The backing of an affirmation or forecast by offering to forfeit, in case of an adverse issue, a sum of money or some article to one who, by accepting, maintains the opposite with a corresponding stipulation. Though a bet be and often is, null and void in the eyes of the law, yet it may be a valid contract binding in conscience if the object is honest and if it fulfills the following conditions:
(a) the parties must have the free disposal of what they stake and both must bind themselves to pay if they lose;
(b) both must understand the matter of the bet in the same sense;
(c) neither must have absolutely certain evidence of the truth of his contention which he does not reveal to the other.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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