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ound; hence, to hold in the custody of a court; as, to impound stray cattle; to impound a document for safe keeping. But taken and impounded as a stray, The king of Scots. Shak.

cessible; not to be reached, obtained, or approached; as, an inaccessible rock, fortress, document, prince, etc. -- In`ac*cess"i*ble*ness, n. -- In`ac*cess"i*bly, adv.

ure against loss, damage, or death. -- Insurance policy, a certificate of insurance; the document containing the contract made by an insurance company with a person whose property or life is insured. -- Life insurance. See under Life.

A document written or printed, or spoken words,

A slip of ribbon, parchment, etc., attached to a document to hold the appended seal; also, the seal.

outside; -- distinguished from letters patent. Burrill. -- Letters of orders (Eccl.), a document duly signed and sealed, by which a bishop makes it known that he has regularly ordained a certain person as priest, deacon, etc. -- Letters patent, overt, or open (Eng. Law), a writing executed and sealed, by which power…

The document granting such permission. Addison.

crown, who had the custody of the king's great seal, with authority to affix it to public documents. The office is now merged in that of the chancellor. -- Lord lieutenant, a representative of British royalty: the lord lieutenant of Ireland being the representative of royalty there, and exercising supreme administrati…

One who makes his mark, instead of writing his name, in signing documents. Burrill.

A printed or written instrument; a document, essay, or the like; a writing; as, a paper read before a scientific society. They brought a paper to me to be signed. Dryden.

Permission to pass; a document given by the competent officer of a state, permitting the person therein named to pass or travel from place to place, without molestation, by land or by water. Caution in granting passports to Ireland. Clarendon.

Open to public perusal; -- said of a document conferring some right or privilege; as, letters patent. See Letters patent, under 3d Letter.

; -- in distinction from a memorial, which calls certain facts to mind; also, the written document. Petition of right (Law), a petition to obtain possession or restitution of property, either real or personal, from the Crown, which suggests such a title as controverts the title of the Crown, grounded on facts disclosed…

A small compartment in a desk or case for the keeping of letters, documents, etc.; -- so called from the resemblance of a row of them to the compartments in a dovecote. Burke.

A definite position or passage of a document. The place of the scripture which he read was this. Acts viii. 32.

A introductory portion; an introduction or preface, as to a book, document, etc.; specifically, the introductory part of a statute, which states the reasons and intent of the law.

To date anticipation; to affix to (a document) an earlier than the actual date; to antedate; as, a predated deed or letter.

fter his own proportion. Ridley. Formed in the best proportions of her sex. Sir W. Scott. Documents are authentic and facts are true precisely in proportion to the support which they afford to his theory. Macaulay.

A preliminary document upon the basis of which negotiations are carried on.

A false writing; a spurious document; a forgery.