habeas corpus

noun ha·be·as cor·pus \ˈhā-bē-əs-ˈkȯr-pəs\

law : an order to bring a jailed person before a judge or court to find out if that person should really be in jail

Full Definition of HABEAS CORPUS

: any of several common-law writs issued to bring a party before a court or judge; especially : habeas corpus ad subjiciendum

: the right of a citizen to obtain a writ of habeas corpus as a protection against illegal imprisonment

See habeas corpus defined for English-language learners

See habeas corpus defined for kids

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, literally, you should have the body (the opening words of the writ)

First Known Use: 15th century

Next Word in the Dictionary: habeas corpus ad faciendum et recipiendumPrevious Word in the Dictionary: habdalahAll Words Near: habeas corpus

What made you want to look up habeas corpus? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears