common law: Meaning and Definition of

com'mon law'

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. the system of law originating in England, as distinct from the civil or Roman law and the canon or ecclesiastical law.
  2. the unwritten law, esp. of England, based on custom or court decision, as distinct from statute law.
  3. the law administered through the system of courts established for the purpose, as distinct from equity or admiralty.

com•mon-law

Pronunciation: (kom'un-lô'), [key]
— adj.
  1. of, pertaining to, or established by common law: a common-law spouse.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.