My brother successfully defended this Ph.D thesis yesterday!!!! Congratulations! Although he had one examiner that disagreed from a philosophical point of view, they were all very satisfied with the thesis and his oral defense. Way to go, Iain!
WRIT OF MAINPRIZE, English law. A writ directed to the sheriff (either generally, when any man is imprisoned for a bailable offence, and bail has been refused; or specially, when the offence or cause of commitment is not properly bailable below) commanding him to take sureties for the prisoner's appearance, commonly called mainpernors, and to set him at large. 3 B]. Com. 128. Vide Mainprize.
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States. By John Bouvier. Published 1856.