Māin'per-nor, n.

n. [O. Fr. main, hand, and pernor, for prenour, a taker, from prendre, to take; O. Fr. pernez, for prenez.] (Law.) A surety for a prisoner's appearance in court at a day.

☞ Mainpernors differ from bail in that a man's bail may imprison or surrender him before the stipulated day of appearance; mainpernors can do neither; they are bound to produce him to answer all charges whatsoever. Blackstone.