wager of law — an ancient mode of proof that became unpopular because the defendant could call people as witnesses just to testify to his general oath worthiness, even if they knew nothing of the facts of the case. It may have accounted for the ascendancy of… … Law dictionary
Wager of law — wager wa ger (w[=a] j[ e]r), n. [OE. wager, wajour, OF. wagiere, or wageure, F. gageure. See {Wage}, v. t.] [1913 Webster] 1. Something deposited, laid, or hazarded on the event of a contest or an unsettled question; a bet; a stake; a pledge.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Wager of law — Law Law (l[add]), n. [OE. lawe, laghe, AS. lagu, from the root of E. lie: akin to OS. lag, Icel. l[ o]g, Sw. lag, Dan. lov; cf. L. lex, E. legal. A law is that which is laid, set, or fixed; like statute, fr. L. statuere to make to stand. See… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
wager of law — Etymology: translation of Medieval Latin vadiatio legis : the act of a party having the negative in an action in early English law in giving a pledge or in binding himself to resort to and abide the event of an attempt to prove his case by the… … Useful english dictionary
wager of law — See trial by wager of law … Ballentine's law dictionary
Wager of Law — ♦ To wage one s law was to defend an accusation in court by swearing a formal oath of innocence supported by oaths of compurgators, i.e., oath helpers. (Warren, W.L. Henry II, 636) … Medieval glossary
wager of law — In old English practice, the giving of gage or sureties by a defendant in an action of debt that at a certain day assigned he would make his law; that is, would take an oath in open court that he did not owe the debt, and at the same time bring… … Black's law dictionary
wager of law of non-summons — In common law pleading, the mode in which a tenant or defendant in a real action pleaded, when the summons which followed the original was not served within the proper time … Black's law dictionary
wager of law of non-summons — In common law pleading, the mode in which a tenant or defendant in a real action pleaded, when the summons which followed the original was not served within the proper time … Black's law dictionary
wager of law — noun historical a form of trial in which the defendant was required to produce witnesses who would swear to his or her innocence … English new terms dictionary
