riot, riote

[O. Fr. riote, a word of doubtful origin; rioter =to make a disturbance, to chide; Prov. riot a =dispute, strife; Ital. riotta quarrel, dispute, riot.] IMG:content-0667.png:[blocks in formation] mult. 2. Reveling; wild, extravagant, and loose feasting or festivity; exce , revelry. "But, in my absence, riot fills the place." Pope: Homer's Ody ey, xv. 555. II. Law : A tumultuous disturbance of the peace by three or more persons unlawfully a embling together of their own authority in order to a ist each other against any one who shall oppose them in the execution of a private purpose, and afterward executing the same in a violent and turbulent manner to the terror of the people, whether the act intended were of itself lawful or unlawful. "A riot is where three or more actually do an unlawful act of violence, either with or without a common cause or quarrel; as if they beat a man, or hunt and kill game in another's park, chase, warren, or liberty; or do any other unlawful act with force and violence; or even do a lawful act, as removing a nuisance in a violent and tumultuous manner."-Black stone: Comment ., bk. iv., ch. 2. IMG:content-0668.png:[blocks in formation] Riot Act, 8. Law : An Act pa ed by the British Parliament in 1715, by which it is provided that if any persons, to the number of twelve or more, being unlawfully, riotously, or tumultuously a embled together, to the disturbance of the public peace, shall continue so a embled for the space of an hour after a magistrate has commanded them by proclamation to disperse, they shall be guilty of felony. In the United States each state has its own Riot Act. It is usual, in a time of riot, for the peace officer to command the peace in the name of the people of the state, and sometimes to read the Riot Act to the rioters in order that they may have an opportunity to desist from unlawful demonstrations before an order is given to military or civic force to fire upon them. To Read the Riot Act: 1. Lit. & Law : To read the proclamation ordering rioters to disperse and cease unlawful acts, or the statute against riots, before giving order to the military or police to fire on a riotous a embly. 2. Fig .: To give warning before proceeding to extreme measures.