Blacks Law Dict. 1st ed

MEMBRAHA

765

MEIGNE

Melius est in tempore occurrere, quam post causam vulneratum reme dium quserere. 2 Inst. 299. It is better to meet a thing in time than after an injury in flicted to seek a remedy. Melius est jus deflciens quam jus in certum. Law that is deficient is better than law that is uncertain. Lofft, 395. Melius est omnia mala pati quam malo consentire. 3 Inst. 23. It is better to suffer every ill than to consent to ill. Melius est petere fontes quam sectari rivulos. It is better to go to the fountain head than to follow little streamlets. Melius est recurrere quam male cur rere. It is better to run back than to run badly; it is better to retrace one's steps than to proceed improperly. 4 Inst. 176. MELIUS INQUIRENDUM. To be better inquired into. In old English law. The name of a writ commanding a further inquiry respect ing a matter; as, after an imperfect inquisi tion in proceedings in outlawry, to have a new inquest as to the value of lands. MEMBER. One of the persons consti tuting a partnership, association, corporation, guild, etc. One of the persons constituting a court, a legislative assembly, etc. One of the limbs or portions of the body capable of being used in fighting in self-de fense. MEMBER OF CONGRESS. A mem ber of the senate or house of representatives of the United States. In popular usage, par ticularly the latter. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT. One having the right to sit in either house of the British parliament. MEMBERS. In English law. Places where a custom-house has been kept of old time, with officers or deputies in attendance; and they are lawful places of exportation or importation. 1 Chit. Com. Law, 726. MEMBRANA. Lat. In the civil law. Parchment. Dig. 32, 52. In old English law. A skin of parch ment. The ancient rolls usually consist of several of these skins, and the word "mem brana" is used, in citations to them, in the same way as "page" or "folio," to distin guish the particular skin referred to.

MEIGNE, or MAISNADER. In old English law. A family. MEINDRE AGE. L.Fr. Minority; lesser age. Kelham. MEINY, MEINE, or MEINIE. The royal household; a retinue. M E J O B A D O . In Spanish law. Pre ferred; advanced. White, New Becop. 1. S, tit. 10, c. 1, § 4. MELANCHOLIA. In medical jurispru dence. A kind of mental unsoundness char acterized by extreme depression of spirits, ill grounded fears, delusions, and brooding over one particular subject or train of ideas. Webster. MELDFEOH. In Saxon law. The rec ompense due and given to him who made discovery of any breach of penal laws com mitted by another person, called the "pro moter's [i. e., informer's] fee." Wharton. MELIOB. Lat. Better; the better. Mehor res, the better (best) thing or chattel. Bract, fol. 60. Melior est conditio defendentis. The condition of the party in possession is the bettsx one, i. e., where the right of the parties is equal Broom, Max. 715, 719. Melior est conditio possidentis, et rei quam actoris. Tha condition of the pos sessor is the better, and the condition of the defendant is better than that of the plaintiff. 4 Inst. 180; Broom, Max. 714, 719. Melior est conditio possidentis ubi neuter jus habet. Jenk. Cent. 118. The condition of the possessor is the better where neither of the two has a right. Melior est justitia vere prseveniens quam severe puniens. That justice which absolutely prevents [a crime] is better than that which severely punishes it. 3 Inst. Epil. MELIORATIONS. In Scotch law. Im provements of an estate, other than mere re pairs; betterments. 1 Bell, Cotnm. 73. Meliorem oonditionem ecclesise sure facere potest prselatus, deteriorem ne quaquam. Go. Litt. 101. A bishop can make the condition of his own church better, bat by no means worse. Meliorem oonditionem suam facere potest minor, deteriorem nequaquam. Co. Litt. 337. A minor can make his own condition better, but by no means worse.

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