AMENDMENT, in Law, the Correction of an Error committed in a Process, and espied before Judgment. See ERROR. If the Error be committed in giving Judgment, viz. a wrong Judgment be given, there, they cannot amend it; but the Party aggrieved must bring his Writ of Error. However, where the Fault appears to be in the Clerk who wrote the Record, it may be amended.
AMERCEMENT, or Ammercement, in Law, a Penalty assessed by the Peers or Equals of the Party amerced, for an Offence done; or a pecuniary Punishment imposed upon Offenders, at the Mercy of the Court; and therefore in our Law frequently called 'Misericordia'. See PUNISHMENT, and MISERICORDIA. There is this stated Difference between Fines, and Amercements; that Fines are Punishments certain, and determined by some Statute; but Amercements are arbitrary Impositions, proportioned to the Fault, at the Discretion of the Court.
AMITTERE ZEGEM TERRE, a Law-Phrase, signifying the Forfeiture of the Right of swearing in any Court or Cause; or to become infamous. See LAW. This is the Punishment of a Champion overcome, or yielding in the Combat; of Jurors found guilty in a Writ of Attaint; and of Persons outlawed. See CHAMPION, COMBAT, JUROR, OUTLAWRY, &c.
AMY, in Law, the Person next of kin to an Orphan, or Infant; who is to be intrusted for him: properly called Prochein Amy. See PROCHEIN, &c. The Word is French, and literally signifies Friend.
AT, or Ap, in our ancient Customs, signifies as much as old, ancient.—This, being prefixed to the Names of Places, expresses their Antiquity; as Aldborough, Aldgate, &c.