opening a judgmen

OPENING A JUDGMENT. The act of the court by which a judgment is so far 
annulled that it cannot be executed, but which still retains some qualities 
of a judgment; as, for example, its binding operation or lien upon the real 
estate of the defendant. 
     2. The opening of the judgment takes place when some person having an 
interest makes affidavit to facts, which if true would render the execution 
of such judgment inequitable. The judgment is opened so as to be in effect 
an award of a collateral issue to try the facts alleged in the affidavit. 6 
Watts & Serg. 493, 494.