法律英语|英文法律词典 M-28

MATERTERA. Maternal^{1 aunt; the sister of one's mother. Inst. 3, 4, 3; Dig. 38, 10, 10, 14.}

MATHEMATICAL EVIDENCE. That evidence which is established by a demonstration^{2. It is used in contradistinction to moral evidence.}

MATRICULA, civil law. A register in which are inscribed^{3 the names of persons who become members of an association or society. Dig. 50, 3, 1. In the ancient church there was matricula clericorum, which was a catalogue of the officiating clergy4; and matricula pauperum, a list of the poor to be relieved; hence to be entered in the university is to be matriculated.}

MATRIMonIAL CAUSES. In the English ecclesiastical courts there are five kinds of causes which are classed under this head. 1. Causes for a malicious^{5 jactitation. 2. Suits for nullity of marriage, on account of fraud, incest, or other bar to the marriage. 2 Hagg. Cons6. Rep. 423. 3. Suits for restitution7 of conjugal8 rights. 4. Suits for porces on account of cruelty or adultery, or causes which have arisen since the marriage. 5. Suits for alimony.}

MATRIMONIUM. By this word is understood the inheritance descending^{9 to a man, ex parti matris. It is but little used.}

2. Among the Romans this word was employed to signify marriage; and it was so called because this conjunction was made with the design that the wife should become a mother. Inst. 1, 9, 1.

MATRIMONY. See Marriage.

MATRINA. A godmother.

MATRON. A married woman, generally an elderly married woman.

2. By the laws of England, when a widow feigns^{10 herself with child, in order to exclude the next heir, and a supposititious birth is expected, then, upon the writ11 de ventre inspiciendo, a jury of women is to be, impanneled to try the question, whether with child or not. Cro, Eliz. 566. So when a woman was sentenced to death, and she declared herself to be quick with child, a jury of matrons is impanneled to try whether she be or be not with child. 4 Bl. Com. 395. See Pregnancy12; Quick with child.}

MATTER. Some substantial or essential thing, opposed to form; facts.

MATTER IN PAYS. Literally^{13, matter in the country; matter of fact, as distinguished14 from matter of law, or matter of record. Steph. Pl. 197. Vide Country.}

MATTER IN DEED. Matter in deed is such matter as may be proved or established by a deed or specialty^{15. In another sense it signifies matter of fact, in contradistinction to matter of law. Co. Litt. 320; Steph. Pl. 197.}

MATTER OF FACT, pleading. Matter which goes in denial of a declaration, and Dot in avoidance of it. Bac. Ab. Pleas, c. G 3; Hob. 127.

MATTER OF LAW, pleading. That which goes in avoidance of a declaration or other pleading, on the ground that the law does not authorize^{16 them. It does not deny the matter or fact contained in such pleading, but admitting them avoids them. Bac. Ab. Pleas, c. G 3. Matter of law, is that which is referred to the decision of the court; matter of fact that which is submitted to the jury.}