in ancient customs, denotes a servant of the king. The word is also written adelfcalche, and adelfcalce. It is compounded of the German adel, or edel, "noble," and calce, "servant." Among the Bavarians, adelfcalce appear to have been the same with royal thanes among the Saxons, and those called ministri regis in ancient charters.

**ADEPTION**, in the Civil Law, implies the revocation of a grant, donation, or the like.