DIVORCE, a breach or dissolution of the bond of marriage. See MARRIAGE; and Law, N° clx. 23.
Divorce is of two kinds: the one, a vinculo matrimonii, which alone is properly divorce; the other, a mensa & thoro, a separation from bed and board.
The woman divorced a vinculo matrimonii, receives all again that she brought with her: the other has a suitable separate maintenance allowed her out of her husband's effects.
The first only happens thro' some essential impediment.
Diuresis
Dobson. ment, as consanguinity or affinity within the degrees forbidden, pre-contract, impotency, adultery, &c. of which impediments the canon law allows 14, comprehended in these verses:
Error, conditio, votum, cognatio, crimen,
Cultus, disparitas, vis, ordo, ligamen, honestas,
Si sis affini, si forte coire nequias,
Si parochi & duplicitas desit proxima testis,
Raptave sit mulier, nec parti reddita tute.