FindLaw Legal Dictionary

Legal Term of the Day

• Jan 19, 2021 7:00 AM:  Right To Privacy
  :right of privacy

• Jan 18, 2021 7:00 AM:  Imbecile
  : a mentally retarded or deficient person ;esp : a severely mentally retarded person used esp. formerly ; see also idiot

• Jan 17, 2021 7:00 AM:  Risk-Utility Test
  : a test used in product liability cases to determine whether a manufacturer is liable for injury to a consumer because the risk of danger created by the product's design outweighs the benefits of ...

• Jan 16, 2021 7:00 AM:  Unnecessary Hardship
  : a deprivation of an owner's right to the beneficial use of property that is caused when a zoning ordinance makes it impossible to receive a reasonable return from the property NOTE: Unnecessary ...

• Jan 15, 2021 7:00 AM:  Final Rule
  : a rule promulgated by an administrative agency after the public has had an opportunity to comment on the proposed rule

• Jan 14, 2021 7:00 AM:  Conspiracy
  pl: -cies [Latin conspiratio, from conspirare to conspire see conspire ] 1 : an agreement between two or more people to commit an act prohibited by law or to commit a lawful act by means prohibited ...

• Jan 13, 2021 7:00 AM:  Implicit
  : capable of being recognized though unexpressed : implied im·plic·it·ly adv

• Jan 12, 2021 7:00 AM:  Peremptory Exception
  in the civil law of Louisiana : an exception pleaded by a defendant esp. on the basis that the law provides no remedy for the injury the plaintiff alleges, that the claim is barred by res judicata or ...

• Jan 11, 2021 7:00 AM:  Shop Committee
  : a committee composed of union members appointed or elected to handle employee grievances within a shop

• Jan 10, 2021 7:00 AM:  Innocent
  : characterized by innocence

• Jan 9, 2021 7:00 AM:  Res Gestae
  [Latin, things done, deeds] 1 : the acts, facts, circumstances, statements, or occurrences that form the environment of a main act or event and esp. of a crime and are so closely connected to it that ...

• Jan 8, 2021 7:00 AM:  Juvenile
  : an individual who is under an age fixed by law (as 18 years) at which he or she would be charged as an adult for a criminal act compare minor

• Jan 7, 2021 7:00 AM:  Indigence
  : impoverished hardship and deprivation

• Jan 6, 2021 7:00 AM:  Enforcement
  : the act or process of enforcing [ of the debt]

• Jan 5, 2021 7:00 AM:  Straddle
  : the purchase of an equal number of put options and call options on the same underlying securities with the same price and maturity date

• Jan 4, 2021 7:00 AM:  Required Records Doctrine
  : a doctrine holding that the privilege against self-incrimination does not apply to business records that are customarily kept in accordance with government regulation and that have aspects such ...

• Jan 3, 2021 7:00 AM:  Hearsay Rule
  : a rule barring the admission of hearsay as evidence NOTE: The hearsay rule is stated in Rule 802 of the Federal Rules of Evidence. Hearsay is inadmissible as evidence because of the unavailability ...

• Jan 2, 2021 7:00 AM:  Passion
  : intense, driving, or overpowering feeling or emotion ;esp : any violent or intense emotion that prevents reflection see also heat of passion

• Jan 1, 2021 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 ...

• Dec 31, 2020 7:00 AM:  Citation
  1 : a writ giving notice to a person to appear in court: as a : a process served upon an interested party in a probate proceeding b : a notice to a person that he or she is charged with a petty ...

• Dec 30, 2020 7:00 AM:  Doctor Of Jurisprudence
  often cap D&J 1 : juris doctor 2 : doctor of the science of law

• Dec 29, 2020 7:00 AM:  Molest
  1 : to annoy, disturb, or persecute esp. with hostile intent or injurious effect 2 : to make annoying sexual advances to ;specif : to force physical and usually sexual contact on (as a child) ...

• Dec 28, 2020 7:00 AM:  Tax Benefit Rule
  : a tax rule requiring that if an amount (as of a loss) used as a deduction in a prior taxable year is recovered in a later year it must be included in the gross income for the later year to the ...

• Dec 27, 2020 7:00 AM:  Hud1 Statement
  also known as the "settlement sheet," or "closing statement" it itemizes all closing costs; must be given to the borrower at or before closing. Items that appear on the statement include real estate ...

• Dec 26, 2020 7:00 AM:  Reasonable Probability
  : a probability that the result of a proceeding would have been different if not for the unprofessional errors of counsel or nondisclosure of exculpatory material by the prosecution which is ...

• Dec 25, 2020 7:00 AM:  Pro Confesso
  [Latin] : as though confessed [the plaintiff's pleadings were taken pro confesso since the defendant did not appear] see also decree pro confesso at decree

• Dec 24, 2020 7:00 AM:  Cyberlaw
  : the area of law dealing with regulation of use of the Internet

• Dec 23, 2020 7:00 AM:  Adverse
  : opposed to one's interests : operating to one's detriment [an verdict]

• Dec 22, 2020 7:00 AM:  Lascivious
  : reflecting or producing sexual desire or behavior esp. that is considered indecent or obscene [lewd and behavior]

• Dec 21, 2020 7:00 AM:  Individual Retirement Account (Ira)
  A tax-deferred savings account in which the employee contributes no more than a set maximum amount annually

• Dec 20, 2020 7:00 AM:  Nonjudicial
  : not judicial

• Dec 19, 2020 7:00 AM:  Status Quo Ante
  [Latin, state in which previously] : the state of affairs that existed previously [rescind the contract and restore the parties to the status quo ante]

• Dec 18, 2020 7:00 AM:  Doi
  Department of the Interior see also the Important Agencies section

• Dec 18, 2020 5:18 AM:  Adopt
  1 : to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) as one's own child esp. in compliance with formal legal procedures see also equitable adoption 2 : to take or accept as if one's own [[the company] ...

• Dec 17, 2020 7:00 AM:  Excise
  1 : a tax levied on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of a commodity compare income tax, property tax 2 : any of various taxes on privileges often assessed in the form of a license or other fee ...

• Dec 16, 2020 7:00 AM:  In Pari Materia
  [Late Latin, in a like matter] : on the same subject or matter : in a similar case NOTE: It is a doctrine in statutory construction that statutes that are in pari materia must be construed together. ...

• Dec 15, 2020 7:00 AM:  Remote
  re·mot·er -est 1 a : far removed in space, time, or relation [ancestors of a more degree] b : exceeding the time allowed under the rule against perpetuities for the vesting of interests ...

• Dec 14, 2020 7:00 AM:  Cash Value
  : market value

• Dec 13, 2020 7:00 AM:  Excessive
  : exceeding what is proper, necessary, or normal ;specif : being out of proportion to the offense [ bail]

• Dec 12, 2020 7:00 AM:  Lunacy
  : insanity

• Dec 11, 2020 7:00 AM:  Feticide
  : the act of causing the death of a fetus

• Dec 10, 2020 7:00 AM:  Foreclosure
  1 : a legal proceeding that bars or extinguishes a mortgagor's equity of redemption in mortgaged real property see also deficiency judgment at judgment, redeem, right of redemption, statutory ...

• Dec 9, 2020 7:00 AM:  Paraph
  in the civil law of Louisiana : the signature of a notary public on a document accompanied by a date, identification of parties, seal, or other required elements

• Dec 8, 2020 7:00 AM:  Private Attorney General Doctrine
  : an equitable doctrine allowing the recovery of attorney's fees to a party whose suit has benefited a large number of people, requires private enforcement, and is of societal importance

• Dec 7, 2020 7:00 AM:  Penumbra
  pl: -bras 1 : an area within which distinction or resolution is difficult or uncertain [the public-private ] 2 : an extension of protection, reach, application, or consideration ;esp : a body of ...

• Dec 6, 2020 7:00 AM:  Renvoi
  [French, act of sending back, reference, from Middle French, from renvoyer to send back] : the reference of a matter involving a conflict of laws to the law of the foreign jurisdiction involved ...

• Dec 5, 2020 7:00 AM:  Good Faith Exception
  : an exception to the exclusionary rule: evidence obtained by the use of a warrant later found to be unsupported by probable cause is admissible if the investigating officers acted in reasonable ...

• Dec 4, 2020 7:00 AM:  Kentucky Consular Center (Kcc)
  A U.S. Department of State facility located in Williamsburg, Kentucky. It gives domestic (U.S.) support to the worldwide operations of the Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Office. It manages the ...

• Dec 3, 2020 7:00 AM:  Lender
  A term referring to an person or company that makes loans for real estate purchases. Sometimes referred to as a loan officer or lender.

• Dec 2, 2020 7:00 AM:  Refinance
  1 : to renew or reorganize the financing of 2 : to revise the terms of (a debt obligation) esp. in regard to interest rate or payment schedule [ a mortgage] vi : to finance something anew

• Dec 1, 2020 7:00 AM:  Bfoq
  bona fide occupational qualification

• Nov 30, 2020 7:00 AM:  Due On Sale Clause
  a provision of a loan allowing the lender to demand full repayment of the loan if the property is sold.

• Nov 29, 2020 7:00 AM:  Hijack
  : to seize possession or control of (a vehicle) from another person by force or threat of force ;specif : to seize possession or control of (an aircraft) esp. by forcing the pilot to divert the ...

• Nov 28, 2020 7:00 AM:  Sba
  Small Business Administration see also the Important Agencies section

• Nov 27, 2020 7:00 AM:  Public Invitee
  : a person invited to enter or remain on property for a purpose for which the property is held open to the public

• Nov 26, 2020 7:00 AM:  Oyez
  [Anglo-French oyez! hear ye!, from Old French oiez oyez, imperative plural of oir to hear, from Latin audire] used by a court officer (as a bailiff) to gain the attention of people present at the ...

• Nov 25, 2020 7:00 AM:  Vandalism
  : the willful or malicious destruction or defacement of property [insurance covering property damage from and malicious mischief]

• Nov 24, 2020 7:00 AM:  Wysiwyg
  Acronym for What You See Is What You Get. Usually used in computer graphic/design circles, WYSIWYG, pronounced wiz-ee-wig, is a type of program that enables the programmer to see what the product ...

• Nov 23, 2020 7:00 AM:  Friend Of The Court
  :amicus curiae

• Nov 22, 2020 7:00 AM:  Abut
  abut·ted abut·ting vi : to touch along a border or with a projecting part used with on, upon, or against [the land s on the road] vt : to border on : reach or touch with an end [two lots ...

• Nov 21, 2020 7:00 AM:  Federal Preemption
  : a doctrine in law that allows a federal law to take precedence over or to displace a state law in certain matters of national importance (as interstate commerce)

• Nov 20, 2020 7:00 AM:  Clear
  1 : unencumbered by outstanding claims or interests [a search showed the title was ] 2 : free from doubt or ambiguity

• Nov 20, 2020 4:17 AM:  Strict Construction
  : interpretation (as of a writing or legislation) based on a literal or technical understanding of the words used

• Nov 20, 2020 4:01 AM:  Certiorari
  [Medieval Latin certiorari (volumus) (we wish) to be informed (words used in the Latin texts of such writs)] : an extraordinary writ issued by a superior court (as the Supreme Court) to call up the ...

• Nov 20, 2020 3:56 AM:  Private Foundation
  : a tax-exempt foundation operated exclusively for humanitarian (as religious, charitable, educational, or scientific) purposes whose earnings do not benefit any private individual and which does not ...

• Nov 19, 2020 7:00 AM:  Concession
  1 : an act or instance of conceding or yielding 2 : something conceded: as a : acknowledgment admission b : something granted esp. as an inducement (as to enter into an agreement) c : a grant ...

• Nov 18, 2020 7:00 AM:  Bylaws
  The local laws or municipal statutes of a city or town.

• Nov 17, 2020 7:00 AM:  Craft Union
  : a labor union with membership limited to workers in the same craft (as carpentry or plumbing) compare industrial union

• Nov 16, 2020 7:00 AM:  Allowance For Bad Debts
  Your best guess at how much of your accounts receivable will not be collectable. In other words, your best guess at how much of your accounts receivable will be "bad debts." An "allowance for bad ...

• Nov 15, 2020 7:00 AM:  Arbiter
  [Latin, onlooker, arbitrator] : arbitrator

• Nov 14, 2020 7:00 AM:  Libel Per Se
  : libel that is actionable without the plaintiff introducing additional facts to show defamation or claiming special damages

• Nov 13, 2020 7:00 AM:  Independent Source
  1 : a source of evidence that is not connected with unlawful conduct which uncovers the same evidence 2 : a doctrine that permits use of evidence obtained independently of unlawful conduct which ...

• Nov 12, 2020 7:00 AM:  Practical Construction
  1 : the interpretation of the terms of a contract as shown by the performance of the parties that may be used by the court to help determine the intent of the parties ;also : the doctrine that ...

• Nov 11, 2020 7:00 AM:  High Court Of Justice
  :a part of the Supreme Court of Judicature of England and Wales that includes the Chancery, Family, and King's Bench or Queen's Bench divisions called also High Court

• Nov 10, 2020 7:00 AM:  Generic
  1 : common or descriptive and not entitled to trademark protection : nonproprietary [the name of a drug] 2 : having a nonproprietary name [ drugs]

• Nov 9, 2020 7:00 AM:  Title Defect
  an outstanding claim on a property that limits the ability to sell the property. Also referred to as a cloud on the title.

• Nov 8, 2020 7:00 AM:  Pseudo Mark
  A way of locating a word mark that is comprised of an alternative or intentionally corrupted spelling of an English word. The pseudo mark search locates spellings that are very similar or phonetically ...

• Nov 7, 2020 7:00 AM:  Joyriding
  : the unauthorized and esp. reckless taking and driving of another's vehicle for a period of time joy·ride n

• Nov 6, 2020 7:00 AM:  Recess
  : a temporary adjournment of a trial, hearing, or legislative session recess vb

• Nov 5, 2020 7:00 AM:  Legal List
  : a statutory list of types of investments that fiduciaries are permitted to make on behalf of others compare prudent man rule

• Nov 4, 2020 7:00 AM:  Criminal Civil Rights Violation
  A criminal civil rights violation requires that the offender use force or the threat of force against the victim. An assault that is committed because of the victim's race or sexual orientation (i.e. ...

• Nov 3, 2020 7:00 AM:  Va (Department Of Veterans Affairs)
  a federal agency, which guarantees loans made to veterans; similar to mortgage insurance, a loan guarantee protects lenders against loss that may result from a borrower default.

• Nov 2, 2020 7:00 AM:  Court Of Inquiry
  :a military court that inquires into and reports on some military matter (as an officer's questionable conduct)

• Nov 1, 2020 7:00 AM:  Bestiality
  : the crime of engaging in sexual relations with an animal see also crime against nature

• Oct 31, 2020 7:00 AM:  Branch
  : a part of a complex body: as a : one of the three main divisions of the U.S. or a state government see also executive, judiciary, legislature b : a division of a business or organization [an ...

• Oct 30, 2020 7:00 AM:  Suitor
  1 : a party to a suit 2 : one that seeks to take over a business [approved the merger before the obtained a 10% stake "Wall Street Journal"]

• Oct 29, 2020 7:00 AM:  Suspension
  : the act of suspending : the state or period of being suspended [the of an employee]

• Oct 28, 2020 7:00 AM:  In
  : under the law of : based on [brought an action negligence "National Law Journal"]

• Oct 27, 2020 7:00 AM:  Career Offender
  : a habitual or repeat criminal ;esp : an offender with two or more prior convictions for violent or drug-related crimes called also career criminal NOTE: Under federal sentencing guidelines career ...

• Oct 26, 2020 7:00 AM:  Patent Medicine
  : a packaged nonprescription drug which is protected by a trademark and whose contents are incompletely disclosed ;also : any drug that is a proprietary

• Oct 25, 2020 7:00 AM:  Walkout
  1 : strike 2 : the action of leaving a meeting or organization as an expression of disapproval

• Oct 24, 2020 7:00 AM:  Remission
  : the act or process of remitting

• Oct 23, 2020 7:00 AM:  Federalism
  often cap : distribution of power in a federation between the central authority and the constituent units (as states) involving esp. the allocation of significant lawmaking powers to those ...

• Oct 22, 2020 7:00 AM:  Ingratitude
  : forgetfulness of or lack of appreciation for kindness or esp. a gift received NOTE: Under the civil law of Louisiana, a gift may be revoked on the ground of ingratitude if the recipient of the gift ...

• Oct 21, 2020 7:00 AM:  Disinherit
  : to prevent deliberately from inheriting something (as by making a will) see also elective share dis·in·her·i·tance [-her-ə-təns] n

• Oct 20, 2020 7:00 AM:  Jurisconsult
  [Latin jurisconsultus, from juris, genitive of jus law, right + consultus, past participle of consulere to consult] : jurist ;esp : one learned in international and public law

• Oct 19, 2020 7:00 AM:  Superintendent
  : one who has the oversight and charge of a place, institution, department, organization, or operation ;specif : the executive head of a police department

• Oct 18, 2020 7:00 AM:  Impersonation
  : the act or an instance of impersonating another ;also : the crime of impersonation

• Oct 17, 2020 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 ...

• Oct 16, 2020 7:00 AM:  Pre-Foreclosure Sale
  allows a defaulting borrower to sell the mortgaged property to satisfy the loan and avoid foreclosure.