Blacks Law Dict. 1st ed

741

MAINE-POET

MAIDEN ASSIZE

MAIL MATTER. This term includes letters, packets, etc., received for transmis sion, and to be transmitted by post to the person to whom such matter is directed. 30 Fed. Rep. 820. MAILABLE. Suitable or admissible for transmission by the mail; belonging to the classes of articles which, by the laws and postal regulations, may be sent by post. MAILE. In old English law. A kind of ancient money, or silver half-pence; a small rent. MAILED. This word, as applied to a letter, means that the letter was properly prepared for transmission by the servants of the postal department, and that it was put in the custody of the officer charged with the duty of forwarding the mail. 67 Mo. 163. MAILLS AND DUTIES. In Scotch law. The rents of an estate. Bell. MAIM. To deprive a person of a mem ber or part of the body, the loss of which renders him less capable of fighting; to com mit mayhem, (q. v.) In this respect, "to wound" is distinguishable from "to maim;"for the latter implies a perma nent injury, whereas a wound is any mutilation or laceration which breaks the continuity of the out er skin. 11 Coz, Crim. Cas. 125. MAIMING-. Depriving of any necessary part. See MAYHEM. MAIN. L. Fr. A hand. More commonly written " MAIN-A-MAIN. L.Fr. Immediately. Kelham. MAIN CHANNEL. The main channel of a river is that bed over which the princi pal volume of water flows. 31 Fed. Rep. 755. MAIN-RENT. Vassalage. MAIN SEA. The open, uninclosed ocean; or that portion of the sea which is without the fauces terra on the sea-coast, in contradistinction to that which is surround ed or inclosed between narrow headlands or promontories. 5 Mason, 298; 73 N. T. 396; 2 East, P. C. c. 17, § 9; 7 N. Y. 555; S Barb. 203. M A I N A D. A false oath; perjury. Cowell. MAINE-PORT. A small tribute, com monly of loaves of bread, which in some

It resembled the French guillotine, of which it is said to have been the prototype. Whar ton. MAIDEN ASSIZE. In English law. Originally an assize at which no person was condemned to die. Now it is a session of a criminal court at which there are no prison ers to be tried. MAIDEN RENTS. A fine paid by the tenants of some manors to the lord for a li cense to marry a daughter. Cowell. Or, perhaps, for the lord's omitting the custom of marcheta, (q. v.) MAIGNAGIUM. A brasier's shop, or, perhaps, a house. Cowell. MAIHEM. See MAYHEM; MAIM. MAIHEMATUS. Maimed or wounded. MAIHEMIUM. In old English law. Mayhem, (q. «.) Maihemium est homioidium inchoa tum. 3 Inst. 118. Mayhem is incipient homicide. Maihemium est inter crimina majora minimum, et inter minora maximum. Co. Litt. 127. Mayhem is the least of great crimes, and the greatest of small. Maihemium est membri mutilatio, et dici poterit, ubi aliquis in aliqua parte sui corporis effeetus sit inutilis ad pug nandum. Co. Litt. 126. Mayhem is the mutilation of a member, and can be said to take place when a man is injured in any part of his body so as to be useless in fight. MAIL. As applied to the post-office, this term means the carriage of letters, whether applied to the bag into which they are put, the coach or vehicle by means of which they are transported, or any other means employed for their carriage and delivery by public au thority. 6 Daly, 560. It may also denote the letters or other matter so carried. The term "mail," as used in Rev. St. U. S. § 5469, relative to robbing the mails, may mean either the whole body of matter trans ported by the postal agents, or any letter or package forming a component part of it. 41 Fed. Rep. 130. Mail also denotes armor, as In the phrase a •coat of mail." In Scotch law. Bent; a rent or tribute. A tenant who pays a rent is called a "mail payer," "mailer," or "mail-man." Skene.

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