DEPARTURE IN DESPITE OF COURT

departure in despite of court.Hist. A failure of a defendant (called a tenant) in a real action to

appear  on  demand.  •  A  tenant,  having  once  appeared  in  a  real  action,  was  considered  to  be

constructively  present  until  again  called.  So  if  the  tenant  failed  to  appear  when  demanded,  the

tenant was said to have departed in despite (in contempt) of court. [Blacks Law 8th]