Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

TRACT [L. tractus / a track or trail; an occupied space (from traho, trahere / to draw, drag, pull along)] A self-contained and defined parcel of land of whatever size or shape. A tract index is that part of a land record-keeping system which sets forth all transac tions affecting title to a particular parcel of land. TRADITION, TRADITIONAL [L. trado, tradere / to hand over, surrender; to pass down the story of an event; to report or teach] Patterns of thought, belief or behavior which are generally accepted and which pass from one generation to another. Continuity in such things as reli gion and culture. Knowledge or practice transmitted in a line from one person to another. The total body of thought or habit adopted by one generation from all that has preceded it. The common law is sometimes called traditional law . TRADITIONARY EVIDENCE Evidence accumulated from the statements of persons now dead dealing with such matter as a family’s pedigree or history when no comparable evidence is available from persons living. TRAFFIC [L. traho , trahere / to draw, drag; to pass over] The exchange, sale or barter of goods or commodities; commerce, trade. The passing of title to goods in exchange for money or services. The import and export of goods and products between one nation or state and another. Also, the movement of vehicles of all types along any passageway, such as a road, highway, river, lake or the sky. The exchange of information over a system for public communication. To deal in, sell or barter. It is illegal to traffic in military secrets or in drugs. TRAITOR [L. traditor / a traitor (from trado , tradere / to hand over, surrender] A persons who betrays a trust or solemn responsibility, such as a traitor to his cause or to his country. One who attempts by some overt act to overthrow the government to which he owes allegiance or of which he is a citizen. See TREASON TRANSACT, TRANSACTION [L. transigo , transigere / to drive through; to pass or spend time; to settle a dispute] To carry on or conduct. To maintain through completion or fruition. To nego tiate, conduct and complete business dealings. To engage in a trade, business or occupation. A transaction is any act of dealing involving two or more par ties, e.g., a sale, negotiation of a contract, transfer of title, etc. Also, any act or conduct which is given legal effect and which gives rise to a claim or cause of action. Whether an act constitutes transacting business is often at issue in cases involving jurisdiction over corporations or the authority of a corpora-

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