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Servi

Defined in 6 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Abbott (1879)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

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

Bondsmen, or servile tenants. They were of four sorts: (1) Such as sold themselves for a livelihood; (2) debtors sold because they were unable to pay their debts; (3) captives in war, retained and employed Were also said to be servi testamentcdee those which were afterwards called "covenant servants." CowelL

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

(Roman Law) Persons employed in husbandry and manufactures. See 5 Binn. (Pa.) 167.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

Lat.

In old European law. Slaves; personsover whom their masters had absolute dominion.

In old English law. Bondmen; servlle tenants. Cowell.

A Law Dictionary and Glossary

George C. Kinney · 1893

I.

In old English law. Bondmen; servile tenants. communication of execution of subject him to its operation; delivery of a pleading, notice, or other paper to the adverse party to a suit so as legally to charge him with its effect In Scots law. The inquisition or verdict of a jury, by which the character of an heir is judicially established.

In feudal and old English law. The duty which a tenant, in virtue of his fee, owed to the lord.

Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence

Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879

Bondmen or servile tenants. They were of four sorts: such as sold themselves for a livelihood; debtors sold for being incapable of paying their debts; captives in war, retained and employed as perfect slaves; nativi, bom servants, as such, solely, belonged to the lord. There were also said to be serm testimentales, those which were afterwards called covenan^ servants. Cowel.