Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun In English law, formerly, a rule or order of court permitting a prisoner in the King's Bench prison, etc., to go without the bounds of the prison for one day.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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He was bound to her, but she gave him plenty of day-rule, and leave of absence on parole.
The Virginians 2006
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He was bound to her, but she gave him plenty of day-rule, and leave of absence on parole.
The Virginians William Makepeace Thackeray 1837
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The gentleman with the day-rule, in new buckskins and boots, and mounted on a thorough-bred horse, quizzed his retaining creditor, as he trotted along with dusty shoes and coat; the "lady of easy virtue" stared her keeper's wife and daughter out of countenance.
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This invitation was accepted, but a difficulty arose, as we were without the walls, and the ladies were within, which appeared at first view to be an insurmountable obstacle to their visiting us; for, although we could pass into the prison, yet no prisoner within the walls could pass out, unless by a day-rule in term time, or the special permission of the marshal, which no one expected to obtain without giving sufficient security.
Memoirs of Henry Hunt, Esq. — Volume 1 Henry Hunt 1804
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It makes the dashing prisoner forget, that while "he is sporting his figure in the bang-up style of appearance, he is only taking his ride on a day-rule from the King's Bench.
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