That part of a tree or plant under ground from which it draws most of its nourishment from the earth. 2. — When the roots of a tree planted in one man’s land extend into that of another, this circumstance does not give the latter any right to the tree, though such is t…
Understanding Boot
under ground from which it draws most
of its nourishment from the earth.
2. — When the roots of a tree planted
in one man’s land extend into that of
another, this circumstance does not give
the latter any right to the tree, though
such is the doctrine of the civil law,
Dig. 41, 1, 7, 13, but such person has
a right to cut off the roots up to his
line. Bolle’s R. 394, vide Tree.
3. — In a figurative sense, the term
root is used to signify the person from
whom one or more others are descended.
Vide Descent; J*cr Stirjxs.
How Boot affects you
Boot appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
The mechanics of Boot
In practice, Boot is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Bouvier's Law Dictionary (1856) , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.