de bene esse

[di bee-nee es-ee, dee, dey bey-ney es-ey]

adverb

Law.

1. of validity for the time being but subject to objection or nullification at a later date; provisionally.

   to take evidence de bene esse to ensure against its loss.

Word History and Origins

Origin of de bene esse¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin: dē bene esse, literally, “of well-being”

Example Sentences

Few beside those who had had the equivocal advantage of being early familiarised with such gibberish as "special general imparlance"—"special testatum capias"—"special original"—"testatum pone"—"protestando"—"colour"—"de bene esse," &c. &c. &c. could obtain a glimmering of daily practice, without a serious waste of time and depreciation of the mental faculties.

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If he has answered, it may go in, de bene esse.

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I receive it de bene esse; to give such weight to it as I shall think proper.

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Many distinguished speakers are said to do more than this,—to write out with care and repeat from memory their more important and persuasive parts; like the de bene esse’s of Curran, and the splendid passages of many others.

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Bourqueney has signed the document de bene esse; this is his wisest and most dignified course.

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