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next friend

American  

noun

Law.
  1. a person other than a duly appointed guardian who acts on behalf of an infant or other person not fully qualified by law to act on their own behalf.


next friend British  

noun

  1. Official name: litigation friendlaw (formerly) a person acting on behalf of an infant or other person under legal disability

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of next friend

before 900; Middle English; Old English

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Why not invite your next friend who reaches out to walk along Alki or Seward Park instead?

From Seattle Times Jan. 31, 2017

In a rise which thus has more of Dale Carnegie than Horatio Alger in it, the next friend whom Ed Stettinius won and influenced was U.S.

From Time Magazine Archive

Technically hired as counsel by Edelman who claimed legal status as "next friend" of the Rosenbergs, the two lawyers developed a special argument.

From Time Magazine Archive

Thus faithful Willie Kerr, somewhat harassed by the responsibilities of being next friend to a crown prince.

From V. V.'s Eyes by Harrison, Henry Sydnor

I am keeping my next friend waiting, who, I can see, is impatient to run a course in favor of his view of revelation.

From The Eclipse of Faith Or, A Visit To A Religious Sceptic by Rogers, Henry

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