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TENOR Definition & Legal Meaning

Definition & Citations:

A term used in pleading to denote that an exact copy is set out. 1 Chit. Crim. I/aw, 235. By the tenor of a deed, or other instrument in writing, is signified the matter con- tained therein, according to the true iuteut and meaning thereof. Cowell. “Tenor,” in pleading a written instrument, imports that the very words are set out. “Purport” does not import this, but is equivalent only to “substance.” Com. v. Wright, 1 Cush. (Mass.) 65; Dana v. State, 2 Ohio St. 93; State v. Bonney, 34 Me. 384; State v. Atkins, 5 Blackf. (Ind.) 45S; State v. Chinn, 142 Mo. 507, 44 S. W. 245. The action of proving tlie tenor, in Scotland, is an action for proving the contents and purport of a deed which has been lost. Bell. In chancery pleading. A certified copy of records of other courts removed in chan- cery by certiorari. Gres. Eq. Ev. 309. Tenor est qui legem dat feudo. It is the tenor [of the feudal grant] which regulates its effect and extent. Craigius, Jus Feud. (3d Ed.) 66; Broom, Max. 459.

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