Codicil

4 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Codicil \Cod"i*cil\, n. [L. codicillus, dim. of codex: cf. F.
     codicille. See {Code}.] (Law)
     A clause added to a will.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:



  codicil
       n : a supplement to a will; a testamentary instrument intended
           to alter an already executed will

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  62 Moby Thesaurus words for "codicil":
     PS, Parthian shot, addendum, affix, afterthought, allonge,
     appendix, attested copy, back matter, bequeathal, bequest, chorus,
     coda, colophon, commentary, conclusion, consequence, continuance,
     continuation, devise, double take, dying words, enclitic, envoi,
     epilogue, follow-through, follow-up, infix, inheritance,
     interlineation, interpolation, last words, legacy, marginalia,
     note, parting shot, peroration, postface, postfix, postlude,
     postscript, prefix, probate, proclitic, refrain, rider, scholia,
     second thought, sequel, sequela, sequelae, sequelant, sequent,
     sequitur, subscript, suffix, supplement, swan song, tag, tail,
     testament, will
  
  

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  CODICIL, devises. An addition or supplement to a will; it must be executed 
  with the same solemnities. A codicil is a part of the will, the two 
  instruments making but one will. 4 Bro. C. C. 55; 2 Ves. sen. 242 4 Ves. 
  610; 2 Ridgw. Irish P. C. 11, 43. 
       2. There may be several codicils to one will, and the whole will be 
  taken as one: the codicil does not, consequently, revoke the will further 
  than it is in opposition to some of its particular dispositions, unless 
  there be express words of revocation. 8 Cowen, Rep. 56., 
       3. Formerly, the difference between a will and a codicil consisted in 
  this, that in the former an executor was named, while in the latter none was 
  appointed. Swinb. part 1, s. 5, pl. 2; Godolph. Leg. part 1, c. 6, s. 2. 
  This is the distinction of the civil law, and adopted by the canon law. Vide 
  Williams on Wills, ch. 2; Rob. on Wills, 154, n. 388, 476; Lovelass on 
  Wills, 185, 289 4 Kent, Com. 516; 1 Ves. jr. 407, 497; 3 Ves. jr. 110; 4 
  Ves. jr. 610; 1 Supp. to Ves. jr. 116, 140. 
       4. Codicils were chiefly intended to mitigate the strictness of the 
  ancient Roman law, which required that a will should be attested by seven 
  Roman citizens, omni exceptione majores. A legacy could be bequeathed, but 
  the heir could not be appointed by codicil, though he might be made heir 
  indirectly by way of fidei commissum. 
       5. Codicils owe their origin to the following circumstances. Lucius 
  Lentulus, dying in Africa, left. codicils, confirmed by anticipation in a 
  will of former date, and in those codicils requested the emperor Augustus, 
  by way of fidei commissum, or trust, to do something therein expressed. The 
  emperor carried this will into effect, and the daughter of Lentulus paid 
  legacies which she would not otherwise have been legally bound to pay. Other 
  persons made similar fidei-commissa, and then the emperor, by the advice of 
  learned men whom he consulted, sanctioned the making of codicils, and thus 
  they became clothed with legal authority. Just. 2, 25; Bowy. Com. 155, 156. 
       6. The form of devising by codicil is abolished in Louisiana; Code, 
  1563; and whether the disposition of the property be made by testament, 
  under this title, or under that of institution of heir, of legacy, codicil, 
  donation mortis causa, or under any other name indicating the last will, 
  provided it be clothed with the forms required for the validity of a 
  testament, it is, as far as form is concerned, to be considered a testament. 
  Ib. Vide 1 Brown's Civil Law, 292; Domat, Lois Civ. liv. 4, t. 1, s. 1; 
  Lecons Element, du Dr. Civ. Rom. tit. 25.