praevaricatio (pri-var-[schwa]-kay-shee-oh), n. [Latin “collusion with an opponent”] Roman law. An accuser’s colluding with the defense in such a way that the accused will be acquitted. • An accuser might do this in various ways, as by deemphasizing the most important charges, refraining from calling the most important witnesses, or refraining from exercising peremptory challenges […]
Patent Act of 1870. A U.S. statute that shifted the burden of disclosing the exact nature of an invention to the patent applicant by requiring a rigorous listing of distinct claims. • Before the Act was passed, patent claims were less important than the description and drawings, and the scope of the patent grant was
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chance-medley. [fr. Anglo-Norman chance medlee “chance scuffle”] A spontaneous fight during which one participant kills another in self-defense. — Also termed chaud-medley; casual affray. Cf. MEDLEY. “But the self-defence, which we are now speaking of, is that whereby a man may protect himself from an assault, or the like, in the course of a sudden
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. A multiparty international agreement — signed originally in 1948 — that promotes international trade by lowering import duties and providing equal access to markets. • More than 130 nations are parties to the agreement. — Abbr. GATT.
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incerta persona (in-s[schwa]r-t[schwa] p[schwa]r-soh-n[schwa]). [Latin “uncertain person”] Roman law. A person (or corporate body) that could not inherit property, such as a person whose existence was uncertain or whom the testator could not identify by name (such as the first person to appear at the testator’s funeral). Pl. incertae personae. “Another change under Justinian was
nationality. 1. NATION(1). 2. The relationship between a citizen of a nation and the nation itself, customarily involving allegiance by the citizen and protection by the state; membership in a nation. • This term is often used synonymously with citizenship. See CITIZENSHIP. 3. The formal relationship between a ship and the nation under whose flag
chief, n. 1. A person who is put above the rest; the leader (chief of staff). 2. The principal or most important part or position (commander-in-chief). — chief, adj.
Keeper of the Great Seal. In England and Scotland, an officer who has custody of the Great Seal and who authenticates state documents of the highest importance. • In England, the duties of the Keeper of the Great Seal are now discharged by the Lord Chancellor. — Also termed Lord Keeper of the Great Seal;
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nontariff barrier. An official policy, other than a tariff, that restricts international trade, esp. by limiting imports or exports. — Abbr. NTB. Cf. NONTARIFF MEASURE.
serious, adj. 1. (Of conduct, opinions, etc.) weighty; important (serious violation of rules). 2. (Of an injury, illness, accident, etc.) dangerous; potentially resulting in death or other severe consequences (serious bodily harm).