QUASI-AFFINIT

1 definition found

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

  QUASI-AFFINITY. A term used in the civil law to designate the affinity which 
  exists between two persons, one of whom has been betrothed to the kindred of 
  the other, but who have never been married. For example, my brother is 
  betrothed to Maria, and, afterwards, before marriage he dies, there then 
  exists between Maria and me a quasi-affinity. 
       2. The history of England furnishes an example of this kind. Catherine 


  of Arragon was betrothed to the brother of Henry VIII. Afterwards Henry 
  married her and, under the pretence of this quasi affinity, he repudiated 
  her, because the marriage was incestuous.