Blacks Law Dict. 1st ed

LUNACY 737 Lunacy includes both the forms of mental aliena tion known, respectively, as "mania" and "demen tia. " 10 N. J. Eq. 186. LUNACY, COMMISSION OP. A commission issuing from a court of compe tent jurisdiction, authorizing an inquiry to be made into the mental condition of a person who is alleged to be a lunatic. LUNAR. Belonging to or measured by the revolutions of the moon. LUNAR MONTH. See MONTH. LUNATIC. A person of deranged or un sound mind; a person whose mental faculties are in the condition called "lunacy," (q. v.) Lunaticus, qui gaudet in lucidis in tervallis. He is a lunatic who enjoys lucid intervals. 1 Story, Cont. § 73. LUNDRESS. In old English law. A silver penny, so called because it was to be coined only at London, (a Londres,) and not at the country mints. Lown. Essay Coins, 17; Cowell. LUPANATRIX. A bawd or strumpet. 8 Inst. 206. LUPINUM CAPUT GERERE. Lat. To be outlawed, and have one's head exposed, like a wolf's, with a rewaid to him who should take it. Cowell. LURGULARY. Casting any corrupt or poisonous thing into the water. Wharton. LUSHBOROW. In old English law. A base sort of money, coined beyond sea in the likeness of English coin, and introduced into England in the reign of Edward III. Pro hibited by St. 25 Edw. HI. c. 4. Spelman; Cowell. LUXURY. Excess and extravagance, which was formerly an offense against the public economy, but is not now punishable* Wharton. LYCH-GATE. The gate into a church yard, with a roof or awning hung on posts over it to cover the body brought for burial, when it rests underneath. Wharton. LYEF-GELD. Sax. In old records. Lief silver or money; a small fine paid by the customary tenant to the lord for leave to plow or sow, etc Somn. Gavelkind, 27. LYING BY. A person who, by his pres ence and silence at a transaction which affects AM.DICT.LAW—47

his interests, may be fairly supposed to ac quiesce in it, if he afterwards propose to dis turb the arrangement, is said to be prevented from doing so by reason that he has been lying by. LYING IN FRANCHISE. A term descriptive of waifs, wrecks, estrays, and the like, which may be seized without suit or ac tion. LYING IN GRANT. Aphrase applied to incorporeal rights, incapable of manual tradition, and which must pass by mere de livery of a deed. LYING IN WAIT. Lying in ambush; lying hid or concealed for the purpose of mak ing a sudden and unexpected attack upon a person when he shall arrive at the scene. In some jurisdictions, where there are several degrees of murder, lying in wait is made evi dence of that deliberation and premeditated intent which is necessary to characterize mur der in the first degree. This term is not synonymous with "con cealed. " If a person conceals himself for the purpose of shooting another unawares, he is lying in wait; but a person may, while con cealed, shoot another without committing the crime of murder. 55 Cal. 207. LYNCH LAW. A term descriptive of the action of unofficial persons, organized bands, or mobs, who seize persons charged with or suspected of crimes, or take them out of the custody of the law, and inflict summary punishment upon them, without legal trial, and without the warrant or authority of law LYNDHURST'S (LORD) ACT. Thin statute (5 & 6 Wm. IV. c. 54) renders mar riages within the prohibited degrees abso lutely null and void. Theretofore such mar riages were voidable merely. LYON KING OF ARMS. In Scotch law. The ancient duty of this officer was to carry public messages to foreign states, and it is still the practice of the heralds to make all royal proclamations at the Cross of Edin burgh. The officers serving under him are heralds, pursuivants, and messengers. Bell. LYT2E. In old Roman law. A name given to students of the civil law in the fourth year of their course, from their being sup posed capable of solving any difficulty in law. Tayl. Civil Law, 39.

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