Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Mainprise
Main′prise
,Noun.
[F.
main
hand + prise
a taking, fr. prendre
, p. p. pris
to take, fr. L. prehendere
, prehensum
.] (Law)
(a)
A writ directed to the sheriff, commanding him to take sureties, called mainpernors, for the prisoner’s appearance, and to let him go at large. This writ is now obsolete.
Wharton.
(b)
Deliverance of a prisoner on security for his appearance at a day.
Main′prise
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Mainprised
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Mainprising
.] (Law)
To suffer to go at large, on his finding sureties, or mainpernors, for his appearance at a day; – said of a prisoner.