Coverture

Definition - Noun
[Anglo-French, literally, shelter, covering, from Old French, from covert, past participle of covrir to cover]
: the inclusion of a woman in the legal person of her husband upon marriage under common law
Because of coverture, married women formerly did not have the legal capacity to hold their own property or contract on their own behalf. These disabilities have been removed for the most part by statute.
Pronunciation'k&-v&r-"chu'r, -ch&r

Pronunciation Key

  • \&\ as a and u in a b ut
  • \[^&]\ as e in kitt en
  • \&r\ as ur and er in f urther
  • \a\ as a inash
  • \A\ as a in ace
  • \Š\ as o in m op
  • \au\ as ou in ou t
  • \ch\ as ch in ch in
  • \e\ as e in bet
  • \E\ as ea in easy
  • \g\ as g in go
  • \i\ as i in hit
    		•
  • \I\ as i in ice
  • \j\ as j in job
  • \[ng]\ as ng in sing
  • \O\ as o in go
  • \o\ as aw in law
  • \oi\ as oy in boy
  • \th\ as th in thin
  • \[th_]\ as thin the
  • \Ÿ\ as oo in loot
  • \u\ as oo in foot
  • \y\ as y in yet
  • \zh\ as si in vision
    		•


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    Based on Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©2001.
    Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
    Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.
    http://www.m-w.com    		 Merriam-Webster

    collateral estoppel

    estoppel by judgment barring the relitigation of issues litigated by the same parties on a different cause of action


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