a mensa et thoro
Dictionary: A men-sa et tho-ro
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Divorce a Mensa et Thoro definition:
An obselete form of divorce order which did not end the marriage but allowed the parties to reside separate; in effect, a legal or judicially-sanctioned separation of two married persons.
A MENSA ET THORO, from bed and board. A divorce a mensa et thoro, is rather a separation of the parties by act of law, than a dissolution of the marriage. It may be granted for the causes of extreme cruelty or desertion of the wife by the hushand.
Divorces a mensa et thoro, are a mere separation of the parties for a time for causes arising since the marriage; they are pronounced by tribunals of competent jurisdiction.
alternatively written as a mensa et thoro (a medieval orthographic innovation to discourage intervocalic palatalization); literally "from table and cushion," but generally translated as "from bed and board.
 See also: Marriage, Law, Divorce, Action, Civil
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