NEXUM Meaning and
Definition
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Nexum is a Latin word that refers to a type of contract or legal agreement that was prevalent in ancient Roman law. It involves a bond or bond-like agreement between two parties, typically an individual or a slave (nexus) and a creditor. In this arrangement, the nexus would effectively become a collateral or quasi-slave, surrendering personal freedom and becoming bound to the creditor until the debt is repaid.
The nexum contract was established as a form of security for a debt and was enforceable by law. It involved a formal ritual where the nexus would physically hand over himself as collateral to the creditor, who then had almost complete control over him. The nexus would work for the creditor until the debt was fully paid, often in the form of labor or services. During this period, the nexus would lose several rights and freedoms, essentially becoming subject to the will of the creditor.
However, in later Roman history, the nexum contract was replaced by less severe forms of credit agreements, such as the manus iniectio and stipulation contracts. These newer forms were less burdensome on the debtor and allowed for more flexibility in terms of repayment. Ultimately, the nexum contract became obsolete and faded out of legal practice in Roman society.
Common Misspellings for NEXUM
- bexum
- jexum
- hexum
- nwxum
- nsxum
- ndxum
- nrxum
- n4xum
- n3xum
- nezum
- nexym
- nexhm
- nexjm
- nexim
- nex8m
- nex7m
- nexun
- nexuk
- nexuj
- bnexum
Etymology of NEXUM
The word "nexum" comes from Latin. Its etymology can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "nekʷ-", meaning "death" or "to bind". In Latin, "nexum" specifically referred to a type of binding contract or loan agreement. It involved the debtor pledging his personal freedom as collateral for the loan, and if he failed to repay, the creditor could claim ownership over him as a form of debt servitude. Over time, "nexum" evolved to mean "bond", "obligation", or "debt".
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