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A precedent; a decision of a court, an official declaration, or an opinion, saying, or statement worthy to be taken as a precedent.

as, the badge of a society; the badge of a policeman. "Tax gatherers, recognized by their official badges. " Prescott.

rs in East Indian state papers, and colloquially, and among the natives, to distinguished officials and other important personages.

In the United States navy, a sick-bay nurse; -- now officially designated as hospital apprentice.

eek each. [Eng.] -- Ladies of the bedchamber, eight ladies, all titled, holding a similar official position in the royal household, during the reign of a queen. [Eng.]

by the shipper, and one is sent to the consignee of the goods. -- Bill of mortality, an official statement of the number of deaths in a place or district within a given time; also, a district required to be covered by such statement; as, a place within the bills of mortality of London. -- Bill of pains and penalties…

of bishop, without especial jurisdiction. Shipley. -- Titular bishop (R. C. Ch.), a term officially substituted in 1882 for bishop in partibus. -- Bench of Bishops. See under Bench.

in the twelfth century, containing a description of the court of exchequer of England, an official statement of the revenues of the crown, etc.

arks; having an empty space to be filled in with some special writing; -- said of checks, official documents, etc.; as, blank paper; a blank check; a blank ballot.

f the four pursuivants of the English college of arms; -- so called from the color of his official robes. -- Blue mass, a preparation of mercury from which is formed the blue pill. McElrath. -- Blue mold, or mould, the blue fungus (Aspergillus glaucus) which grows on cheese. Brande & C. -- Blue Monday, a Monday foll…

The United States official "Biennial Register."

To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. I see a great officer broken. Swift.

The official title applied to that one of the Anglo-Saxon chieftains who was chosen by the other chiefs to lead them in their warfare against the British tribes. Brande & C.

The act or practice of giving or taking bribes; the act of influencing the official or political action of another by corrupt inducements. Bribery oath, an oath taken by a person that he has not been bribed as to voting. [Eng.]

Hence: A department of public business requiring a force of clerks; the body of officials in a department who labor under the direction of a chief.

Government officials, collectively.

An official of a bureau; esp. an official confirmed in a narrow and arbitrary routine. C. Kingsley.

An official statement of the quantity and value of real estate for the purpose of apportioning the taxes payable on such property.

The official staff or wand of Hermes or Mercury, the messenger of the gods. It was originally said to be a herald's staff of olive wood, but was afterwards fabled to have two serpents coiled about it, and two wings at the top.

Of or belonging to a cantor. Cantoral staff, the official staff or baton of a cantor or precentor, with which time is marked for the singers.