butts and bounds

plural noun

, Law.

1. the boundary lines of a piece of land, as used in deeds, titles, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of butts and bounds¹

1550–60; butts ends ( butt ² ); bounds sides ( bound ³ )

Example Sentences

That is a country of laws; and their very sailors are all full of "rights" and "wrongs;" of "justice and injustice;" and of defining crimes, and ascertaining "the butts and bounds" of national and individual rights.

From Project Gutenberg

The whole were under the command of a commodore, while captain Hutchinson, agent for the prisoners of war, exercised a sort of control over the whole; but the butts and bounds of their jurisdiction I never knew.

From Project Gutenberg

We desire you to assign the Butts and Bounds of each of us; and that for the future we may both enjoy our own.

From Project Gutenberg