84 LA IF. 



Defend'ant. — The party against whom an action or suit is 

 hrouulit. 



Deforce'ment. — The holding of lands or tenements to which 

 another person has a right. 



Demise'. — A grant by lease of heritable property. It may 

 be cither for life or years. 



Demur'rer. — A mode of raising a point of law upon the facts 

 stated in the pleadings, assuming them to be true. 



Deposi'tion, — The testimony of a witness set down in writing, 

 in answer to interrogations legally made. 



Der'elicts. — Such goods as are wilfully relinquished by the 

 owner. It also signifies what is forsaken, or cast away by 

 the sea; thus lands which the sea has suddenly left are 

 called derelict lands, and vessels forsaken at sea derelict 

 ships. 



Detain'er. — A writ whereby a person may be detained in 

 custody. 



Disclaim'er. — A denial, disavowal, or renunciation, as of a title, 

 claim, interest, estate, or trust. 



Distress. — The distraining or taking the effects of a tenant, in 

 order to satisfy the rent due to his landlord. 



Distringas (on stock). — A writ which stops the transfer of 

 stock by the party in whose name it stands, and can be 

 obtained at the instance of any party beneficially interested 

 in the stock. 



Dow'er. — That portion of the lands or tenements of a man 

 which his widow enjoys during her life, after the death of 

 her husband. 



Du'ces Te'cum (bring with thee). — A clause in a subpoena, com- 

 manding a person to bring with him to the trial of an 

 action books and papers which the party who issues the 

 subpcena may think material to his purpose. 



Ease'ment. — A privilege or convenience which one man has 

 upon another man's land, such as a right of way. 



Eject'ment. — An action at law to recover the possession of 

 lands. 



Embra'cery. — The attempt to corrupt or influence a jury. 



Enceinte'. — A term for a state of pregnancy. 



Endowment. — The act of giving or assuring a dower to a 

 Woman. Also, the settlement of a property for the sup- 

 port of some religious or charitable institution, etc. 



En'try. — The act of taking possession of lands and tenements 



