Law Dictionary Definitions

a priori (ay prI-or-Ior ah pree-or-ee), adv.[Latin “from what is before”] Deductively; from the general  to  the  particular  <as  an  analyst,  he  reasoned  a  priori  —  from  seemingly  self-evident propositions to particular conclu-sions>. Cf. A POSTERIORI. — a priori,adj. [Blacks Law 8th]

à prendre (ah prawn-dr<<schwa>> or -d<<schwa>>r). [French] For taking; for seizure. See PROFIT à PRENDRE. [Blacks Law 8th]

APR.abbr.See annual percentage rate under INTEREST RATE. [Blacks Law 8th]

appurtenant easement.See easement appurtenant under EASEMENT.[Blacks Law 8th]

appurtenant,adj. Annexed to a more important thing. — Also termed (in Scots law) part and pertinent. [Blacks Law 8th]

appurtenance (<<schwa>>-p<<schwa>>rt-[<<schwa>>-]n<<schwa>>nts), n. Something that belongs or is attached to something else <the garden is an appurtenance to the land>. “The word ‘appurtenances’ which in former times at least was generally employed in deeds and leases is derived from the word apparentir which is Norman French and means to belong to. Speaking broadly, the word…

appruare  (ap-roo-air-ee),  vb.[Law  Latin]  Hist.  To  obtain  a  benefit  from  land  by  making improvements. [Blacks Law 8th]

approximation, doctrine of.See DOCTRINE OF APPROXIMATION. [Blacks Law 8th]

approver (<<schwa>>-proo-v<<schwa>>r), n. Hist. 1.One who offers proof; esp., a criminal who  confesses  and  testifies  against  one  or  more  accomplices.  See  relative  confession  under CONFESSION. Cf. ANTITHETARIUS. 2. An agent or bailiff; esp., one who manages a farm or estate for another. [Blacks Law 8th]

approvement.  1.English  law.  The  right  of  an  owner  of  common  lands  to  enclose  them partially and receive income arising from them. • This right — originally granted by the Statute of Merton  (1235)  —  is  still  available,  but  a  landowner  seeking  to  approve  land  must  receive  the government’s  consent  to  do  so.  2.Hist.  The  act …