Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: ADROGATE
Definition: Adrogate means to legally become the parent of a child who does not have a father or mother. In ancient Rome, a man could adopt a son or daughter who did not have a father. Later on, even daughters could be adopted.
Adrogate (ad-roh-gayt) is a verb used in Roman law. It means that a man adopts a son or daughter who is not already under another father's power (patria potestas). In the later Empire, daughters also became eligible for adoption.
Example 1: In ancient Rome, if a man wanted to have a son to carry on his family name and inherit his property, he could adrogate a boy who was not already under another father's power. This was a formal legal process that required the consent of the biological parents and the approval of a judge.
Example 2: In the later Empire, daughters also became eligible for adoption. This was a significant change in Roman law, as previously only sons could be adrogated. This allowed families without male heirs to continue their lineage and pass on their wealth to a chosen daughter.
These examples illustrate how adrogation was a legal process that allowed a man to adopt a child who was not his biological offspring. It was a way to ensure that a family's name and property would be passed down to a chosen heir, regardless of biological ties.