Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

FALSUS IN UNO, FALSUS IN OMNIBUS One who is false in one thing will be false in all things. In the law of evi dence, if a witness has lied about one matter, the jury may disregard his testi mony about other matters unless they are proven by testimony other than his own. FAMA [L. talk, report, rumor, public opinion, reputation] Good name or reputation. A person’s standing. The public’s opinion of a per son. FAMILIA [L. a household of slaves; a household. A family or group] A group of persons of common ancestry. A number of individuals living together and usually headed by one or two members. FAMILY [L. familia / a household, a family estate; a group of related persons] A group of persons living together under one roof. A group of persons united by ties of blood and marriage. Persons having a common ancestry. Tradition ally, a husband and wife and their children, either natural or by adoption. Now, any group living together in a social unit equivalent to the traditional family. Also, any group of related things, e.g., languages, plants, animals. Family Law is an area of the law dealing with marriage, marital relations, divorce, paternity, custody, support and adoption. FAMOSUS LIBELLUS [L. famosus / widely spoken of, notorious, infamous + liber, libellus / a little book] A letter, advertisement or writing which is publicly circulated or becomes widely known, generally having derogatory or defamatory content. In law, a libelous writing; a libel. FAULT [L. fallere / to deceive, disappoint] A lack or deficiency; a weakness. A mistake or omission. In law, a mistake in judgment. The breach of a legal duty or responsibility. Negligence. A failure of prudence or reasonable care. FEALTY [L. fides, fideles, fidelitas / faithfulness, loyalty, trust, faith] The obligation or allegance of a vassal or tenant to the lord of the manor. Intense devotion or loyalty. FEDERAL [L. foedus / a league; a compact or agreement; from fido, fidere / to believe or confide in] Arising from a compact or treaty. A compact among individual political enti ties which retain control over many of the aspects and functions of govern ment but surrender sovereignty and central authority to a common government known as a federation. The central government in a union of

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