The act of a sheriff, constable, or other ministerial officer, in delivering back to tbe court a writ, notice, or other paper, which he was required to serve or execute, with a brief account of his doings under the mandate, the time and mode of service or execution, or his failure to accomplish it, as the case may be. Also the indorsement made by the officer upon the writ or other paper, stating what he has done under it, the time and mode of service, etc. The report made by the court, body of magistrates, returning board, or other au- thority charged with the official counting of tbe votes cast at an election. In English practice, the election of a member of parliament is called his “return.”