Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

ELOIGN [L. ex / out of + longus / long] To take far away; remove to a distant place. To take beyond the reach or juris diction of a court. To remove personal property to avoid a lien. EMANCIPATE [L. emancipare / to release a son from his father’s control] The surrender, usually by his or her parents, of the care and custody of a child. The surrender may be partial or complete. As a result of the surrender, the child is freed from control and becomes an independent agent. Emancipa tion generally occurs when the child reaches maturity (the age of 18 in most jurisdictions), but may occur at other times by agreement or conduct. Also, to free from restraint, control or bondage. The release of individuals from sla very or servitude, as in the case of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. EMENDATIO [L. emendare / to free from error, correct] An amendment or revision; a correction. Also, compensation for a person’s injuries. EMERGENCY [L. emergo, emergere / to cause to rise up. To get clear of an impediment; to free oneself] An unexpected or unforeseen event or circumstance requiring immediate attention and action. An urgent need for assistance, e.g., a medical emer gency , or a fire, earthquake, flood or tornado. The emergency doctrine is a principle of tort law which absolves a person who acts reasonably in an emer gency from liability for any injury or damages he may cause by his actions. Also, a police officer confronted by an emergency is entitled to respond to protect life or prevent injury without waiting for a search warrant. EMERITUS [L. emereo / to deserve; to earn compensation; to serve] An honorary title conferred on one who has served out a term in a profes sional position and is permitted to retain as a privilege the last title or rank held by him; e.g., professor emeritus. EMIGRATE [L. emigrare / to move from one place to another] To leave one place, especially a country, and go to another. To go out of one country and into another. See IMMIGRATE EMINENT DOMAIN [L. eminere / to stand out + dominare / to rule, domi nate] The right or power of government to take the private property of its citizens for a public purpose upon the payment of just compensation. The principles governing eminent domain are inscribed in the Fifth Amendment to the Con-

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