a mensa et thoro
a mensa et thoro (ay men-s[schwa] et thor-oh). [Latin “from board and hearth”] (Of a divorce decree) ef-fecting a separation of the parties rather than a dissolution of the marriage (a separation a mensa et thoro was the usual way for a couple to separate under English law up until 1857). • Not all states provide for such a proceeding. See divorce a mensa et thoro under DIVORCE; SEPARATION; A VINCULO MATRIMONII. [Cases: Divorce 155. C.J.S. Divorce §§ 223–225.]