Search the Dictionary

Characterized by license; passing due bounds; excessive; abusive of freedom; wantonly offensive; as, a licentious press. A wit that no licentious pertness knows. Savage.

The state of being bound or stiffened; stiffness; as, the ligature of a joint.

To place persons or things along the side of for security or defense; to strengthen by adding; to fortify; as, to line works with soldiers. Line and new repair our towns of war With men of courage and with means defendant. Shak.

An officer appointed to conduct the winding up of a company, to bring and defend actions and suits in its name, and to do all necessary acts on behalf of the company. [Eng.] Mozley & W.

To make the subject of a lawsuit; to contest in law; to prosecute or defend by pleadings, exhibition of evidence, and judicial debate in a court; as, to litigate a cause.

ject to contention; disputable; controvertible; debatable; doubtful; precarious. Shak. No fences, parted fields, nor marks, nor bounds, Distinguished acres of litigious grounds. Dryden.

A confined place for cattle, formed by hedges. trees, or other fencing, near the farmyard. Lobby member, a lobbyist. [Humorous cant, U. S.]

Long patience of offense. Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long- suffering Rom. ii. 4.

ortion or plot of land, usually smaller than a field; as, a building lot in a city. The defendants leased a house and lot in the city of New York. Kent.

Smit with the love of sacred song. Milton. The love of science faintly warmed his breast. Fenton.

Not rising to the usual height; as, a man of low stature; a low fence.

To reduce the height of; as, to lower a fence or wall; to lower a chimney or turret.

uthority; especially, one who maintains his allegiance to his prince or government, and defends his cause in times of revolt or revolution.

To keep out of sight. The defendant lurks and wanders about in Berks. Blackstone.

. The act or practice by private persons of inflicting punishment for crimes or offenses, without due process of law.

issiles upen assailants attacking the base of the walls. Also, the construction of such defenses, in general, when of this character. See Illusts. of Battlement and Castle.

A flexible fabric made of metal rings interlinked. It was used especially for defensive armor. Chaucer. Chain mail, Coat of mail. See under Chain, and Coat.

deprive of the use of a limb, so as to render a person on fighting less able either to defend himself or to annoy his adversary. By the ancient law of England he that maimed any man whereby he lost any part of his body, was sentenced to lose the like part. Blackstone.

to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain degree of heat in a furnace; to maintain a fence or a railroad; to maintain the digestive process or powers of the stomach; to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain present reputation.

The act of maintaining; sustenance; support; defense; vindication. Whatsoever is granted to the church for God's honor and the maintenance of his service, is granted to God. South.