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Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.
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Legal Definitions - last
Definition of last
The term "last," when encountered in historical legal or commercial documents as a noun, refers to two distinct but often related concepts:
- A Burden: Historically, this meaning referred to a substantial load, weight, or the carrying capacity of a vessel. It could also metaphorically imply a significant responsibility or obligation.
- A Measure of Weight or Capacity: In historical trade, a "last" was a specific unit of measurement for large quantities of bulky commodities. The precise weight or volume varied considerably based on the type of goods (e.g., grain, coal, fish) and the geographical region, often correlating with a ship's carrying capacity.
Here are some examples illustrating these historical meanings:
Example 1 (A Burden - Ship's Capacity): In a 16th-century shipping contract, a clause might state that a merchant vessel was rated to carry a "last of 150 tons."
This illustrates "last" as a burden by defining the ship's maximum carrying capacity or the total load it was designed to bear. It represents the substantial weight or volume the vessel could transport on a voyage.
Example 2 (A Measure of Weight - Grain Trade): A historical customs record from a medieval port might document the import of "twenty lasts of barley" from a foreign merchant.
Here, "last" functions as a specific measure of weight or capacity for a bulky agricultural commodity. While the exact quantity of barley in a "last" would have been a recognized standard at the time (e.g., often around 80 bushels), it served as a practical unit for large-scale trade and taxation.
Example 3 (A Measure of Weight - Fish Industry): A 17th-century fishing company's ledger might record the sale of "eight lasts of salted cod" to a distributor in another city.
This example demonstrates "last" as a measure of weight or capacity specifically for fish. Historically, a "last of cod" represented a significant quantity, often packed in multiple barrels, indicating its use as a standardized unit for trading large volumes of preserved seafood.
Simple Definition
Historically, "last" referred to either a burden or, more commonly, a specific measure of weight. This unit of weight was typically used for bulky commodities.
