Legal Definitions - cede

cede (seed), vb.

1. To surrender or relinquish.
2. To assign or grant.

cession (sesh-uhn), n.

cessionary (sesh-uhn-er-ee), adj.

cedent cedent. See REINSURED.

cédula (say-doo-lah). [Spanish]

1. An official document used to identify someone; an identity card.
2. A promissory note.
3. A summons; specifically, a citation requiring a fugitive to appear in court to face criminal charges. The citation is usually affixed to the fugitive's door.
4. Historically, a decree of the Spanish Crown; especially, a royal enactment issued by the Council of Castile or of the Indies.

Examples:

• After losing the war, the country had to cede some of its territory to the victor.
• The company decided to cede control of the project to a more experienced team.
• The fugitive received a cédula ordering them to appear in court.

The first two examples illustrate the first definition of cede, which means to surrender or relinquish. In the first example, the country had to give up some of its territory. In the second example, the company gave up control of the project. The third example illustrates the third definition of cédula, which is a summons or citation requiring someone to appear in court.