vagrancy
vagrancy
Definition
va·grancy (vā′grən sē)
noun pl. vagrancies -·cies
- Now Rare a wandering in thought or talk; digression
- a wandering from place to place; vagabondage
- shiftless or idle wandering without money or work, as of tramps, beggars, etc.: often a statutory offense chargeable as a misdemeanor
Etymology: < vagrant
vagrancy
Synonyms
vagrancy
Law Definition
n
A vague, poorly delineated set of minor offenses
(dating from the downfall of feudalism in England, when there was an acute
shortage of laborers), such as being
in a condition of unemployment, wandering from place to place with no apparent
purpose, and having no visible means of support. More recently, the police have
utilized vagrancy statutes for arresting persons thought to have committed a
crime, when lack of probable cause for the persons arrest is lacking. Vagrancy
statutes have not been well received by the courts, due to their abuse, and
have often been declared unconstitutional due to their vagueness, and their ignoring of due process.
vagrancy
Usage Examples
Adjective modifier
- natural: The date and west coast location are consistent with natural vagrancy from North America.
Modifies a noun
Browse dictionary entries near vagrancy
- vagrancies
- vagotropic
- vagotonic
- vagotonia
- vagotomy
- vagotomies
- vagodepressor
- vago-
- vagino-
- vaginitis
