from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Teste \Tes"te\, n. [So called fr. L. teste, abl. of testis a
witness, because this was formerly the initial word in the
clause.] (Law)
(a) A witness.
(b) The witnessing or concluding clause, duty attached; --
said of a writ, deed, or the like. --Burrill.
[1913 Webster]
from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
TESTE, practice. The teste of a writ is the concluding clause, commencing
with the word witness, &c.
2. The act of congress of May 8, 1792, 1 Story's Laws U. S. 257,
directs that all writs and process issuing from the supreme or a circuit
court, shall bear teste of the chief justice of the supreme court, or if
that office be vacant, of the associate justice next in precedence; and that
all writs or process issuing from a district court, shall hear teste of the
judge of such court, or, if the said office be vacant, of the clerk thereof.
Vide Serg. Const. Law, Index, h.t.; 20 Vin. Ab. 262; Steph. Plead. 25.