Respondeat superior
Defined in 5 dictionaries — Case Law, Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910)
Definitions from Case Law
From 212 U.S. 215 - Standard Oil Company v. Edward Anderson · 1909Most cited · 1,337 citing opinions
One who employs a servant to do his work is answerable to strangers for the negligent acts or omissions of the servant, committed in the course of the service. ... One may be in the general service of another, and, nevertheless, with respect to particular work, may be transferred, with his own consent or acquiescence, to the service of a third person, so that he becomes the servant of that person, with all the legal consequences of the new relation. ... The master is answerable for the wrongs of his servant, not because he has authorized them nor because the servant, in his negligent conduct, represents the master, but because he is conducting the master's affairs, and the master is bound to see that his affairs are so conducted that others are not injured.
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
Let the principal answer. 4 Inst. 114; 2 Bouv. Inst, note 1337; 4 Bouv. Inst. Note 3586; 3 Lev. 352; 1 Salk. 408; 1 Bing. N. C. 418; 4 Maule & S. 259; 10 Exch. 656; 2 El. & Bl. 216; 7 El. & Bl. 426; 1 Bos. & P. 404; 1 C. B. 578; 6 Mees. & W. 302; 10 Exch. 656. He who expects to derive advantage from an act which is done by another person for him must answer for any injury which such person may inflict upon a third party. 243 111. 488.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
A phrase often used to indicate the responsibility of a principal for the acts of his servant or agent Master and Servant; Principal and Agent.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910