oyer and terminer

noun oy·er and ter·mi·ner \ˌȯi-ər-ən(d)-ˈtər-mə-nər\

Definition of OYER AND TERMINER

: a commission authorizing a British judge to hear and determine a criminal case at the assizes

: a high criminal court in some United States states

Middle English, part translation of Anglo-French oyer et terminer, literally, to hear and determine

First Known Use: 15th century

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