1. A surety for a prisoner’s appearance; one who gives mainprise for another.
— Also termed mainpriser.
“Mainpernors differ from bail, in that a man’s bail may imprison or surrender him up before the stipulated day of appearance; mainpernors can do neither, but are barely sureties for his appearance at the day: bail are only sureties, that the party be answerable for the special matter for which they stipulate; mainpernors are bound to produce him to answer all charges whatsoever.” 3 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 128 (1768).
2. A form of bail taken under a writ of mainprise.
— Also termed manucaptor (man-yoo-kap-t[schwa]r). See MAINPRISE.
