An old law French term, denoting evidence or testimony or a witness. Testmoignes ne poent testifier le negative, mes l’affirmative. Witnesses cannot testify to a negative; they must testify to an affirmative.

In old English law. The Rochester text. An ancient manuscript containing many of the Saxon laws, and the rights, customs, tenures, etc., of the church of Rochester, drawn up by Ernulph, bishop

Germ. A term used in topography to designate a line representing the deepest part of a continuous depression in the surface, such as a watercourse; hence the middle of the deepest part

A certain part of the king’s land or property, of which the ruler or governor was called “thane.” Cowell.

An Anglo-Saxon nobleman; an old title of honor, perhaps equivalent to “baron.” There were two orders of thanes,

Such lands as were granted by charter of the Saxon kings to their thanes with all immunities, except from the trinoda neeessitas. Cowell.

The office and dignity of a thane; the seigniory of a thane. That which I may defeat by my entry I make good by my confirmation. Co. Litt. 300.

An inn of chancery. See INNS OF CHANCEET.

An article which particularizes the subject spoken of. “Grammatical niceties should not be resorted to without necessity; but it would be extending liberality to an unwarrantable length to confound the articles ‘a’

Any edifice used for the purpose of dramatic or operatic or other representations, plays, or performances, for admission to which entrance-money is re- ceived, not including halls rented or used occasionally for

A writ that formerly lay for him that had any part of the king’s demesne in fee-l’arm, to recover reasonable toll of the king’s tenants there, if his demesne had been accustomed

An abolished writ for citizens or burgesses to assert their right to exemption from toll. Fitzh. Nat. Brev. 220.

The toll-man or officer who receives toll. Cowell.

The statute 39 & 40 Geo. III. c. 98, which restricted accumula- tions to a term of twenty-one years from the testator’s death. It was passed iu conse- quence of litigation over

In Saxon law. The power of having jurisdiction over uaifs or villeins, with their suits or offspring, lauds, goods, and chattels. Co. Litt 110a.

A duty or acknowledgment paid by inferior tenants in respect of theme or team. Cowell.

This word, as an adverb, means “at that time,” referring to a time specified, either past or future. It has no power in itself to fix a time. It simply refers to

In surveying, and in descriptions of land by courses and distances, this word, preceding each course given, imports that the following course is continuous with the one before it Flagg v. Mason,

Government of a state by the immediate direction of God, (or by the assumed direction of a supposititious divinity.) or the state thus governed.

In Saxon law. A husbandman or inferior tenant; an under-thane. Cowell.