2. (Law) A qualification involving the idea of variation or
departure from some general rule or form, in the way of
either restriction or enlargement, according to the
circumstances of the case, as in the will of a donor, an
agreement between parties, and the like. --Bracton.
3. (Law) A fixed compensation or equivalent given instead of
payment of tithes in kind, expressed in full by the phrase
modus decimandi. --Blackstone.
They, from time immemorial, had paid a modus, or
composition. --Landor.
{Modus operandi}[L.], manner of operating.