Legal Definitions - feme

Definition: Feme (fem) is an archaic Law French term that means a woman or a wife. It has two specific meanings:

1. A married woman, also known as feme covert, who is under the protection and cover of her husband.
2. An unmarried woman, or a married woman who handles the affairs of her separate estate, also known as feme sole.

For example, a woman who is married and living with her husband is considered feme covert. Her husband is responsible for her actions and decisions, and she cannot enter into contracts or own property without his permission. On the other hand, a woman who is unmarried or has a separate estate can handle her own affairs and make her own decisions, making her a feme sole.

These terms are no longer commonly used in modern legal language, but they were important in the past when women had limited legal rights and were often considered the property of their husbands.