a letter which cannot be sounded without the aid of a vowel placed before or after it; as, b, c, d, f, m, &c.

CONSPIRACY—Conspirator. These, and the cognate terms, come from the Latin, which literally expresses breathing together. Two eminent characteristics of conspiracy are thus indicated; the one extreme secrecy, the other a union of action among persons—more than one; conspiracy is incapable of being committed by one person. In history it may be contrasted with rebellion, which is a public offence, and capable of being committed by a single person. Private conspiracy to injure an individual person by some illegal act is an offence punishable by every criminal code. The most common and dangerous species is that by which a plan is concocted for bringing home to the victim a false charge of the commission of a crime. The punishment of private conspiracy in England is adjusted by 14th and 15th Vict., cap. 100, § 29.