Multifariousness

3 definitions found

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

  Multifariousness \Mul`ti*fa"ri*ous*ness\, n.
     1. Multiplied diversity.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Law) The fault of improperly uniting in one bill distinct
        and independent matters, and thereby confounding them.


        --Burrill.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  multifariousness
       n : noticeable heterogeneity; "a diversity of possibilities";
           "the range and variety of his work is amazing" [syn: {diverseness},
            {diversity}, {variety}]

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

  MULTIFARIOUSNESS, equity pleading. By multifariousness in a bill, is 
  understood the improperly joining in one bill distinct matters, and thereby 
  confounding them; as, for example, the uniting in one bill, several matters, 
  perfectly distinct and unconnected, against one defendant; or the demand of 
  several matters of distinct natures, against several defendants in the same 
  bill. Coop. Eq. Pl. 182; Mitf. by Jeremy, 181; 2 Mason's R. 201; 18 Ves. 80; 
  Hardr. R. 337; 4 Cowen's R. 682; 4 Bouv. Inst. n. 4165. 
       2. In order to prevent confusion in its pleadings and decrees, a court 
  of equity will anxiously discountenance this multifariousness. The following 
  case will illustrate this doctrine; suppose an estate should be sold in lots 
  to different persons, the purchasers could not join in exhibiting one bill 
  against the vendor for a specific performance; for each party's case would 
  be distinct, and would depend upon its own peculiar circumstances, and 
  therefore there should be a distinct bill upon each contract; on the other 
  hand, the vendor in the like case, would not be allowed to file one bill for 
  a specific performance against all the purchasers of the estate, for the 
  same reason. Coop. Eq. Pl. 182; 2 Dick. Rep. 677; 1 Madd. Rep. 88; Story's 
  Eq. Pl. Sec. 271 to 286. It is extremely difficult to say what constitutes 
  multifariousness as an abstract proposition. Story, Eq. Pl. Sec. 530, 539; 4 
  Blackf. 249; 2 How. S. C. Rep. 619, 642; 4 Bouv. Inst. n. 4243.