Definitions For Darrein

Adjective

(not comparable) (law, historical) In the names of legal actions, pleas, writs, etc.: final, last; dernier#english, dernier. : {{ux, en, the assize of darrein presentment}} : {{ux, en, a plea puis darrein continuance}} : {{ux, en, darrein resort}}

Usage notes

The word darrein appears in a number of phrases, including assize (and writ) of darrein presentment, plea puis darrein continuance and darrein res(s)ort. In English law, an advowson was the right, often held together with a fee or fief, to nominate a person to be a parish priest of a church. Such a nomination was subject to episcopal approval. If a person complained he had been unlawfully deprived of an advowson by another person, he could bring a legal action called the assize of darrein presentment for an inquiry into who was the last holder of the advowson (the advowee or patron) to present a priest, and to establish that he was the rightful advowee. The assize was established in 1166 and abolished in 1833. A plea puis#middle french, puis darrein continuance was a plea made after the last continuance in the legal proceedings; for example, if a defendant had already presented his or her case, but wished to raise an additional matter before the jury delivered its verdict. A darrein resort (or ressort), now more common in the French form dernier#french, dernier ressort#noun 2, ressort (meaning “last resort”), was the final court which a legal matter could be appealed to. Not to be confused with darrain or deraign.

Etymology

From {{der, en, xno, derreyn}}, dreyn; from {{der, en, fro, darrein}}, darrain (w:french language, modern french dernier); from an assumed {{der, en, LL., deretranus, *deretrānus, to hinder}}, from de#etymology 2, dē, , from, away from + retro, retrō, back, backwards; before, formerly.