Waif in United Kingdom

Meaning of Waif

The following is an old definition of Waif [1]: Waifs, bona waviata, were goods stolen and thrown away by the thief in his flight, from fear of being apprehended. If the party robbed did not recover the goods first, they were forfeited to the king, to punish the owner for not pursuing the felon.

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Notes and References

1. Concept of Waif provided by the Anderson Dictionary of Law (1889) (Dictionary of Law consisting of Judicial Definitions and Explanations of Words, Phrases and Maxims and an Exposition of the Principles of Law: Comprising a Dictionary and Compendium of American and English Jurisprudence; William C. Anderson; T. H. Flood and Company, Law Publishers, Chicago, United States)