Significavit

2 definitions found

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

  Significavit \Sig`ni*fi*ca"vit\, n. [L., (he) has signified,
     perf. ind. of significare to signify.] (Eng. Eccl. Law)
     Formerly, a writ issuing out of chancery, upon certificate
     given by the ordinary, of a man's standing excommunicate by
     the space of forty days, for the laying him up in prison till
     he submit himself to the authority of the church. --Crabb.


     [1913 Webster]

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

  SIGNIFICAVIT, eccl. law. When this word is used alone, it means the bishop's 
  certificate to the court of chancery, in order to obtain the writ of 
  excommunication; but where the words writ of significavit are used, the 
  meaning is the same as writ de excommunicato capiendo. 2 Burn's Eccl. L. 
  248; Shelf. on Mar. & Div. 502.