law (1), lawe

[A. S. lagu; cogn. with_O. Sax. lag (pl. lagu ) =a statute; Icel. log =a law; Sw. lag; Dan. lov; cf. also Lat. lex (gen it. leg is ); Fr. loi. The original meaning is that which lies or is laid down or fixed, from the same root as A. S. licgan; Eng. lie.] IMG:content-0405.png:[blocks in formation] 2. Collectively, the rules established in a community or state for the guidance and control of the inhabitants; a rule of civil conduct prescribed by the supreme power in a state, commanding what is right, and prohibiting what is wrong. "For this purpose every law may be said to consist of several parts: one declaratory; whereby the rights to be observed, and the wrongs to be eschewed, are clearly defined and laid down; another, directory; whereby the subject is instructed and enjoined to observe those rights, and to abstain from the commi ion of those wrongs; a third, remedial: whereby a method is pointed out to recover a man's private rights, or redre his private wrongs; to which may be added a fourth, usually termed the sanction, or vindicatory branch of the law , whereby it is signified what evil or penalty shall be incurred by such as commit any public wrongs, and transgre or neglect their duty." -Black stone : Comment . (Introd.) IMG:content-0406.png:[blocks in formation] II. Technically : 1. Math .: An order of sequence. In mathematics, the term law is oftentimes used as nearly synonymous with rule; there is this distinction, however: the term law is more general than the term rule. The law of a series is the order of succe ion of the terms, and explains the relation between each and the preceding ones. A rule, a uming the facts expre ed by the law, lays down the nece ary directions for finding each term of the series. 2. Scripture : (1) Any command (Lev. vi. 9, 14, xii. 7, xiv. 2, .). The law preeminently so called is the Mosaic law. [MOSAIC LAW.] "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." -John i. 17. (2) The Pent a teuch, as embodying the law, or as many books as were not, technically viewed, prophetical. "After the reading of the law and the prophets." -Acts xiii. 15. (3) An impulse; a constraining principle of action. "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind."- Romans vii. 23. For the various branches of law, see under CANON, CIVIL, COMMERCIAL, COMMON, CRIMINAL, ECCLESIASTICAL, INTERNATIONAL, MARTIAL, MARITIME, MORAL, MOSAIC, MUNICIPAL, POSITIVE, IMG:content-0407.png:[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small] (3) Grimm's law : [GRIMM.] (4) Kepler's laws : [KEPLER.] (7) Mariotte's law : [ Boyle's law.] (8) Pascal's law : [HYDROSTATICS.] (9) Wager of law : [WAGER.] IMG:content-0408.png:[blocks in formation] 1. A day on which the courts sit; a day of open court. 2. A leet or sheriff's court. ( Eng.) *law-father, s. A father-in-law.