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Dictionary of Law Terms: Bill

Bequest. A testamentary disposition of personal estate. Bigamy. The criminal offence of a married man or woman pretending to marry again, his wife or her husband (as the case may be) being still alive. Bill. The term applied to an intended statute when passing through a legislative body, prior to its becoming a law.

Bill in Chancery. Formerly a written statement of the plaintiff's case in the form of a petition to the Lord Chancellor, praying for redress. Bill of Exceptions. A mode of appealing from the decision of a judge on a point of law.

Borough. A town having now, or having formerly had, corporate rights. Borough-English. A tenure by which the youngest son inherits from the father. Bottomry. The borrowing of money by the master on the bottom or hull of a ship; to be paid with interest, if the ship return in safety, but otherwise to be lost or forfeited.