Law Dictionary Definitions

amortize,vb.1.  To  extinguish  (a  debt)  gradually,  often  by  means  of  a  sinking  fund.  2.  To arrange  to  extinguish  (a  debt)  by  gradual  increments.  3.Hist.  To  alienate  or  convey  lands  to  a corporation (that is, in mortmain). — Also spelled amortise. See MORTMAIN. [Blacks Law 8th]

amortization  schedule.A  schedule  of  periodic  payments  of  interest  and  principal  owed  on  a debt obligation; specif., a loan schedule showing both the amount of principal and interest that is due at regular intervals over the loan term and the remaining unpaid principal balance after each scheduled payment is made. [Blacks Law 8th]

amortization reserve.See RESERVE. [Blacks Law 8th]

amortization  (am-<<schwa>>r-t<<schwa>>-zay-sh<<schwa>>n),  n.1.  The  act  or  result  of gradually  extinguishing  a  debt,  such  as  a  mortgage,  usu.  by  contributing  payments  of  principal each time a periodic interest payment is due. negative amortization.An increase in a loan’s principal balance caused by monthly payments insufficient to pay accruing interest. 2. The act or result of apportioning the…

a  morte  testatoris  (ay  mor-tee  tes-t<<schwa>>-tor-is).  [Latin]  Hist.  From  the  death  of  the testator. • The phrase appeared in reference to the moment when a legacy vests in the beneficiary. [Blacks Law 8th]

Amnesty  International.An  international  nongovernmental  organization  founded  in  the  early 1960s  to  protect  human  rights  throughout  the  world.  •  Its  mission  is  to  “secure  throughout  the world the observance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” Amnesty Int’l Statute, art. 1. [Blacks Law 8th]

amnesty clause.A clause, esp. one found in a peace treaty, that wipes out past offenses such as treason,  sedition,  rebellion,  and  even  war  crimes. • A  sovereign  may  grant amnesty  to  all  guilty persons or only to certain categories of offenders. [Blacks Law 8th]

amnesty,n.  A pardon extended by the  government to a group  or class  of  persons, usu. for a political offense; the act of a sovereign power officially forgiving certain classes of persons who are  subject to  trial  but have  not  yet been  convicted  <the  1986  Immigration  Reform  and  Control A Act  provided  amnesty  for  undocumented  aliens …

amittere   liberam   legem   (<<schwa>>-mit-<<schwa>>-ree   lib-<<schwa>>r-<<schwa>>m lee-j<<schwa>>m). See LIBERAM LEGEM AMITTERE. [Blacks Law 8th]

amittere   legem   terrae   (<<schwa>>-mit-<<schwa>>-ree   lee-j<<schwa>>m   ter-ee).   See LIBERAM LEGEM AMITTERE. [Blacks Law 8th]