Deforcement Is where a man wrongfully holds lands to whichanother person is entitled. It therefore includes disseisin, abatement, discontinuance ,and intrusion. Co. Litt. 2776, 3316; Foxworth v. White, 5 Strob. (S. C.) 115; Woodruff v.Brown, 17 N. J. Law, 2G9; Hopper v. Hopper, 21 N. J. Law, 543. But It is appliedespecially to cases, not falling under those heads, where the person entitled to thefreehold has never had possession; thus, where a lord has a seignory, and lands escheat to him propter defectumsanguinis, but the seisin is withheld from him, this is a deforcement, and the personwho withholds the seisin is called a “deforceor.” 3 Bl. Comm. 172.In Scotch law. The opposition or resistance made to messengers or other public officerswhile they are actually engaged in the exercise of their offices. Ersk. lust. 4, 4, 32.
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