Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: back taxes
Pain of, on: This means that if you don't follow a certain rule or command, you will be punished. It's like a warning that says "do this or else." For example, if you are told to stop doing something on pain of a $2,000 fine, it means that if you don't stop, you will have to pay a big amount of money as a punishment.
PAIN OF, ON
The phrase "pain of, on" means that if you don't follow a command or condition, you will suffer punishment. It is usually used after a command or condition.
- The sign said "No Trespassing on pain of prosecution."
- The teacher told the students to turn in their homework on time, on pain of receiving a failing grade.
These examples illustrate that if someone disobeys the command or condition given, they will face punishment. In the first example, if someone trespasses, they could be prosecuted. In the second example, if a student doesn't turn in their homework on time, they will receive a failing grade.