Latin. The transferring of the property of the res mancipi among the ancient Romans, was made by a certain act, called Mancipatio or Mancipium, vid. Cic. Off. iii. 16, de Orat. i. 39, in which the same formalities wore observed as in emancipating a son, only that it was done but once. This Cicero calls traditio ulteri nexu, i. e.. a transfer into another connection (or possession). Topic. 5, s. 28. Thus, Dare mancipio, i. e. ex forma vel lege mancipii, to convey the property of a thing in that manner; 'accipere,' to receive it. Plaut. Cure. iv. 2, 8. Trin. ii. 419. Pont. iv. 5, 39. Sui mancipii esse, to be one's own master; to be subject to the dominion of no one. Cic. ad Brut. 16. So, mancipare agrum alicui, to sell an estate to anyone. Plin. Ep. vii. 18. Emancipare fundos, to divest oneself of the estate, and convey it to another. Id. x. 8.
Cicero commonly uses mancipium, and nexum or nexus- as of the same import, but sometimes he distinguishes them where mancipium implies complete property, and nexus only the right of obligation, as when a person receives anything by way ...