法律英语|英文法律词典 R-5

RATIHABITION, contracts. /confirm/iation^{1; approbation2 of a contract; ratification3. Vin. Ab. h. t.; Assent4.}

RATIonALIBUS DIVISIS, WRIT^{5 DE. The name of a writ which lies properly when two men have lands in several towns or hamlets, so that the one is seised of the land in one town or hamlet, and the other, of the other town or hamlet by himself; and they do not know the bounds of the town or hamlet, nor of their respective lands. This writ lies by one, against the other, and the object of it is to fix the boundaries. F . N. B. 300.}

RAVISHED, pleadings. In indictments^{7 for rape8, this technical word must be introduced, for no other word, nor any circumlocution9, will answer the purpose. The defendant10 should be charged with having feloniously ravished the prosecutrix, or woman mentioned in the indictment6. Bac. Ab. Indictment, G l; Com. Dig. Indictment, G 6; Hawk11. B. 2, c. 25, s. 56; Cro. C. C. 37; 1 Hale, 628: 2 Hale, 184 Co. Litt. 184, n. p.; 2 Inst. 180; 1 East, P. C. 447. The words feloniously did ravish and carnally know, imply that the act was done forcibly and against the will of the woman. 12 S. R. 70. Vide 3 Chit. Cr. Law, 812.}

RAVISHMENT, crim. law. This word has several meanings. 1. It is an unlawful taking of a woman, or an heir in ward^{12. 2. It is sometimes used synonymously with rape.}

RAVISHMENT OF WARD, Eng. law. The marriage of an infant ward, without the consent of the guardian^{13, is called a ravishment of ward, and punishable by statute14. Westminster 2, c. 35.}

READING. The act of making known the contents of a writing or of a printed document.

2. In order to enable a party to a contract or a devisor to know what a paper contains it must be read, either by the party himself or by some other person to him. When a person signs or executes a paper, it will be presumed that it has been read to him, but this presumption^{15 may be rebutted16.}

3. In the case of a blind testator, if it can be proved that the will was not read to him, it cannot be sustained. 3 Wash. C C. R. 580. Vide 2 Bouv. Inst. n. 2012.