This word has seve- ral meanings. 1 . It signifies an order ; an apprentice is bound to obey the law- ful command of his master ; a consta- ble may command rioters to keep the peace. 2. A request or suggestion; no who commands another to do an unlawful act, is accessary…
What is Command?
ral meanings. 1 . It signifies an order ;
an apprentice is bound to obey the law-
ful command of his master ; a consta-
ble may command rioters to keep the
peace. 2. A request or suggestion;
no who commands another to do an
unlawful act, is accessary to it. 3
Inst. 51, 57 ; 2 Inst. 182; 1 Ilayw. 4.
3. Command is also equi valent to de-
putation or voluntary substitution ; as,
when a master employs one to do a
thing, he is said to have commanded
him to do it ; and he is responsible ac-
cordingly. Story, Ag. § 454, note.
Vol. i.— 34
COMMENCEMENT OF A SUIT
Why Command matters
Command 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.
How Command works in practice
In practice, Command 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.