Mainprise

3 definitions found

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

  Mainprise \Main"prise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mainprised}; p. pr.
     & vb. n. {Mainprising}.] (Law)
     To suffer to go at large, on his finding sureties, or
     mainpernors, for his appearance at a day; -- said of a
     prisoner.
     [1913 Webster]



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

  Mainprise \Main"prise\, n. [F. main hand + prise a taking, fr.
     prendre, p. p. pris to take, fr. L. prehendere, prehensum.]
     (Law)
     (a) A writ directed to the sheriff, commanding him to take
         sureties, called mainpernors, for the prisoner's
         appearance, and to let him go at large. This writ is now
         obsolete. --Wharton.
     (b) Deliverance of a prisoner on security for his appearance
         at a day.
         [1913 Webster]

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

  MAINPRISE, Eng. law. The taking a man into friendly custody, who might 
  otherwise be committed to prison, upon security given for his appearance at 
  a time and place assigned. Wood's Inst. B. 4, c. 4. 
       2. Mainprise differs from bail in this, that a man's mainpernors are 
  barely his sureties, and cannot imprison him themselves to secure his 
  appearance, as his bail may, who are looked upon as his gaolers, to whose 
  custody he is committed.. 6 Mod. 231; 7 Mod. 77, 85, 98; Ld. Raym. 606; Bac. 
  Ab. Bail in Civil Cases; 4 Inst. 180. Vide Mainpernors. Writ of Mainprise; 
  and 15 Vin. Ab. 146; 3 Bl. Com. 128.