Category: F

This term has grown out of those purely speculative transactions, inwhich there is a nominal contract of sale forfuture delivery, but where in fact none is ever intended or executed. The nominal

In old English criminal law, this letter was branded upon felons upon their beingadmitted to clergy ; as also upon those convicted of fights or frays, or falsity. Jacob;Cowell; 2 Reeve, Eng.

A thing done; an action performed or an Incident transpiring; an event or circumstance; an actual occurrence. In the earlier days of the law “fact” was used almost exclusively in the sense

1. The difference between “fail” and “refuse” is that the latter involves an actof the will, while the former may be an act of inevitable necessity. Taylor v. Mason, 9Wheat. 344, 6

A sheep-fold. Cowell.

In the civil law. False designation; erroneous description of a person or thing in a written instrument Inst 2, 20, 30.Falsa demonstratio non nocet, cam de corpore (persona) constat. False descriptiondoes not

Persons of the king’s household. The ancient title of the “sixclerks” of chancery in England. Crabb, Com. Law, 184; 2 Reeve, Eng. Law, 249, 251.

Lat. An ill-composed book containing a collection of miscellaneoussubjects not properly associated nor scientifically arranged. Wharton.

(Jaws of the land.) Narrow headlands and promontories, inclosing aportion or arm of tlie sea within tliein. 1 Kent, Comm. .'{(iT, and note; Ilale, De JureMar. 10; The Harriet, 1 Story, 251,

An estate tail; an estate of inheritance given to a man and the heirs of hisbody, or limited to certain classes of particular heirs. It corresponds to the fciiiluintallialum of the feudal

The sex which conceives and gives birth to young. Also a member of suchsex. The term is generic, but may have the specific meaning of “woman.” if so indicatedby the context. State

In old English law. Fee-farm, (q. v.)

In old records. The fourth part of a penny; also the quarter of a ward in a borough.

In Scotch law. A holding or tenure where the vassal, in place of military service, makes his return in grain or money. Distinguished from “wardholding,” which is themilitary tenure of the country.

In Scotch law. He that has the fee or feu. The proprietor is termed “fiar,” incontradistinction to the life-renter. 1 Karnes, Eq. Pref. One whose property is chargedwith a life-rent.

Iu Roman law. The elder brother of an emancipated pupilhut,whose father had died leaving him still under fourteen years of age.

n. A thread, string, or wire upon which writs and other exhibits in courts andoffices are fastened or filed for the more safe-keeping and ready turning to the same.Spelman ; Cowell; Tomlins.

A decision upon a question of fact reached as the result of a judicial examinationor investigation by a court, jury, referee, coroner, etc. Williams v. Giblin, 86Wis. 648. 57 N. W. 1111;

In old English law. A fine for refusing military service, {mulcta detrcotuutis mil ilium.) Spelman.A fine imposed for murder committed In the army; an acquittance of such fine. Fleta,lib. 1, c. 47.

An Anglicized form of the Latin “flscus,” (which see.)