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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



166 words match “LAWFUL”

COMMUTE v.
n or bargain for exemption or substitution; to effect a commutation. He . . . thinks it unlawful to commute, and that he is bound to pay his vow in kind. Jer. Taylor.
CONCUBINAGE n.
A plea, in which it is alleged that the woman suing for dower was not lawfully married to the man in whose lands she seeks to be endowed, but that she was his concubine.
CONCUBINE n.
A wife of inferior condition; a lawful wife, but not united to the man by the usual ceremonies, and of inferior condition. Such were Hagar and Keturah, the concubines of Abraham; and such concubines were allowed by the Roman laws. Their children were not heirs of their father.
CONCUSSION n.
The unlawful forcing of another by threats of violence to yield up something of value. Then concussion, rapine, pilleries, Their catalogue of accusations fill. Daniel. Concussion fuse (Mil.), one that is ignited by the concussion of the shell when it strikes.
CONFEDERACY n.
A combination of two or more persons to commit an unlawful act, or to do a lawful act by unlawful means. See Conspiracy.
CONGEABLE a.
Permissible; done lawfully; as, entry congeable.
CONSPIRACY n.
manifesting itself in words or deeds, by which two or more persons confederate to do an unlawful act, or to use unlawful to do an act which is lawful; confederacy.
CONSPIRE v.
esp. a secret agreement, to do some act, as to commit treason or a crime, or to do some unlawful deed; to plot together. They conspired against [Joseph] to slay him. Gen. xxxvii. 18. You have conspired against our royal person, Joined with an enemy proclaimed. Shak.
CONSTITUTE v.
To cause to stand; to establish; to enact. Laws appointed and constituted by lawful authority. Jer. Taylor.
CONTINENCE; CONTINENCY n.
sions; the act or power of refraining from indulgence of the sexual appetite, esp. from unlawful indulgence; sometimes, moderation in sexual indulgence. If they [the unmarried and widows] have not continency, let them marry. 1 Cor. vii. 9 (Rev. Ver. ). Chastity is either abstinence or continence: abstinence is that of…
CONTINENTAL SYSTEM n.
ctions, and declaring every ship going to or from a port of England or her colonies to be lawful prize.
CONTUMACY n.
A willful contempt of, and disobedience to, any lawful summons, or to the rules and orders of court, as a refusal to appear in court when legally summoned.
COVET v.
To long for inordinately or unlawfully; to hanker after (something forbidden). Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house. Ex. xx. 17.
CRIMINAL a.
tuted to secure conviction and punishment for a crime. -- Criminal conversation (Law), unlawful intercourse with a married woman; adultery; -- usually abbreviated, crim. con. -- Criminal law, the law which relates to crimes.
CROOK v.
to misapply; to twist. [Archaic] There is no one thing that crooks youth more than such unlawfull games. Ascham. What soever affairs pass such a man's hands, he crooketh them to his own ends. Bacon.
CURRENT a.
thou be current gold indeed. Shak. Account current. See under Account. -- Current money, lawful money. Abbott.
CUSTOM n.
ner; habitual practice; usage; method of doing or living. And teach customs which are not lawful. Acts xvi. 21. Moved beyong his custom, Gama said. Tennyson. A custom More honored in the breach than the observance. Shak.
DEPREHEND v.
To take unwares or by surprise; to seize, as a person commiting an unlawful act; to catch; to apprehend. The deprehended adulteress.Jer. Taylor.
DETAINER n.
to another; detention of what is another's, even though the original taking may have been lawful. Forcible detainer is indictable at common law.
DISGUISE n.
dress or exterior put on for purposes of concealment or of deception; as, persons doing unlawful acts in disguise are subject to heavy penalties. There is no passion steals into the heart more imperceptibly and covers itself under more disguises, than pride. Addison.
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