Law Dictionary Definitions

riot,n.1. An assemblage of three or more persons in a public place for the purpose of accomplishing by concerted action — and in a turbulent and disorderly manner — a common purpose (regardless of the lawfulness of that purpose).2. An unlawful disturbance of the peace by an assemblage of usu. three or more persons acting…

ringing up.A method by which a group of commodities dealers discharge contracts for future delivery in advance by using offsets, cancellations, and price adjustments, thus saving the cost of actual delivery and change of possession. — Also termed ringing out. [Blacks Law 8th]

ringing the changes.Fraud consisting in the offender’s using a large bill to pay for a small purchase, waiting for the shopkeeper to put change on the counter, and then, by a series of maneuvers involving changes of mind — such as asking for some other article of little value or for smaller change for some…

ringing out.See RINGING UP. [Blacks Law 8th]

rigor mortis (rig-<<schwa>>r mor-tis). The temporary stiffening of a body’s joints and muscles after death. • The onset of rigor mortis can vary from 15 minutes to several hours after death, depending on the body’s condition and on atmospheric factors. [Blacks Law 8th]

rigor juris (rig-<<schwa>>r joor-is). [Latin] Strictness of law. Cf. GRATIA CURIAE . [Blacks Law 8th]

rigid constitution.See CONSTITUTION. [Blacks Law 8th]

right-wrong test.See MCNAGHTEN RULES. [Blacks Law 8th]

right-to-work law.A state law that prevents labor–management agreements requiring a person to join a union as a condition of employment. See open shop under SHOP. [Cases: Labor Relations 243. C.J.S. Labor Relations §§ 10, 219.] [Blacks Law 8th]

right to vote.See SUFFRAGE. [Blacks Law 8th]