Main·prise n. 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, v. 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.
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