Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

VACANT, VACANCY [L. vacuus / empty, void, free from] Vacant: Without content or occupant. Empty. Without an incumbent appoin tee or office-holder. Devoid of thought or idea. Vacant land is land of a state or of the federal government which is in its original natural state, free, unclaimed and unoccupied; also, land which has no structure or man-made object upon it. Vacancy: the state or condition of being unoccupied or empty. An office or function which is not filled or exercised by an incumbent. An elected or appointed office which is unfilled by an active occupant, such as a vacancy resulting from the death or resignation of a judge or legislator. VACANTIA BONA Property claimed by no one. Abandoned property. VACATE [L. vacuo , vacuare / to empty; to make void] To render empty or unoccupied, as to vacate an apartment or building. To annul, void or set aside. To cancel or rescind. An appellate court may vacate the order or judgment of a lower court, i.e., render it void and ineffective. Also, to cause an office or position to become unoccupied, e.g., through the death, resignation, transfer or discharge of the incumbent. VADIO, VADIUM [L. vador , vadari / to give bail] A pledge or surety. VAGABOND, VAGRANT, VAGRANCY [L. vagor , vagari / to wander, go from place to place, roam] Vagabond: Anyone who has no fixed home and who wanders from place to place; a wanderer. An unreliable, irresponsible, uncommitted person. Vagrant: A person without a fixed home and without regular means of sup port. A person who hangs about an area without any discernible purpose or function. Also, any person who engages in immoral or illegal conduct. Vagrancy: The state of being without a home and without any means of con tinuing support. At common law and through early legislation, vagrancy was

435