The FindLaw Legal Dictionary -- free access to over 8260 definitions of legal terms. Search for a definition or browse our legal glossaries.
Jul 15, 2019 7:00 AM:
Back
1 : being overdue or in arrears [ rent] 2 : being retroactive esp. as compensation [reinstated with pay]
Jul 14, 2019 7:00 AM:
Third-Party Plaintiff
: a defendant who files a third-party complaint against a third party
Jul 13, 2019 7:00 AM:
Donate
do·nat·ed do·nat·ing vt : to transfer by a gift or donation vi : to make a donation compare give, sell
Jul 12, 2019 7:00 AM:
Indictable
: making one liable to indictment [an offense]
Jul 11, 2019 7:00 AM:
Discount Rate
1 : the interest on an annual basis deducted in advance on a loan 2 : the interest levied by the Federal Reserve for advances and rediscounts
Jul 10, 2019 7:00 AM:
Causality
pl: -ties : the relationship between cause and effect
Jul 9, 2019 7:00 AM:
Marriage Settlement
1 : antenuptial agreement 2 : a written agreement regarding matters of support, custody, property division, and visitation upon a couple's divorce called also marriage settlement agreement
Jul 8, 2019 7:00 AM:
Delinquent
: a delinquent person ;esp : juvenile delinquent
Jul 7, 2019 7:00 AM:
Dol
Department of Labor see also the Important Agencies section
Jul 6, 2019 7:00 AM:
Un-
1 : not [uncounseled] 2 : contrary to [unconstitutional]
Jul 5, 2019 7:00 AM:
Paternity
1 : the quality or state of being a father 2 : origin or descent from a father
Jul 4, 2019 7:00 AM:
Adr
1 administrative dispute resolution, alternative dispute resolution 2 asset depreciation range
Jul 3, 2019 7:00 AM:
Invention
: a device, process, or discovery under U.S. patent law that is new and useful, that reflects extraordinary creative ability or skill, and that makes a distinct and recognized contribution to and ...
Jul 2, 2019 7:00 AM:
Intrastate
: existing within a state [interstate and commerce]
Jul 2, 2019 12:28 AM:
Trial De Novo
: a trial in a higher court in which all the issues of fact or law tried in a lower court or tribunal are reconsidered as if no previous trial had taken place compare mistrial
Jul 2, 2019 12:17 AM:
Relevant
1 : tending logically to prove or disprove a fact of consequence or to make the fact more or less probable and thereby aiding the trier of fact in making a decision [determined that the evidence was ...
Jul 2, 2019 12:10 AM:
Cl. Ct.
Claims Court
Jul 1, 2019 7:00 AM:
Opinion
1 a : a belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge b : a formal expression of a judgment or appraisal by an expert see also opinion testimony at testimony compare fact ...
Jul 1, 2019 2:29 AM:
Natural Right
: a right considered to be conferred by natural law [James Madison…distinguished natural rights, such as life and liberty, from rights that are part of the compact between citizen and ...
Jun 30, 2019 7:00 AM:
A Loan Or A Paper
a credit rating where the FICO score is 660 or above. There have been no late mortgage payments within a 12-month period. This is the best credit rating to have when entering into a new loan.
Jun 29, 2019 7:00 AM:
Seasonable
: occurring within the time agreed to by parties to a commercial transaction or within a reasonable time [ notice of the rejection of goods] sea·son·ably [-blē] adv
Jun 28, 2019 7:00 AM:
Evidential
: evidentiary ev·i·den·tial·ly adv
Jun 27, 2019 7:00 AM:
Unavoidable Accident
: an accident that is not proximately caused by the negligence of any party or that is unforeseeable or not preventable by exercise of reasonable precautions and for which liability based on fault is ...
Jun 26, 2019 7:00 AM:
Per Se
[Latin, by, of, or in itself] 1 : inherently, strictly, or by operation of statute, constitutional provision or doctrine, or case law [the transaction was illegal per se] see also negligence per se ...
Jun 25, 2019 7:00 AM:
Panderer
: one who engages in pandering compare pimp, prostitute
Jun 24, 2019 7:00 AM:
Lord Chancellor
: an official in the British judicial system whose duties include heading the Chancery Division and presiding over the Supreme Court of Judicature and the House of Lords in its judicial capacity
Jun 23, 2019 7:00 AM:
International Application
Allows a trademark owner to seek registration in any of the countries that have joined the Madrid Protocol by filing a single application.
Jun 22, 2019 7:00 AM:
Insane Delusion
: a false belief in a nonexistent state of facts in which no rational person would believe that deprives a person of the capacity to make a will and renders any will made invalid
Jun 21, 2019 7:00 AM:
Venue
[Anglo-French, place where a jury is summoned, alteration (influenced by venue arrival, attendance) of vinné visné, literally, neighborhood, neighbors, from Old French, ultimately from ...
Jun 20, 2019 7:00 AM:
General Publication
: communication or dissemination of a copyrightable work that implies a dedication of the work to the public or an abandonment of the copyright compare limited publication
Jun 19, 2019 7:00 AM:
Pro Se
[Latin] : on one's own behalf : without an attorney [a defendant's right to proceed pro se] [a pro se action]
Jun 18, 2019 7:00 AM:
Give
gave giv·en giv·ing 1 a : to make a gift of [I the remainder of my estate to my wife] compare convey, sell b : to grant or bestow by formal action [the law s citizens the right to vote] 2 ...
Jun 17, 2019 7:00 AM:
Implied Acquittal
: an acquittal of a more serious offense (as first-degree murder) that is considered to result from a verdict which convicts the defendant of a lesser included offense while remaining silent on the ...
Jun 16, 2019 7:00 AM:
Cross-Collateralize
-ized -iz·ing : to secure (a preexisting debt) with cross-collateral cross-collateralization n
Jun 15, 2019 7:00 AM:
Codefendant
: a joint defendant
Jun 14, 2019 7:00 AM:
Habitual
1 : practicing or acting in some manner by force of custom, habit, or addiction [a drunkard] 2 : being such a specified number of times or with designated regularity [ offenders] 3 : involved in ...
Jun 13, 2019 7:00 AM:
Opinion
1 a : a belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge b : a formal expression of a judgment or appraisal by an expert see also opinion testimony at testimony compare fact ...
Jun 12, 2019 7:00 AM:
Age Discrimination In Employment Act
Federal legislation prohibiting unfair and discriminatory treatment in employment on the basis of age. The Act generally covers individuals at least 40 years of age. (29 U.S.C. Sec. 621)
Jun 11, 2019 7:00 AM:
Graduated Payment Mortgages
mortgages that begin with lower monthly payments that get slowly larger over a period of years, eventually reaching a fixed level and remaining there for the life of the loan. Graduated payment loans ...
Jun 10, 2019 7:00 AM:
Quasi-Offense
in the civil law of Louisiana : a negligent unlawful act that causes damage to another and for which the law imposes an obligation for damages compare offense
Jun 9, 2019 7:00 AM:
Fundamental Fairness
1 : the balance or impartiality (of a court proceeding) that is essential to due process 2 : a subjective standard by which a court proceeding is deemed to have followed due process
Jun 8, 2019 7:00 AM:
Deal
dealt deal·ing vt : to carry on the business of buying or esp. selling (something) [ing drugs] vi 1 : to engage in bargaining 2 : to sell or distribute something as a business or for money ...
Jun 7, 2019 7:00 AM:
Surrogacy
pl: -cies : the office of a surrogate
Jun 6, 2019 7:00 AM:
Nugatory
[Latin nugatorius, from nugari to trifle, from nugae trifles] : being without operative legal effect [held that such an interpretation would render the statute ]
Jun 5, 2019 7:00 AM:
Qualified Disclaimer
: an irrevocable and absolute refusal to accept a particular interest in the estate of a decedent (as a spouse) that is made in accordance with federal tax requirements and results in favorable tax ...
Jun 4, 2019 7:00 AM:
Impracticability
1 : the state of being impracticable 2 : a doctrine in contract law: relief from obligations under a contract may be granted when performance has been rendered excessively difficult, expensive, or ...
Jun 3, 2019 7:00 AM:
Reserve Price
: a price announced at an auction as the lowest that will be considered
Jun 2, 2019 7:00 AM:
Trademark Trial And Appeal Board
An administrative tribunal at the USPTO. It has jurisdiction over appeals from decisions of the Trademark Office, as well as opposition proceedings and cancellation proceedings.
Jun 1, 2019 7:00 AM:
Subsequent
: following in time, order, or space see also condition subsequent at condition compare precedent
May 31, 2019 7:00 AM:
Suspensive
in the civil law of Louisiana 1 : having the effect of suspending [granted a appeal] see also suspensive condition at condition 2 : characterized by suspension
May 30, 2019 7:00 AM:
Jobber
1 : a wholesaler who operates on a small scale or who sells only to retailers and institutions 2 : a person who works by the job
May 29, 2019 7:00 AM:
Treasure
: personal property that is hidden in something else for an extended period and whose owner cannot be determined
May 28, 2019 7:00 AM:
Color Of Office
:the pretense or appearance of official authority in one who is without the authority claimed
May 27, 2019 7:00 AM:
Prescription
[partly from Middle French prescription establishment of a claim, from Late Latin praescription- praescriptio, from Latin, act of writing at the beginning, order, from praescribere to write at the ...
May 26, 2019 7:00 AM:
Limited Public Figure
: limited purpose public figure
May 25, 2019 7:00 AM:
Ginnie Mae
Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA); a government-owned corporation overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Ginnie Mae pools FHA-insured and VA-guaranteed loans ...
May 24, 2019 7:00 AM:
Adopted Child
An unmarried child under age 21, who was adopted while under the age of sixteen, and who has been in legal custody and lived with the adopting parent(s) for at least two years. These rules do not ...
May 23, 2019 7:00 AM:
Advance Sheet
: the published opinions of a court available in a temporary form (as in loose pages held in a binder) compare reporter
May 22, 2019 7:00 AM:
Improper
: not proper: as a : not in accord with correct procedure [an venue] b : wrongful ;specif : in violation of a constitution [the denial of trial by jury was held ] im·prop·er·ly ...
May 21, 2019 7:00 AM:
Jury Instruction
: instruction
May 20, 2019 7:00 AM:
Fine
[Anglo-French fin fine & Medieval Latin finis end, boundary, agreement, payment for release or privilege, monetary penalty, from Latin finis end, boundary] 1 : a sum imposed as punishment for an ...
May 19, 2019 7:00 AM:
Escrow Account
a separate account into which the lender puts a portion of each monthly mortgage payment; an escrow account provides the funds needed for such expenses as property taxes, homeowners insurance, ...
May 18, 2019 7:00 AM:
Non Compos Mentis
[Latin, literally, not having mastery of one's mind] : not of sound mind : lacking mental ability to understand the nature, consequences, and effect of a situation or transaction
May 17, 2019 7:00 AM:
Murder
[partly from Old English morthor; partly from Old French murdre, of Germanic origin] : the crime of unlawfully and unjustifiably killing another under circumstances defined by statute (as with ...
May 16, 2019 7:00 AM:
Insane
: affected with insanity
May 15, 2019 7:00 AM:
Tangible
: capable of being perceived esp. by the sense of touch
May 14, 2019 7:00 AM:
Special Session
: an extraordinary session (as of a court or a legislative body)
May 13, 2019 7:00 AM:
District Judge
: the judge of a district court
May 12, 2019 7:00 AM:
Cancellation Of Removal
A discretionary benefit adjusting an alien's status from that of deportable alien to one lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Application for cancellation of removal is made during the course of ...
May 11, 2019 7:00 AM:
Detinue
[Anglo-French detenue, from feminine past participle of detenir to detain see detainer ] : a common-law action for the recovery of personal property belonging to the plaintiff that is wrongfully ...
May 10, 2019 7:00 AM:
Divest
[Anglo-French devestir, literally, to undress, from Old French desvestir, from de(s)-, prefix marking reversal + vestir to dress, from Latin vestire] : to deprive or dispossess (oneself) of property ...
May 9, 2019 7:00 AM:
Guardianship
A legal arrangement under which one person (a guardian) has the legal right and duty to care for another (the ward) and his or her property. A guardianship is established because of the ward's ...
May 8, 2019 7:00 AM:
Libellee
also li·bel·ee [lī-bə-lē] n 1 : a party against whom a suit has been instituted by a libel ;esp : the respondent or defendant in a divorce proceeding 2 : a person who has ...
May 7, 2019 7:00 AM:
Unjust Enrichment
1 : the retaining of a benefit (as money) conferred by another when principles of equity and justice call for restitution to the other party ;also : the retaining of property acquired esp. by fraud ...
May 6, 2019 7:00 AM:
Consignee
: a person to whom goods are consigned
May 5, 2019 7:00 AM:
Act Of God
often cap A : an extraordinary natural event (as a flood or earthquake) that cannot be reasonably foreseen or prevented compare force majeure, inevitable accident, unavoidable accident NOTE: It is a ...
May 4, 2019 7:00 AM:
Transact
1 : to carry on business 2 in the civil law of Louisiana : to settle a dispute by a transaction vt 1 : to carry to completion [ a sale] 2 : to carry on the operation or management of [ business]
May 3, 2019 7:00 AM:
Mary Carter Agreement
[from Booth v. Mary Carter Paint Co., 202 So. 2d 8 (1967), Florida appeals court case that popularized the agreement] : a secret agreement between a plaintiff and one or more but not all codefendants ...
May 2, 2019 7:00 AM:
Barratry
pl: -tries [Middle French baraterie deception, from barater to deceive, cheat] 1 : an unlawful act or fraudulent breach of duty by a ship's master or crew that injures the interests of the ship's or ...
May 1, 2019 7:00 AM:
Insider
: a person who is in a position of power or has access to confidential information: as a : one (as an officer, director, employee, relative, or owner of more than 10% of the corporation's stock) who ...
Apr 30, 2019 7:00 AM:
Answer
1 : the defendant's written response to the plaintiff's complaint in a civil suit in which he or she may deny any of plaintiff's allegations, offer any defenses, and make any counterclaims against ...
Apr 29, 2019 7:00 AM:
Effect
1 : something that is produced by an agent or cause 2 pl : personal property at property : goods [the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and s, against ...
Apr 28, 2019 7:00 AM:
Promisee
: one to whom a promise is made
Apr 27, 2019 7:00 AM:
Warden
[Anglo-French wardein gardein guardian, from warder garder to guard, protect] 1 : an official charged with special supervisory duties or with the enforcement of specified laws or regulations [a game ...
Apr 26, 2019 7:00 AM:
Restatement
: any of several volumes produced by the American Law Institute and authored by legal scholars and experts that set forth statements of major areas of law (as contracts, torts, trusts, and property) ...
Apr 25, 2019 7:00 AM:
Visa Numbers
Congress establishes the amount of immigration each year. Immigration for immediate relatives is unlimited; however, preference categories are limited. To distribute the visas fairly among all ...
Apr 24, 2019 7:00 AM:
Current Ratio
A ratio of a business' current assets to its current liabilities
Apr 23, 2019 7:00 AM:
Comptroller General Procurement Decisions
The Comptroller General's decisions issued regarding appropriations, bid protests, major rules and related issues. These decisions are prepared by the GAO's Office of General Counsel.
Apr 22, 2019 7:00 AM:
Tax Credit
: an amount that may be subtracted from the sum of tax otherwise due and that is distinguished from a deduction applied to gross income in the calculation of taxable income compare exemption
Apr 21, 2019 7:00 AM:
Case
[Latin casus accident, event, set of circumstances, literally, act of falling] 1 a : a civil or criminal suit or action [the judicial power shall extend to all s, in law and equity, arising under ...
Apr 20, 2019 7:00 AM:
Sub-Prime Loan
"B" Loan or "B" paper with FICO scores from 620 - 659. "C" Loan or "C" Paper with FICO scores typically from 580 to 619. An industry term to used to describe loans with less stringent lending and ...
Apr 19, 2019 7:00 AM:
Tipster
: one who provides a tip to the police
Apr 18, 2019 7:00 AM:
Panel
1 : a group of community members summoned for jury service 2 : a group of usually three judges among the judges sitting on an appellate court who hear a particular appeal compare full court
Apr 17, 2019 7:00 AM:
Informant
: one who informs against another ;specif : one who makes a practice esp. for money of informing police of others' criminal activities
Apr 16, 2019 7:00 AM:
Disfranchise
-chised -chis·ing : to deprive of a franchise, of a legal right, or of some privilege or immunity ;esp : to deprive of the right to vote
Apr 15, 2019 7:00 AM:
Larceny
pl: -nies [modification of Anglo-French larcine theft, from Old French larrecin, from Latin latrocinium robbery, from latron- latro mercenary soldier, brigand] : the unlawful taking and carrying away ...
Apr 14, 2019 7:00 AM:
Statement
1 a : an official or formal report or declaration [a of policy] b : an oral or written assertion (as by a witness) or conduct intended as an assertion see also hearsay, prior consistent statement, ...
Apr 13, 2019 7:00 AM:
Discriminate
-nat·ed -nat·ing : to make a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other than individual merit ;esp : to make a difference in treatment on a basis prohibited by law (as national ...
Apr 12, 2019 7:00 AM:
Subagent
: an agent who is appointed by another agent (as an insurance agent) and for whom the principal agent is responsible or liable
Apr 11, 2019 7:00 AM:
Notice Of Intent To Dissolve
A document informing the secretary of state that your corporation will be dissolving