possession is nine points of the law
- possession is nine points of the law
There is no specific legal ruling which supports this proverb—though the concept is widely acknowledged—but in early use the satisfaction often (sometimes twelve) points was commonly asserted to attest full entitlement or ownership. Possession, represented by nine (or eleven) points, is therefore the closest substitute for this. Cf. 1595 Edward III E3 ’Tis you are in possession of the Crowne, And thats the surest poynt of all the Law.
1616 T. DRAXE Adages 163 Possession is nine points in the Law.
1659 J. IRETON Oration 5 This Rascally-devill..denys to pay a farthing of rent. ’Tis true, possession is nine points of the Law, Yet give Gentlemen, right’s right.
1709 O. DYKES English Proverbs 213 Possession is a mighty Matter indeed; and we commonly say, ’tis eleven Points of the Law. It goes a great Way to the giving of Security, but not any Right.
1822 T. L. PEACOCK Maid Marian v. In those days possession was considerably more than eleven points of the Law. The baron was therefore convinced that the earl’s outlawry was infallible.
1920 J. GALSWORTHY In Chancery II. xiv. We’re the backbone of the country. They [Leftists] won’t upset us easily. Possession’s nine points of the Law.
2002 Washington Times 17 Feb. B2 Mrs. Clinton told the New York Post, ‘You know, we followed every single law.’ And they did. So what if it was the law of the jungle (possession is nine-tenths of the law)..?
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possession — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) State of owning or the thing owned Nouns 1. possession, ownership; proprietorship, lordship, fee, seigniorage, seigniory; empire, dominion (see authority); interest, stake, estate, right, title, claim,… … English dictionary for students
law — see one law for the rich and another for the poor hard cases make bad law ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it every land has its own law necessity knows no law new lords, new laws … Proverbs new dictionary
nine — see nine tailors make a man parsley seed goes nine times to the devil possession is nine points of the law it is not spring until you can plant your foot upon twelve daisies a stitch in time saves nine … Proverbs new dictionary
possession — see possession is nine points of the law … Proverbs new dictionary
Possession — (Roget s Thesaurus) < N PARAG:Possession >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 possession possession seizin seisin Sgm: N 1 ownership ownership &c. 780 Sgm: N 1 occupancy occupancy Sgm: N 1 hold hold holding Sgm … English dictionary for students
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