mainprise

Meanings

Noun

• A writ directed to the sheriff, commanding him to take sureties, called mainpernors, for the prisoner's appearance, and to let him go at large.
• Deliverance of a prisoner on security for his appearance at a day.

Verb

• To allow (a prisoner) to go at large, on his finding sureties, or mainpernors, for his appearance on a given day.

Origin

• From Middle English meynprise, maynprise, from Anglo-Norman mainprise.