NOMINATIVUS PENDENS

nominativus pendens (nahm-<<schwa>>-n<<schwa>>-tI-v<<schwa>>s pen-denz), n.[Latin “nominative hanging”] In a sentence, a nominative phrase that is not grammatically connected with the rest of the sentence. — Also termed nominative absolute.

“Nominativus pendens …. The opening words in the form of a deed inter partes (‘This deed,’ etc., down to ‘whereas’), though an intelligible and convenient part of the deed, having regard to the predicate ‘witnesseth’ or ‘nor this deed witnesseth,’ are sometimes of this kind.” William A.

Jowitt, The Dictionary of English Law 1230 (1959).

[Blacks Law 8th]