Mainprise
Mainprise , noun
[French main hand + prise a taking, from prendre, p. p. pris to take, from Latin prehendere, prehensum.]
(a)
(Law) A writ directed to the sheriff, commanding him to take sureties, called mainpernors, for the prisoner's appearance, and to let him go at large. This writ is now obsolete.
(b)
(Law) Deliverance of a prisoner on security for his appearance at a day. — Wharton
Mainprise , transitive verb
(Law) To suffer to go at large, on his finding sureties, or mainpernors, for his appearance at a day; -- said of a prisoner.