Law Dictionary Definitions

frank-law.Hist. The rights and privileges of a citizen or freeman; specif., the condition of being legally capable of giving an oath (esp. as a juror or witness). See LEGALIS HOMO. “Frank law … may be understood from Bracton’s description of the consequences of losing it, among which the principal one was, that the parties incurred…

franking privilege.See FRANK(3).[Blacks Law 8th]

frank ferm.Hist. An estate in land held in socage, the nature of the fee having been changed from knight’s service by enfeoffment for certain yearly services. — Also spelled frank-ferme.[Blacks Law 8th]

frank-fee.Hist. Freehold land — land that one held to oneself and one’s heirs — exempted from all services except homage; land held other than by ancient demesne or copyhold.[Blacks Law 8th]

frank-chase.Hist. Free chase; a person’s liberty or right to hunt or log within a certain area. • Others holding land within the frank-chase area were forbidden from hunting or logging in it. See CHASE.[Blacks Law 8th]

frank bank.See FREE BENCH.[Blacks Law 8th]

frankalmoin (frangk-al-moyn). [Law French “free alms”] Hist. A spiritual tenure by which a religious institution held land, usu. with a general duty to pray for the donor. • This tenure differed from the tenure by divine service, which required specific church services, such as a certain number of masses or alms distributions. — Also spelled…

frank,adj.[Law French] Hist. Free. — Also spelled fraunc; fraunche; fraunke. frank,n.1. (cap.) A member of the Germanic people who conquered Gaul in the 6th century. • France received its name from the Franks. 2. A signature, stamp, or mark affixed to mail as a substitute for postage. [Cases: Postal Service 15. C.J.S. Postal Service and…

francus tenens.See FRANK-TENANT.[Blacks Law 8th]

francus homo (frangk-<<schwa>>s hoh-moh).Hist. A free man.[Blacks Law 8th]