Law Dictionary Definitions

bredwite (bred-w<<schwa>>t).Hist. A penalty for not complying with regulations relating to the weight or quantity of bread.[Blacks Law 8th]

breathing room.Slang. The postbankruptcy period during which a debtor may formulate a debt-repayment plan without harassment or interference by creditors. [Cases: Bankruptcy  3533.][Blacks Law 8th]

Breathalyzer. A device used to measure the blood alcohol content of a person’s breath, esp. when the police suspect that the person was driving while intoxicated. • Breathalyzer test results are admissible as evidence if the test was properly administered. — Also termed alcoholometer; drunkometer; intoxilyzer; intoximeter. See BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT. [Cases: Automobiles  411. C.J.S.…

breast of the court.A judge’s conscience, mind, or discretion. • This phrase is a loan translation (or calque) of the Latin phrase in pectore judicis. See IN PECTORE JUDICIS.[Blacks Law 8th]

break-up fee.See TERMINATION FEE. [Blacks Law 8th]

breaking of entail.See BARRING OF ENTAIL. [Blacks Law 8th]

breaking-bulk doctrine.Hist. The rule that a bailee who had lawful possession of property delivered in bulk and wrongfully took the property committed larceny only if the bailee broke the container open and took part or all of the contents. • If the bailee wrongfully took the property without opening the container, the act was theft but…

breaking bulk,n.1. The act of dividing a large shipment into smaller units. 2. Larceny by a bailee, esp. a carrier, who opens containers, removes items from them, and converts the items to personal use. — Also termed breaking bale. [Cases: Larceny  15. C.J.S. Larceny §§ 30–32, 45–48.] — break bulk,vb.[Blacks Law 8th]

breaking a patent.The act of demonstrating that a patent is invalid or unenforceable because it was used unlawfully by the patentee (esp. in violation of antitrust laws), or improperly issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office because of fraud, the existence of prior art, or any other barrier to proper issuance. • Defendants in…

breaking and entering.See BURGLARY(2). [Blacks Law 8th]