Et Cetera

Concept of “Et Cetera”

Traditional meaning of et cetera in English (with some legal use of this latin concept in England and the United States in the XIX Century) [1]: (in Latin) And other things; and others; see 39 Hun, 576.

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Notes and References

1. Based on A Concise Law Dictionary of Words, Phrases and Maxims, “Et Cetera”, Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1911, United States. It is also called the Stimson’s Law dictionary. This term and/or definition may be absolete.

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Meaning of Et Cetera in the Past

A Latin phrase, which has been adopted into English; it signifies. “and the others and so of the rest,” it is commonly abbreviated, etc.

Developments

Formerly the pleader was needd to be very particular in making his defence. (see this concept in the corresponding entry on this reference) B making full defence, he impliedly admitted the jurisdiction of the court and the competency of the plaintiff to sue; and half defense was used when the defendant intended to plead to the jurisdictions or disability. To prevent the inconveniences which might arise by pleading (i.e. the formal allegations by the parties of their respective claims and defenses) full or half defence, it became the practice to plead in the following form: ” And the said C D, by E F, his attorney (see more about this popular legal topic in the U.S. encyclopedia), comes and defends the wrong and injury (see more about this popular legal topic in the U.S. encyclopedia), when, etc. and says,” which was either full or half defence. 2 Saund. 209, c.; Steph. Pl. 432; 2 Chit. Pl. 455.

Details

In practice, the etc. is used to delivery the place of words which have been omitted. In taking recognizance, for example, it is usual to make an entry on the docket of the clerk of the court, as follows: A B, tent, etc., in the sum of $1000, to answer, etc. 6 S. & R. 427. [1]

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Notes and References

1. Partialy, this information about et cetera is based on the Bouvier´s Law Dictionary, 1848 edition. There is a list of terms of the Bouvier´s Law Dictionary, including et cetera.

See Also