n French law. A sum of money frequently paid, at the moment of* euteriug iuto a contract, beyond the price agreed upou. It differs from air Ita, iu this: that it is uo part of the price of the thiug sold, and that the person who has received it cannot, by returning double the amount, or the other party by losing what he has paid, rescind the contract. 18 Toullier, no. 52.