Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: vetus jus
Term: METE OUT
Definition: When someone does something wrong, they may need to be punished. To make sure the punishment is fair, it needs to be measured out carefully. This is what we mean by "mete out." It's like using a special tool to measure how much punishment someone deserves. Just like how we use a ruler to measure how long something is, we use "mete out" to measure how much punishment someone should get.
Related Term: METER
Definition: A meter is a tool that helps us measure things like how much water or gas we use. It's like a special ruler that only measures certain things. For example, a gas meter measures how much gas we use to heat our homes. A water meter measures how much water we use to take showers and wash dishes. A parking meter measures how much time we have to park our cars in a certain spot.
Definition: To dispense or measure out justice, punishment, or something else.
Example: Shortly after the jury returned its verdict, the judge meted out an appropriate punishment.
Explanation: This means that the judge gave a punishment to the person who was found guilty by the jury. The judge measured out the punishment based on what they thought was appropriate for the crime committed.
Definition: A device used to measure use or consumption of something, such as gas, water, or electricity.
Example: The gas company installed a meter to measure how much gas we use each month.
Explanation: This means that the gas company put a device in place to measure how much gas the household uses each month. This helps the company determine how much to charge for the gas used.