Legal Term: ANALOGY

Definition: comtruction. The similitude of relations which exist between things compared.

2. To reason analogically, is to draw conclusions based on this similitude of relations, on the resemblance, or the connexion which is perceived between the objects compared. "It is this guide," says Toollier, which leads the law lawgiver, like other men, without his observing it. It is analogy which induces us, with reason, to suppose that, following the example of the Creator of the universe, the lawgiver has established general and uniform laws, which it is unnecessary to repeat in all analogous cases." Dr. Civ. Fr. liv. 3, t. 1, c. 1. Vide Ang. on Adv. Enjoym. 30, 31, Hale"s Com. Law, 141.

3. Analogy has been declared to be an argument or guide in forming legal judgments, and is very commonly a ground of such judgments. 7 Barn. & Cres. 168, 3 Bing. R. 265, 8 Bing R. 557, 563, 3 Atk. 313, 1 Eden"s R. 212, 1 W. Bl. 151, 6 Ves. jr. 675, 676, 3 Swanst. R. 561, 1 Turn. & R. 103, 338, 1 R. & M. 352, 475, 477, 4 Burr. R. 1962, 2022, 2068, 4 T. R. 591, 4 Barn. & Cr. 855, 7 Dowl. & Ry. 251, Cas. t. Talb. 140, 3 P. Wms. 391, 3 Bro. C. C. 639, n.

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