1. Roman law. The claim against an owner or father for a tort committed by a son, a slave, or an animal. • The head of the family could be sued either to pay a penalty due or to surrender the tortfeasor to the injured party. Roman law also provided for the surrender of animals that caused damage under the actio de pauperie. See actio de pauperie under ACTIO.
2. Hist. A person’s claim to recover for damages committed by a person’s son, slave, or animal.
