Your Free Online Legal Dictionary • Featuring Black’s Law Dictionary, 2nd Ed.

Category: B

BOOTY

Property captured from the enemy in war, on land, as distinguished from “prize,” which is a capture of such property on the sea. U. S. v. Bales of Cotton, 28 Fed. Cas.

BORGH OF HAMHAXD

In old Scotch law. A pledge or surety given by the seller of goods to the buyer, to make the goods forthcoming as his own proper goods, and to warrant the same

BOTTOMRY

In maritime law. A contract in the nature of a mortgage, by which the owner of a ship borrows money for the use, equipment or repair of the vessel, and for a

BREACH OF COVENANT

The nonperformance of any covenant agreed to be performed, or the doing of any act Covenanted not to be done. Holthouse.

BRETHREN

This word, in a will, may include sisters, as well as brothers, of the person indicated; it is not necessarily limited to the masculine gender. Terry v. Brunson, 1 Rich. Eq. (S.

BREVIA AMICABILIA

Amicable or friendly writs; writs brought by agreement or consent of the parties.

BROCARD

In old English law. A legal maxim. “Brocardica Juris,” the title of a small book of legal maxims, published at Paris, 1508.

BUDGET

A name given in England to the statement annually presented to parliament by the chancellor of the exchequer, containing the estimates of the national revenue and expenditure.

BUREAU

An office for the transaction of business. A name given to the several departments of the executive or administrative branch of government, or to their larger subdivisions. In re Strawbridge, 39 Ala.

BURGOMASTER

The title given in Germany to the chief executive officer of a borough, town, or city; corresponding to our “mayor.”

BUSINESS HOURS

Those hours of the day during which, in a given community, commercial, banking, professional, public, or other kinds of business are ordinarily carried on. This phrase is declared to mean not the

BY ESTIMATION

In conveyancing. A term used to indicate that the quantity of land as stated is estimated only, not exactly measured; has the same meaning and effect as the phrase “more or less.”

BAILBOND

A bond executed by a defendant who has been arrested, together with other persons as sureties. naming the sheriff, constable, or marshal as obligee, in a penal sum proportioned to the damages

BACKWATER

Water in a stream which, in consequence of some dam or obstruction below, B is detained or checked in its course, or flows back. Hodges v. ltaymond, 9 Mass. 316 ; Chambers

BAGGAGE

In the law of carriers. This term comprises such articles of personal convenience or necessity as are usually carried by passengers for their personal use, and not merchandise or other valuables, although

BAILEI

In old French law. One to whom judicial authority was assigned or delivered by a superior.

BALLAST

In marine insurance. There is considerable analogy between ballast and dunnage. The former is used for trimming the ship, and bringing it down to a draft of water proper and safe for

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