Search for: legalism
2861 Etymology dictionary, p. sperate (adj.).3
General (non-legal) use is by 1808. Etymologically, it is the opposite of desperate. Donne has speratory "resting on hope or expectation."
2862 Etymology dictionary, p. spinster (n.).2
… "the legal designation in England of all unmarried women from a viscount's daughter downward" [Century Dictionary], and by 1719 was being used generically …
2863 Etymology dictionary, p. squatter (n.).2
… without legal title," 1788, agent noun from squat (v.); in reference to paupers or homeless people in uninhabited buildings, it is recorded from 1880. The property …
2864 Etymology dictionary, p. ss.2
in old documents, an abbreviation of saints, or of scilicet, in legal documents.
2865 Etymology dictionary, p. stay (n.3).2
1520s, "continuance in a place; stationary position, standstill," from stay (v.1). The meaning "a stop, a halt, a break or cessation of action" is by 1530s; the legal sense of "suspension of judicial proceedings" is from 1540s.
2866 Etymology dictionary, p. stay (v.1).4
Of things, "remain in place," 1590s. The transitive sense of "render motionless" is by 1620s. The legal sense of "put off, defer, postpone" is from 1520s. Related: Stayed; staying .
2867 Etymology dictionary, p. standing (n.).3
… . The legal sense is recorded by 1924. The sports sense is from 1881.
2868 Etymology dictionary, p. stare decisis (n.).2
the legal doctrine of being bound by precedents, Latin, literally "to stand by things decided;" from stare "to stand" (from PIE root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm"). The …
2869 Etymology dictionary, p. status (n.).2
1670s, "height" of a situation or condition, later "legal standing of a person" (1791), from Latin status "condition, position, state, manner, attitude," from past-participle stem of stare "to stand" (from PIE root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm").
2870 Etymology dictionary, p. status (n.).3
In law, the meaning "legal standing in reference to some defined class of persons" is by 1791. The sense of "standing in one's society or profession" is attested by 1820.
2871 Etymology dictionary, p. statute (n.).2
… ) promulgation, (legal) statute," from Late Latin statutum "a law, decree," noun use of neuter past participle of Latin statuere "enact, establish," from status "condition …
2872 Etymology dictionary, p. statutory (adj.).2
… the legal age of consent, whether forced or not." Related: Statutorily .
2873 Etymology dictionary, p. sterling (n.).5
… a legally set degree of purity. This was extended by 1640s to principles, qualities, etc., in a general or figurative sense of "capable of standing a test" (as a sound …
2874 Etymology dictionary, p. stray (n.).2
… , a legal term, from Anglo-French stray, estray, noun use of Old French estraié "strayed, riderless," past-participle adjective from estraier "to roam, drift, run …
2875 Etymology dictionary, p. stricken (adj.).2
1510s, of a deer, "wounded in the chase," adjective use of the now-largely archaic past participle of strike (v.). The usual past participle now is struck, but stricken has persisted especially in U.S. legal and legislative language.
2876 Etymology dictionary, p. stultify (v.).2
… a legal term, "allege to be of unsound mind," from Late Latin stultificare "turn into foolishness," from Latin stultus "foolish; uneducated," literally "unmovable …
2877 Etymology dictionary, p. subpoena (n.).2
"legal writ or process commanding appearance in a court of justice, under threat of punishment, of the person on whom it is served," early 15c., sub pena, from Medieval …
2878 Etymology dictionary, p. subrogation (n.).2
… ). The legal sense of "irregular or unlawful placement of someone in an office" is by 1710.
2879 Etymology dictionary, p. subrogate (v.).2
… in legal passages. Related: Subrogated; subrogating .
2880 Etymology dictionary, p. succumb (v.).2
… one's (legal) case," and directly from Latin succumbere "submit, surrender, yield, be overcome; sink down; lie under; cohabit with," from assimilated form of sub "under …