Search the Dictionary

that lies against him who wrongfully detains goods or chattels delivered to him, or in possession, to recover the thing itself, or its value and damages, from the detainer. It is now in a great measure superseded by other remedies.

ding theme or motive. Development theory (Biol.), the doctrine that animals and plants possess the power of passing by slow and successive stages from a lower to a higher state of organization, and that all the higher forms of life now in existence were thus developed by uniform laws from lower forms, and are not the r…

An evil spirit; a demon. A dumb man possessed with a devil. Matt. ix. 32.

Destitute; not in possession; -- with of; as, devoid of sense; devoid of pity or of pride.

Possession by the devil. Bp. Warburton.

Pertaining to, or possessing the properties of, a species of caustic curves formed by refraction. See Caustic surface, under Caustic.

One who possesses exalted rank or holds a position of dignity or honor; especially, one who holds an ecclesiastical rank above that of a parochial priest or clergyman.

ility, Avaux had no superior among the numerous able diplomatics whom his country then possessed. Macaulay.

al in working condition by a single process from the ore. Knight. -- Direct tax, a tax assessed directly on lands, etc., and polls, distinguished from taxes on merchandise, or customs, and from excise.

Severed from the appropriation or possession of a spiritual corporation. The appropriation may be severed, and the church become disappropriate, two ways. Blackstone.

A lack of common possessions, properties, or relationship. Community of embryonic structure reveals community of descent; but dissimilarity of embryonic development does not prove discommunity of descent. Darwin.

One whose possession of an estate is broken off, or discontinued; one whose estate is subject to discontinuance.

One who deprives another of the possession of an estate by discontinuance. See Discontinuance, 2.

Possessed of discernment, especially in avoiding error or evil, and in the adaptation of means to ends; prudent; sagacious; judicious; not rash or heedless; cautious. It is the discreet man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation, and gives measures to society. Addison. Satire 's my…

To deprive of a franchise or chartered right; to dispossess of the rights of a citizen, or of a particular privilege, as of voting, holding office, etc. Sir William Fitzwilliam was disfranchised. Fabyan (1509). He was partially disfranchised so as to be made incapable of taking part in public affairs. Thirlwall.…

To disinherit; to cut off, or detain, from the possession or enjoyment of an inheritance. [Obs.] Spenser.

an inheritance or from hereditary succession; to prevent, as an heir, from coming into possession of any property or right, which, by law or custom, would devolve on him in the course of descent. Of how fair a portion Adam disinherited his whole posterity! South.

of; to direct or assign for a use. Freedom to order their actions and dispose of their possessions and persons. Locke.

To cause to be no longer property; to dispossess of. [R.] Shak.

To strive or contend about; to contest. To dispute the possession of the ground with the Spaniards. Prescott.