Stranger


Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

Stranger

A third person; anyone who is not a party to a particular legal action or agreement.

For example, all those who are not parties to a particular contract are considered strangers to the contract.

West's Encyclopedia of American Law, edition 2. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

STRANGER, persons, contracts. This word has several significations. 1. A person born out of the United States; but in this sense the term alien is more properly applied, until he becomes naturalized. 2. A person who is not privy to an act or contract; example, he who is a stranger to the issue, shall not take advantage of the verdict. Bro. Ab. Record, pl. 3; Vin. Ab. h.t. pl. 1 and vide Com. Dig. Abatement, H 54.
     2. When a man undertakes to do a thing, and a stranger interrupts him, this is no excuse. Com. Dig. Condition, L 14. When a party undertakes that a stranger shall do a certain thing, he becomes liable as soon as the stranger refuses to perform it. Bac. Ab. Conditions, Q 4.

A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States. By John Bouvier. Published 1856.
Mentioned in ?
References in classic literature ?
As he spoke he went up to Ulysses and saluted him with his right hand; "Good day to you, father stranger," said he, "you seem to be very poorly off now, but I hope you will have better times by and by.
View in context
For, look you, now Athens is held of States the most devout, Athens alone gives hospitality And shelters the vexed stranger, so men say.
View in context
"And thou pratest like a coward," answered the stranger, "for thou standest there with a good yew bow to shoot at my heart, while I have nought in my hand but a plain blackthorn staff wherewith to meet thee."
View in context
Then he shouted to his boys to come and kill the stranger. In response a dozen strange blacks entered the tent.
View in context
STRANGER. Exactly: you see you do not even know what Space is.
View in context
King, who during the colloquy had hardly removed his eyes from the stranger's face and had not spoken a word, consented with a nod to act for Rosser, and the upshot of it was that, the principals having retired, a meeting was arranged for the next evening.
View in context
The stranger reeled and came within an ace of falling, but regained his footing right quickly.
View in context
When they separated Felix kissed the hand of the stranger and said, `Good night sweet Safie.' He sat up much longer, conversing with his father, and by the frequent repetition of her name I conjectured that their lovely guest was the subject of their conversation.
View in context
"Three Rums!" cried the stranger, calling to the landlord.
View in context
"I do not often laugh, sir," replied the stranger, "as you may perceive by the expression of my countenance; but nevertheless I retain the privilege of laughing when I please."
View in context
The two men remained opposite one another, Morrel trembling in every limb, the stranger gazing at him with an air of profound pity.
View in context
All at once the stranger closed the book, putting in a marker, and again, leaning with his arms on the back of the sofa, sat in his former position with his eyes shut.
View in context

Legal browser ?
Full browser ?