Lat A term of the civil law, meaning fault, neglect, or negligence . There are three degrees of culpa,

He is clear of blame who knows, but cannot prevent. Dig. 50, 17, 50.

2 Inst. 208. It is a fault for any one to meddle in a matter not pertaining to him.

Gross negligence is held equivalent to intentional wrong.

Misconduct binds [should bind] its own authors. It is a never-failing axiom that every one is accountable only for his own delicts. Ersk. Inst 4, 1, 14.

Lat. In old English law . Guilty. Culpabilis de intrusione,

Blamable; censurable; involving the breach of a legal duty or the commission of a fault. The term is not necessarily equivalent to “criminal,” for, in present use, and notwithstanding its […]

This term applies to a thing that a reasonable and prudent person would not do.

A person who is indicted for a criminal offense , but not yet convicted. It is not, however, a technical term of the law; and in its vernacular usage it […]

In old Scotch law . A species of pledge or cautioner, (ScotticG, back boryh,) used in cases of the replevin of persons from one man’s court to another’s. Skene.

A field on which a crop of wheat is growing is a cultivated field, although not a stroke of labor may have been done in it since the seed was […]

A parcel of arable land. Blount.

In old English law . A base kind of slavery. The confiscation or forfeiture which takes place when a lord seizes his tenant’s estate. Blount; Du Cange.

When an action is merely criminal, it can be instituted from the beginning either criminally or civilly. Bract. 102.

When the proofs of facts are present, what need is there of words 2 Bulst 53.

When any partner re- BL.LAW DICT.(2D ED.)

4 Inst. 06. One confessing willingly should be dealt with more leniently.

When the question is as to the gain of two persons, the cause of him who is in possession is the better. Dig. 50, 17, 126.

Where two things repugnant to each other are found in a will, the last shall stand. Co. Litt. 1126; Shep. Touch. 451; Broom, Max. 5S3.

When two rights meet in one person, it is the same as if they were in two persons.

a Latin phrase that means with a grain of salt.

(With a grain of salt) With allowance for exaggeration.

When there is a disagreement in the substance, it appears that there is no acceptance. Gardner v. Lane, 12 Allen (Mass.) 44.

Dig. 34, 5, 24. Where an ambiguous, or even an erroneous, expression occurs in a will, it should be construed liberally, and in accordance with the testator’s probable meaning. Broom,Max. […]

Children born under a legitimate marriage follow the condition of the father.