Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: MANUS
Definition: Manus means "hand" in Latin. In Roman law, it referred to the power that the head of a family had over all its members and slaves, including a husband's power over his wife. This meant that wives were subordinate to their husbands. In history, manus also referred to a compurgator, which was a person who appeared in court and made an oath to support a defendant. This may have involved placing a hand on a Bible while taking the oath.
Manus (may-nəs) is a Latin word that means "hand". In Roman law, it referred to the power that the head of a family had over all its members and slaves. This power included a husband's control over his wife, which was common in early Rome.
Manus was also used historically to refer to a compurgator, which was a person who appeared in court and made an oath in support of a civil or criminal defendant. This oath was sometimes taken by placing a hand on the Bible.
These examples illustrate how manus was used in different contexts throughout history. In ancient Rome, manus referred to the power that husbands had over their wives. In medieval times, it referred to the oath taken by a compurgator in court.