Latin for Lawyers

ELECT

rifles, shotguns, pistols and other weapons,” the words “other weapons” might not be construed as including knives and swords. See NOSITUR A SOCIIS ELECT [L. eligo, eligere / to pick out, choose] To choose among candidates or alternatives. To select by vote to fill an office or position. The act of a spouse in selecting his or her statutory share in lieu of the provision made in the will of the deceased spouse. ELECTION [L. eligere (pp., electus )] The process by which candidates for office appeal to the voters to be selected among a group of candidates and the voters select one or several among the candidates. The process of voting by ballot for one's candidate for office. The right or power to make a choice among options. The right of a party to a dis pute to choose among several remedies (i.e., to exercise an election of reme dies ). ELECTIVE SHARE [L. electus ] The statutory share which a spouse may claim when inadequate provision is made in the will of the deceased spouse. Almost all states have elective share statutes, usually permitting the spouse to elect to take one-third of the estate. ELECTORATE [L. eligo, eligere (pp. electus ) / to pick out, choose] All those persons entitled to vote in a given election. Eligibility to vote is usu ally defined along geographical lines. Example: the electorate in an election for a member of the House of Representatives consists of all eligible voters in the congressional district; the electorate in an election for U.S. Senate is all the eligible voters in the entire state. ELEEMOSYNARY [L. eleemosyna / alms] Relating to or concerned with charity. An eleemosynary corporation or orga nization is an entity created for charitable purposes. ELEMENT [L. elementum / the initial components; first things or principles] The most rudimentary essential component of a thing. The letters of the alphabet. The basic principles of any science. Originally, any of the four sub stances — water, fire, air and earth — which were thought to comprise the universe. Now, the elements are those chemical units identified by science as basic constituents of all matter. In criminal law, one of the components defin ing a particular crime; the prosecution must prove all the elements of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. ELOGIUM [L. a maxim or proverb. An epitaph] A will or testament; a clause in a will. Also, the inscription on a gravestone.

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