Whereas
Defined in 4 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Anderson (1889)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
This word implies a recital, and, in general, cannot be used in the direct and positive averment of a fact in a declaration or plea. Those facts which are directly denied by the terms of the general issue, or which may, by the established usage of pleading, be specially traversed, must be averred in positive and direct terms; but facts, however material, which are not directly denied by the terms of the general issue, though liable to be contested under it, and which, according to the usage of pleading, cannot be specially traversed, may be alleged in the declaration by way of recital, under a whereas. Gould, PI. c. 43, § 42; Id. c. 3, § 47; Bac. Abr. "Pleas, etc." (B 5, 4); 2 Chit. PI. 151, 178, 191.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
This word implies a recital, and, in general, cannot be used in the direct and positive averment of a fact in a declaration or plea. Those facts which are directly denied by the terms of the general issue, or which may, by the established usage of pleading, be specially traversed, must be averred in positive and direct terms; but facts, however material, which are not directly denied by the terms of the general issue, though liable to be contested under it, and which, according to the usage of pleading, cannot be specially traversed, may be alleged in the declaration by way of recital, under a whereas; 2 Chitty, PI. 151, 178, 191.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Dictionary of Law
William C. Anderson · 1889
Involving recital, cannot be used where direct, positive averment is required; as, in pleadings, q. v. See also Becital.