ABSTENTION

7

ACCEPT

cause). Words used in the replication de injuria.

Abstention. Preventing an heir from obtaining possession. The tacit renouncing, by an heir, of a succession.

Abstract. To take from ; to separate ; to remove; to take away. A concise abridge ment ; an epitome, summary.

Abstract of fine. See Fine, Abstract

Of.

Abstract of Pleas. A short statement of pleas intended to be pleaded.

Abstract of Title. See Title, Ab stract of.

Abstracted multures. See Action of Abstracted Multures.

Absurde. Absurdly ; discordantly.

Abundans. Abundant.

Abundant. Plentiful ; more than neces sary.

Ab-undo. To overflow ; to abound; to be unnecessary.

Abuse. Excess of ordinary use. Viola tion. Departure from right. Legal though unjust action.

Abuse of a female child. Injury to the organs of generation in an unsuccessful attempt at sexual intercourse.

Abuse of distress. Where an animal that has been distrained is made use of, which makes the distrainer liable for a con version.

Abuse of process. Obtaining an ad vantage over an opponent by the improper use of some regular legal proceeding.

Abusus. Abuse. .

Abut. To touch ends. See Adjoins.

Abbutare. To abut. To touch. To take a new direction. To bound upon.

Abutment. A mass of masonry at the end of a bridge ; the part which touches the land.

Abbuttals. The bounds of lands. Abbutter. One whose land is contigu ous to or abuts that of another.

Abutting. Bounding upon ; adjoining ; in contact with. Ac. And.

Ac etiam. And also. Words used in introducing the real cause of an action where it was necessary to allege a fictitious cause to give the court jurisdiction. See Bill of Middlesex.

Ac si. As if.

Academy. A society of men associated for the promotion of some art ; a grammar school ; a seminary of learning.

Acapte. A feudal relief payable on every change of tenant by an emphyteusis.

Acate. A purchase, contract, or bar gain.

Acc., Accord. Abbreviations of Accor dant.

Accapitare. To pay homage or relief to lords of manors.

Accapitum. Money paid on admission to a feud ; relief due the chief lord.

Accedas ad curiam. (Go to the court). A Chancery writ directing the removal of a replevin suit from a hundred court or court baron to a superior court.

Accedas ad vice comitem. (Go to the sheriff). A writ to a coroner command ing him to deliver a writ to a sheriff direct ing the latter to make return on a writ which he had refused or neglected to return.

Accedens. Adding to ; joining ; in creasing ; advancing.

Accsdo. To approach. To fall to one's share. To befall. To rise or advance.

Accelerate. To hasten the time when an interest 0i estate is to vest in possession or enjoyment.

Acceleration. The shortening of the period, by extinguishment, surrender, or merger, within which the possession of an expectant estate is vested.

Accept. To acknowledge the sufficiency or validity of. To agree to pay a bill of ex change when due. To assent to the terms of. To receive with approval.