VI ET ARMIS

VI ET ARMIS. With force and arms. When man breaks into another's close vi et armis, he may be opposed force by force, for there is no time to request him to go away. 2 Salk. 641; 8 T. R. 78, 357.

2. These words are universally inserted in a writ of trespass, because they point out that the act has been done with force, and they are technical words to designate this offence. Ham. N. P. 4, 10, 12; 1 Chit. Pl. 122 to 125; and article Force.