MAINPERNOR

mainpernor (mayn-p<<schwa>>r-n<<schwa>>r), n. [Law French, fr. Old French main “hand” + pernor “taker”] Hist. 1.A surety for a prisoner’s appearance; one who gives mainprise for another. — Also termed mainpriser.

“Mainpernors differ from bail, in that a man’s bail may imprison or surrender him up before the stipulated day of appearance; mainpernors can do neither, but are barely sureties for his appearance at the day: bail are only sureties, that the party be answerable for the special matter for which they stipulate; mainpernors are bound to produce him to answer all charges whatsoever.” 3 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 128 (1768).

2. A form of bail taken under a writ of mainprise. — Also termed manucaptor (man-yoo-kap-t<<schwa>>r). See MAINPRISE.

[Blacks Law 8th]