Writ De Odio Et Atia

Engl. law. This writ is obsolete, and superseded by the writ of habeas corpus. It was anciently directed to the sheriff, commanding him to inquire whether a prisoner charged with murder was committed upon just cause or suspicion, or merely propter odium et atiam, for hatred and ill-will; and, if upon the inquisition due cause of suspicion did not appear, then there issued another writ for the sheriff to admit him to bail.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.