Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Gradus: A word that comes from Latin and means "step". In Roman law, it referred to a position in the order of succession under a will. In history, it was used to describe a rank or grade, such as the rank of a master-in-chancery or a serjeant-at-law.
Definition: Gradus (gray-dəs) is a Latin word that means "step".
There are two main meanings of gradus:
For example, in Roman law, if someone left a will, the gradus would determine the order in which their family members would inherit their property. The gradus would also determine the amount of property each family member would receive.
In history, the rank of a master-in-chancery or a serjeant-at-law was considered a high gradus. These were prestigious positions that required a lot of education and experience.
Overall, gradus refers to a step or level of importance in a particular context.