Entirety

views updated Jun 08 2018

ENTIRETY

The whole, in contradistinction to a moiety or part only. When land is conveyed tohusband and wife, they do not take by moieties, but both are seised of the entirety. Parceners, on the other hand, have not an entirety of interest, but each is properly entitled to the whole of a distinct moiety.

The word is also used to designate that which the law considers as one whole, and not capable of being divided into parts. Thus, a judgment, it is held, is an entirety, and, if void as to one of the two defendants, cannot be valid as to the other. Also, if a contract is an entirety, no part of the consideration is due until the whole has been performed.

entirety

views updated May 11 2018

en·tire·ty / enˈtī(ə)rtē; -ˈtīritē/ • n. the whole of something: she would have to stay in her room over the entirety of the weekend.

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