n. [ OF. main hand + pernor, for preneor, a taker, F. preneur, fr. prendre to take. ] (Law) A surety, under the old writ of mainprise, for a prisoner's appearance in court at a day. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ Mainpernors differ from bail in that a man's bail may imprison or surrender him before the stipulated day of appearance; mainpernors can do neither; they are bound to produce him to answer all charges whatsoever. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who watches or keeps awake all night. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ L. pernoctatio, fr. pernoctare to stay all night; per + nox, noctis, night. ] The act or state of passing the whole night; a remaining all night. “Pernoctation in prayer.” Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ See Pern, v. ] (Law) One who receives the profits, as of an estate. [ 1913 Webster ]
[ So called from
n. [ Probably of American Indian origin. ] (Bot.) An American grape, a form of Vitis vulpina, found in the Southern Atlantic States, and often cultivated. [ 1913 Webster ]