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Glossary of Legal Terms beginning with letter S
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Said proper noun An alternative form of the male given name Saeed. sanction noun the approval, by some authority, that makes something valid a penalty, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body a law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying the above verb (transitive) To give authorization or approval to something; to ratify. (transitive) To penalize a state, especially for violating international law. saving noun (context, countable, usually plural) Something (usually money) that is saved. (uncountable) The action of the verb to save. verb Present participle of to save. seashore noun the coastal land bordering a sea or ocean, especially the land between low water and high water seisin noun a feudal period term for title to a freehold estate with a right to immediate possession. seize verb (seiz, ing) To grab, to capture. To take advantage of an opportunity. To have a seizure. To bind or lock in position immovably. Rust caused the engine to , never to run again. seizure noun (wikipedia, Search and seizure) The act of taking possession, as by force or right of law. The search warrant permitted the of evidence. A sudden attack or convulsion, (e.g. an epileptic seizure). He fell to the floor and convulsed when the epilectic occurred. A sudden onset of pain or emotion. He felt the sudden of pain as the heart attack began. sequester verb To separate from all external influence. The jury was sequestered* from the press by the judge's order.* service noun (economics) That which is produced, then traded, bought or sold, then finally consumed and consists of an action or work. Hair care is a industry. (computing) A function that is provided by one program or machine for another. This machine provides the name for the LAN. The military. I did three years in the before coming here. A set of dishes or utensils. She brought out the silver tea . The act of initially starting, or serving, the ball in play in tennis, volleyball, and other games. The player had four faults in the set. A religious rite or ritual. The funeral was touching. The serving, or delivery, of a summons or writ. The happened yesterday. (public service) that which is provided by the Government or its agents The Job Centre provides a to the unemployed. (religion) Doing something for someone else without thought of reward or payment. verb (servic, ing) to serve They the customer base. to perform maintenance He is going to the car. servitude noun The state of being a slave; slavery. session noun A period devoted to a particular activity; a training session. A meeting of a council, court, or legislative body to conduct its buisness. (computing) Used in reference to web applications, a session is the sequence of interactions between the server and a user. A users session can store persistent data between different web pages. For instance, a person might login to a site on one page, then go on using other pages on the site. The login step begins a session where the server tracks information about that specific user. Sessions typically expire after a set time of non-interaction and are removed from the server's memory. (cricket) A period of play in which the players only leave the field at a change of innings; the three sessions are between start of play, lunch, tea and close of play sever verb To cut free. (rfex) several noun Of persons or objects, more than two, but not very many. One chair was in the hallway, and were scattered around the waiting room. Each particular taken singly; an item; a detail; an individual. (archaic) An enclosed or separate place; enclosure. adverb By itself; severally. severance noun the act of severing or the state of being severed a separation a severance payment shore noun the land on or near a waterline such as a sea or lake the land The seamen were serving on instead of in ships. a prop or strut supporting the weight or flooring above it The shores stayed upright during the earthquake. verb (shor, ing) To provide support in some way My family shored me up after I failed the GED. The workers were shoring up the dock after it fell into the water. sidebar noun a short news story printed alongside a larger one (computing) information placed at the side of a webpage (US) a short conference, between a judge and the attorneys of a case, held outside the jury's hearing; the place where this happens slander noun a false, malicious statement (spoken or published), especially one which is injurious to a person's reputation; the making of such a statement verb to utter a slanderous statement sole noun The bottom or plantar surface of the foot. The bottom of a shoe or boot. A flatfish of the family Soleidae. verb (sol, ing) (transitive) to put a sole on (a shoe or boot) adjective only unmarried (especially of a woman); widowed. sole custody noun An arrangement whereby only one parent has physical and legal custody of a child while the other parent has visitation rights. solemnity noun (solemnities) The quality of being deeply serious and sober or solemn. An instance or example of solemn behavior. sole trader noun A type of business enterprise or proprietorship which is owned by one person who is fully liable for the company's debts and fulfillment of contracts with his/her personal wealth unless incorporated. solicitor noun In many common law jurisdictions, such as England and Wales, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India, Hong Kong, and Singapore, a type of lawyer whose traditional role is to offer legal services to clients apart from acting as their advocate in court. A solicitor instructs a barrister to act as an advocate for their client in court, although rights of audience for solicitors vary according to jurisdiction. In English Canada and in parts of Australia, a type of lawyer who historically held the same role as 1, but whose role has in modern times been merged with that of a barrister. In parts of the U.S., the chief legal officer of a city or town. (context, North America) A person soliciting sales, especially door to door. sound noun A sensation perceived by the ear caused by the vibration of air or some other medium. (He turned when he heard the of footsteps behind him.) Nobody made a . A vibration capable of causing this. verb (intransitive) To produce a sound. When the horn sounds, be careful. (rfex) (transitive) To state or utter, especially with deliberation; to repeat. (transitive) To cause to produce a sound. He sounds* the instrument.* (intransitive) To arise or to be recognizable as arising within a particular area of law. "There can be no doubt that claims brought pursuant to Â§ 1983 in tort." -City of Monterey v. Del Monte Dunes at Monterey, Ltd., 526 U.S. 687, 709 (1999). adjective (sounder, soundest) healthy, Healthy. He was safe and . complete, Complete, solid, or secure. Fred assured me the floorboards were . (context, British, slang) Good or a good thing. "How are you?" - "I'm ." That's a track you're playing. spinster noun An unmarried woman, especially one past the normal marrying age One who spins a political media story so as to give something a favorable or advantageous appearance (obsolete) Someone whose occupation was spinning thread spoliation noun The act of plundering or spoiling; robbery; deprivation; despoliation. Robbery or plunder in times of war; especially, the authorized act or practice of plundering neutrals at sea. The intentional destruction of or tampering with (a document) in such way as to impair evidentiary effect. squat noun A building occupied without permission, as practiced by a squatter. A position assumed by bending deeply at the knees while resting on one's feet. (weightlifting): A specific exercise in weightlifting performed by bending deeply at the knees and then rising. Something of no value; nothing. He didn't do to help. verb (squat, t, ed) To bend deeply at the knees while resting on one's feet. To occupy without permission. squatter noun One who occupies a building or land without title or permission. stale noun (context, Shakespearian) A woman who is "no longer fresh" or who has lost her virginity. Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, Act IV, Scene i, lines 59-60: : I stand dishonor'd, that have gone about : To link my dear friend to a common adjective Having lost its freshness from age. Stale food, for instance, is food which is still edible but has lost its deliciousness. The steak is as as the beer. If you don't enter a room for some days, the air will become . No longer new; no longer interesting; established; old; as, stale news, a stale joke, etc. stand noun A device to hold something upright or aloft. He set the music upon the and began to play. The platform on which a witness testifies in court; the witness stand or witness box. She took the and quietly answered questions. A resolute, unwavering position; firm opinion; action for a purpose in the face of opposition. They took a firm against copyright infringement. A particular grove or other group of trees. This of pines is older than the one next to it. (forestry) A contiguous group of trees sufficiently uniform in age-class distribution, composition, and structure, and growing on a site of sufficiently uniform quality, to be a distinguishable unit. A small building, booth, or stage, as in a bandstand or hamburger stand. A designated spot where someone or something may stand or wait: taxi stand. (cricket) A partnership. verb (stands, standing, stood, stood or archaic standen) (intransitive) To be upright, support oneself on the feet in an erect position. Here I stand, wondering what to do next. (intransitive) To rise to one's feet; to stand up. Stand up, walk to the refrigerator, and get your own snack. (intransitive) To remain motionless. Do not leave your car standing in the road. (context, cricket, intransitive) To act as an umpire. (intransitive) To undergo; withstand; hold up. The works of Shakespeare have stood the test of time. (transitive) To tolerate. I can't stand when people don't read the instructions. I can't her. (intransitive) To place in an upright or standing position. He stood the broom in a corner and took a break. (context, UK, intransitive) To seek election He is standing for election to the local council status noun A person"s position or standing relative to that of others. Superstition is highly correlated with economic . (rfd-redundant) prestige, Prestige or high standing. 1957, Gladys Sellew and Paul Hanly Furfey, Sociology and Its Use in Nursing Service, Saunders, page 81 : The king has in his kingdom, and the pauper has within his immediate group of peers. A situation or state of affairs. What's the of the investigation? (rfd-redundant) (legal) The legal condition of a person or thing. statute noun Written law, as laid down by the legislature. (legalese) (Common law) Legislated rule of society which has the force of law. statutory rape noun (context, legal) An act of sexual intercourse by an adult with a minor who is below the age of consent. stay noun A postponement, especially of an execution or other punishment. The governor granted a of execution. A rope or wire supporting or stabilizing a platform, such as a bridge, a pole, such as a tentpole or a mast, or other structural element. The engineer insisted on using stays* for the scaffolding.* A piece of stiff material, such as plastic or whalebone, used to stiffen a piece of clothing. Where are the stays* for my collar?* A period of time spent in a place. I hope you enjoyed your in Hawaii. verb (intransitive) To remain in a particular place. We stayed* in Hawaii for a week.* I can only for an hour. (intransitive) To continue to have a particular quality. Wear gloves so your hands warm. (transitive) To postpone. The governor stayed* the execution until the appeal could be heard.* stranger noun A person whom one does not know; a person who is neither a friend nor an acquaintance. An outsider or foreigner 1961, Robert Heinlein: "Stranger in a Strange Land" A newcomer. adjective (comparative of, strange) Truth is stranger than fiction (italbrac, English proverb) stultify verb (stultif, i, ed) To prove to be of unsound mind or demonstrate someone's incompetence. To cause to appear foolish. To deprive of strength or efficacy; make useless or worthless. subcontract verb To contract out portions of a larger contracted project. submission noun the act of submitting the thing which has been submitted suborn verb To induce someone to commit an unlawful or malicious act, or to commit perjury substantive noun (grammar) A word that names or refers to a person, place, thing, or idea. noun, Nouns, pronouns, adjectives, present participles, determiners, and numerals may all function as substantives in English and many other languages. adjective Of the essence or essential element of a thing; as, "substantive information". Having substance and prompting thought. Applying to essential legal principles and rules of right; as, "substantive law". Sue proper noun (given name, female), pet form of Susan and of its variants; popular as a middle name. suit noun The attempt to gain an end by legal process; a process instituted in a court of law for the recovery of a right or claim; a lawsuit. If you take my advice, you'll file against him immediately. (italbrac-colon, obsolete) The act of following or pursuing; pursuit, chase. (obsolete) The act of suing; the pursuit of a particular object or goal. Thenceforth the of earthly conquest shone. "Spenser. Pursuit of a love-interest; wooing, courtship. Rebate your loves, each rival suspend, Till this funereal web my labors end. "Pope. (archaic) A company of attendants or followers; a retinue. (archaic) A group of similar or related objects or items considered as a whole; a suite (of rooms etc.) The full set of sails required for a ship. A set of clothes to be worn together, now especially a man's matching jacket and trousers, or a similar outfit for a woman. Nick hired a navy-blue for the wedding. (context, pejorative, slang) A person who wears matching jacket and trousers, especially a boss or a supervisor. Be sure to keep your nose to the grindstone today; the suits* are making a "surprise" visit to this department.* A full set of armour. (card games) Each of the sets of a pack of cards distinguished by color and/or specific emblems, such as the spades, hearts, diamonds or clubs of traditional Anglo, Hispanic and French playing cards. To deal and shuffle, to divide and sort Her mingled suits* and sequences.* "Cowper. (obsolete) Regular order; succession. Every five and thirty years the same kind and of weather comes again. "Bacon. verb To fit; to adapt; to make proper or suitable; as, to suit the action to the word. "Shak. To be fitted to; to accord with; to become; to befit. Ill suits* his cloth the praise of railing well.* "Dryden. Raise her notes to that sublime degree Which suits* song of piety and thee.* "Prior. To dress; to clothe. So went he suited* to his watery tomb.* "Shak. To please; to make content; as, he is well suited with his place; to suit one"s taste. (intransitive): To agree; to accord; to be fitted; to correspond; " usually followed by with or to. The place itself was suiting* to his care.* "Dryden. Give me not an office That suits* with me so ill.* "Addison. suitor noun A party to a suit or litigation. One who sues, petitions, solicits, or entreats; a petitioner. One who sues for the hand of a woman in marriage; a wooer; one who courts a mistress. verb To play the suitor; to woo; to make love. summation noun A summarization. (math): An adding up of a series of items. summons noun A call to do something, especially to come. A notice summoning someone to appear in court, as a defendant, juror or witness. verb (summons, es) (transitive) To serve someone with a summons. 2007: It proposes that those held in the prototype Selfridges cells be kept for a maximum of four hours to have their identity confirmed and be charged, summonsed or given a fine. " The Guardian, 15 Mar 2007, p. 1 supplemental noun Something that supplements or adds to. A requisition or article of legislation that provides additional funding for a program. adjective Acting to supplement. Appending. Lacking a regular schedule (as in a supplemental airline). surety noun the state of being sure (sureties) certainty a promise to pay a sum of money in the event that another person fails to fulfill an obligation; a person responsible for this debt surrender noun An act of surrendering, submission into the possession of another; abandonment, resignation. verb (transitive) To give up into the power, control, or possession of another; specifically (Military) to yield (land, a town, etc.) to an enemy. (italbrac, intransitive or reflexive) To give oneself up into the power of another, especially as a prisoner; to submit or give in to. surrogate noun A substitute (usually of a person, position or role). A person or animal that acts as a substitute for the social or pastoral role of another, such as a surrogate mother. (context, chiefly, UK) A deputy for a bishop in granting licences for marriage. In some US states, including New York, a judge who has power over the settlement of wills, estates and other legal affairs. adjective (normally a modifier of the noun) Of, concerning, relating to or acting as a substitute. survivorship noun the right of a joint owner of something to its ownership following the death of other joint owners the state of being a survivor swear noun A swearword. verb (swears, swearing, swore, sworn) (intransitive) (transitive) To take an oath. (intransitive) To use offensive language.

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