\Leg"is*la`ture\ (l[e^]j"[i^]s*l[=a]`t[-u]r; 135),
n. [Cf. F. l['e]gislature.]
The body of persons in a state or kingdom invested with power
to make and repeal laws; a legislative body.
      Without the concurrent consent of all three parts of
      the legislature, no law is, or can be, made. --Sir M.
                                               Hale.
Note: The legislature of Great Britain consists of the Lords
      and Commons, with the king or queen, whose sanction is
      necessary to every bill before it becomes a law. The
      legislatures of most of the United States consist of
      two houses or branches; but the sanction or consent of
      the governor is required to give their acts the force
      of law, or a concurrence of two thirds of the two
      houses after he has refused his sanction and assigned
      his objections.

\Legislature\, n.
Note: The legislatures of some of the more important states
      having constitutional government are as follows, the
      general name (or a translation of it) of the
      legislative body collectively being given under the
      heading legislature, or parliament: