A legal maxim or pithy saying expressing a legal principle, often used as a guide in law.
From Medieval Latin 'brocardus,' thought to be derived from the name of an actual medieval jurist named Burchard of Worms (Burckardus), whose legal sayings became famous. The word entered English legal vocabulary through this tradition.
Some scholars think 'brocard' comes from a real person—Burchard of Worms, a 10th-century bishop who compiled legal principles. If true, it's amazing that one man's legal wisdom got so famous his name became the word for legal maxims!
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