disclaimer
    n 1: (law) a voluntary repudiation of a person's legal claim to
         something
    2: denial of any connection with or knowledge of [syn:
       disavowal, disclaimer]

Disclaimer \Dis*claim"er\, n.
   1. One who disclaims, disowns, or renounces.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Law) A denial, disavowal, or renunciation, as of a title,
      claim, interest, estate, or trust; relinquishment or
      waiver of an interest or estate. --Burrill.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. A public disavowal, as of pretensions, claims, opinions,
      and the like. --Burke.
      [1913 Webster]

disclaimer
 n.

    [Usenet] Statement ritually appended to many Usenet postings (sometimes
    automatically, by the posting software) reiterating the fact (which should
    be obvious, but is easily forgotten) that the article reflects its author's
    opinions and not necessarily those of the organization running the machine
    through which the article entered the network.

disclaimer

    Statement ritually appended to many Usenet
   postings (sometimes automatically, by the posting software)
   reiterating the fact (which should be obvious, but is easily
   forgotten) that the article reflects its author's opinions and
   not necessarily those of the organisation running the computer
   through which the article entered the network.

   [Jargon File]

   (1995-07-30)

DISCLAIMER. This word signifies. to abandon, to renounce; also the act by  
which the renunciation is made. For example, a disclaimer is the act by 
which a patentee renounces a part of his title of invention, 
     2. In real actions, a disclaimer of the tenancy or title is frequently 
added to the plea of non tenure. Litt. Sec. 391. If the action be one in 
which the demandant cannot recover damages, as formedon in the discender, 
the demandant or plaintiff was bound to pray judgment, &c., and enter, for 
thereby, he has the effect of his suit, et frustra fit per plura quod fieri 
potest per pauciora. But, if the demandant can recover damages and is 
unwilling to waive them, he should answer the disclaimer by averring that 
the defendant is tenant of the land, or claims to be such as the writ 
supposes, and proceed to try the question, otherwise he would lose his 
damages. The same course may be pursued in the action of ejectment, although 
in Pennsylvania, the formality of such a replication to the disclaimer is 
dispensed with, and the fact is tried without it. 5 Watts, 70; 3 Barr, 367. 
Yet, if the plaintiff is willing to waive his claim for damages, there is no 
reason why he may not ask for judgment upon the disclaimer without trial, 
for thereby he has the effect of his suit. Et frustra fit per plura, &c. 

DISCLAIMER, estates. The act of a party by which be refuses to accept of an 
estate which has been conveyed to him. Vide Assent; Dissent. 
     2. It is said, that a disclaimer of a freehold estate must be in a 
court of record, because a freehold shall not be divested by bare words, in 
pais. Cruise, Dig. tit. 32, c. 2 6, s. 1, 2. 
     3. A disclaimer of tenancy is the act of a person in possession, who 
denies holding the estate from the person claiming to be the owner of it. 2 
Nev. & M. 672. Vide 8 Vin.. Ab. 501; Coote, L. & T. 348, 375; F. N. B. 179 
k; Bull. N. P. 96; 16 East, R. 99; 1 Man. & Gran. 135; S. C. 39 Eng. C. L. 
Rep. 380, 385; 10 B. & Cr. 816; ow, N. P. Cas. 180; 2 Nov. & Man. 673; 1 C. 
M. & R. 398 Co. Litt. 102, a. 

DISCLAIMER, chancery pleading. The renunciation of the defendant to all 
claims to the subject of the demand made by the plaintiff's bill. 
     2. A disclaimer is distinct in substance from an answer, though 
sometimes confounded with it, but it seldom can be put in without an answer 
for if the defendant has been made a party by mistake, having had an 
interest which be has parted with, the plaintiff may require an answer 
sufficient to ascertain whether that is the fact or not. Mitf. Pl. 11, 14, 
253; Coop. Eq. Pl. 309; Story, Eq. Pl. c. 17, Sec. 838 to 844; 4 Bouv. Inst. 
n. 4211-14.