Modus

3 definitions found

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

  Modus \Mo"dus\, n.; pl. {Modi}. [L. See {Mode}.] (Old Law)
     1. The arrangement of, or mode of expressing, the terms of a
        contract or conveyance.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Law) A qualification involving the idea of variation or


        departure from some general rule or form, in the way of
        either restriction or enlargement, according to the
        circumstances of the case, as in the will of a donor, an
        agreement between parties, and the like. --Bracton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Law) A fixed compensation or equivalent given instead of
        payment of tithes in kind, expressed in full by the phrase
        {modus decimandi}. --Blackstone.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              They, from time immemorial, had paid a modus, or
              composition.                          --Landor.
        [1913 Webster]

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

  MODUS, civil law. Manlier; means; way. 
  
  

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

  MODUS, eccl. law. Where there is by custom a particular manner of tithing 
  allowed, different from the general law of taking tithes in kind, as a 
  pecuniary compensation, or the performance of labor, or when any means are 
  adopted by which the general law of tithing is altered, and a new method of 
  taking them is introduced, it is called a modus decimandi, or special manner 
  of taking tithes. 2 Bl. Com. 29.