Law Dictionary Definitions

fraternal benefit association.A voluntary organization or society created for its members’ mutual aid and benefit rather than for profit, and whose members have a common and worthy cause, objective, or interest. • These associations usu. have a lodge system, a governing body, rituals, and a benefits system for their members. — Also termed fraternal benefit…

fraternal,adj.1. Of or relating to the relationship of brothers. 2. Of or relating to a fraternity or a fraternal benefit association.[Blacks Law 8th]

frater (fray-t<<schwa>>r), n. [Latin] Roman law. A brother. frater consanguineus (fray-t<<schwa>>r kon-sang-gwin-ee-<<schwa>>s). A brother or half-brother having the same father. frater germanus (fray-t<<schwa>>r j<<schwa>>r-may-n<<schwa>>s). A brother having both parents in common. frater nutricius (fray-t<<schwa>>r n[y]oo-trish-ee-<<schwa>>s). A foster brother who was suckled by the same wet nurse. frater uterinus (fray-t<<schwa>>r yoo-t<<schwa>>-rI-n<<schwa>>s). A brother or half-brother having…

FRAP (frap).abbr.FEDERAL RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE.[Blacks Law 8th]

frank-tenement.Hist. A free tenement; a freehold. • This term described both the tenure and the estate. — Also spelled franktenement. See FREEHOLD.[Blacks Law 8th]

frank-tenant.Hist. A freeholder. — Also termed francus tenens.[Blacks Law 8th]

Franks hearing. A hearing to determine whether a police officer’s affidavit used to obtain a search warrant that yields incriminating evidence was based on false statements by the police officer. Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154, 98 S.Ct. 2674 (1978).[Blacks Law 8th]

frankpledge.Hist. A promise given to the sovereign by a group of ten freeholders (a tithing) ensuring the group’s good conduct. • The frankpledge was of Saxon origin, but continued after the Norman Conquest. The members of the group were not liable for an injury caused by an offending member, but they did act as bail…

frankmarriage.Hist. An entailed estate in which the donor retains control of the land by refusing to accept feudal services from the donee (usu. the donor’s daughter) for three generations. If the donee’s issue fail in that time, the land returns to the donor. A donor who accepted homage (and the corresponding services arising from it)…

franklin (frangk-lin).Hist. A freeman; a freeholder; a gentleman. — Also spelled francling; frankleyn; frankleyne.[Blacks Law 8th]