SAO. In old English law. A liberty of holding pleas; the jurisdiction of a manor court ; the privilege claimed by a lord of trying actions of trespass between his tenants, in his manor court, and imposing fines and amerclaments in the same.

Lat. In Romazx law. An oath, as being a very sacred thing; more particularly, the oath taken by soldiers to be true to their general and their country. Ainsw. Lex.

sult of the suit. The successful party received back his stake; the losing party forfeited his, and it was paid into the public treasury, to be expended for sacred objects, (in sacris rebus,) whence the name. See Mackeld. Rom. Law, § 203.