In Scotch law. Improvements of an estate, other than mere re- pairs; betterments . 1 Bell, Comm. 73. Occasionally used in English and American law in the sense of valuable and lasting improvements or betterments. See Green v. Biddle, 8 Wheat. S4, 5 L. Ed. 547. Meliorem conditionem eeclesise suse facere potest prcelatus, deteriorem ne- quaquam. Co. Litt 101. A bishop can make the condition of his own church better, but by no means worse. Meliorem conditionem suam facere potest minor, deteriorem nequaquam. Co. Litt 337. A minor can make his own condition better, but by no means worse. Melius est in tempore occurrere, quam post causam vulneratum remedium quaerere. 2 Inst 299. It is better to meet a thing in time than after an injury inflicted to seek a remedy. Melius est jus deiiciens quam jus in- certum. Law that is deficient is better than law that is uncertain. Lott’t, 395. Melius est omnia mala pati quam malo consentire. 3 Inst. 23. It is better to suffer every ill than to consent to ill. Melius est petere fontes quam sectari rivulos. It is better to go to the fountain head than to follow little streamlets. Melius est recurrere quam male cur- rere. It is better to ruu back than to run badly; it is better to retrace one’s steps than to proceed improperly. 4 Inst. 176.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
