engagement entered into by a person, which renders him unable to enter into another; as a promise or covenant of marriage to be had afterwards. When made per verba de presenti, it is in fact a marriage, and in that case the party making it cannot marry another person.