Middle English Dictionary Entry
capias n.
Entry Info
| Forms | capias n. |
| Etymology | ML |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Law (a) A writ of arrest; also the serving of such a writ, an arrest; (b) ~ utlagāt, ~ legāt, a writ directing the arrest of an outlawed person.
Associated quotations
a
- [ (1351-2) RParl.2.240b : Soit commande a Viscont d'atacher son corps per Brief que est appelle Capias. ]
- (1442) RParl.5.43a : The said Justice and Lieutenaunt..have power to receyve..all maner of Appelles and Enditementz, and theropon to make Processe by distresse or capias, as the case requirith.
- (1443) Proc.Privy C.5.298 : vijxx persones endited..ask, for þe which a capias is lyke to go oute, in haste to recorde attournees for hem.
- (1448) Shillingford137 : The seide maier and commonalte..shall make no somnes, attachementes, distresses, arestes, nor capies withyn the seide fee churche.
- (1449) RParl.5.155a : That the Justices of the Pees..have poair..to make processe ayenest persones so enditid, by two capias and an exigent.
- a1450(c1400) Wor.Serm.(Wor F.10)77/894 : An oppressor..schal get him a writ or a capias to disese his pouer neȝebours.
- (1464) Paston (Gairdner)4.94 : Ther is a capias ought ayens hym upon the condempnaceon, and the Shireff hath it.
- (1466) Stonor1.87 : Syr, y sende yow a capias þat Langford delyvered me..which y coude nat serve for lac of tyme.
- (1474) RParl.6.103b : That then such processe..be made..ayenst theym or hym not apperyng by Capias and Exigend' as usuelly is used.
- a1525(?1464) Cov.Leet Bk.322 : Ric. Hykman, deyster, stode condempned a-fore the Mair and shirrefs of this Cite in the Court of portmanmote, and a Capias to take hym was awarded, and as he shuld haue byn takyn he fledde yn-to the kynges parke.
b
- (1444) RParl.5.110a : Suche person or persons that be or shall be in thair Wardes by condempnation, execution, Capias utlagat', sive excommunicatum, suertee of pees..onely except.
- (1447-8) Proc.Privy C.6.326 : Richard Elys..is in youre warde arrestid by our writtes of Capias utlegat for a certain dett due unto..John Fastalf.