KFLCC Kingdom Law 2nd Ed.

770

MEMBRANA

MEETING

Meliorem conditionem ecclesiae sua* facere potest prselatus, deteriorem ne quaquam. Co. Litt 101. A bishop can make the condition of his own church better, but by no means worse. Meliorem conditionem snam facere po test minor, deteriorem nequaquam. Co. Litt 337. A minor can make his own con dition better, but by no means worse. Melius est in tempore occurrere, quam post causam vulneratum remedium quserere. 2 Inst 299. It is better to meet a thing in time than after an injury inflict ed to seek a remedy. Melius est jus deficiens 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 suf fer 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 bet ter 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 constitut ing 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 member of the senate or house of representatives of the Unit ed States. In popular usage, particularly the latter.—Member of parliament. One hav ing 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 Ohit 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-

tual F. Ins. Co. v. Farquhar, 86 Md. 668, 39 Atl. 527; Warren v. Mower, 11 Vt. 385.—Stat ed meeting. A meeting held at a stated or duly appointed time and place; a regular meet ing, (q. v.) —Tows meeting. See TOWN. MEGBOTE. In Saxon law. A recom pense for the murder of a relation. MEIGNE, or MAISNADER. In old Eng lish law. A family. MEINDRE AGE. L. Fr. Minority; lesser age. Kelham. MEINY, MEINE, or MEINIE. In old English law. A household; staff or suite of attendants; a retinue; particularly, the roy al household. MEJORADO. In Spanish law. Prefer red; advanced. White, New Recop. L 3, 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. See INSANITY. MELBFEOH. In Saxon law. The rec ompense due and given to him who made dis covery of any breach of penal laws commit ted by another person, called the "promot er's [i. e., informer's] fee." Wharton. Better; the better. Melior res, the better (best) thing or chattel. Bract, fol. 60. Melior est conditio defendentis. The condition of the party in possession is the better one, ». e., where the right of the parties is equal. Broom, Max. 715, 719. Melior est conditio possidentis, et rei quam actoris. The 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 nbi nenter 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 praeveniens quam severe pnniens. 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, Comm. 73. Oc casionally used in English and American law In the sense of valuable and lasting improve ments or betterments. See Green V. Biddle, 8 Wheat. 84, 5 L. Ed. 547. MELIOR. Lat